JP2869502B2 - hearing aid - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hearing aid, and more particularly, to a hearing aid of a waterproof type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this kind of hearing aid, a waterproof function is realized by increasing the adhesion between respective members. As this type of hearing aid, there is an ear-hearing hearing aid 1 as shown in FIG. That is, the hearing aid 1
A hook 3 is screwed into a distal end portion of a case 2 formed in a bow shape as a whole, and the hook 3 is hooked along the upper end of the auricle of the hearing aid wearer, so that the entire hearing aid 1 is worn by the wearer. It is designed to be held at the back of the pinna. By attaching a tube and earplugs (not shown) to the end of the hook 3 in this state, the hearing aid obtained from the earphone is transmitted into the ear hole of the wearer through the sound path, the tube and the earplugs in the hook 3. .

The case 2 is composed of a case body 4 and a case lid 5, and the case body 4 contains a microphone, a hearing aid processing circuit, an earphone, and the like. The case lid 5 is rotatably attached to the case main body 4 about a rotation shaft (not shown) provided at a tip end position of the case main body 4. Therefore, in the hearing aid 1, the case cover 5 is opened by rotating the case cover 5 in the direction of the arrow a to perform adjustment and repair of each component incorporated in the case main body 4. A rotation shaft 6 is provided at the base of the case body 4.
The battery cover 7 is attached so as to be rotatable around the center of rotation. Accordingly, in the hearing aid 1, the battery is replaced with the battery cover 7 opened by rotating the battery cover 7 in the direction of arrow b.

On the surface of the case lid 5, a volume knob 8 for volume control and a switch knob 9 for switching between a power supply and various functions are provided. These components penetrate through the thickness of the case lid 5 and pass through the case. It is connected to each switch component built in the main body 4. Further, on the surface of the case lid 5, an adjuster cover 10 that protects an adjusting unit that adjusts the hearing aid band and the maximum sound pressure level according to the wearer has a rotating shaft 11.
Is mounted so as to be openable and closable about the center of rotation. Here, in the hearing aid 1, each of the joint surfaces between the case body 4 and the case lid 5 and the joint surface between the case body 4 and the battery cover 7 is provided with a seal packing having a shape adapted to each joint surface. It is designed to prevent intrusion of moisture from the joint surface.

O-rings are provided between the volume knob 8 and the case lid 5 and between the switch knob 9 and the case lid 5, respectively, whereby the gap between the volume knob 8 and the case lid 5 and the switch are provided. The intrusion of moisture from the gap between the knob 9 and the case lid 5 is prevented. A window cover 12 for preventing wind noise from entering the microphone is provided at the tip of the case 2. The hook 3 is screwed into the case body 4 while the window cover 12 is fitted in the case 2, and the hook 3 and the It is sandwiched between the cases 2. That is, in the hearing aid 1, an external sound is introduced into the external sound intake of the microphone through a notch (not shown) formed near the hook 3 of the window cover 12.

Here, an appropriate waterproof member made of a filter or the like that allows sound to pass through but does not allow water to pass through is provided in the external sound intake of the microphone, and the waterproof member prevents water from entering the microphone. ing. In this way, in the hearing aid 1, the waterproof seal is provided between the respective members to prevent the intrusion of moisture into the case 2 beforehand.

[0007]

However, in recent years, environmental destruction due to mercury in discarded batteries has attracted a great deal of attention. Therefore, in the field of hearing aids, oxygen in the air is used as a depolarizer as a power supply battery. It has been considered to use an air battery (for example, an air battery). Actually, an air battery has no pollution problem and has a large electric capacity as compared with a mercury battery, and thus can be sufficiently used as a power supply battery of a normal hearing aid. However, as described above, generally, in a waterproof hearing aid, the inside of the case is formed with high airtightness in order to realize a waterproof function, and accordingly, as described above, which sequentially requires oxygen to generate a voltage. It has been difficult to apply an air battery as a power source battery for such a hearing aid.

Therefore, as one means for solving this problem, it has been conventionally proposed to form a battery cover of a hearing aid as shown in FIG. 6 (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 2-125644 (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 4-81450). )). That is, in the hearing aid 20, a knob storage chamber 21 </ b> A having a recess of a predetermined depth is provided at the center of the upper surface of the battery cover 21, and the knob 22 is rotatably mounted in the knob storage chamber 21 </ b> A. The knob 22 is connected to a lock mechanism provided inside the battery cover 21.

Thus, the battery lid 21 can be locked so as not to come off from the hearing aid main body 23 by rotating the knob 22 so as to be housed in the knob housing room 21A while being attached to the hearing aid main body 23. When the knob 22 is rotated so as to protrude outward from the state in which the knob 22 is stored in the knob storage chamber 21A, the lock is released and the knob 22 can be removed from the hearing aid main body 23. Also, the battery cover 21
An annular peripheral wall 21B that holds the outer peripheral surface of the battery 24 inside the battery chamber 23A of the hearing aid main body 23 protrudes from the lower surface of the main body 23, and the peripheral wall 21B has an elastic material (for example, rubber) surrounding the root portion. An O-ring (not shown) made of a material is attached so that the battery cover 21 can be attached to the hearing aid body 23 with high adhesion.

In this case, the knob storage chamber 2 of the battery lid 21 is used.
At the bottom of 1A, a through-hole (not shown) is formed, and a filter (hereinafter, referred to as a waterproof filter) 25 that blocks water from passing through air to close the through-hole is provided. As a result, the battery cover 21 is
3, when the battery compartment 21 is mounted on the knob
The air in A can be supplied to the battery chamber 23A of the hearing aid main body 23 through the waterproof filter 25. Thus, in the hearing aid 20, air can be supplied into the battery compartment without deteriorating waterproofness, and thus an air battery can be used as a power supply battery.

However, the hearing aid 20 thus formed
Then, as described above, the air hole is formed in the bottom of the knob storage chamber 21A, and the knob 22 is used when the waterproof filter 2 is used.
There is a problem that the waterproof filter 25 once wet to cover the cover 5 is difficult to dry. In such a case, the wet waterproof filter 25
Is difficult to allow air to pass through, so that the battery
There is a problem that it becomes difficult to supply sufficient oxygen to the air battery housed in A.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to propose a highly waterproof hearing aid capable of supplying practically sufficient air into the case.

[0013]

According to the present invention, a ventilating hole 42C formed in a case 31 and a ventilating hole 4C are provided in a waterproof ear-hearing hearing aid.
2C is closed so as to supply air outside the case 31 to the inside of the case 31 through the ventilation hole 42C, while preventing external moisture from entering the inside through the ventilation hole 42C. Waterproof means 70 and groove 42 provided on one side surface of case 31 in which ventilation hole 42C is formed
The groove E connects the end of one side surface of the case 31 to the ventilation hole 42C.

In the present invention, the case 31 includes a battery cover 42 which forms a part of a side wall of a battery chamber 40A for accommodating a battery serving as a power supply means provided inside the case 31, and has a ventilation hole. 42C and the groove 42E are formed in the battery cover 42.

Further, according to the present invention, in a waterproof ear-hearing hearing aid, a depression 42D formed on the side surface of the case 31, a ventilation hole 42C formed on the bottom surface of the depression 42D, and a ventilation hole It is arranged to block 42C,
While air outside the case 31 is supplied to the inside of the case 31 through the ventilation hole 42C, external moisture is supplied to the ventilation hole 42C.
And a waterproofing means 70 for preventing intrusion into the inside through the inside.

Further, in the present invention, a groove 42E provided on the side surface of the case 31 and connecting the recess 42D and the end of the side surface is provided.

Further, in the present invention, the case 31
A battery cover 42 that forms a part of a side wall of a battery chamber 40A that houses a battery as a power supply unit provided inside the case 31 is included. The recess 42D and the groove 42E are formed in the battery cover 42. I made it.

Further, in the present invention, the groove 42E is formed to extend downward when the hearing aid 30 is worn.

[0019]

With the provision of the end of one side surface of the case 31 having the ventilation hole 42C and the groove 42E connecting the ventilation hole 42C, the side surface of the case having the ventilation hole 42C and the skin of the wearer are worn when worn. Even in the case of contact, air can be supplied to the ventilation hole 42C via the groove 42E.

Further, by forming a recess 42D in the case 31, it is possible to prevent the ventilation hole 42C from being directly blocked by the wearer's skin during wearing.

[0021]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.

(1) Overall Configuration of Hearing Aid In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 30 denotes a waterproof ear-hearing hearing aid as a whole, and a box-shaped case 31 made of a synthetic resin material is provided behind a pinna. The window cover 32 and the hook 33 are integrally attached to the tip of the bow shape so as to conform to the external shape of. In case 31, as apparent from FIG.
1, a case body 40 forming an inner peripheral portion and a root portion, a case lid body 41 rotatably supported at a distal end portion of the case body 40 and forming an outer peripheral portion of the case 31,
A battery cover 42 for closing a battery chamber 40A in a cylindrical space formed at the base of the case body 40. The case cover 41 is screwed and fixed to one end of an electrode 43 protruding into the case body 40. The battery cover 42 is assembled as shown in FIG. 1 by screwing the battery cover 42 into the case body 40.

In this case, the case body 40 and the case lid 4
A seal packing 44 made of an elastic material (e.g., rubber material) is interposed between the casing body 40 and the case body 40.
In addition, water is prevented from entering the case 31 from the gap between the case lids 41. Similarly, an O-ring 45 made of an elastic material (for example, a rubber material) is inserted between the case body 40 and the battery cover 42, so that a gap between the case body 40 and the battery cover 42 enters the case 31. It is designed to prevent water from entering.

The battery cover 42 has a pair of arc-shaped battery holding walls 42A and 42B projecting from the inner surface thereof, as is apparent from FIG.
The battery can be held inside a space surrounded by 42B (hereinafter, this space is referred to as a battery holding space). Thus, in the hearing aid 30, the battery cover 42
After the battery is fitted into the battery holding space, the battery can be loaded into the battery chamber 40A by attaching the battery cover 42 to the case main body 40, and thus the signal housed inside the case 31 The power can be supplied to the processing unit 50.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the signal processing section 50 is a flexible board 5 on which a hearing aid processing circuit is formed.
1 is formed by integrally attaching a gain adjuster 52, a mode switching switch 53, an adjustment trimmer 54, and the like. The audio signal supplied from the microphone 60 or an induction coil (not shown) The input / output characteristics set by the operation of the switching switch 53 and the adjustment trimmer 54 are output to the earphone 62 after hearing aid processing. In this case, the gain adjuster 52 and the mode switching switch 53 are waterproof with the volume knob 63 and the switch knob 64 disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the case 31 formed by the curved surface of the case lid 41 through the thickness of the case lid 41. Highly linked.

Thus, in the hearing aid 30, the sound pressure level of the hearing aid output from the earphone 62 can be adjusted by rotating the volume knob 63, and the switch knob 64 can be operated. Therefore, the power can be turned off or the mode can be switched. The adjustment trimmer 54 is exposed to the outside of the case 31 through a trimmer opening (not shown) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the case 31 as is apparent from FIG. For this reason, the adjuster cover 6 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the case 31 so as to cover the adjustment trimmer 54.
5 is attached so as to be openable and closable, so that the adjuster trimmer 54 can be prevented from being carelessly operated.

Further, the induction coil is disposed inside the flexible substrate 51 bent in a cylindrical shape, so that the space inside the case 31 can be effectively used. The microphone 60 is attached to a distal end inside the case lid 41. A waterproof member (not shown) is attached to the tip of the case lid 41 so that water can be prevented from entering the inside of the case 31 through the tip of the case lid 41. Has been made. The earphone 62 is connected to the case body 4.
0, so that the hearing aid sound based on the output of the hearing aid processing circuit of the signal processing unit 50 is output by the hook 33.
And can be output to the outside of the hearing aid 30 via the.

(2) Structure of Battery Cover As is apparent from FIG. 3, a vent 42C is formed at the center of the outer surface of the battery cover 42 so as to communicate the outside of the case 31 with the battery chamber 40A. Has been drilled. As a result, in the hearing aid 30, air outside the case 31 can be supplied to the battery housed in the battery chamber 40A through the ventilation hole 42A. Thus, an air battery as well as a mercury battery can be used as a power supply battery. It can be used.

As shown in FIG. 4, inside the battery cover 42, a waterproof filter 70 is fixed using an annular pressing member 71 so as to close the ventilation hole 42C from the inside. While supplying into the chamber 40A,
Water outside the case 31 is discharged from the battery chamber 40 through the vent hole 42C.
A can be prevented from penetrating into A. Also, as is apparent from FIG. 3, a depression 42E is formed on the outer surface of the battery cover 42 along the periphery of the ventilation hole 42C, and extends from the depression 42E to the edge of the outer surface of the battery cover 42. Is formed with a groove 42E. Accordingly, even when the hearing aid 30 is worn such that the battery cover 42 comes into contact with the wearer's skin, the groove 42
Air can be supplied to the inside of the battery chamber 40A of the case 31 through E, the depression 42D, and the ventilation hole 42C.

In the case of the embodiment, the groove 42E is provided in the hearing aid 3
0 is formed so as to extend downward from the depression 42D when worn, so that even when moisture such as the sweat of the wearer flows into the depression 42D, the moisture is immediately transferred using the groove 42E as a guide. It is configured to be able to naturally fall and drain to the outside of the depression 42D. In the case of this embodiment, the waterproof filter 70 is made of a material (for example, Goatex (trade name, Japan Pangoatex Corporation)) in which a water-repellent material such as tetrafluoroethylene resin is formed into a continuous porous fiber. Thicker ones are used.

Thus, in the hearing aid 30, the waterproof filter 70 can be cleaned with a cotton swab or the like as necessary.

(3) Operation of Embodiment In the above configuration, the hearing aid 30 has a vent 42
By providing C so as to be exposed on the surface of the case 31, the waterproof filter 70 can be easily dried, and thus sufficient air can always be supplied to the battery chamber 40A inside the case 31. In this case, in the hearing aid 30,
When the battery cover 42 is worn so as to be in contact with the wearer's skin by forming the groove 42E that connects the ventilation hole 42C and the side edge of the battery cover 42 downward on the surface of the case 31 so as to contact the skin of the wearer. Also, air can be reliably supplied to the ventilation hole 42C through the groove 42E. Further, in this hearing aid 30, a depression 42D is formed around the ventilation hole 42C.
As described above, even when the battery cover 42 is worn so as to come into contact with the wearer's skin as described above, it is possible to make it difficult for the skin to close the ventilation hole 42C and supply air. Can be secured.

(4) Effects of the Embodiment According to the above configuration, the battery cover 42 is provided with the ventilation hole 42C communicating with the battery chamber 40A inside the case 31, and the waterproofing is provided so as to cover the ventilation hole 42C from the inside. By arranging the filter 70 on the inner surface of the battery cover 42 and forming a groove 42E on the surface of the battery cover 42 for connecting the ventilation hole 42C and the outer surface end of the battery cover 42, the battery cover 42 is The groove 42E and the ventilation hole 42C are used even when the device is worn so as to come into contact with the wearer's skin.
The air can be supplied to the battery chamber 40A inside the case 31 as necessary and sufficient through the
It is possible to realize a hearing aid with high waterproofness that can supply air sufficiently practically inside. In addition, moisture such as sweat is drained by the groove 42E.

A recess 42D is formed on the outer surface of the battery cover 42.
And a ventilation hole 42C communicating with the battery chamber 40A is formed at the bottom of the recess 42D, and the waterproof filter 70 is arranged on the inner surface of the battery cover 42 so as to cover the ventilation hole 42C from the inside. Thus, even when the battery cover 42 is worn so as to be in contact with the wearer's skin, the ventilation hole 42C is unlikely to be closed by the skin, and thus the air can be sufficiently supplied to the inside of the case 31 for practical use. A highly waterproof hearing aid can be realized. Further, since the ventilation hole 42C is formed in the recess 42D, an external force does not inadvertently damage the waterproof filter 70 disposed in the ventilation hole 42C.

(5) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, the case where the ventilation holes 42C are formed on the side surfaces of the battery case 42 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and The vent hole 42C may be formed in any of the cases 31. In this case, the groove 42E
If the recess 42D is formed in the case 31 in the same manner as in the embodiment, the same effect as in the embodiment can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the case where the waterproof filter 70 is attached to the inner surface of the battery cover 42 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the recess 42D of the battery cover 42 may be attached to the waterproof filter 70. May be formed to be deeper than the thickness of the battery cover 42, and then attached to the outer surface side of the battery cover 42.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case has been described where the groove 42E of the battery cover 42 is formed to extend downward from the recess 42D when the hearing aid 30 is worn. The present invention is not limited to this, as long as the water that has flowed into the depression 42D can be discharged to the outside of the depression 42D. Downward is sufficient.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the waterproof filter 70 is used as a means for preventing the water outside the case 31 from flowing into the case 31 through the ventilation hole 42C of the battery cover 42 is described. As described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and other waterproofing means may be used.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the waterproof ear-hearing hearing aid, the waterproof means is arranged so as to close the ventilation hole formed in the case, and the ventilation hole is formed. By providing a groove on the outer surface of the case to connect the end of the case and the ventilation hole, even when the side surface of the case provided with the ventilation hole and the wearer's skin come into contact with each other at the time of wearing, the groove is provided through the groove. Thus, air can be supplied to the ventilation holes, and thus a highly waterproof hearing aid capable of supplying practically sufficient air to the inside of the case can be realized. Also, in the waterproof ear-hearing hearing aid, a ventilation hole is formed at the bottom of the depression formed on the outer surface of the case, and a waterproof means is provided so as to close the ventilation hole. The ventilation hole 42C can be prevented from being blocked by the skin, and thus a highly waterproof hearing aid that can supply practically sufficient air to the inside of the case can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a hearing aid according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the entire configuration of the hearing aid according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state of an outer surface of a battery cover.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the inside of the battery cover.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a conventional waterproof hearing aid.

FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing a conventional waterproof hearing aid having a waterproof filter.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 20, 30 ... hearing aid, 7, 42 ... battery cover,
21 ... battery lid, 25, 31 ... case, 40A ... battery room, 70 ... waterproof means (waterproof filter), 42C ...
Vent hole, 42D ... recess, 42E ... groove.

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A waterproof ear-hearing hearing aid, comprising: a ventilation hole formed in a case; and a ventilation hole disposed so as to close the ventilation hole, and air outside the case is passed through the ventilation hole through the ventilation hole. A waterproofing means for preventing the external moisture from penetrating into the interior through the ventilation hole while supplying the water to the inside of the case, and a groove provided on one side surface of the case in which the ventilation hole is formed. A hearing aid, wherein the groove connects an end of one side surface of the case and the ventilation hole. 2. The case includes a battery cover that forms a part of a side wall of a battery chamber that houses a battery as a power supply means provided inside the case. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the hearing aid is formed on a battery cover. 3. A waterproof ear-hearing hearing aid, comprising: a depression formed on a side surface of a case; a ventilation hole formed on a bottom surface of the depression; and a ventilation hole disposed to close the ventilation hole. Water supply means for supplying air outside the case to the inside of the case through the ventilation hole, while preventing the external moisture from entering the inside of the case through the ventilation hole. Hearing aid characterized by the following. 4. The hearing aid according to claim 3, further comprising a groove provided on the side surface of the case and connecting the recess to an end of the side surface. 5. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the case includes a battery cover that forms a part of a side wall of a battery chamber that houses a battery serving as power supply means provided inside the case. The hearing aid according to claim 3, wherein the hearing aid is formed on a cover. 6. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the groove is formed so as to extend downward when the hearing aid is worn.