JP5246695B2 - Hearing aid - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a behind-the-ear hearing aid comprising a case body, a hook, a tube, an earplug, and the like.

  In the case body of a conventional ear-type hearing aid, the microphone, earphone, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), battery, and other parts are housed in one space, so the sound and vibration from the earphone propagates to the microphone, and the amplifier There is a problem that an oscillation phenomenon (howling) that deteriorates sound quality occurs due to the feedback loop formed including the. The main cause is a combination of vibration and sound generated when the earphone comes into contact with other parts, particularly due to contact with the inner wall of the case body.

  In order to solve this problem, a case structure in which a side wall (partition wall) is provided inside the case body to separate and attach the earphone and other components, and the earphone is prevented from contacting the inner wall of the separated case body. There has been proposed an internal earphone mounting structure that prevents the rotation and forward / backward movement (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, hearing aids have been proposed that can be assembled from pre-completed building blocks of a given output stage on demand for adaptation to hearing impairments due to hearing aid failures or different output intensities (e.g. Patent Document 2).

In addition, a hearing aid has been proposed in which an earphone is incorporated into a resin housing to be inserted into the user's ear canal and connected to a hearing aid main body attached to the auricle by a cord (for example, see Patent Document 3).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-146495 JP-A-1-300800 JP-A-62-151100

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is a measure against the vibration of the earphone, but the response to sound is insufficient. The partition walls are provided in each of the case halves, and even when they are combined, sound leakage from the joints of the partition walls is likely to occur, and the partition wall separates the earphone from other parts, The sound insulation effect is low, and problems such as howling remain in hearing aids for heavy and highly deafness. In addition, if a partition wall is provided, the space for the earphone including the partition wall becomes wider, and the size of the case must be increased. Further, in repairing the earphone of the hearing aid, the worker must disassemble the case while paying attention to other parts, so that the work efficiency is lowered.

  In the technology described in Patent Document 2, the case structure block does not disclose a specific structure of each structure block such as an electrical or mechanical coupling method of the blocks. In the case constituent block, parts and constituent parts for electrical or mechanical coupling parts are required for each independent constituent block, which further increases the size of the case.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 3, by mounting the earphone in the ear canal, there is no problem such as howling due to vibration or sound of the earphone. However, in the frequency characteristics that are not disclosed in the literature, For example, the sound pressure of 4 kHz or more is suddenly reduced and becomes narrow.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to prevent howling that degrades sound quality while ensuring a frequency characteristic band. It is intended to provide an ear-hearing type hearing aid.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is an ear-hearing type hearing aid comprising a case main body, a hook, a tube, an earplug, etc., and a microphone is disposed inside the case main body and attached to the case main body. A space is formed inside the end portion of the hook to be provided, and a sound guide portion for guiding the output sound of the earphone is provided from this space, and the earphone is arranged separately from the microphone in the space .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the hook-type hearing aid according to the first aspect, the hook is electrically connected to the elastic holding member that covers the periphery of the sound output port of the earphone and the terminal of the earphone. An elastic connector is provided, and the earphone is arranged without being in contact with the inner surface of the hook to constitute an anti-vibration / sound insulation structure for the microphone.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the hook-type hearing aid according to the first aspect, an elastic holding member that covers the periphery of the sound output port of the earphone and also covers a part of the main body of the earphone is provided inside the hook. The earphone is arranged without being in contact with the inner surface of the hook to constitute a vibration-proof and sound-insulating structure for the microphone.

  According to the present invention, since the earphone and the microphone are separately installed, the sound and vibration of the earphone are difficult to propagate to the microphone while ensuring the frequency characteristic band (for example, up to 6 kHz), and howling that deteriorates the sound quality. Etc. can be suppressed. In the repair of the earphone, it is not necessary to disassemble the case body, so that the operator can repair without paying attention to other parts, and the work efficiency is improved. Compared to the case where the earphone is arranged inside the case, the arrangement on the hook saves space, and the ear-type hearing aid can be downsized.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the ear-type hearing aid according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the first embodiment of the ear-type hearing aid according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the principal part of the third embodiment. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an ear-mounted hearing aid 1 according to the present invention includes a case body 2, a hook 3, a tube 4, a joint 5, an earplug 6, and the like. The case body 2 contains components such as a microphone, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) as a hearing aid processing unit, and a battery. The earphone is arranged inside the hook 3 and separated from the microphone arranged inside the case main body 2, and various soundproof / vibration-proof structures that prevent the sound and vibration of the earphone from being transmitted to the microphone, and the earphone and the case main body 2 The electrical connection structure is configured (first to third embodiments).

  As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the first embodiment of the behind-the-ear hearing aid according to the present invention forms a space for placing the earphone 8 inside the hook 3, and holds the earphone 8 with the holding member 10. At the same time, the earphone 8 and the case main body 2 are electrically connected by the connector 11 by pressure contact. The hook 3 is provided with a sound guide portion 9 that guides the output sound of the earphone 8 to the tube 4.

  The hook 3 is attached to the case main body 2 by fitting a convex portion 2 a formed at the end of the case main body 2 and a concave portion 3 a formed at the end of the hook 3. Electrodes 13a and 13b are provided on the convex portion 2a, and the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 2a is a shape that does not rotate even when fitted to the concave portion 3a, such as an ellipse or a polygon.

  The holding member 10 for holding the earphone 8 inside the hook 3 is formed of an elastic body (for example, nitrile rubber, silicon rubber, etc.) (for example, rubber packing), and is provided on a step portion 3 b provided on the inner surface of the hook 3. It is in contact. The holding member (rubber packing) 10 is for preventing sound leakage, vibration isolation, and positioning to the microphone 7 disposed inside the case body 2, and serves to prevent the earphone 8 from contacting the inner surface of the hook 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the connector 11 is formed of a material that is elastic and electrically insulating (for example, nitrile rubber, silicon rubber, etc.), and is provided on the convex portion 2a of the case body 2 when assembled. Metal thin wires (for example, copper wires) 14 are wound at positions where the electrodes 13a, 13b and the terminals 8a, 8b of the earphone 8 are in contact with each other. The connector 11 secures an electrical connection with the earphone 8 and is used for vibration isolation and positioning of the earphone 8 and plays a role of holding the earphone 8 so as not to contact the inner surface of the hook 3 together with the rubber packing 10.

  As the holding member, in addition to the rubber packing 10, as shown in FIG. 2C, a holding member 12 that covers the periphery of the sound output port of the earphone 8 and also covers a part of the main body of the earphone 8 may be used. In this case, the holding member 12 alone can serve to hold the earphone 8 so as not to contact the inner surface of the hook 3, so that it is not necessary for the connector 11 to play that role.

  Without using the connector 11 shown in FIG. 2 (b), electrodes 16a and 16b that directly contact the terminals 8a and 8b of the earphone 8 are provided on the elastic connector 15 as shown in FIG. A structure attached to the main body 2 is also possible. In this case, a built-in portion of the connector 15 may be formed in each half case constituting the case body 2. Further, it is desirable to use the holding member 12 shown in FIG. 2C so that the attachment position of the earphone 8 with respect to the hook 3 is stabilized.

  The operation of the first embodiment of the hook-type hearing aid according to the present invention configured as described above will be described. By attaching the hook 3 to the case body 2, a shape for the wearer to attach to the auricle is formed. Since the microphone 7 and the earphone 8 are installed separately, the sound and vibration of the earphone 8 do not propagate to the microphone 7, and howling that degrades the sound quality can be prevented.

  The acoustic resonance frequency can be adjusted by changing the internal shape (cross-sectional area and length) of the sound guide section 9. The tube 4 and the earplug 6 guide the output sound of the earphone 8 guided from the sound guide unit 9 to the ear canal of the wearer. Similar to the hook 3, the acoustic resonance frequency can be adjusted by changing the internal shapes of these 4 and 6. The hook 3, tube 4 and earplug 6 can guide a sound of 1 to 2 kHz or less in the frequency characteristics, and can obtain a high frequency sound of 2 to 6 kHz by acoustic resonance. Peaks due to acoustic resonance beyond what is desired can be lowered using an acoustic damper.

  In addition, by using a hook having a shape that also serves as the tube 4, the tip of the hook can be arranged at the opening of the ear canal of the wearer when the wearer wears the ear hearing aid. The earphone 8 can be repaired by removing the hook 3 from the case body 2 without disassembling the case body 2.

  Next, in the second embodiment of the hook-type hearing aid according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3A, a space for arranging the earphone 8 is formed inside the hook 3, and the earphone 8 is held by the holding member 12. In addition, the terminals 8a and 8b of the earphone 8 and the electrodes 13a and 13b provided on the protrusion 2a of the case body 2 are electrically connected by lead wires 20a and 20b. The hook 3 is provided with a sound guide portion 9 that guides the output sound of the earphone 8 to the tube 4.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.3 (b), the rubber packing 10 shown to Fig.2 (a) can also be used as a holding member. In this case, in order to stabilize the attachment position of the earphone 8 with respect to the hook 3, an elastic belt-like suspension 21 is required on the main body of the earphone 8 (for example, made of silicon rubber). The lead wires 20a and 20b are urethane copper wires or the like and have a length necessary for incorporating the earphone 8 into the hook 3. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4A, the third embodiment of the ear-hearing hearing aid according to the present invention forms a space in which the earphone 8 is arranged inside the hook 23, and the earphone 8 is held by the holding member 12. In addition, the terminals 8a and 8b of the earphone 8 and the electrodes 13a and 13b provided on the convex portion 22a of the case body 22 are electrically connected by lead wires 20a and 20b. The hook 23 is provided with a sound guide portion 9 that guides the output sound of the earphone 8 to the tube 4. The hook 23 is attached to the case main body 22 by screwing a male screw portion 22b formed at the end of the case main body 22 and a female screw portion 23a formed at the end of the hook 23.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.4 (b), the rubber packing 10 shown to Fig.2 (a) can also be used as a holding member. In this case, in order to stabilize the mounting position of the earphone 8 with respect to the hook 23, an elastic belt-like suspension 21 is required for the main body of the earphone 8 (for example, made of silicon rubber). The lead wires 20 a and 20 b are urethane copper wires or the like, and have a length necessary for incorporating the earphone 8 into the hook 23. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an ear-hearing type hearing aid that can prevent howling and the like that degrade sound quality without propagating the sound and vibration of the earphone to the microphone while ensuring a frequency characteristic band (for example, up to 6 kHz). Can be provided.

Whole perspective view of a hook-type hearing aid according to the present invention 1 is a first embodiment of a hook-type hearing aid according to the present invention, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view of an essential part when a rubber packing is used as a holding member, (b) is a side view of a connector, and (c) is another view. Cross-sectional view of the main part when the holding member is used, (d) is a cross-sectional view of another connector In 2nd Embodiment of the ear-hearing type hearing aid which concerns on this invention, (a) is principal part sectional drawing at the time of using another holding member, (b) is the principal part at the time of using rubber packing as a holding member. Cross section In 3rd Embodiment of the hearing aid type hearing aid which concerns on this invention, (a) is principal part sectional drawing at the time of using another holding member, (b) is the principal part at the time of using rubber packing as a holding member. Cross section

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Hearing type hearing aid, 2, 22 ... Case main body, 2a, 22a ... Convex part, 3, 23 ... Hook, 3a ... Concave part, 4 ... Tube, 6 ... Ear plug, 7 ... Microphone, 8 ... Earphone, 8a, 8b ... terminal, 9 ... sound guide part, 10 ... rubber packing (holding member), 11, 15 ... connector, 12 ... holding member, 13a, 13b ... electrode, 20a, 20b ... lead wire, 21 ... suspension, 22b ... male screw Part, 23a ... female screw part.

Claims (3)

An ear-mounted hearing aid comprising a case main body, a hook, a tube, an earplug, etc., wherein a microphone is arranged inside the case main body, and a space is formed inside an end side of the hook attached to the case main body In addition, an ear-hearing type hearing aid is provided with a sound guide portion for guiding the output sound of the earphone from this space, and the earphone is disposed separately from the microphone in the space . An elastic holding member that covers the periphery of the sound output port of the earphone and an elastic connector that is electrically connected to a terminal of the earphone are provided inside the hook, and the earphone is disposed without contacting the inner surface of the hook. The hearing aid type hearing aid according to claim 1, comprising a vibration-proof and sound-insulating structure for the microphone. Provided inside the hook is an elastic holding member that covers the periphery of the sound output port of the earphone and also covers a part of the main body of the earphone, and the earphone is disposed without contacting the inner surface of the hook. The hearing aid type hearing aid according to claim 1, which constitutes a vibration-proof and sound-insulating structure.