JP2002078094A - Hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hearing aid which is easily attachable/detachable and causes no howling at the attachment/detachment. SOLUTION: A knob 3 is rocked around a shaft 3a locked to a support 4 projected from a case 1. The knob 3 is fallen down to a rear side of the case when the hearing aid is in use and when a wearing person mounts this hearing aid to its external auditory meatus or extracts the hearing aid from its external auditory meatus, the wearing person pulls up the knob 3 and inserts the hearing aid to its external auditory meatus or extracts the hearing aid from its external auditory meatus while picking it up by finger tips. An actuator 5a of a micro switch 5 is exposed to a recessed part 1a on a rear side of the case 1. Moreover, a projection 3b is formed to a position opposed to the recessed part 1a of the knob 3. When the knob 3 is fallen down, the projection 3b is fitted to the recessed part 1a to press down the actuator 5a thereby turning on the micro switch 5. When the wearing person wears this hearing aid or removes the hearing aid and the knob 3 is pulled, the hearing aid is turned off at the same time and the possibility of howling can be precluded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an earplug-type hearing aid having an integrated microphone and receiver (speaker),
In particular, the present invention relates to a howling prevention mechanism at the time of attachment and detachment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Earplug-type earphones having a microphone and a receiver integrally and having a housing almost inserted into an external auditory canal of a wearer are widely used by mild hearing-impaired people because they are small and inconspicuous.

However, since the microphone and the receiver are provided at a short distance, howling is likely to occur. In particular, the external auditory canal and the external world are not shielded before the external auditory canal and the external world are completely shielded, particularly when the microphone is mounted, and when the microphone is removed. Sometimes, the sound output from the receiver is reflected in the ear canal and goes around the microphone, causing howling. In this case, howling occurs immediately near the wearer's ear, which is extremely uncomfortable for the wearer.

Accordingly, earplug-type hearing aids have been proposed in which the wearer completely wears the hearing aid in the external auditory canal and turns on the power after the external auditory canal and the outside world are shielded. For example, there is a device in which a battery case is made detachable, a hearing aid is attached to an ear canal, and then the battery case is set in the hearing aid to turn on the power.

[0005] However, since the battery case is not originally configured as a switch, it is difficult for an elderly person to set the battery case after attaching the hearing aid body to the external auditory canal. Withdrawing from the hearing aid was even more difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a hearing aid which facilitates attachment / detachment and prevents howling during attachment / detachment.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an earplug-type hearing aid in which a microphone and a receiver are incorporated in an integral housing, and substantially the entire housing is inserted into an ear canal of a wearer. A knob formed on the back of the housing and capable of being stored, switch means for turning on when the knob is stored, and turning off when the knob is pulled out, and an amplifier circuit according to on / off of the switch means Is characterized by controlling a processing circuit including: According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, power is supplied to the processing circuit only when the switch is turned on. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a signal input from the microphone is supplied to the processing circuit only when the switch is on. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a signal output from the processing circuit is supplied to the receiver only when the switch is on. According to the present invention, in the invention of claims 1 to 4, the knob is formed so as to be raised and pushed down by swinging, and the switch means is constituted by a microswitch which is turned on by depressing an actuator. A micro switch is provided at a position where the actuator is depressed by a part of the knob when is depressed.

In the above invention, the wearer pulls out a knob provided on the back surface of the housing of the hearing aid, and grasps the knob to mount and remove the hearing aid. The provision of the knob facilitates mounting and dismounting of the hearing aid. When the knob is pulled out, the switch is turned off, and the turning off of the switch stops the supply of power to the processing circuit, masks the microphone input, and masks the receiver output. As a result, the hearing aid does not substantially operate due to the knob being pulled out, and no howling occurs when the hearing aid is attached or detached. In addition,
The knob can be applied in various ways, such as a knob that is stored in a state of being fallen on the rear surface of the main body and used by raising it, or a knob that is stored inside the main body and drawn out and used.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is an earplug-type hearing aid in which a microphone and a receiver are built in an integral housing, and substantially the entire housing is inserted into an ear canal of a wearer. A microphone input that opens a transmission path for transmitting external sound to the microphone when the knob is retracted, and a transmission path for transmitting external sound to the microphone when the knob is pulled out. And a control mechanism. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in an earplug-type hearing aid in which a microphone and a receiver are incorporated in an integrated housing, and substantially the entire housing is inserted into an external auditory canal of a wearer, the earphone-type hearing aid can be formed and stored on the back surface of the housing And a receiver output that opens the transmission path that transmits the sound generated by the receiver when the knob is retracted, and shields the transmission path that transmits the sound generated by the receiver when the knob is pulled out. And a control mechanism.

[0010] In the present invention, the wearer pulls out a knob provided on the rear surface of the housing of the hearing aid, grasps the knob, and mounts and removes the hearing aid. The provision of the knob facilitates mounting and dismounting of the hearing aid. When the knob is pulled out, the transmission path of the external sound to the microphone is blocked, or the transmission path of the sound generated by the receiver to the outside is blocked. As a result, the hearing aid does not substantially operate due to the knob being pulled out, and no howling occurs when the hearing aid is attached or detached. The knob can be used in various ways, such as a knob that is stored in a state of being fallen on the rear surface of the main body and used by raising the knob, or a knob that is stored inside the main body and drawn out for use.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a structural view of a hearing aid according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7A and 7B are a side view and a rear view showing a state in which the knob is turned down, and FIG. 7C is a side view showing a state in which the knob is raised. This hearing aid is an earplug-type hearing aid in which a microphone 6 and a receiver 7 (not shown; see FIG. 2) are built in an integrated housing (earpiece unit) 1. Ear plugs 2 are formed at the front end of the housing 1, and the entire hearing aid is inserted into the external auditory canal of the wearer with the ear plugs 2 at the head.

A knob 3 is mounted on the back of the housing 1. The knob 3 is swingable about a shaft 3a locked on a support column 4 protruding from the housing 1, and in normal use, as shown in FIGS. When the wearer wears the hearing aid in the ear canal, he raises the knob 3 and pinches it with his fingertips, and inserts the hearing aid in the ear canal. The knob 3 has a tongue shape as shown in FIG. 3B, and has unevenness on both sides, so that when it is raised, it is easy to pick with a finger and hard to slip. After the knob 3 is pinched and the hearing aid is inserted into the ear canal, the knob 3 is tilted down for normal use. Since the knob has a shape that conforms to the curved surface of the same shape as the rear surface of the housing 1, it does not catch on the hair or the like when it is folded down.

When the wearer removes the hearing aid inserted into the ear canal, the user raises the knob 3 of the inserted hearing aid and pulls the knob to pull the hearing aid out of the ear canal. Since only the tip of the knob 3 is separated from the rear surface of the housing 1, the wearer can easily raise the knob 3 by hooking the tip with a fingertip or a nail.

The housing 1 has a built-in microswitch 5 serving as a power switch of the hearing aid. A concave portion 1a is formed at a position facing the knob 3 on the rear surface of the housing 1, and the actuator 5a of the microswitch 5 is exposed in the concave portion 1a. A projection 3b is formed at a position on the back side of the knob 3 opposite to the recess 1a.
When the knob 3 is tilted, the projection 3b is fitted into the recess 1a, and the actuator 5a of the micro switch 5 is pushed down to turn on the micro switch 5. That is,
In this state, the processing circuit including the amplifying circuit and the equalizer is turned on, and the hearing aid operates (the sound input from the microphone 6 is amplified and output from the receiver 7). On the other hand, knob 3
Is caused, the projection 3b is disengaged from the concave portion 1a and does not depress the actuator 5a of the microswitch 5, the power supplied to the processing circuit is cut off, and the hearing aid does not operate.

Therefore, when the wearer wears and removes the hearing aid, raising the knob 3 simultaneously turns off the hearing aid and eliminates the possibility of howling. The reason why the actuator 5a of the microswitch 5 is exposed in the recess 1a is to prevent the actuator 5a from being pushed down by the fingertip when the wearer pinches the knob 3 with the finger.

With the above arrangement, the wearer raises and operates the knob 3 at the time of wearing and removing, thereby making it easier to wear and remove the knob 3 and thereby turning off the processing circuit of the hearing aid. Therefore, howling does not occur.

In this embodiment, the microswitch 5 is used as a power switch of the processing circuit.
The microswitch 5 may be used as a switch for opening and closing the connection between the processing circuit and the microphone 6 and as a switch for opening and closing the connection between the processing circuit and the receiver 7. In any case, when the microswitch 5 is turned off, the hearing aid does not substantially operate and no howling occurs.
In this case, the microswitch 5 can be a push-off switch.

FIG. 2 is a structural view of a hearing aid according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This hearing aid also has a knob 13 on the back of the housing 1 as in the first embodiment. The knob 13 is swingable about a shaft 13a locked on a column 4 protruding from the housing 1. Figure (A)
Is a side view in a state where the knob 13 is tilted, and FIG.
3 is a side view of a state in which No. 3 is caused. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the embodiment of FIG. In this embodiment, the opening 6a of the microphone 6 is provided on the back surface of the housing 1 facing the vicinity of the base of the knob 13 (around the axis 13a). A through-hole 13b is formed in a portion of the knob 13 facing the opening 6a, and the opening 6a of the microphone 6 communicates with the outside through the through-hole 13b of the knob 13 when the knob 13 is folded down. It has become.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
Is caused, the rear end 13c of the knob 13 rotates and fits into the opening 6a of the microphone 6, thereby shielding the microphone 6 from the outside world. As a result, even if the processing circuit of the hearing aid is operating, the hearing aid does not operate because no external sound is input to the microphone 6, and therefore no howling occurs.

That is, when the wearer puts on and removes the hearing aid, if the user raises the knob 13, no sound is input to the microphone 6 by this operation, and there is no possibility of howling. With the above configuration, the wearer can use the knob 13 when attaching and detaching.
Is caused to be pinched and operated, whereby attachment and detachment are facilitated, and accompanying this, a sound signal to the microphone is shielded, so that no howling occurs.

FIG. 3 is a structural view of a hearing aid according to a third embodiment of the present invention. This hearing aid is also the first and second
A knob 23 is provided on the rear surface of the housing 1 as in the embodiment. The knob 23 is swingable about a shaft 23a locked on a column 4 formed so as to protrude from the housing 1. FIG. 7A is a side view in a state where the knob 23 is tilted, and FIG. 7B is a side view in a state where the knob 23 is raised. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

An opening 1 c connecting the receiver 7 to the ear canal is formed from a receiver (speaker) 7 built in the housing 1 toward the center of the earplug 2. This opening 1
A shielding cover 24 for shielding this is provided in the middle of c. The shielding lid 24 is opened and closed by operating the knob 23. That is, the arm 25 is provided at the rear end 23 c of the knob 23.
Is connected, and the other end of the arm 25 is connected to the shielding lid 24. When the knob 23 is tilted, the opening 1c is open because the arm 25 pulls the shielding lid 24. However, when the knob 23 is raised, the arm 25 is pushed by the rear end 23c of the knob 23, and The arm 25 pushes the shielding lid 24 to rotate the shielding lid 24,
The opening 1c is shielded. As a result, even if the processing circuit of the hearing aid is operating, the sound generated by the receiver 7 is not output to the outside, so that the hearing aid does not substantially operate and, therefore, no howling occurs.

That is, when the wearer wears and removes the hearing aid, if the user raises the knob 23, the sound generated by the receiver 7 by this operation is not output to the outside, and the howling does not occur. . With the above configuration, the wearer raises and operates the knob 23 at the time of wearing and removing, so that the wearing and the removing are facilitated, and the sound of the receiver 7 is shielded along with this, so howling is performed. Will not occur. In this embodiment, the microphone 6 may be provided anywhere on the back surface of the housing 1.

FIG. 4 is a structural view of a hearing aid according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This hearing aid also has a knob and a shielding lid, as in the third embodiment. The knob 31 of this embodiment is different from the knobs of the first to third embodiments and is used by being pulled out from the housing 1. The figure shows a state where the knob 31 is pulled out of the housing. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the embodiment of FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

A stopper 31a is formed at the center of the knob 31, and this stopper 31 is used as a spring 33 or 34.
The knob 31 is fixed by holding the knob. In the figure, a stopper 31a sandwiches a spring 34, which is a knob 31
2 shows a state where it is fixed on the side where it is pulled out. In this state, the wearer can pinch the knob 31 to insert the hearing aid into or remove it from the ear canal. In addition,
A knob 31b is formed at the tip of the knob 31 so that the wearer can easily grip the knob.

Also in this embodiment, an opening 1c connecting the receiver 7 and the ear canal is formed from the receiver 7 built in the housing 1 toward the center of the earplug 2, and in the middle of the opening 1c. Is provided with a shielding lid 32 for shielding the same. The shielding lid 32 is connected to the tip of the knob 31 and is opened and closed in accordance with the pulling and pushing operations of the knob 31. When the knob 31 is pushed in, the shielding cover 32
Is pressed, the opening 1c is open. The knob 31 is fixed on the pushing side by the stopper 31a sandwiching the spring 33.

When the knob 31 is pulled out, the shielding lid 32 is pushed by the tip of the knob 31, and the shielding lid 32 rotates to shield the opening 1c. As a result, even if the processing circuit of the hearing aid is operating, the sound generated by the receiver 7 is not output to the outside, so that the hearing aid does not substantially operate and, therefore, no howling occurs.

That is, when the wearer wears and removes the hearing aid, if the knob 31 is pulled out, the sound generated by the receiver 7 by this operation will not be output to the outside, and there is no possibility of howling. With the above configuration, the wearer pulls out the knob 31 at the time of wearing and removing, and operates by holding the knob 31.
Accordingly, since the sound of the receiver 7 is shielded, howling does not occur.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is easy to mount and remove the hearing aid by pinching and operating the knob, and to raise and pull out the knob from the storage state where the hearing aid is tilted or pushed down. Since the function of the hearing aid is automatically stopped by the use state of the hearing aid, there is no possibility that howling occurs at the time of wearing and removing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a hearing aid according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of a hearing aid according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a hearing aid according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of a hearing aid according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... housing | casing, 1a ... recessed part, 2 ... earplugs, 3 ... knob, 3a ...
Shaft, 3b Projection, 4 Support, 5 Microswitch (Power Switch), 6 Microphone, 7 Receiver, 6a Opening (of Microphone), 13 Knob, 13a Shaft, 13b Through Hole, 13c ... rear end, 1c ... opening (of receiver),
23 ... knob, 23a ... shaft, 24 ... shielding lid, 25 ... arm, 31 ... knob, 31a ... stopper, 31b ... knob,
32: shielding lid, 33, 34: spring

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Akira Miki 10-1 Nakazawa-cho, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka Yamaha Corporation (72) Inventor Koji 10-1 Nakazawa-cho, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka Yamaha Corporation

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An earplug-type hearing aid in which a microphone and a receiver are built in an integrated housing, and substantially the entire housing is inserted into an ear canal of a wearer. A knob, a switch that turns on when the knob is retracted and turns off when the knob is pulled out, and a hearing aid that controls a processing circuit including an amplifier circuit in accordance with on / off of the switch. . 2. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein power is supplied to the processing circuit only when the switch is turned on. 3. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein a signal input from the microphone is supplied to the processing circuit only when the switch is turned on. 4. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein a signal output from the processing circuit is supplied to the receiver only when the switch is turned on. 5. The knob is formed so as to be raised and pushed down by swinging, and the switch means is constituted by a micro switch which is turned on by pushing down an actuator. The hearing aid according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a microswitch is provided at a position where a part of the knob pushes down the actuator. 6. An earplug-type hearing aid in which a microphone and a receiver are incorporated in an integral housing, and substantially the entire housing is inserted into an external auditory canal of a wearer. A knob, and a microphone input control mechanism that opens a transmission path for transmitting external sound to the microphone when the knob is retracted, and shields a transmission path for transmitting external sound to the microphone when the knob is pulled out. Hearing aid equipped. 7. An earplug-type hearing aid in which a microphone and a receiver are built in an integrated housing, and substantially the entire housing is inserted into an external auditory canal of a wearer. A knob and a receiver output control that opens a transmission path for transmitting the sound generated by the receiver to the outside when the knob is retracted and shields a transmission path for transmitting the sound generated by the receiver to the outside when the knob is pulled out. A hearing aid with a mechanism and