JP4587195B2 - hearing aid - Google Patents

hearing aid Download PDF

Info

Publication number
JP4587195B2
JP4587195B2 JP2003075477A JP2003075477A JP4587195B2 JP 4587195 B2 JP4587195 B2 JP 4587195B2 JP 2003075477 A JP2003075477 A JP 2003075477A JP 2003075477 A JP2003075477 A JP 2003075477A JP 4587195 B2 JP4587195 B2 JP 4587195B2
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
hearing aid
vibrator
bone
driving unit
skull
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
JP2003075477A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JP2004289219A (en
Inventor
裕司 細井
好章 渡辺
剛史 阪口
誠司 中川
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology AIST
Original Assignee
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology AIST
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology AIST filed Critical National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology AIST
Priority to JP2003075477A priority Critical patent/JP4587195B2/en
Priority to PCT/JP2004/003462 priority patent/WO2004084583A1/en
Publication of JP2004289219A publication Critical patent/JP2004289219A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP4587195B2 publication Critical patent/JP4587195B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/60Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/604Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers
    • H04R25/606Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/67Implantable hearing aids or parts thereof not covered by H04R25/606
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04RLOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2460/00Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2460/13Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)
  • Details Of Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)

Description

【0001】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、補聴器に関し、とくに美容に優れた補聴器およびそのための生体振動子に関する。
【0002】
【従来の技術】
従来、補聴器としては、(a)外耳に挿入して音波を発生させて使用する周知のもの、(b)振動子を、皮膚を介して、頭部や耳の横の骨に当てて骨導音を発生させて使用するものがある。補聴器とは異なる原理のものとしては、(c)内耳の蝸牛部に電極を挿入して電気信号を神経に直接与えて使用するものがある。また、(d)チタンをコーティングしたボルトを、ボルトの頭が皮膚の外部に出るように、耳の後部の骨に差し込む手術を行ない、皮膚の外に出たボルトの頭に、体外装置により振動を与えて、骨導音を発生させて使用する補聴器も知られている。以上のように、難聴者のための聴力補助には、種々のものが使用されている。
【0003】
(b)としては、(株)センサーのザ・響き(笑耳君)が知られている(非特許文献1を参照)。
【0004】
(c)としては、コクレア(cochlear)社のN24が知られている(非特許文献2を参照)。
【0005】
(d)としては、entific社のBoneAnchoredHearingAidが知られている(非特許文献3を参照)。
【0006】
また、これらの補聴器に与える信号としては、通常の音声信号の場合もあるが、超音波信号が使用できることが分かりつつある。音声周波数領域の信号でキャリア信号を変調した超音波信号を振動として与えると、通常の音声信号を聴き取ることができない重度の難聴者が、音を検知できることが示されている(特許文献1を参照)。
【0007】
また、音声周波数領域の信号でキャリア信号を変調した超音波信号を超音波振動子により、人の皮膚、筋肉、骨を介して脳の聴覚野に伝える補聴器が示されている(特許文献2を参照)。
【0008】
【非特許文献1】
ザ・響き(笑耳君)、(株)センサー社カタログ、「平成14年11月5日検索」、インターネット<URL:http://www.sensor-tk.co.jp/product/hibiki/hibiki_siyou.htm>
【非特許文献2】
野村恭也,小松崎篤,本庄巌 総編集 「CLIENT21 −21世紀耳鼻咽喉科領域の臨床− 7巻.補聴器と人工内耳」 株式会社 中山書店 2001年6月25日、P205
【非特許文献3】
BAHA(tm),Patient Information、entific社カタログ、「平成14年10月13日検索」、インターネット<URL:http://www.entific.com/baha_info/patinfo.htm>
【特許文献1】
特開平10−262954号公報(第4頁、図1)
【特許文献2】
特開2000−320799号公報(第3〜5頁、図1)
【0009】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
これまで知られている上記のような補聴器では、いずれ例でも、マイクロフォン、音声処理回路、振動子駆動部などの外部装置を、頭や耳の付近に配置する必要があり、目立つため、美容上の改善が望まれていた。
【0010】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記の課題を解決するために、以下のような手段を採用する。
(1)振動子を備えた補聴駆動部を頭蓋骨に埋め込んだ補聴器とする。
(2)振動子を備えた補聴駆動部を頭蓋骨の表面に接して設けるか、頭蓋骨の表面に穴を掘って補聴駆動部を穴に設置し、補聴器駆動部が頭皮により覆われるようにした補聴器とする。
(3)補聴駆動部をコーティングした(1)または(2)に記載の補聴器とする。
(4)コーティング材料がチタンを含む材料であることを特徴とする(3)に記載の補聴器とする。
(5)振動子に超音波信号を伝達することを特徴とする(1)から(4)に記載の補聴器とする。
(6)振動子に超音波信号を細いコードにより伝達することを特徴とする(5)に記載の補聴器とする。
(7)補聴駆動部はアンテナを備え、振動子用の伝達情報を、無線通信によりアンテナに送ることを特徴とする(1)から(4)に記載の補聴器とする。
(8)振動子は骨髄の成分を含むことを特徴とする(1)から(7)いずれかに記載の補聴器とする。
(9)振動子に骨髄の成分を含ませたことを特徴とする生体振動子を用いる。
【0011】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の補聴器および生体振動子の実施形態について図面を参照して説明する。
【0012】
(実施の形態1)
図1は、本発明の補聴器を装着した外観図である。本発明の補聴器は、難聴者の頭蓋骨の一部、たとえば、耳の後ろなどの骨に、補聴駆動部10を埋め込んで使用する。補聴駆動部10には、圧電セラミック振動子のような振動子が設けられている。ケーブル11を介して供給される駆動信号により、振動子は振動を発生する。発生した振動は、骨に伝わり骨導音となる。骨導音は聴覚系に伝わり、難聴者は音を聴取することができる。
【0013】
図2は、本発明の補聴器の補聴駆動部を、耳の後ろの骨に埋め込んだ断面図である。骨20に穴21を穿つ。補聴駆動部10を穴21に埋め込み、充填材22で補聴器駆動部10を固定し、皮膚23で覆う。補聴駆動部10に接続されたケーブル11は、皮膚23の小穴24を通して外部に引き出される。ケーブル11は、信号処理部13に接続されている。補聴器駆動部10には、振動子12が設けられており、骨に当接している。マイクロフォン14が取り込んだ音声信号は、信号処理部13により駆動信号に変換され、ケーブル11を介して補聴器駆動部10に導かれ、振動子12を駆動する。骨動音は、先に述べたように、聴覚系に導かれる。
【0014】
マイクロフォン14、信号処理部13は、難聴者の上着の胸ポケットなどに収納する。本発明のように、振動子12を備えた補聴駆動部10を頭蓋骨に埋め込んだので、頭外部には、細いケーブルが出るのみであり、目立たなくなる。
【0015】
マイクロフォン14と信号処理部13とその電源電池は、眼鏡のフレーム内に収納するようにしてもよい。ケーブル11は、コネクタで眼鏡フレームに接続するようにする。また、マイクロフォン14と信号処理部13とその電源電池は、髪の中に収納してもよい。
【0016】
補聴駆動部10をチタンなどでコーティングすると、チタンと骨との親和性により、補聴駆動部10の回りに骨が再生し、補聴駆動部10は骨の一部のようになり、振動子12と骨の結合度がよくなり、安定した骨導音が得られる。
【0017】
充填材22の一例としては、骨20に穴21を穿つ際に得られる難聴者自身の骨を粉末にし、これに生体接着剤であるフィブリン糊などを混ぜ、セメント状にして使用する。また、骨髄成分を混ぜてもよい。
【0018】
振動子10には、圧電セラミックス振動子を用いるが、セラミックスに骨髄の成分を注入した振動子を使う。セラミックスへの骨髄の成分を注入するには、セラミックスを骨髄の成分に浸しておくと、セラミックスには無数の穴があるので、そこから骨髄の成分がセラミックスに注入される。このように振動子に骨髄成分を注入した振動子は、生体振動子である。手術後、頭蓋骨の骨20の穴21と生体振動子の当接面が一体化されるので、振動伝達効率が良くなる。
【0019】
圧電セラミックス振動子は、圧電セラミックスの薄板の両面に電極となる導電物質を塗付したものを金属板に貼り付けた構造とし、電極端子を設けたものを使用できる。振動子に対するチタンのコーティングは、金属板に対して行なう。また、電極となる導電物質をチタン含有材料にしてもよい。金属板や電極の一部分のみをチタン物質でコーティングしてもよい。例えば、金属板や電極の中央部に円状にコーティングする。あるいは、金属板や電極の周辺に円環状にコーティングする。これは、セラミックス振動子の全部でなく一部分を骨と一体化することにより、振動の効率をより良くするためである。骨の機械インピーダンスにあわせて、コーティング部分の直径や幅を設計すればよい。骨髄成分の注入場所についても、その大きさを設計することができる。
【0020】
ケーブル11に供給する駆動信号は、音声信号そのものでもよい。また、超音波周波数の搬送波を音声信号で変調した信号でもよい。変調方式は、通常の両側帯波を有する変調、単一側帯波変調、搬送波抑圧変調、平衡変調などの方式を使用する。これは、難聴者の残留聴力によって感度の良い方式を選定する。
【0021】
図2の補聴駆動部10は、頭蓋骨に完全に埋め込むようにしたが、頭蓋骨に浅い穴を掘って、その穴に補聴駆動部10を設置し、補聴駆動部10の上部は頭皮で覆うようにしてもよい。また、薄型の補聴駆動部10を、頭蓋骨の表面に設置して補聴駆動部10を頭皮で覆うようにしてもよい。この場合、薄い補聴駆動部10を用いるので、頭皮の膨らみは最小限にでき、美容上殆ど目立たなくできる。
【0022】
以上、本実施の形態によれば、
(1)頭外部には、細いケーブルなどが出るのみで、目立たなくなる。細いケーブルが見えても、イアフォンでステレオを聴いているのと外観上の差が無くなる。
(2)チタンなどのコーティングにより、骨とのなじみが良くなる。
(3)骨髄成分を注入した生体振動子により、さらに骨とのなじみが良くなる。
【0023】
(実施の形態2)
図3は、駆動信号を無線通信で送るようにした補聴器の概念図である。図3において、補聴駆動部10は、アンテナ32、受信回路33、振動子12を有しており、電池34からケーブル31を通じて電力が供給される。送信部35は、マイクロフォン14、変調回路36、アンテナ37を備えており、マイクロフォン14に入力した音声信号を、変調回路36により、超音波周波数帯の変調信号に変調し、更に無線周波数に変調して、アンテナ37から電波伝播させる。この電波を、アンテナ32により受信回路33が受信し、超音波周波数帯の信号に復調して振動子12を駆動する。
【0024】
送信部35は、例えば、難聴者のポケットに収納する。補聴駆動部10は、図2に示したと同様に、骨の中に埋め込み、ケーブル31を皮膚の小穴24より取り出し、電池34は、例えば、難聴者のポケットに収納するか、髪の中に収納する。
【0025】
電池34は、小型のものにして、外耳道の中に収納してもよい。ケーブル31を、皮膚の下を通して外耳道まで導くようにしてもよい。電池の交換は、耳の穴から行なう。
【0026】
なお、アンテナ32には、コーティングしたチタン金属をアンテナとして用いてもよい。
【0027】
なお、血液の流れなどから体内で発電できる体内電池を使用すれば、その電力を受信回路33に、体内で導けるので、体外の電池34は不要になり、ケーブル31は、体内に埋め込める。
【0028】
頭蓋骨に浅い穴を掘って、その穴に補聴駆動部10を設置し、補聴駆動部10の上部は頭皮で覆うようにすれば、アンテナ32の上部は皮膚が覆うだけになり、受信感度を上げることができる。薄型の補聴駆動部10を、頭蓋骨の表面に設置して補聴駆動部10を頭皮で覆うようにしても同様である。
【0029】
以上、本実施の形態によれば、頭外部には、細いケーブルなどが出るのみで、目立たなくなる。細いケーブルが見えても、イアフォンでステレオを聴いているのと外観上の差が無くなる。
【0030】
なお、本実施の形態において、補聴駆動部をチタンなどのコーティングすることにより、骨とのなじみが良くなる。
【0031】
また、本実施の形態において、骨髄成分を注入した生体振動子を用いることにより、さらに骨とのなじみが良くなる。
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本発明によれば、特に、美容上良好な補聴器を得ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図1】本発明の一実施形態による補聴器の補聴駆動部を装着した外観図
【図2】本発明の一実施形態による補聴器の補聴駆動部を装着した頭蓋骨部の断面図
【図3】本発明の一実施形態による補聴器の構成図
【符号の説明】
10 補聴駆動部
11 ケーブル
12 振動子
13 信号処理部
14 マイクロフォン
20 骨
21 穴
22 充填材
23 皮膚
24 小穴
32 アンテナ
33 受信回路
36 変調回路
37 アンテナ
[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hearing aid, and more particularly, to a hearing aid excellent in beauty and a biological vibrator for the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a hearing aid, (a) a well-known one that is inserted into the outer ear to generate a sound wave and used (b) a vibrator is applied to the bone next to the head or the ear through the skin. Some use it to generate sound. As a thing of the principle different from a hearing aid, there exists (c) what inserts an electrode in the cochlea part of an inner ear, and gives and uses an electrical signal directly to a nerve. (D) Surgery is performed to insert the titanium-coated bolt into the bone at the back of the ear so that the head of the bolt goes out of the skin, and the head of the bolt that has come out of the skin is vibrated by an extracorporeal device. Hearing aids are also known that generate and use bone conduction sounds. As described above, various types of hearing aid for the hearing impaired are used.
[0003]
As (b), The Sound (Sakumi-kun) of Sensor Co., Ltd. is known (see Non-Patent Document 1).
[0004]
As (c), N24 of Cochlear is known (see Non-Patent Document 2).
[0005]
As (d), BeneAnchoringHealingAid of entity is known (see Non-Patent Document 3).
[0006]
Moreover, as a signal given to these hearing aids, there is a case of a normal audio signal, but it is becoming clear that an ultrasonic signal can be used. It has been shown that when an ultrasonic signal obtained by modulating a carrier signal with a signal in an audio frequency domain is given as vibration, a severely deaf person who cannot hear a normal audio signal can detect sound (see Patent Document 1). reference).
[0007]
In addition, a hearing aid that transmits an ultrasonic signal obtained by modulating a carrier signal with a signal in an audio frequency domain to an auditory cortex of a brain via an ultrasonic transducer via a human skin, muscle, or bone is disclosed (Patent Document 2). reference).
[0008]
[Non-Patent Document 1]
The Hibiki (laughing ears), Sensors Inc. catalog, "Search November 5, 2002", Internet <URL: http://www.sensor-tk.co.jp/product/hibiki/hibiki_siyou .htm>
[Non-Patent Document 2]
Junya Nomura, Atsushi Komatsuzaki, Satoshi Honjo "CLIENT21-Clinical Study in the 21st Century Otolaryngology-Volume 7. Hearing Aid and Cochlear Implant" Nakayama Shoten Co., Ltd. June 25, 2001, P205
[Non-Patent Document 3]
BAHA (tm), Patient Information, entific catalog, "October 13, 2002 search", Internet <URL: http://www.entific.com/baha_info/patinfo.htm>
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-262594 (page 4, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-320799 A (pages 3 to 5, FIG. 1)
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In any of the above-mentioned hearing aids so far known, it is necessary to place external devices such as a microphone, a sound processing circuit, and a vibrator driving unit near the head and ears. Improvement was desired.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the following means are adopted.
(1) A hearing aid drive unit including a vibrator is a hearing aid embedded in a skull.
(2) Hearing aid that provides a hearing aid drive unit with a vibrator in contact with the surface of the skull or digs a hole in the surface of the skull and installs the hearing aid drive unit in the hole so that the hearing aid drive unit is covered by the scalp And
(3) The hearing aid according to (1) or (2), in which a hearing aid driving unit is coated.
(4) The hearing aid according to (3), wherein the coating material is a material containing titanium.
(5) The hearing aid according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein an ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the vibrator.
(6) The hearing aid according to (5), wherein an ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the vibrator by a thin code.
(7) The hearing aid driving unit includes an antenna and transmits the transmission information for the vibrator to the antenna by wireless communication. The hearing aid according to (1) to (4) is provided.
(8) The hearing aid according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the vibrator includes a bone marrow component.
(9) A biological vibrator characterized by including a bone marrow component in the vibrator is used.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the hearing aid and the biological vibrator of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an external view of the hearing aid of the present invention. The hearing aid of the present invention is used by implanting the hearing aid driving unit 10 in a part of the skull of the deaf person, for example, a bone behind the ear. The hearing aid drive unit 10 is provided with a vibrator such as a piezoelectric ceramic vibrator. Due to the drive signal supplied through the cable 11, the vibrator generates vibration. The generated vibration is transmitted to the bone and becomes a bone conduction sound. The bone conduction sound is transmitted to the auditory system, and the deaf person can hear the sound.
[0013]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in which the hearing aid driving unit of the hearing aid of the present invention is embedded in the bone behind the ear. A hole 21 is made in the bone 20. The hearing aid driving unit 10 is embedded in the hole 21, and the hearing aid driving unit 10 is fixed with the filler 22 and covered with the skin 23. The cable 11 connected to the hearing aid driving unit 10 is pulled out through a small hole 24 in the skin 23. The cable 11 is connected to the signal processing unit 13. The hearing aid driving unit 10 is provided with a vibrator 12 and is in contact with the bone. The audio signal taken in by the microphone 14 is converted into a drive signal by the signal processing unit 13 and guided to the hearing aid drive unit 10 via the cable 11 to drive the transducer 12. As described above, the bone motion sound is guided to the auditory system.
[0014]
The microphone 14 and the signal processing unit 13 are housed in a breast pocket on the outerwear of the hearing impaired person. As in the present invention, the hearing aid driving unit 10 including the vibrator 12 is embedded in the skull, so that only a thin cable appears outside the head, which is inconspicuous.
[0015]
You may make it accommodate the microphone 14, the signal processing part 13, and its power supply battery in the flame | frame of spectacles. The cable 11 is connected to the spectacle frame by a connector. Further, the microphone 14, the signal processing unit 13, and its power supply battery may be housed in hair.
[0016]
When the hearing aid drive unit 10 is coated with titanium or the like, the bone regenerates around the hearing aid drive unit 10 due to the affinity between titanium and bone, and the hearing aid drive unit 10 becomes a part of the bone. Bone coupling is improved and stable bone conduction sound is obtained.
[0017]
As an example of the filler 22, the bone of the hearing impaired person obtained when the hole 21 is drilled in the bone 20 is powdered, and fibrin glue or the like, which is a bioadhesive agent, is mixed and used as a cement. Moreover, you may mix a bone marrow component.
[0018]
As the vibrator 10, a piezoelectric ceramic vibrator is used, but a vibrator in which a bone marrow component is injected into ceramics is used. In order to inject the bone marrow component into the ceramic, if the ceramic is immersed in the bone marrow component, the ceramic has numerous holes, from which the bone marrow component is injected into the ceramic. Thus, the vibrator in which the bone marrow component is injected into the vibrator is a biological vibrator. Since the hole 21 of the skull bone 20 and the contact surface of the biological vibrator are integrated after the operation, the vibration transmission efficiency is improved.
[0019]
A piezoelectric ceramic vibrator having a structure in which a conductive material serving as an electrode is applied to both surfaces of a thin plate of piezoelectric ceramic is attached to a metal plate, and an electrode terminal is provided. The titanium coating on the vibrator is performed on the metal plate. Further, the conductive substance that becomes the electrode may be a titanium-containing material. Only a part of the metal plate or electrode may be coated with a titanium material. For example, a metal plate or a central part of an electrode is coated in a circle. Alternatively, it is coated in an annular shape around the metal plate or electrode. This is to improve the vibration efficiency by integrating a part of the ceramic vibrator, not the whole, with the bone. The diameter and width of the coating should be designed according to the mechanical impedance of the bone. The size of the injection site of the bone marrow component can also be designed.
[0020]
The drive signal supplied to the cable 11 may be an audio signal itself. Alternatively, a signal obtained by modulating a carrier wave having an ultrasonic frequency with an audio signal may be used. As a modulation method, a method such as a modulation having a normal double sideband, a single sideband modulation, a carrier wave suppression modulation, a balanced modulation, or the like is used. For this, a method with high sensitivity is selected according to the residual hearing ability of the hearing impaired person.
[0021]
The hearing aid drive unit 10 of FIG. 2 is completely embedded in the skull, but a shallow hole is dug in the skull, the hearing aid drive unit 10 is installed in the hole, and the upper part of the hearing aid drive unit 10 is covered with the scalp. May be. Alternatively, the thin hearing aid driving unit 10 may be installed on the surface of the skull so as to cover the hearing aid driving unit 10 with the scalp. In this case, since the thin hearing aid driving unit 10 is used, the swelling of the scalp can be minimized and can be made inconspicuous for cosmetic purposes.
[0022]
As described above, according to the present embodiment,
(1) Only a thin cable or the like appears outside the head, making it inconspicuous. Even if a thin cable is visible, there is no difference in appearance from listening to stereo with earphones.
(2) The coating with titanium or the like improves the familiarity with the bone.
(3) The biological vibrator into which the bone marrow component is injected improves the compatibility with the bone.
[0023]
(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a hearing aid configured to send a drive signal by wireless communication. In FIG. 3, the hearing aid driving unit 10 includes an antenna 32, a receiving circuit 33, and a vibrator 12, and power is supplied from the battery 34 through the cable 31. The transmission unit 35 includes a microphone 14, a modulation circuit 36, and an antenna 37. The audio signal input to the microphone 14 is modulated into a modulation signal in the ultrasonic frequency band by the modulation circuit 36, and further modulated to a radio frequency. Then, radio waves are propagated from the antenna 37. The radio wave is received by the receiving circuit 33 by the antenna 32 and demodulated into a signal in an ultrasonic frequency band to drive the vibrator 12.
[0024]
For example, the transmitter 35 is stored in the pocket of the hearing impaired person. As shown in FIG. 2, the hearing aid drive unit 10 is embedded in the bone, the cable 31 is taken out from the small hole 24 in the skin, and the battery 34 is stored in the pocket of the hearing impaired person or in the hair, for example. To do.
[0025]
The battery 34 may be small and housed in the ear canal. The cable 31 may be guided under the skin to the ear canal. Replace the battery from the ear hole.
[0026]
For the antenna 32, a coated titanium metal may be used as the antenna.
[0027]
If an in-vivo battery that can generate electricity in the body from the flow of blood or the like is used, the electric power can be guided to the receiving circuit 33 in the body, so that the battery 34 outside the body is not necessary and the cable 31 can be embedded in the body.
[0028]
If a shallow hole is dug in the skull, and the hearing aid driving unit 10 is installed in the hole, and the upper part of the hearing aid driving unit 10 is covered with the scalp, the upper part of the antenna 32 is only covered with the skin, and the reception sensitivity is increased. be able to. The same applies if the thin hearing aid drive unit 10 is installed on the surface of the skull so that the hearing aid drive unit 10 is covered with the scalp.
[0029]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, only a thin cable or the like appears on the outside of the head, which makes it inconspicuous. Even if a thin cable is visible, there is no difference in appearance from listening to stereo with earphones.
[0030]
In the present embodiment, the familiarity with the bone is improved by coating the hearing aid drive unit with titanium or the like.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, the use of a biological vibrator into which a bone marrow component has been injected further improves the familiarity with bone.
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a hearing aid that is particularly good in cosmetics.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a hearing aid driving part of a hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a skull part wearing a hearing aid driving part of a hearing aid according to an embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram of a hearing aid according to an embodiment of the invention
10 Hearing Aid Drive Unit 11 Cable 12 Vibrator 13 Signal Processing Unit 14 Microphone 20 Bone 21 Hole 22 Filler 23 Skin 24 Small Hole 32 Antenna 33 Reception Circuit 36 Modulation Circuit 37 Antenna

Claims (1)

無線通信により送られる振動子用の伝達情報をアンテナを経由して受信する受信回路と、振動子とを有し、かつ頭蓋骨に埋め込まれる補聴駆動部を具備する補聴器であって、
前記受信回路に電源を供給するためのケーブルが、皮膚の小穴より取り出せる、または、皮膚の下を通して外耳道まで導かれており、
前記補聴駆動部と、前記補聴器を設置する者の頭蓋骨および皮膚との間は、前記補聴器を設置する者の骨の粉末に生体接着剤を混ぜた充填材により、隙間なく埋められ、
前記補聴駆動部は、前記頭蓋骨に固定されることを特徴とする補聴器。
A hearing aid comprising a receiving circuit for receiving transmission information for a transducer sent by wireless communication via an antenna, a transducer, and a hearing aid driving unit embedded in a skull,
A cable for supplying power to the receiving circuit can be taken out from a small hole in the skin, or led under the skin to the ear canal ,
Between the hearing aid driving unit and the skull and skin of the person installing the hearing aid, the bone powder of the person installing the hearing aid is filled without gaps with a filler mixed with a bioadhesive,
The hearing aid driving unit is fixed to the skull .
JP2003075477A 2003-03-19 2003-03-19 hearing aid Expired - Lifetime JP4587195B2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2003075477A JP4587195B2 (en) 2003-03-19 2003-03-19 hearing aid
PCT/JP2004/003462 WO2004084583A1 (en) 2003-03-19 2004-03-16 Hearing aid and biological vibrator

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2003075477A JP4587195B2 (en) 2003-03-19 2003-03-19 hearing aid

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2004289219A JP2004289219A (en) 2004-10-14
JP4587195B2 true JP4587195B2 (en) 2010-11-24

Family

ID=33027862

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2003075477A Expired - Lifetime JP4587195B2 (en) 2003-03-19 2003-03-19 hearing aid

Country Status (2)

Country Link
JP (1) JP4587195B2 (en)
WO (1) WO2004084583A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8068507B2 (en) 2005-06-14 2011-11-29 Interdigital Technology Corporation Method and system for conveying backhaul link information for intelligent selection of a mesh access point
US8246532B2 (en) * 2006-02-14 2012-08-21 Vibrant Med-El Hearing Technology Gmbh Bone conductive devices for improving hearing
SE533430C2 (en) 2008-02-20 2010-09-28 Osseofon Ab Implantable vibrator
EP2319252A2 (en) * 2008-08-29 2011-05-11 Phonak AG Hearing instrument and method for providing hearing assistance to a user
JP5219037B2 (en) 2008-09-25 2013-06-26 国立大学法人電気通信大学 Implantable bone conduction hearing aid
US9998837B2 (en) * 2014-04-29 2018-06-12 Cochlear Limited Percutaneous vibration conductor
WO2016130095A1 (en) * 2015-02-12 2016-08-18 Mikro Protez Sanayi Ve Ticaret Ltd. Sti. Wireless implantable bone conduction energy harvesting hearing aid device

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5571399A (en) * 1978-11-25 1980-05-29 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Hearing aid unit
US4612915A (en) * 1985-05-23 1986-09-23 Xomed, Inc. Direct bone conduction hearing aid device
US5314453A (en) * 1991-12-06 1994-05-24 Spinal Cord Society Position sensitive power transfer antenna
AU722310B2 (en) * 1996-03-13 2000-07-27 Med-El Elektromedizinische Gerate Gmbh Device and method for implants in ossified cochleas
JP2001178813A (en) * 1999-12-22 2001-07-03 Miimu:Kk Medical material with bioaffinity thin film
JP3497833B2 (en) * 2001-03-29 2004-02-16 独立行政法人産業技術総合研究所 Ultrasonic body conduction hearing machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2004084583A1 (en) 2004-09-30
JP2004289219A (en) 2004-10-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU2008289428B2 (en) Bone conduction hearing device with open-ear microphone
AU2007215229B2 (en) Bone conductive devices for improving hearing
CN102105192B (en) For the implantable sound sensor of hearing prosthesis
US7945064B2 (en) Intrabody communication with ultrasound
US8731205B2 (en) Bone conduction device fitting
US7266208B2 (en) Auditory aid device for the rehabilitation of patients suffering from partial neurosensory hearing loss
US20100048983A1 (en) Multipath Stimulation Hearing Systems
DK177633B1 (en) Vibrator for bone conduction hearing aid devices
Hosoi et al. Cartilage conduction as the third pathway for sound transmission
EP1483937A1 (en) Hearing aid apparatus
KR101688508B1 (en) Bioartificial implant system
JP4587195B2 (en) hearing aid
KR101609173B1 (en) Eyeglass type cochlear implant apparatus
KR20170128017A (en) Bioartificial implant system
JPS62277955A (en) Implantable electromagnetic entotympanic bone conductive hearing aid
KR101956849B1 (en) Bioartificial implant system
MAHBOUBI et al. Middle Ear Implantable Hearing Devices: Present and Future
KR20000052066A (en) Setting device of bone sensing vibrator

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
A621 Written request for application examination

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A621

Effective date: 20051219

A131 Notification of reasons for refusal

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A131

Effective date: 20080220

A711 Notification of change in applicant

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A711

Effective date: 20080415

A521 Request for written amendment filed

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A523

Effective date: 20080418

A521 Request for written amendment filed

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A821

Effective date: 20080415

A02 Decision of refusal

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A02

Effective date: 20080702

A521 Request for written amendment filed

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A523

Effective date: 20080825

A521 Request for written amendment filed

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A821

Effective date: 20080801

A911 Transfer to examiner for re-examination before appeal (zenchi)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A911

Effective date: 20080908

A912 Re-examination (zenchi) completed and case transferred to appeal board

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A912

Effective date: 20081031

A01 Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01

A61 First payment of annual fees (during grant procedure)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A61

Effective date: 20100901

R150 Certificate of patent or registration of utility model

Ref document number: 4587195

Country of ref document: JP

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20130917

Year of fee payment: 3

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20130917

Year of fee payment: 3

S111 Request for change of ownership or part of ownership

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R313115

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20130917

Year of fee payment: 3

R350 Written notification of registration of transfer

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R350

R250 Receipt of annual fees

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250

S111 Request for change of ownership or part of ownership

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R313117

R350 Written notification of registration of transfer

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R350

S533 Written request for registration of change of name

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R313533

R350 Written notification of registration of transfer

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R350

EXPY Cancellation because of completion of term