JP2003505996A - hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] A hearing aid inserted into an ear canal, a microphone for converting acoustic energy into an electric signal, a signal processing circuit for processing an electric signal provided by the microphone, and the processed electric signal And a power supply connectable to a signal processing circuit.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recent hearing aids include ear inserts that internally have electronic devices that amplify and otherwise adjust the sound to compensate for the user's hearing loss. Such electronic devices include a microphone that receives sound and converts it into an electric signal, an electronic circuit that amplifies and processes the signal generated by the microphone, and a speaker (also called a receiver) that converts the processed signal into sound energy. And a battery that supplies operating power to the hearing aid. Ear inserts are generally made of plastic and are designed and molded to fit the ear of the person using the hearing aid. Ear inserts are generally made of hard plastic so that they have a long life and can be regularly cleaned. The electronics of the signal processing circuit are usually adjusted to suit the particular hearing condition of the user. These hearing conditions are obtained by first testing the hearing of the user and then providing a circuit with a frequency response characteristic that compensates for the degree of hearing loss found in the test. After the desired circuit has been determined from testing, it is finally adjusted by the hearing aid specialist to meet the final needs of the user. All of the above features of the hearing aid structure, and the method of making and adjusting the hearing aid, add cost to the production of the hearing aid.

Conventional hearing aids have a battery, which is small and has a limited lifespan, so it is regularly replaced. Hearing aid users frequently complain that battery replacement is difficult. As the hearing aids and batteries have become smaller, it has become difficult to handle the batteries. Especially, eyesight and mechanical ability (motor abi
For the majority of hearing aid wearers over the age of 65, who have diminished lity, battery handling is difficult. Hearing aids that do not require or require frequent battery replacement benefit the hearing aid user.

[0003]

[Summary of Invention]

One solution to the above problem is to provide a disposable hearing aid with a permanent battery as disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,881,159 issued Mar. 9, 1999 to Aceti et al. However, the drawback of disposable hearing aids is that the permanent battery is discharged during the storage period. For example, a switch is provided on the device to prevent discharge in order to ensure that the hearing aid maintains the target 30 day life. Two types of switches are used: on / off switches or switches that are only on. The on-only switch is used to activate the device. Once activated, the device remains in the "on" state until the battery is depleted. The on-off switch, in addition to activating the device, allows it to be "off" during periods of non-use, such as during sleep.

There is also a need for a disposable hearing aid that is inexpensive in terms of component construction and manufacturing and packaging methods for hearing aids, and that is particularly easy to use by the elderly.

The present invention aims to provide a hearing aid with an integrated power supply or battery. The integrated power supply is not replaceable or removable, for example. The hearing aid has a circuit for receiving and amplifying sound and a shell surrounding the circuit.

In one embodiment, the battery is shaped and conforms to the shape of the portion of the ear canal between the opening and the first bend. The battery is tapered and may have at least one step. In one embodiment, the battery has an elliptical cross section. The battery may have a metal or plastic casing. The battery is used regardless of whether the hearing aid is a disposable type or not.

The invention also provides a microphone for converting acoustic energy into an electrical signal, a signal processing circuit for processing the electrical signal provided by the microphone, a receiver for converting the processed electrical signal into acoustic energy, and a signal. An object of the present invention is to provide a hearing aid that has a power source connectable to a processing circuit and can be inserted into the ear canal. Preferably, the power source is substantially conformal in shape to the portion between the ear canal opening and the initial bend. The hearing aid may further have a housing formed from two shell halves, which are connected to each other and contain one or more microphones, a signal processing circuit and a receiver.

In another embodiment, a power supply is provided between the microphone and the receiver to prevent feedback between them. Preferably, a flexible circuit interconnects the power supply and the receiver.

The battery is also provided in accordance with the invention in a hearing aid having a plastic housing partly surrounding a metal shell. The metal shell has expandability and contains zinc and an electrolyte. A plastic cathode plate seals one end of the metal shell and a cathode grid is located near the plastic cathode plate. At least one cathode electrode and at least one anode electrode are disposed on the cathode plate.

The present invention also provides an apparatus and method for automatically stopping or disabling a hearing aid that has a device for accumulating the total time that the hearing aid is "on" excluding the time that it is "off." I will provide a. The hearing aid is stopped when the accumulated time in the "on" state reaches a predetermined value. Preferably, the user is warned before the hearing aid is stopped. The hearing aid can also be stopped by disconnecting the receiver of the hearing aid.

In another embodiment, the continuous time begins to accumulate when the hearing aid is turned “on” and is stopped when the predetermined time is reached.

In yet another embodiment, a method of automatically shutting down a hearing aid is provided, the method having programming electronics such that the hearing aid is activated only for a predetermined period of time. The hearing aid is activated by turning the electronic device "on" for a predetermined time.

According to another principle of the invention, a hearing aid can have a generally cylindrical bottom, an elongated curved center and a mushroom shaped tip. The battery has a stepped shape that fits inside the hearing aid.

According to another configuration, a microphone that converts acoustic energy into an electric signal, a signal processing circuit that processes the electric signal provided by the microphone, and a receiver that converts the processed electric signal into acoustic energy. A hearing aid having a power supply connectable to a signal processing circuit and capable of being inserted into the ear canal. The shell is a microphone,
It houses the signal processing circuit and receiver. The shell preferably has a substantially transparent or translucent face plate that is externally visible even after the hearing aid has been inserted into the ear canal. This helps the faceplate to transmit the natural color of the user's ear and mask the presence of the hearing aid in the ear during use. The face plate may have a reflecting surface on the face plate and may have a complex curved shape.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a joining mechanism for simultaneously electrically connecting a signal processing circuit, a receiver and a power supply. In one embodiment, the joining mechanism has a connecting member, such as a leaf spring, with twisted ends that ensure electrical connection.

According to yet another configuration, inserting the hearing aid into the ear canal turns the hearing aid “on”, ie, connecting the battery (power) terminal to the circuit and removing the hearing aid from the ear canal. Provide a switch mechanism to turn off. In one embodiment, the switch mechanism has a tow cord connected to the insulating member. The insulating member disconnects the circuit between the power supply and the signal processing circuit, turning the hearing aid “off”.

In other configurations, it is desirable to use more than one power source to extend the life of the hearing aid. Accordingly, a hearing aid having more than one power source is provided. A switch mechanism is provided for selecting and activating a single power source. In one embodiment, the switch mechanism has an insulating member that in the "off" position closes the holes in each metal / battery power supply to prevent air from entering the power supply. The switch mechanism further comprises a conductive member for connecting the first power supply or the second power supply to the signal processing circuit of the hearing aid in the "on" position. Preferably, the switch mechanism further comprises an opening and an air path extends through the opening so that air enters the selected power source for activation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a hearing aid is provided with a packaging that prevents accidental activation of the hearing aid during transportation. Preferably, the package has a housing with a groove that substantially conforms to at least a portion of the shape of the hearing aid to securely hold the hearing aid. The groove, in one embodiment, is generally open adjacent the switch. A securing member such as a strap may be used to prevent the switch from moving relative to the housing.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same components throughout the different drawings. The dimensions in the drawings are not necessarily accurate and rather emphasis is placed on illustrating the principles of the invention.

[0020]

[Preferred embodiment]

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. First, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hearing aid of the present invention is designated by reference numeral 10. The hearing aid 10 has an electronic circuit assembly 12, a shell 14, and an ear insert 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic circuit assembly 12 includes a microphone 18 that receives sound and converts it into an electrical signal. The microphone 18 is connected to the input side of the signal processing circuit 20. This signal processing circuit 2
0 amplifies the sound, reduces unwanted background noise, and adjusts the sound according to the user's specific hearing needs. The output of the signal processing circuit is connected to a receiver 22, which converts the output signal into sound and produces this sound into the user's ear. A suitable battery 24 is connected to the signal processing circuit 20,
This circuit 20 is operated.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic circuit assembly 12 includes a flexible printed circuit body 26. The printed circuit body 26 has a base 26a and upright arms 26b and 26c at both ends thereof. This flexible printed circuit body 26
It also has wiring (not shown) made of a conductive metal. The microphone 18 is attached to the upright arm 26b at one end of the printed circuit body 26, and the receiver 22 is attached to the upright arm 26c at the other end of the printed circuit body 26. Signal processing circuit 20
The component 28 and the battery 24 are mounted on the base 26 a between both ends of the printed circuit body 26. The microphone 18 can be any type of commercially available extremely small microphone, or can be a silicon microphone having a diaphragm made of a thin film of silicon.

The signal processing circuit 20 may be of any type as long as it performs desired amplification. For a hearing aid 10 that operates for a very short period, such as 3 days, the signal processing circuit 20 may be of any type that provides amplification with a fixed gain and frequency response. A simple and inexpensive Class A amplifier can also be used. Thirty
In the case of the hearing aid 10 that can be used for a long period such as a day, the signal processing circuit 20 may be any circuit including a two-channel amplifier that performs signal compression. In that case, one channel processes the low frequency region, while the other channel processes the high frequency region. A more efficient class D output amplifier can be used to extend battery life. For any type of signal processing circuit 20, it is desirable to use integrated circuits that perform the desired signal processing, and such integrated circuits are readily available. In order to have different responsiveness, it is possible to use different characteristic values of passive elements such as resistors and capacitors. Speaker 22
As, any type of available small speaker can be used. Various embodiments of the battery or power supply 24 used to operate the signal processing circuit 20 are described below.

The shell 14 is a flexible hollow cylinder designed to house and protect the electronic circuit assembly 12. The shell 14 is molded from a plastic material and has means for orienting and retaining the electronic circuit assembly 12 within the shell 14, such as ribs 15 shown in FIG. The shell 14 is formed of a material that protects the electronic circuit assembly 12 from moisture and mechanical damage. The shell 14 also has acoustical features that facilitate the entry and exit of sound and is also provided with structural features such as ribs 17 that help retain the shell 14 within the ear insert 16. ing.

In one embodiment, the ear insert 16 is formed of a material that is soft, durable, and compatible with the ear. This material can be low temperature cure methacrylate, high temperature cure methacrylate, high temperature cure silicone, polyvinyl chloride copolymer or polyethylene copolymer. The ear insert 16 has a cavity 16a inside, and this cavity 1
The shell body 14 accommodating the electronic circuit assembly 12 is inserted and held in the 6a. The external shape such as the shape and size of the ear insert 16 is designed to be inserted into the ear canal of the user, and is flexibly deformed to fit the shape of the ear canal.

FIG. 4A discloses a method of assembling the hearing aid 10 of the present invention. The flexible circuit body 26 is drawn from the reel to form the microphone 18 that constitutes the assembly 12,
It is supplied to an assembly device 30 along with various components 28 including a receiver 22 and a battery 24. Assembly device 30 assembles the components onto the flexible circuit body to form a strip containing a plurality of hearing aid electronic circuit assemblies 12. The finished assembly is wound onto a reel to form reel 32 of the hearing aid component assembly.

The flexible circuit assembly of the reel 32 is then fed with the shell 14 to the assembler 34, where the electronic circuit assembly 12 is separated from the reel to form the individual electronic circuit assemblies 12 within the shell 14. Inserted in. The shell assembly thus made is inserted into the package 36. The package 36 is hermetically sealed and contains a gas that protects the shell assembly from the atmosphere and keeps the battery inactive when exposed to the atmosphere.

The ear insert 16 is molded and sealed by a suitable mold in a package 38.
Wrapped inside. The ear insert 16 is preferably molded in a number of different sizes to make the appropriate size available to the user of the hearing aid 10. Since the ear insert is formed from a compliant material, a size ear insert can accommodate several different ear shapes.

The signal processing circuit 20 of the electronic circuit assembly 12 adjusts, for example, the hearing loss in the high frequency range and the overall hearing loss independent of frequency from a small width to a moderate width. In order to create electronic circuit assemblies 12 with different characteristics, the signal processing circuit 20 is made with different auditory responsiveness. 5A and 5B show various responses exhibited by different electronic circuit assemblies 12 made in the manufacturing process of the present invention. FIG. 5A shows the response of a device for 3 days with fixed gain and frequency response, and FIG. 5B shows the response of a device for 30 days with a 2-channel amplifier. In each of Figures 5A and 5B, the vertical columns indicate different amplifier gains, column A is the lowest gain and column C is the highest gain. The horizontal row is
Different frequency responses are shown, row 1 shows a flat response independent of frequency, row 2 shows a slightly enhanced response in the high frequency region, and row 3 shows a moderately enhanced response in the high frequency region. Is shown. Thus, in manufacturing the signal processing circuit 20, different components are used to create a fixed number of circuits having different gains and frequency responses as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Circuits having different characteristics are marked as A1, A2, A3, B1, etc. according to the charts of FIGS. 5A and 5B, depending on the gain and frequency response.

The final step in manufacturing the hearing aid 10 of the present invention is made by the hearing professional or physician after conducting a hearing test of the user to determine what type of auditory responsiveness is required. To be done. The hearing professional or physician checks the diagrams shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B and selects the signal processing circuit 20 that provides the auditory responsiveness required by the user. The hearing specialist or physician further selects the shell assembly containing the desired electronics and selects the appropriate size ear insert 16 for the user. The shell assembly is then inserted into the ear insert 16 and the hearing aid 10 is ready for insertion into the user's ear.

Another means of preventing air from degrading a battery during storage is a battery,
Alternatively, use a water impermeable package 38 (FIG. 4A) instead of the film tab of the hearing aid. The following three types of materials are examples of the above packages. 1. Barex manufactured by Klockner-Pentaplast. It is a barrier film designed to limit oxygen (O ₂ ) and carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) permeation. 2. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) mixed with polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) manufactured by K-P. This is oxygen (O ₂ ), carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) and water (H ₂ O)
It is a barrier film that can limit the permeation of. 3. Alu-Alu manufactured by various manufacturers. It is a heat sealable composite of aluminum (Al) and polyethylene, which is a barrier to virtually all gases and vapors. The above three types of films can be used independently or in combination.
The package is most commonly formed from plastic and aluminum (or a composite of aluminum and paper) as the film material for the lid. Alu
-Alu can be used as container and lid.

The non-permeable packaging is specially designed for hearing aids to minimize the enclosing air. The package is preferably sized so that the hearing aid fits within the package. The small amount of O ₂ that is encapsulated in the package chemically reacts with the battery, but its effect on battery life is very small.

One advantage of sealing the hearing aid in the package is that the user does not have to remove the tape or seal from the hearing aid. However, when tape is used on the hearing aid, the package is further valued for the convenience of the user of the disposable hearing aid. In one embodiment, the package does not block O ₂ and the hearing aid is sealed by a non-permeable tape applied to the battery or face plate. This tape is also attached to the package. When the user removes the hearing aid from the package,
The tape is automatically removed and remains in the package.

The package preferably prevents the hearing aid 10 from turning “on” while being carried so that the battery 24 does not inadvertently deteriorate. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, the package comprises a housing 40 having a groove or slot 42 therein that preferably substantially fits at least a portion of the shape of the hearing aid 10. The groove 42 opens adjacent the switch or tow cord 62 (the function of the tow cord is described below with reference to FIGS. 6B-6H. Generally, the tow cord pushes / pulls the cord into the face plate 60. Used to "turn" and "off" the hearing aid 10). Thus, the hearing aid 10 is securely held by the housing 40 to prevent the hearing aid from turning "on", for example by hitting the traction cord 62 to the side of the housing. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 4C, a securing member 44, such as a locking member 44, used to immobilize the traction cord 62 relative to the housing 40 to further prevent the traction cord 62 from turning “on” the hearing aid 10. A strap can be used.

Further enhancing the protection and shelf life of the battery is to reduce O ₂ and C during packaging.
This can be achieved by removing O ₂ and keeping the relative humidity at 50%. Metal
It is generally known that the life of air batteries is maximized when the relative humidity is maintained at about 50%. When the humidity is low, the electrolyte tends to dry. If the humidity is high, water will be absorbed and the electrolyte will be diluted. Therefore, maintaining 50% relative humidity during storage and using for the life of the battery maximizes the potential life of the battery.

Thus, it is desirable to blow an inert gas such as nitrogen onto the hearing aid while the hearing aid package is being sealed. It is also desirable to add a small amount of water to the nitrogen after the package has been sealed to maintain the humidity level at about 50%.

In the hearing aid 10 according to the invention, the signal processing circuit 20 has a fixed sound characteristic and is made in a limited number of acoustic formats. In addition, the audio format is pre-programmed at the electronics manufacturer so that the particular user does not need an adjustable device such as a potentiometer. Furthermore, in this first embodiment according to the invention, the unit is only used during the life of the battery. As a result, the on / off switch is not used or required. Therefore, since the number of parts is extremely small, it has a simple design and can be easily assembled by an automatic method. The cost of the signal processing circuit 20 and the all-electronics assembly 12 is low. Because it is easy to mass produce to achieve economies of scale. The assembly 12 is housed in a simple hollow shell which can be easily assembled in an automated manner. Ear insert 16
Is made from a soft, flexible material with a simple design, and is inexpensive in cost. Therefore, the hearing aid 10 as a whole is easy to assemble, using a very small number of inexpensive parts, as it is relatively cheap compared to currently used hearing aids.

Since the hearing aid 10 is extremely inexpensive, it can be disposable. Therefore, when the battery 24 of the hearing aid 10 is exhausted, instead of replacing the battery 24, the entire hearing aid can be disposed of and replaced with a completely new hearing aid 10.
This provides the present invention with a hearing aid that is inexpensive enough to be disposable. However, the hearing aid 10 still has the sound characteristics and high reliability required by the user. Moreover, because this hearing aid is disposable, it does not require extensive cleaning, repair and adjustment services.

As mentioned above, hearing aids generally use metal-air batteries, in particular zinc-air type batteries, as a power source. Metal-air batteries have the property that oxygen in the air activates the chemical reactions of the battery. In this way, the battery does not activate in the absence of air. Zinc-air cells are activated when air, especially oxygen, enters the cell. In one zinc air cell, air is forced into the air-cathode assembly,
A pull tab blocks one or more small openings. The pull tab is designed so that air gradually diffuses within the cell. When the pull tab seals the cell, it shuts off oxygen and cannot maintain the same current as it would in an unsealed cell.

An oxygen impermeable pull tab is used to seal the air opening. Instead of, or in addition to, an oxygen impermeable pull tab, the cell (battery) may be filled with nitrogen and sealed in an oxygen impermeable bag. The relative humidity of the nitrogen gas in the bag is, for example, 40% so as not to dry the cell.
Between 60%. When the sealed bag is opened or the pull tab removed, oxygen diffuses into the cell and the cell returns to the zinc-air cell and the voltage is
For example, it increases from about 0.39 volt to 1.4 volt or more.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a non-replaceable metal-air battery sealed within the hearing aid. Again, there is a need for a means of flowing air into the battery. An example of a disposable hearing aid is shown in Figure 6A. The face plate or cover plate 60 of the hearing aid 10 is provided with a passage 4 so that air can pass from the outside to the cathode side of the battery 24 through the outside of the shell of the hearing aid. Since the passage is sealed, if the outer hole H is blocked by the tape 59, air cannot enter the passage 64, reach the air advancing hole 68, or enter the cathode region 70 of the battery 24. Can not.

During storage or shipment, the disposable hearing aid is exposed to an uncontrolled external environment.
Metal-air batteries are sensitive to the external environment with respect to performance and life expectancy. Battery life is extended by minimizing exposure to O ₂ or CO ₂ during storage. Even if the battery is not connected to a load, these gases cause chemical reactions within the battery to shorten its life. Therefore, it is important to protect and seal the integrated battery of the disposable hearing aid from the external environment. Conventional metal-air batteries are protected by closing the air advancing holes with tape that is impermeable to air.

In order to ensure that the air passage does not reach the cathode side of the battery during storage or shipping, four types of means for sealing the battery according to the invention can be provided. 1) Attach an impermeable tape to the air advancing hole on the cathode to seal the battery. 2) Attach an impermeable tape to the air advancing hole on the face plate to seal the hearing aid. 3) Seal the hearing aid with an impermeable package. 4) Provide a hermetically sealed device that can be resealed in the hearing aid case.

The simplest and most direct means of sealing the battery in a disposable hearing aid is to attach an impermeable tape 61 to the battery 24 and directly block the air vent 68, as shown in FIG. 6A. . In the disposable hearing aid using this sealing means, the shell 74 is provided with the slot 58, and the tab T connected to the tape 61 on the battery 24 projects from the slot. When the user is ready to activate the unit, the tab T is pulled from the unit with the tape 61 attached to the unit exposing the battery's air vent 68 and activating the battery. This embodiment also has the dual function of an "on" only switch, as described below.

United States Patent Application No. 09 / 250,512 entitled “MODULAR ELECTROACOUSTIC INSTRUMENT” by Leedom et al. (Attorney Document No. SAR-130)
64) is hereby incorporated by reference for its teaching of disposable hearing aids. This application discloses a hearing aid with a removable tab used to seal the battery prior to use. In a specific example of an embodiment of the present invention,
A removable tab 61 connects the conductive contacts 76 at the bottom of the signal processing section 20 to the battery 2 to disconnect the battery from the signal processing circuit 20 until pulled.
It is located between the corresponding contacts 71 on the top of the four cases. The removable tab substantially seals the battery case vent 68. When the tab is pulled, oxygen is supplied to the battery through the vent and the battery is electrically connected to the hearing aid circuit. As described in the Leedom et al. Patent, one or both of contacts 76 and 71 may be spring contacts that make an electrical connection after tab 61 is removed.

Instead of applying a tape to the battery, a tape 59 blocks the vent 64 of the hearing aid. As described with reference to FIG. 6A, a design feature of the disposable hearing aid according to the present invention is the provision of an air passage for delivering air to the battery 24. In order for this approach to work, it is desirable that the battery 24 be sealed within the hearing aid 10 so that air cannot enter the battery other than through specific passages. Hearing aids typically have two passages through which a sound pressure wave interacts with the microphone, and a receiver through the edge passage creates a sound pressure wave to activate the eardrum. In one embodiment of the hearing aid according to the invention, the battery is isolated from the air except for one of these passages. The central passage is hermetically sealed to the battery or molded integrally with the faceplate such that the battery contacting the faceplate constitutes a hermetic seal except for the central passage.

Further, the end passages can be sealed to the battery with an impermeable adhesive or sealant. The central passage 64 is formed from a hearing aid housing material (such as acrylic resin or nylon) that connects the air holes in the face plate to the air holes in the outer case of the zinc-air battery. Instead, the hearing aid shell itself
An airtight seal may be constructed around the electronics and battery, as described below with reference to FIG. 6B. By using this design, no special passages are needed. In a controlled manner, only air can enter the unit through specific air admission holes.

By using either of these alternative designs, the impermeable tape 59 is affixed over the holes in the face plate. When the user has the product up and ready to use, all he has to do is remove the tape.

Even with O ₂ removed, it is not generally known that under electrical load the metal-air battery will itself deplete and the energy capacity in use will be sub-optimal. In the case of disposable hearing aids, the battery will self-discharge if the battery is connected to the hearing aid electronics, even if an impermeable tape and / or package is used. Therefore, it is desirable to provide the hearing aid with a mechanism to disconnect the electrical load from the battery during storage and shipping. Several types of devices can be used for this purpose.

One type of switch is an “on” switch that is an electrical contact and cannot be turned “off” once the hearing aid is activated. The simplest embodiment of this mechanism type is a non-conductive paper, tape, or tape between one of the electrical contacts 76 of the signal processing circuit 20 and the corresponding electrical terminal 71 of the battery 24, as shown in FIG. 6A. The film 61 is interposed. The hearing aid is manufactured with the paper or film 61 in place, which extends outside the hearing aid shell 74. To activate the unit, the user pulls out the tab T and brings the contact 76 into contact with the battery terminal 71, thereby completing the electrical circuit. Returning the film to turn the unit "off" is difficult, if not impossible. As mentioned above, this tape is also used to block air from entering the battery so that when the tape is removed, the battery is activated and at the same time connected to the load.

Furthermore, conventionally known switches can also be used. Non-disposable hearing aids usually have an electromechanical switch or the battery itself is on / off.
Used as an off switch. Disposable hearing aids do not have a convenient battery, so electromechanical switches can be used. The advantage of the on / off switch is that the unit is "off" during storage and shipping, and can be "on" only when needed during use. The unit can be "turned off" so that it can be inserted into or removed from the ear without the feedback of a knuckle due to the repeated amplification of the sound. This is because the sound is never amplified. "Off" the unit when not in use will also extend battery life.

Another type of mechanism that can be used to extend battery life is an automatic switch. The automatic switch monitors the battery voltage and turns the hearing aid “on” when the voltage exceeds a predetermined value. As described above, the O ₂ is not present, the metal - air battery Zinc - operates as hydroxide cell, the cell has a low potential. During shipping and storage, metal-air batteries have impermeable tape with tabs on the terminals and the potential measured under a small load must be less than 50% of the potential when fully activated. I won't.

US Patent Application No. 09 / 124,948 by Sjursen et al. Entitled “Power Source For A Hearing Aid”, co-pending (Attorney Document No. SAR-12
923) describes an "on" only automatic switch that uses a pull tab seal on the battery of the disposable hearing aid. This application is incorporated herein by reference for its teaching of power supplies for single-use hearing aids. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary circuit 700 connected between a hearing aid battery 24 and a hearing aid load 200 according to the present invention. The circuit comprises a transistor 710 having an emitter electrode E connected to the anode A of the battery 24. The transistor collector C is a “load” 200 (ie the microphone electronics of the hearing aid 10, the signal processing circuit 20).
And the load 200 is connected to the negative terminal of the battery 24. The negative terminal of the battery 24 is connected to the base B of the transistor 710. The resistor 712 connects the battery 24 to the base B of the transistor 710.
Connect the cathode of. If the voltage of the battery is less than the voltage required to turn on transistor 710, load 200 is disconnected from battery 24. The non-conducting transistor is an open circuit between the load and the battery.
However, if the battery voltage is greater than the voltage value to turn on transistor 710, the transistor can deliver current to load 200 by passing current between the emitter E and collector C electrodes.

This circuit 700 or a similar circuit can be incorporated in a hearing aid according to the invention. The battery is inactive when the hearing aid is manufactured. This state is obtained by one of the above-mentioned sealing means. The circuit 700 continuously senses the potential of the battery, the unit is removed from the package and the battery is activated, after which the signal processing circuit 20 of the hearing aid is activated until the voltage of the battery rises to full potential.
Prevents current from flowing through. Upon sensing this voltage, the circuit 700 passes a current through the signal processing circuit 20. The advantage of this circuit is that it reduces the need and cost of electromechanical switches. The hearing aid has a long shelf life and is easy to use because the user does not have to turn on a mechanical switch or remove the mechanical barrier to connect the hearing aid electronics to the battery.

The electronic switch described above can be used with an air block switch to carry and remove oxygen and moisture from the battery when the hearing aid is not in use. 6B and 6C show one embodiment of a disposable in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid 10 with an air block on / off switch.

FIG. 6B shows a disposable hearing aid with a modular structure. The hearing aid has a face plate 60 that protects the sensitive microphone 18, secures the traction cord 62, and provides an opening 64 through which air towards the battery 24 passes. The hearing aid also has a signal processing circuit 20, which is connected to the microphone 18 and to the battery 24 and the flexible circuit 78 via electrical circuit contacts 76. Flexible circuit 7
8 provides a connection between the signal processing circuit 20 and the receiver 22. In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, receiver 22 is manufactured separately from battery 24 and signal processing circuit 20. The receiver 22 is connected to the flexible circuit 78 via a spring contact interface 80. This interface 80 is the contact 8 of the receiver 22.
2 and a flexible circuit 78. Battery 24 and signal processing circuit 20
Are permanently mounted in a plastic case 74. The battery has a metal wall that is also the anode of the battery, an electrolyte mixture 73, and a cathode grid 70. The battery is covered by a top cap 75 that is separated from the anode 72 by an insulator 77. The openings 68 in the top cap provide air from the air passages 66 to the cathode grid 70.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 6C, the face plate 60 is configured to slide in and out of the microphone 18 and the hearing aid electronics 12. When the user inserts the hearing aid into the ear, the plate 60 is pushed in to open the air passage 66. When the user pulls on the traction cord 62 to remove the hearing aid from the ear, the face plate 60 is withdrawn and the air passage 66 is closed. When the plate 60 is pushed in, the air passages 66 open and air can enter the battery 24 through the openings 64 in the face plate air passages 66 and the battery air holes 68. When the plate 60 is pulled out, the air passage 66 is
Blocked as shown in FIG. 6C.

According to another configuration of the present invention, wearing the hearing aid can cause distraction, so it is desirable to hide the hearing aid 10 as much as possible. This discrepancies arises from the recognition that people who need hearing aids are older and older with disabilities. Thus, in one embodiment, the face plate 60 of FIG. 6D can be made of a substantially transparent or translucent material. The material can be "lightly colored" with colors such as, for example, flesh tones and root beer tones. When the hearing aid 10 is inserted into the ear canal for use, essentially only the face plate 60 is visible. The translucent or transparent face plate 60 helps to pass the natural color of the user's ear and hide the hearing aid 10 in the ear. In another embodiment, face plate 60 is formed with a reflective surface, which also helps hide hearing aid 10.
In yet another embodiment, the faceplate 60 can use the compound curve shown in FIG. 6I to better reflect the contours of the user's ear.

6D-6H show another embodiment of a switch mechanism for turning the hearing aid 10 “on” and “off” according to the present invention. Advantageously, the hearing aid 10 is "off" to prolong battery life when not in use. As shown in FIG. 6E, in this embodiment, the tow cord 62 extends through the face plate 60 and is connected to an insulating member 128, also referred to as a slider. Insulation member 128, in one embodiment, is constructed of plastic or another suitable material by injection molding. The insulating material 128 has an opening 130 therethrough and also has a tapered leading edge to facilitate insertion into the hearing aid 10 during manufacture. Preferably, the tow cord 62 is strong but has an elongated shape to prevent pressure in the ear and exhibits high rigidity. In one embodiment, the traction cord 62 is constructed of monofilament nylon material. The tow cord 62 is adhered to the insulating member 128 by heat or other means.

FIG. 6F shows the “on” position of the hearing aid 10. In this position, the insulating member 128 allows the switch contact element 132 to contact the cathode C of the battery 24B through the opening 130. The anode A and the switch contact element 132 are always in electrical contact with the circuit board. In this “on” position, the insulation member 128 is inserted into the hearing aid toward the hearing aid tip 94 and is retained by the stop member 136.

As shown in FIG. 6G, the switch contact element 132 is pulled away from the cathode C by the movement of the insulating member 128 when the user pulls on the tow cord 62. Therefore, the circuit between the battery and the circuit board is interrupted and the hearing aid is “off”. In this case, the stop member 136 prevents the insulating member 128 from coming off the hearing aid.

As shown in FIG. 6H, the insulating member 128 preferably has an inwardly projecting member or pawl 138 through which the stop member 136 passes. The pawl 138 temporarily "locks" the insulating member 128 into the "on" and "off" positions, respectively.

In the preferred embodiment, the hearing aid 10 is worn and removed by the user grasping the traction cord 62. Preferably, the act of removing the hearing aid 10 turns the hearing aid “off”,
The pawl 138 positions the insulating member 128 in the position of Figure 6G. When the hearing aid 10 is inserted into the ear, sufficient force is transmitted to the insulation member 128 to "turn on" the hearing aid.
From this, the wearing and removing movements of the ear canal turn the hearing aid “on” and “off”, respectively.

So far, a disposable hearing aid with a metal-air battery has been described, but the hearing aid can also use other types of batteries. The main advantage of these other batteries lies in their high operating voltage. As battery operating voltages drop below 2 volts, audio integrated circuit design and fabrication becomes increasingly difficult.

The main disadvantage of non-metal-air batteries is their low energy capacity. Metal-air batteries typically have twice the capacity of non-metal-air batteries.

When the disposable hearing aid uses a non-metal-air battery, the problems of air passage installation and sealing are eliminated. It is possible to improve acoustic performance. However, the lifespan is about half that of metal-air batteries.

The disposable hearing aid can also utilize the rechargeable type batteries shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The rechargeable battery is sealed within the unit. However, a means is added to the unit to transfer external energy to the battery for recharging. This charges the battery from an external battery contact 85, shown in FIG. 8A, or an energy transfer device, such as the induction coil 810, shown in FIG. 8B, or an inductive alternating current (AC) or light source that allows for direct electrical conduction. By providing a photocell (not shown) that enables In either case, the battery is charged while not in use, for example at night. In one possible configuration, the hearing aid is provided with a charging unit (not shown), which charging unit has direct current electrical contacts 8
5 is supplied with a regulated DC charging potential or an AC potential is supplied to the induction coil (not shown) of the charging unit. If the hearing aid has an external battery contact 85, battery charging is completely under full control of the charging unit. However, if the hearing aid is inductively coupled, it has a rectifier 812 that converts the inductive AC potential to a DC potential in addition to the induction coil 810. This DC potential is shown in Figures 8B and 8C.
It is used to charge the battery 24, as shown in FIG.

The advantage of using a rechargeable battery is that it can be made more economical by extending the total life of the unit. Furthermore, the potential of the rechargeable battery is higher than that of the metal-air battery, which increases the flexibility of the electronic circuit design and enables the improvement of sound quality. For example, a rechargeable lithium metal battery is 1.3 times that of a zinc air battery.
It has an operating voltage of 3 Volts compared to Volts.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a hearing aid 10, which may or may not be disposable. As shown, the battery 24 separates the microphone 18 from the receiver 22 to minimize acoustic feedback. To maximize the life of the battery 24, the battery housing closely resembles the internal shape of the ear canal. In one embodiment, the battery uses a plastic material that relieves discomfort when inserted into the ear canal. In another embodiment, the housing or wall of the battery 72 uses a metallic material. In order to minimize feedback between the microphone 18 and the receiver 22 and prevent the battery 24 from rattling against the shell, the battery wall 7
The sealant 90 is injected between the 2 and the plastic shell 74.

As shown, the battery 24 has at least one step 92 so that the overall shape of the battery generally conforms to the portion of the ear canal between the opening and the initial bend. This increases the total volume of zinc and extends battery life. The electrical connection from the anode and receiver to the circuit of the microphone part is a one-sided flexible circuit, lined with individual wires of the battery, metal rods, glue applied to the side of the wires printed on the insulated battery wall, Or it could be any other suitable means. The spring contact interface plate 80 completes the circuit between the receiver 22, the anode and the flexible circuit 26 on the battery.

Zinc-air cells are commonly used in hearing aid applications for the following reasons. (
1) Largest capacity to volume ratio among all small batteries, (2)
The discharge curve is relatively flat, (3) the zinc-air cell is more stable in voltage against large currents compared to mercury oxide and silver oxide batteries, (4) the internal resistance of the battery The circuit design is easy because V is almost constant. Since the nominal voltage is 1.4V, zinc-air batteries require oxygen to operate properly.

FIG. 10 shows a preferred embodiment of the hearing aid 10 illustrating the mushroom-shaped tip 94 and the overall shape of the two shell halves connected together. The two shells 74 form a bottom 86 of elliptical cross section, which bottom 86 extends into a long, curved center 87. The ellipse preferably changes in size towards the central portion 87. In one embodiment, the shell half 74 is sometimes referred to as a "shell." During assembly of the hearing aid 10, the components are inserted into one or both shells, which are then glued, cemented and mated (or a combination thereof).

FIG. 11 is one longitudinal cross-sectional view of the shell 74, which houses the receiver 22, the battery 24 A and the microphone 18. Two such shells 74 are combined to form a housing. The battery 24A shown in FIG. 11 is a targeted quasi-zinc-air cell and has a substantially cylindrical outer shape. Usually these zinc-air cells are
Consists of air cathode can, anode can, insulator and electrolyte. It should be noted that the nickel-coated cathode and anode cans are separated by a nylon insulator to ensure corrosion protection and good electrical contact. The cathode electrically connected to the cathode can is
It uses catalyzed carbon and serves to reduce oxygen from the air. Instead, the anode is a gelled mixture of fused zinc powder and an electrolyte, which is usually a high conductivity aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH).

The battery 24 A shown in FIG. 11 is a zinc-air cell 312, which has been found to be the largest conventional cell that fits inside the battery compartment formed by the shell halves 74.

A custom battery 24B according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, respectively. More specifically, FIG. 12 shows the bottom B of the anode A and FIG. 13 shows the top T of the cathode C. It should be noted that the anode can is longer and tapered as compared to the conventional zinc-air cell. This taper is a slight modification consistent with standard manufacturing processes for zinc-air cells. Further, the radial size of the battery is increased to increase the filling of the available capacity of shell 74.

[0075]   Anode can, insulator and cathode can structure to facilitate radial size change
The height of the cathode can is minimized to reduce the adverse double packaging effects caused by
Be done. As can be deduced from FIG. 14, a cathode can of the highest possible height was used.
Then, the radial size of the anode can must be smaller than the proposed size.
As a result, the capacity of the custom battery is forced to decrease. Shi
Therefore, the height of the cathode can is kept as small as possible to maintain a good seal
. The net effect of these changes is to compare Figure 14 with Figure 11.
You can know The custom battery 24B is the majority of the space available for power
It turns out that Actually, in calculating the volume of the custom-made battery 24B
Therefore, a quantitative value showing increased capacity compared to the standard 312 24A cell.
Is obtained. This will allow 0.01757in for a custom battery.³(
287.9 mm³) Was calculated, but the standard 312 cell volume is 0.008719in. ³ (142,8 mm³). The volume of the battery has increased by 100% or more, so hearing aids
The service life of is about doubled.

FIG. 15 shows the custom battery 24 B inserted into the shell 74 with the microphone 18 and receiver 22 in place.

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the custom battery 24 B within the shell half 74. The half shell 74 is generally elliptical. Therefore, in another embodiment of the invention, the battery 24 has a generally elliptical cross section to fill substantially all of the available volume within the shell 74. This is the custom battery 24B shown in FIG. 17, that is, having a generally oval cross section.

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of the hearing aid 10 in which the battery housing is made of plastic. The plastic cathode plate 96 has two or more insert-molded conductive pins 98, 100 that allow battery power to be applied to the microphone section 1.
8 is transmitted to the circuit 20. One or more pins 98 project into the cathode grid 70 at various locations for one battery connection. One or more pins 100 press tabs 103 on metal shell 102 for anodic connection. All pin connections are preferably spring-loaded force or other means such as conductive adhesive to ensure contact. Zinc and electrolyte 73 are contained in a metallic inflatable shell 102 that acts as an anode. The expandable feature allows the plastic housing 74 to expand as it is converted to zinc oxide without breaking the plastic housing 74.

The plastic housing 74 has at least two conductors 104 for connecting the receiver 22 to the circuit board of the microphone section 18. In one embodiment, the conductors 104 are insert molded into the wall of the battery 24 or inserted into a cavity molded into the wall of the battery. The connector of the pin 104 makes a spring contact with the receiver contact 82. Preferably, the battery assembly has a total of four contacts at a level just above the surface of cathode plate 96. These contacts preferably interface with spring contacts 76 on the circuit board.

FIG. 19 shows another cathode configuration based on the configuration of the present invention. One or more rods 100 injection molded to the cathode plate 96 replace the metal shell 102. Preferably, the rod 100 is pushed into the zinc when the cathode plate 96 is sealed within the plastic housing 74.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is preferred to assemble the hearing aid as fully as possible in order to reduce manufacturing costs. One aspect of the present invention provides a quick connector mechanism that simultaneously interconnects a receiver and a battery without soldering or welding small components or contacts, for example.
It is to be understood that the term "simultaneous" is done simultaneously. Thus, the necessary electrical contacts are completed by the simultaneous quick connect mechanism.

20 and 21 show an embodiment of a quick connect or joining mechanism having a saddle member 114, preferably formed of a non-conductive material such as plastic. The saddle member 114 includes at least one contact member 116 that interconnects the anode A of the battery 24B with the circuit board 118 of the microphone unit.
Support. Saddle member 114 further supports at least one contact member 112 interconnecting cathode C of battery 24B to receiver contact 126. A battery contact 124 connects the anode A to the contact members 116, 112. Preferably, the contact members 116, 112 are insert-molded leaf springs having twisted ends 120 at both ends that increase the pressure of the contacts to ensure good electrical connection.

In one embodiment, all internal components, including the battery 24 B, receiver 22, microphone 18, and tip 94 are located within the first shell half, or lower shell half 74. A saddle member 114 having contact members 116, 122 is placed on top to complete all necessary interconnections between the parts. A second shell half, the upper shell half 74, is attached to the lower shell half, preferably by snapping or cementing, to form the hearing aid 10. In another assembly sequence, the saddle member 114 is positioned within the upper shell half 74 before the upper shell half is installed in the completed lower shell half assembly. A comb structure (not shown) is preferably added to the upper shell half 74 to guide the spring end 120,
Reinforce the receiver 22. This prevents the spring contacts from bending and damaging when exerting a force. Preferably, an antioxidant grease or gold plate is provided over the twisted end 120 to ensure long-term contact reliability.

In general, battery life depends on how often the hearing aid is used, if the hearing aid is used frequently. If not used frequently, exposure to low humidity will dry out the battery and render it non-functional. On the other hand, when a large amount of moisture is absorbed by being exposed to high humidity, the battery becomes overhumid and loses its function. This limits the battery life. Therefore, according to one aspect of the present invention, the useful life of the hearing aid 10 is extended by providing one or more batteries to be activated, and preferably using one battery at a time. Multiple batteries can be used with any hearing aid, including intra-canal (ITC), fully intra-canal (CIC), and behind-the-ear (BTE) type hearing aids, both disposable and non-disposable.

22 and 23 show a hearing aid 1 with a plurality of batteries activated in series.
1 shows an embodiment of the switch device used in the No. 0. The switch device 140 is positioned adjacent to the first battery 142 and the second battery 144. In FIG. 22, the switch 140 is in the “off” position and the insulating member 14 of the switch is shown.
1 covers a part of each battery 142, 144. In this position, each battery 142, 144 is electrically grounded and neither battery 142, 144 is electrically connected to the circuit board of the hearing aid 10. Each battery 142, 144 has a hole 1
46, which is activated when exposed to air. In the “off” position of FIG. 22, switch 140 covers both holes 146.

As shown in FIG. 23, the switch 140 has one of the batteries, for example, the battery 14
Moving in the 2 direction, the battery hole 146 is exposed to air through the opening 148 in the insulating member 141. At about the same time, the battery 142 electrically contacts the circuit board to power the hearing aid 10. In one embodiment, the switch 140 includes a conductive member 150, which completes the circuit to the circuit board and allows the hearing aid 10 to
Is powered. Thus, the switch 140 is used both to turn the hearing aid 10 "off" and "on" and to select the battery used to power the hearing aid.

FIG. 24 is another embodiment of an apparatus for battery selection and activation. In this embodiment, first insulator 152 and second insulator 154 are positioned adjacent to batteries 142, 144, respectively. In the above embodiment, the batteries 142 and 144 are grounded. In the "off" position, insulators 152,1
54 separates the conductors 156, 158 from the batteries 142, 144, respectively, leaving the circuit 162 to the hearing aid load 200 open. Insulator 152 has a conductive strip thereon and is used to contact conductor 158 to contact battery 144.
When 4 is moved, this conductive strip completes the circuit between battery 144 and load 200. When the battery 144 is exhausted, the conductor 152 moves and the conductor 156 can contact the battery 142. Preferably, only one battery at a time is connected to circuit 162. Otherwise, if the battery is not disconnected after being used, the low voltage of this battery causes the second battery to leak and shorten the life of the second battery. This causes the battery 144 to disconnect from the circuit 162 when the insulator 152 moves.

In FIG. 25, a battery for supplying power to the hearing aid 10 is selected, and the hearing aid is turned “on” and “
7 illustrates an embodiment of a switch mechanism 164 that is "off". In this embodiment, the rotary switch member 166 is preferably formed from an insulating material such as plastic and covers each hole 146 in the batteries 142, 143, 144. It is understood that more than two batteries can be used in accordance with the present invention. The switch member 166 also has electrical contacts 168, which contacts 168 are a battery, for example the battery 1.
Once positioned over 42, it completes the circuitry that powers the hearing aid 10. The switch member 166 further includes an orifice 170 that supplies air to the battery selected for activation.

The switch member 166, in one embodiment, is rotated by the actuator member 172 to select and activate the battery. In one embodiment, the actuator member 172 is rotatably supported by the housing or shell 74 of the hearing aid 10 and causes the switch member 166 to rotate when the member 172 is rotated by the user. Preferably, the switch member 166 has pawls thereon so that the switch member squeaks into place. In the embodiment of FIG. 25,
Four pawls are used, three pawls for each battery 142, 143, 144, and one pawl for the "off" position. In another embodiment, the actuator member 172 rotates a member (not shown) that supports the battery while the switch member 166 remains in place.

Typical hearing aids are designed to have a product life of about 4-5 years. Therefore, the material selected for these devices must be rigid enough to withstand the normal wear that the unit experiences during its useful life. The performance and appearance of hearing aids should not deteriorate significantly during the last 4-5 years, so commonly used materials are relatively hard, which causes discomfort when wearing the device. Means that.

To address the issue of discomfort, the tip 94 is preferably flexible,
The shell 74 is made of a material that deforms following it, and the shell 74 is made of a highly rigid plastic material. It has been found that such a tip structure can significantly improve the feel of the unit. However, the useful life of this highly conformable material is expected to be significantly shorter than that of the relatively rigid component, shell 74, which rather intentionally limits the life of the product. Thus, the user is not at risk of deterioration due to wearing the hearing aid. Also, since the hearing aid 10 preferably incorporates a zinc-air battery, limiting product life can minimize problems associated with battery swelling due to heavy discharge. Therefore, three methods of automatically stopping the hearing aid are described below.

The first method monitors the on-time of the hearing aid 10 to determine an appropriate stop time. The monitor is implemented by software, hardware, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 26, when the hearing aid 10 is “turned on” by the switch 106, an electronic timer 108 is started to keep track of the time elapsed. The output of the timer 108 increments the counter 110 of the microcomputer 112 of the hearing aid 10, which stores the elapsed time data. The counter is constantly powered so that this data is not lost when switch 106 is in the "off" position. Therefore, the power consumption of the counter is preferably minimized in order to avoid excessive battery drain. Instead of constantly powering the counter, a non-volatile (NV) memory NV can be used to store the "on" time data. NV memory eliminates the need to supply power to the circuit when the hearing aid is "off", but at the cost of consuming power to store information in the memory.

When the user moves the switch to the “off” position, timer 108 is paused. This prevents the counter 110 from being incremented while the hearing aid 10 is "off." The on / off cycle described here is repeated until a predetermined time limit is exceeded. Once the time limit is exceeded, the hearing aid 10 stops. this is,
This can be achieved, for example, by disabling the output driving the receiver 22.
However, before the unit is stopped, a sound that periodically warns of an imminent stop is emitted to inform the user of the impending stop.

The second method tracks the elapsed time from the moment the user moves the switch 106 to the “on” position. Again, the timer 108 will start when the hearing aid 10 is turned "on" by the user. However, in this embodiment, a flag is set in the microcomputer 112, which indicates that the unit has been "on" at least once. The current state of the flag prevents the timer 108 from stopping when the unit is "off." As a result, this timer 108
The output of will continuously increment the counter regardless of whether the unit is "on" or "off". Power is constantly applied to the timer and counter after the switch is first placed in the "off" position. This process continues until the predetermined time limit is exceeded. As far as disposable hearing aids are concerned, the above time limit is
It can be a predetermined number of days, for example 7, 14 or 30 days. If the unit is rechargeable, the time limit may be for a longer period, eg 90 days or more. It is preferable that these types of periods are relatively easy for the user to remember. Preferably, if the time limit is exceeded, the unit is stopped after an acoustic stop warning is issued.

Another stopping method according to the invention is based on a calendar. According to this embodiment, the hearing aid 10 operates only during a selected month, for example January. Since the hearing aid 10 operates only during the selected month, it is convenient for the user to know that the unit must be replaced at the beginning (early) of each month.

Preferably, this technique is independent of the position of the switch 106 and can be implemented in the following way. First, the hearing aid electronics have means for tracking the date and time. This is done by providing date and time information to the circuit during programming of the hearing aid 10. Since the hearing aid 10 keeps track of the date from this point, this clock function is powered. The month in which the hearing aid 10 operates is determined when the user first turns the unit “on” for a given period of time. This predetermined period is long enough to avoid misunderstandings in choosing the month. In the preferred embodiment, there is a limit to the number of times the user can activate the switch 106 before choosing the month in which the hearing aid will eventually operate. The hearing aid 10 is designed so that a grace period can be provided if desired. For example, it can function over a period that includes the last two days in addition to the last two days of the selected month.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form or detail can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Will be done.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1]   1 is an exploded schematic view of a first embodiment of a hearing aid according to the present invention.

[Fig. 2]   FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the hearing aid of FIG. 1 in an assembled state.

[Figure 3]   Figure 3 is a schematic view of parts of a hearing aid according to the invention, partly in block diagram form.

FIG. 4A   3 is a flowchart showing a method of assembling a hearing aid according to the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a plan view of a package used to prevent accidental activation of a hearing aid while in transit.

FIG. 4C is a plan view of another package for preventing accidental activation of a hearing aid while in transit.

FIG. 5A   4 is a chart showing various responses of an amplifier circuit used in a hearing aid according to the present invention.

FIG. 5B   4 is a chart showing various responses of an amplifier circuit used in a hearing aid according to the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a hearing aid according to the present invention showing an on / off air block switch.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a hearing aid according to the present invention, showing an on / off air block switch.

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a hearing aid according to the present invention, showing an on / off air block switch.

FIG. 6D is an isometric view of a hearing aid with another switch that turns the hearing aid “on” and “off”.

FIG. 6E is an enlarged perspective view of the tow cord and insulation members used to construct the switch of FIG. 6D.

FIG. 6F   FIG. 6D is a partial isometric view showing the “on” and “off” positions of the hearing aid of FIG. 6D.

FIG. 6G   FIG. 6D is a partial isometric view showing the “on” and “off” positions of the hearing aid of FIG. 6D.

6H is an enlarged perspective view of the traction cord and insulation member of FIG. 6E and the stop member of the hearing aid.

FIG. 6I   6D is a partial end view of the hearing aid of FIG. 6D showing another faceplate having compound curves. FIG.

FIG. 7 shows an automatic “on” only switch used with a pull tab seal in a disposable hearing aid battery.

FIG. 8A   FIG. 5 shows a hearing aid with a rechargeable battery.

FIG. 8B   FIG. 5 shows a hearing aid with a rechargeable battery.

FIG. 8C   FIG. 5 shows a hearing aid with a rechargeable battery.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a hearing aid according to the present invention, showing in particular a creativity power supply.

[Figure 10]   1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a hearing aid according to the present invention.

FIG. 11   11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the hearing aid of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a creativity battery, specifically the bottom of the anode can.

13 shows the inventive battery of FIG. 12, in particular the top of the cathode can.

FIG. 14 shows the inventive battery of FIGS. 12 and 13 positioned in a hearing aid shell according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14, but further showing the position of the receiver and microphone within the shell.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a hearing aid according to the present invention, showing the cross-sectional shape of one embodiment of a battery.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a hearing aid according to the present invention, particularly showing the elliptical cross-sectional shape of another battery.

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of the hearing aid according to the invention, in particular a plastic battery.

FIG. 19 shows a further embodiment of the hearing aid according to the invention, in particular a different anode configuration.

FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of a quick connection mechanism used in a hearing aid according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of a quick connection mechanism used in a hearing aid according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of a switch mechanism used to select and activate a hearing aid battery.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a switch mechanism used to select and activate a hearing aid battery.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of another switch mechanism used to select and activate a hearing aid battery.

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of yet another switch mechanism used to select and activate a hearing aid battery.

FIG. 26   It is a partial schematic diagram of the hearing aid of this invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Hearing aid, 18 ... Microphone 20 ... Signal processing circuit, 22 ... Receiver,
24 ... Battery (power source).

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (31) Priority claim number 60 / 157,870 (32) Priority date October 6, 1999 (October 6, 1999) (33) Priority claiming countries United States (US) (31) Priority claim number 60 / 161,214 (32) Priority date October 22, 1999 (October 22, 1999) (33) Priority claiming countries United States (US) (31) Priority claim number 09/524, 501 (32) Priority date March 13, 2000 (March 13, 2000) (33) Priority claiming countries United States (US) (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), CA, CN, J P, KR, MX (72) Inventor Sugersen Walter Pee             Pennsylvania, United States             18977, Washington Crossing, Van             Cars Drive 6 (72) Inventor Mahonei Derek Dee             New Jersey, United States             07726, Manalapan, Quail Court               1 (72) Inventor Margishin John M             Pennsylvania, United States             19054, Levittown, Top Hill               Lane 15 (72) Inventor Tarda Guno Michael H.             New Jersey, United States             08540, Princeton, Maiden Head               Road 34 (72) Inventor Demars Robert Earl             New Jersey, United States             08512, Cranbury, Evans Dry             Bou 26 (72) Inventor Altman John Yee             Wisconsin, United States             53572, Mount Horeb, Sosha             Pes corner 1649 (72) Inventor Maxwell Robert Sea             New Jersey, United States             08540, Princeton, Seiray Drive               422 (72) Inventor Fritz Frederick J.             New Jersey, United States             08558, Skillman, Augusta Court               15

Claims (68)

[Claims] 1. A hearing aid that is inserted into the ear canal, wherein the battery used in the hearing aid has a shape that substantially matches the shape of the portion between the opening of the ear canal and the first bend. 2. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the battery is tapered. 3. The battery hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the battery has at least one step. 4. The hearing aid according to claim 1, which is disposable. 5. The hearing aid according to claim 1, which is not disposable. 6. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the battery has an elliptical cross section. 7. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the battery is made of metal. 8. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the battery is made of plastic. 9. A hearing aid inserted into the ear canal, comprising a microphone for converting acoustic energy into an electric signal, a signal processing circuit for processing an electric signal provided by the microphone, and an acoustic energy for the processed electric signal. A hearing aid having a receiver for converting into a signal and a power source connectable to a signal processing circuit, the power source having a shape that substantially matches the shape of the portion between the opening of the ear canal and the first bend. 10. A hearing aid according to claim 9, comprising a housing containing one or more microphones, a signal processing circuit and a receiver and formed from two shell halves connected to each other. 11. The hearing aid according to claim 9, wherein the power supply is provided between the microphone and the receiver to prevent feedback between them. 12. The hearing aid according to claim 9, wherein a flexible circuit interconnects the power supply and the receiver. 13. The hearing aid according to claim 9, wherein the power source is tapered. 14. The hearing aid according to claim 9, wherein the power supply has at least one step. 15. The hearing aid according to claim 9, which is disposable. 16. The hearing aid according to claim 9, which is not disposable. 17. The hearing aid according to claim 9, wherein the power source has an elliptical cross section. 18. The hearing aid according to claim 9, wherein the power source is a metal battery. 19. The hearing aid according to claim 9, wherein the power supply housing is made of plastic. 20. A method of manufacturing a battery for use in a hearing aid inserted into the ear canal, the battery being manufactured to have a shape that substantially matches the shape of the portion between the opening of the ear canal and the first bend. Method. 21. A battery used in a hearing aid, comprising a plastic housing partially surrounding a metal shell, the metal shell being expansive, containing zinc and an electrolyte, and made of a plastic cathode. A battery in which the plate seals one end of the metal shell and the cathode grid is located near the plastic cathode plate. 22. The battery according to claim 21, wherein at least one cathode electrode and at least one anode electrode are disposed on the cathode plate. 23. The battery of claim 21, wherein the hearing aid is inserted into the ear canal and the plastic housing has a shape that substantially conforms to the shape of the portion of the ear canal between the opening and the first bend. 24. The battery according to claim 23, wherein the plastic housing is tapered. 25. The battery according to claim 23, wherein the plastic housing has at least one step. 26. The battery according to claim 21, wherein the hearing aid is disposable. 27. The battery according to claim 21, wherein the hearing aid is not disposable. 28. The battery according to claim 21, wherein the plastic housing has an elliptical cross section. 29. A microphone for converting acoustic energy into an electric signal, a signal processing circuit for processing the electric signal provided by the microphone, and an expandable metal shell partially containing zinc and an electrolyte. A plastic housing, a plastic cathode plate that seals one end of the metal shell, a cathode grid located near the plastic cathode plate, and a cathode plate that interconnects the cathode grid and the signal processing circuit. Arranged cathode electrode, anode electrode arranged on the cathode plate that interconnects the metal shell and the signal processing circuit, a receiver that converts the processed electrical signal into acoustic energy, and connect the signal processing circuit to the receiver Hearing aid with a connector. 30. A battery used in a hearing aid, comprising a plastic housing containing zinc and an electrolyte, a plastic cathode plate for sealing one end of the plastic housing, and a plastic cathode plate. A battery with a cathode grid located in the vicinity. 31. A microphone for converting acoustic energy into an electric signal, a signal processing circuit for processing the electric signal provided by the microphone, a plastic housing containing zinc and an electrolyte, and one end of the plastic housing. A plastic cathode plate that seals the parts, a cathode grid that is located near the plastic cathode plate, a cathode electrode that is placed on the cathode plate that interconnects the cathode grid and the signal processing circuit, and a zinc and electrolyte A hearing aid comprising an anode electrode arranged on a cathode plate which is moved and in contact with a signal processing circuit, a receiver for converting a processed electrical signal into acoustic energy, and a connector for connecting the signal processing circuit to the receiver. 32. A method of automatically stopping a hearing aid, wherein the total time that the hearing aid is "on" excluding the time that the hearing aid is "off" is integrated, and the hearing aid is "on". An automatic stop method that stops when the time reaches a predetermined value. 33. The automatic stop method according to claim 32, further comprising warning the user before the hearing aid stops. 34. The automatic stop method according to claim 32, wherein the hearing aid is stopped by disconnecting the receiver of the hearing aid. 35. A microphone for converting acoustic energy into an electrical signal, a signal processing circuit for processing the electrical signal provided by the microphone, a receiver for converting the processed electrical signal into acoustic energy, and a hearing aid "off". Hearing aid with a counter that integrates the total time that is "on" excluding the time that is turned on, and a stop device that stops the function of the hearing aid when the cumulative time when the hearing aid is "on" reaches a predetermined time . 36. A device for automatically stopping a hearing aid, the counter integrating the total time that the hearing aid is "on" excluding the time that it is "off", and the hearing aid is in the "on" state. A device for automatically stopping a hearing aid, which has a stopping device that stops the function of the hearing aid when the accumulated time of is reached to a predetermined time. 37. The device for automatically stopping a hearing aid according to claim 36, further comprising an alarm device for warning the user before the hearing aid stops. 38. The automatic hearing aid stop device of claim 36, wherein the stop device disconnects the receiver of the hearing aid. 39. The automatic stop device for a hearing aid according to claim 36, wherein the counter uses a non-volatile memory. 40. A method of automatically stopping a hearing aid, wherein the continuous time starts to be accumulated when the hearing aid is turned "on", and the hearing aid is stopped when a predetermined time is reached. 41. A method of automatically shutting down a hearing aid, the programming electronics causing the hearing aid to operate only for a predetermined time, the hearing aid turning "on" the programming electronics for the predetermined time. Automatic stop method activated by 42. A hearing aid circuit for stopping a hearing aid after a predetermined period of time. 43. The circuit of claim 42, wherein the elapsed time is the sum of the total time the hearing aid is "on" excluding the time it is "off." 44. The circuit of claim 42, wherein the elapsed time is the sum of the total time since the hearing aid was turned on. 45. A hearing aid having an oval-shaped cross-section bottom, a long curved center and a mushroom-shaped tip. 46. The hearing aid according to claim 45, wherein the battery has a stepped shape that fits inside the hearing aid. 47. The hearing aid according to claim 45, wherein the elliptical shape gradually changes toward the center. 48. A hearing aid inserted into the ear canal, comprising a microphone for converting acoustic energy into an electric signal, a signal processing circuit for processing an electric signal provided by the microphone, and an acoustic energy for the processed electric signal. A receiver for converting into a signal, a power source connectable to the signal processing circuit, and a shell for housing one or more microphones, the signal processing circuit and the receiver, the shell also being provided after the hearing aid is inserted into the ear canal. A hearing aid with a nearly transparent face plate that can be seen from the outside. 49. The hearing aid according to claim 48, wherein the face plate is colored. 50. The hearing aid according to claim 48, wherein the face plate is flesh-colored. 51. A hearing aid that is inserted into the ear canal, comprising a microphone for converting acoustic energy into an electric signal, a signal processing circuit for processing an electric signal provided by the microphone, and an acoustic energy for the processed electric signal. A receiver for converting into a signal, a power source connectable to the signal processing circuit, and a shell for housing one or more microphones, the signal processing circuit and the receiver, the shell also being provided after the hearing aid is inserted into the ear canal. Hearing aid with a semi-transparent face plate that can be seen from the outside. 52. The hearing aid according to claim 51, wherein the face plate is colored. 53. The hearing aid according to claim 51, wherein the face plate is flesh-colored. 54. A hearing aid to be inserted into the ear canal, the microphone converting an acoustic signal into an electric signal, a signal processing circuit for processing the electric signal provided by the microphone, and the processed electric signal with acoustic energy. A receiver for converting into a signal, a power source connectable to the signal processing circuit, and a shell for housing one or more microphones, the signal processing circuit and the receiver, the shell also being provided after the hearing aid is inserted into the ear canal. A hearing aid that has a face plate with a reflective surface that can be seen from the outside. 55. The hearing aid according to claim 54, wherein the face plate has a complex curved shape. 56. A hearing aid to be inserted into the ear canal, the microphone converting acoustic energy into an electric signal, a signal processing circuit for processing the electric signal provided by the microphone, and the processed electric signal with the acoustic energy. A hearing aid having a receiver for converting to, a power source connectable to the signal processing circuit, and a joining mechanism for electrically connecting the signal processing circuit, the receiver and the power source at the same time, wherein the joining mechanism has a connecting member. 57. The hearing aid according to claim 56, wherein the connecting member is a leaf spring having a twisted end for ensuring an electrical connection. 58. A method of assembling a hearing aid, comprising a microphone for converting acoustic energy into an electric signal, a signal processing circuit for processing an electric signal provided by the microphone, a receiver for converting the processed signal into an acoustic signal, and A power supply connectable to the signal processing circuit is attached to one shell half, the signal processing circuit, the receiver and the power supply are electrically connected to a single connection mechanism, and the other shell half is connected to the one shell half. A method of forming a disposable hearing aid by securing. 59. A hearing aid to be inserted into the ear canal, the microphone converting acoustic energy into an electric signal, a signal processing circuit processing an electric signal provided by the microphone, and the processed electric signal being an acoustic energy. It has a receiver to convert to, a power supply that can be connected to the signal processing circuit, and a switch mechanism that turns the hearing aid “on” when the hearing aid is inserted into the ear canal and turns the hearing aid “off” when the hearing aid is removed from the ear canal. hearing aid. 60. The switch mechanism of claim 59, wherein the switch mechanism includes a tow cord connected to the insulating member, the insulating member disconnecting the circuit between the power supply and the signal processing circuit.
A hearing aid that turns the hearing aid “off”. 61. A method of "turning on" and "turning off" a hearing aid inserted into the ear canal by pressing a cord attached to the hearing aid to insert the hearing aid into the ear canal to turn on the hearing aid. To pull the hearing aid out of the ear canal and pull it off to turn it off. 62. A microphone for converting acoustic energy into an electrical signal, a signal circuit for processing the electrical signal provided by the microphone, a receiver for converting the processed electrical signal into acoustic energy, connectable to the signal processing circuit Hearing aid including a first power source and a second power source, and a switch mechanism for selecting and activating the first power source or the second power source. 63. The switch mechanism of claim 62, wherein the switch mechanism has an insulating member that closes the holes of each power supply in the "off" position to prevent air from entering the power supply.
It also has a conductive member that connects the first power supply or the second power supply to the signal processing circuit in the "on" position, and further such that air enters this power supply to activate the selected power supply. A hearing aid with an opening through which the path passes. 64. A method of turning on a hearing aid, comprising:   Select the power supply for your hearing aid from at least two power supplies,   Connect the selected power source to the hearing aid electronics,   How to start the selected power supply. 65. A packaging provided for a hearing aid, comprising a switch for turning the hearing aid "on", "off", substantially conforming to at least a portion of the shape of the hearing aid to securely hold the hearing aid. A package having a housing with a groove that is substantially open adjacent the switch. 66. The package according to claim 65, having a fixing member to prevent the switch from moving with respect to the housing. 67. A method of packaging a hearing aid, wherein a housing having a groove that substantially conforms to at least a portion of the shape of the hearing aid is formed to securely hold the hearing aid, and the groove is opened at at least one end. A method of packaging in which the hearing aid is placed in the groove so that the switch for turning "on" and "off" is placed in the open end of the groove. 68. The packaging method according to claim 67, wherein the switch is fixed with respect to the housing.