EP4297427A1 - Écouteur pour dispositif auditif - Google Patents

Écouteur pour dispositif auditif Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4297427A1
EP4297427A1 EP22180375.2A EP22180375A EP4297427A1 EP 4297427 A1 EP4297427 A1 EP 4297427A1 EP 22180375 A EP22180375 A EP 22180375A EP 4297427 A1 EP4297427 A1 EP 4297427A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shell
support element
earpiece
receiver
circuit board
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP22180375.2A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Markus LEUTHOLD
Erwin Kuipers
Hans-Ueli Roeck
Maryam MOSTAFEI
Patrizia RICHNER
Konstantin SILBERZAHN
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.)
Sonova Holding AG
Original Assignee
Sonova AG
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 Sonova AG filed Critical Sonova AG
Priority to EP22180375.2A priority Critical patent/EP4297427A1/fr
Publication of EP4297427A1 publication Critical patent/EP4297427A1/fr
Pending 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
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/609—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of circuitry
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1016—Earpieces of the intra-aural type
    • 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
    • H04R2225/023—Completely in the canal [CIC] hearing aids
    • 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
    • H04R2225/025—In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids

Definitions

  • Modern in-canal receivers for hearing aids may be equipped with additional sensors that allow for measurements of physiological parameters of the user.
  • an optical photoplethysmographic sensor PPG is used to measures changes in microvascular blood volume, to further extract vital signs such as heart rate, respiration rate, blood oxygenation or blood pressure.
  • the quality of the PPG signal depends on the placement of the sensor with respect to the tissue to be measured. Consistent and close contact between the light source, the tissue and the photoreceptor ensure optimal penetration of the light through the tissue and efficient recording of the light reflections.
  • an earpiece for a hearing device is configured to be at least partially inserted into an ear canal of a user, the earpiece comprising:
  • the one or more sensor and/or components thereof project into the one or more windows.
  • the recess may have a shape corresponding to a shape of the printed circuit board.
  • An inner surface of the support element may be defined as a surface extending around the through-hole
  • an outer surface of the shell may be defined as a surface at least partially in contact with the ear canal wall when the shell is at least partially inserted into the ear canal, the inner surface of the shell delimiting an inner volume enclosed by the shell, the window extending between the inner and outer surface of the shell.
  • the senor is an optical sensor, e.g., a PPG sensor, comprising at least one light source and at least one photo element.
  • the support element is elastic such that the support element can be positioned relative to the one or more locking elements in the shell and/or the shell can be positioned relative to the one or more locking elements in the support element by elastic deformation of the support element.
  • the one or more of the locking elements provided at the inner surface of the shell may be positioned at the inner surface of the shell to engage with the support element at a lateral end of the support element.
  • the medial end may be defined as an end facing a tympanic membrane inside the ear canal when the shell is at least partially inserted into the ear canal.
  • the receiver and/or the support element comprises one or more receiver locking elements for locking the support element in place with the receiver.
  • receiver locking element may not always be required.
  • the receiver may already be sufficiently fixed inside the support element by frictional forces, e.g., between the inner surface defining the through hole of the support element and the surface of the receiver.
  • the support element may be elastic such that the support element can be positioned relative to the one or more receiver locking elements on the receiver and/or the receiver can be positioned relative to the one or more receiver locking elements in the support element by elastic deformation of the support element.
  • the support element may thus be locked in place within the shell by the one or more receiver locking elements when returning to an original shape after the elastic deformation of the support element.
  • the one or more receiver locking elements comprise a flange provided on the receiver configured to click into a retention groove within the support element around the through-hole and/or seat.
  • the shell may be made of a harder and/or less flexible material than the support element.
  • the shell may have a greater radial stiffness than the support element.
  • the senor and/or its components may have a respective sealing ring around their respective circumference sealing against the shell.
  • the inner shape of the shell near the medial end thereof is a dome shape.
  • the support element consists of or comprises an eleastomer, e.g., silicone.
  • the support element may also be formed from another material such as foam having elastic properties.
  • the support element may also be customized in accordance with the customization of the shell.
  • the support element may have a shape customized to be positioned inside the custom shell and/or a recess provided in the support element may have a position and/or shape customized to the position of one or more windows provided in the shell.
  • the support element, and a recess provided therein may also have a standardized size and/or shape.
  • the support element may be selected from a limited set of support elements each having a different standardized size and/or shape or the support element may have a fixed size and/or shape.
  • the support element may also be fabricated from a resin, e.g. an elastomeric resin, in an additive manufacturing process, e.g. by 3D printing.
  • a resin e.g. an elastomeric resin
  • the support element may also be fabricated from a body, which may have elastic properties, e.g., a foam material or an elastomeric body, by a subtractive manufacturing, e.g. by cutting the recess into the body and/or cutting the body into a suitable shape.
  • a body which may have elastic properties, e.g., a foam material or an elastomeric body, by a subtractive manufacturing, e.g. by cutting the recess into the body and/or cutting the body into a suitable shape.
  • a shape of the outer surface of the support element may depend on constraints which are related to the determined user-specific ear canal geometry when forming the support element.
  • the method of manufacturing the earpiece may further comprise, e.g., during assembling the earpiece:
  • the method of manufacturing the earpiece may further comprise, e.g., during assembling the earpiece:
  • the method of manufacturing the earpiece may further comprise:
  • Another method of assembling the ear piece (10) may comprise:
  • the method further comprises:
  • the shell may be a custom shell customized to an individual ear canal of a user offering a secured seating resulting in a comfortable wearing and also an enhanced listening experience when at least partially inserted into the ear canal as compared to, e.g., a standardized earplug conforming to an averaged ear canal shape.
  • the secured seating can also be exploited for precise PPG-measurements inside the ear canal, e.g., due to a decreased impact of motion artefacts in the sensor signal.
  • a user-specific ear canal geometry is initially determined, e.g., by taking impressions of the user's ear canal, and the custom shell is formed from a resin by taking into account the predetermined individual ear canal geometry, e.g. by 3D printing technology.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view of an earpiece 10.
  • the earpiece 10 may a be customized earpiece having a custom shell 11 customized to the shape of an ear canal of an individual user.
  • the earpiece 10 may a be universal earpiece or have a universal shell 11, or have one out of a set of shells 11 that have different sizes and shapes to fit a majority of the population.
  • the earpiece 10 may be an earpiece as described in the application EP 21 187 003.5 .
  • the earpiece 10 may have an elongate shape and is configured to be inserted into an ear canal of a user and typically comprises a receiver 15 or speaker configured to reproduce sound into the ear canal through a sound outlet port 16 in a medial surface.
  • the receiver 15 is electrically connected by a cable 17 which enters the earpiece 10 at a lateral end thereof.
  • the cable 17 may also be connected to sound processing circuitry arranged in a behind the ear part of a hearing device.
  • the illustrated earpiece 10 comprises at least one sensor 13, e.g. a PPG sensor 13 (photoplethysmographic sensor) comprising at least one light source 13.2 such as an LED 13.2 and at least one photo element 13.1, e.g. a photo diode 13.1.
  • the PPG sensor 13 is located on or in a lateral surface of the earpiece 10 and may also be electrically connected to processing circuitry through the cable 17.
  • the flexible printed circuit board 12 is positioned in the shell 11.
  • the shell 11 has windows 31.1, 31.2 at pre-defined positions and with pre-defined size and shape, matching the position, size and shape of the one or more sensor 13 and/or its components 13.1, 13.2 on the flexible printed circuit board 12.
  • a medial end of the support element 14 comprises a flange 21 configured to be pulled through a medial hole 22 in the shell 11 as the support element 14 is inserted and to subsequently engage the outer surface of the shell 11 around the medial hole 22 so that the support element 14 is secured in the shell 11 by the shell 11 around the medial hole 22 engaging in a groove formed between the flange 21 and the portion of the support element 14 within the shell 11.
  • the support element 14 may comprise a grip (not shown), e.g. a tubular grip, medially from the flange 21. The grip may be used to pull the support element 14 into position within the shell 11 until the support element 14 clips into the shell 11. At this point, the pulling may stop and the grip may be cut off.
  • the receiver 15 may then be pushed into the seat 20 within the support element 14 from the lateral end, until a flange 23 on the receiver 15 clicks into a retention groove 24 within the support element 14 around the through-hole 19 and/or seat 20.
  • the grip may likewise be cut off from the support element 14 at this point.
  • An end of the flexible printed circuit board 12 extending from the recess 18 may then be electrically connected to the receiver 15, e.g. sideways, at the top, bottom or rear thereof.
  • the receiver 15 may have a connector (not shown) for this purpose.
  • the flexible printed circuit board 12 may be supplied with a module at its end extending from the recess 18. This module may be connected to the receiver 15.
  • the main cable 17 of the earpiece 10 or RIC device might be connected already to this module and the receiver 15 will be attached to that module.
  • the advantage of this design is that the earpiece 10 can be disassembled for maintenance, service or cleaning.
  • the relative orientation and placement of the support element 14 does not require narrow geometrical tolerances.
  • the earpiece 10 may have an elongate shape and is configured to be inserted into an ear canal of a user and typically comprises a receiver 15 or speaker configured to reproduce sound into the ear canal through a sound outlet port 16 in a medial surface.
  • the receiver 15 is electrically connected by a cable 17 which enters the earpiece 10 at a lateral end thereof.
  • the cable 17 may also be connected to sound processing circuitry arranged in a behind the ear part of a hearing device.
  • the illustrated earpiece 10 comprises at least one sensor 13, e.g. a PPG sensor 13 (photoplethysmographic sensor) comprising at least one light source 13.2 such as an LED 13.2 and at least one photo element 13.1, e.g. a photo diode 13.1.
  • the PPG sensor 13 is located on or in a lateral surface of the earpiece 10 and may also be electrically connected to processing circuitry through the cable 17.
  • the earpiece 10 comprises a relatively hard tube or shell 11 which may be manufactured using an injection molding process.
  • the shell 11 has an inner surface 32 and an outer surface 33.
  • a flexible printed circuit board 12 is provided, on which the one or more sensors 13 or components 13.1, 13.2 of the one or more sensors 13 are arranged.
  • the flexible printed circuit board 12 is electrically connected, preferably fixedly connected, to the receiver 15.
  • the earpiece 10 comprises a support element 14 configured to be inserted into the shell 11 from the lateral end thereof towards the medial end.
  • the support element 14 has an outer surface 34 and an inner surface 35.
  • Figure 3 is a schematic view of the support element 14.
  • the support element 14 is shaped complementary to an inner shape, e.g. a dome shape, of the shell 11 near the medial end thereof but has a recess 18 to accommodate the printed circuit board 12 or a part thereof between the shell 11 and the support element 14, when the support element 14 and the printed circuit board 12 are in place within the shell 11.
  • an inner shape e.g. a dome shape
  • the support element 14 may consist of or comprise a relatively soft material such as silicone. Moreover, the support element 14 has a through-hole 19 with a seat 20 for the receiver 15.
  • Figure 4 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the support element 14 which is similar to the embodiment shown in figure 3 .
  • the recess 18 of the embodiment of figure 4 may comprise a first section 18.1 which may be essentially straight in view of an angular position relative to a longitudinal axis of the earpiece 10, and a second section 18.2 branching of from the first section 18.1, e.g. in a circumferential direction of the earpiece 10.
  • the part of the printed circuit board 12 configured to be received in the recess 18 may have a complementary shape with a first section 12.1 and a second section 12.2, so that two or more components 13.1, 13.2, e.g.
  • a photo diode 13.1 and a LED 13.2 may be arranged on the first section 12.1 at essentially the same angular position but different longitudinal positions, and a further component 13.1, e.g. a further photo diode 13.1 may be arranged on the second section 12.2 at a different angular position.
  • Figure 5 is a schematic view of the shell 11.
  • the shell 11 has windows 31.1, 32.2 at pre-defined positions and with pre-defined size and shape, matching the position, size and shape of the one or more sensor 13 and/or its components 13.1, 13.2 on the flexible printed circuit board 12.
  • the receiver 15 may be pushed into the seat 20 within the support element 14 from the lateral end, until a flange 23 on the receiver 15 clicks into a retention groove 24 within the support element 14 around the through-hole 19 and/or seat 20.
  • the printed circuit board 12 or the part thereof opposite the end connected to the receiver 15 is laid into the recess 18 within the support element 14.
  • the subassembly formed including the support element 14, the receiver 15 and the printed circuit board 12 is then pushed into the shell 11 from the lateral end thereof.
  • the one or more sensor 13 and/or its components 13.1, 13.2 on the flexible printed circuit board 12 enter the respective windows 31.1, 31.2 in the shell 11 and the printed circuit board 12 is accommodated between the shell 11 and the support element 14 so that the printed circuit board 12 and the sensor 13 do not fall out of the shell 11.
  • each of the one or more sensors 13 and/or its components 13.1, 13.2 have a sealing ring (not shown) around their respective circumference sealing against the shell 11 to prevent substances like cerumen and moisture to enter the shell 11.
  • the number of different support elements 14 may be equal to the number of different shells 11. For example, if there are four different shells 11 or tubes in a set as in the application EP 21 187 003.5 , four different support elements 14 respectively complementary to the shapes of the shells 11 may be required.
  • An advantage of the embodiment of figures 2 to 4 is that no connector between the flexible printed circuit board 12 and the receiver 15 is needed. In case of the need for exchanging either one of these components, both the receiver 15 and the flexible printed circuit board 12 have to be exchanged.
  • the embodiment of figures 2 to 4 requires less processing steps with regard to the shell 11 than the embodiment of figure 1 .
  • Figure 7 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an earpiece 10 comprising a shell 11 and a support element 14, similar to the one of figures 1 and 2 .
  • the recess 18 is arranged in the shell 11 instead of in the support element 14.
  • figure 7 illustrates that the flange 23 on the receiver 15 shown in figures 1 and 2 is optional and may be omitted.
  • the flange 21 shown in figure 1 and/or the locking element 26 shown in figure 2 has been omitted in figure 6 to illustrate that it is not required, in particular if frictional forces are sufficient to hold the support element 14 in the shell 11.
  • any of the contacting options between the printed circuit board 12 and the receiver 15 shown in figures 1 or 2 is possible and may be applied in the embodiments of figures 6 to 8 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)
EP22180375.2A 2022-06-22 2022-06-22 Écouteur pour dispositif auditif Pending EP4297427A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22180375.2A EP4297427A1 (fr) 2022-06-22 2022-06-22 Écouteur pour dispositif auditif

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22180375.2A EP4297427A1 (fr) 2022-06-22 2022-06-22 Écouteur pour dispositif auditif

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4297427A1 true EP4297427A1 (fr) 2023-12-27

Family

ID=82214368

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22180375.2A Pending EP4297427A1 (fr) 2022-06-22 2022-06-22 Écouteur pour dispositif auditif

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4297427A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1032548A (en) * 1964-04-02 1966-06-08 Dahlberg Electronics In-the-ear hearing aid
US3529102A (en) * 1965-03-26 1970-09-15 Danavox Int As Arrangement in hearing aids especially for being placed in the ear
US20200085326A1 (en) * 2018-09-19 2020-03-19 Sonion Nederland B.V. Assembly of a receiver and a sensor
US20210100508A1 (en) * 2019-10-07 2021-04-08 Sonion Nederland B.V. Hearing device including an optical sensor

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1032548A (en) * 1964-04-02 1966-06-08 Dahlberg Electronics In-the-ear hearing aid
US3529102A (en) * 1965-03-26 1970-09-15 Danavox Int As Arrangement in hearing aids especially for being placed in the ear
US20200085326A1 (en) * 2018-09-19 2020-03-19 Sonion Nederland B.V. Assembly of a receiver and a sensor
US20210100508A1 (en) * 2019-10-07 2021-04-08 Sonion Nederland B.V. Hearing device including an optical sensor

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