JP6731652B2 - Hearing aids and ear tips - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to hearing aids and ear tips.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, an earwax intrusion prevention barrier for hearing aids (hereinafter, simply referred to as “barrier”) for the purpose of preventing earwax intrusion into the hearing aid earplug portion is known (see Patent Document 1).

This barrier is used by inserting it inside the acoustic outlet of a hearing aid. In the barrier, the lid and the leg are integrally formed. The lid has a circular flange shape having an outer diameter slightly larger than the opening diameter of the sound emission port, and closes the sound emission port from above the opening. The leg portion vertically projects downward from the lid portion and fits into the sound emission port to position and fix the lid portion. The leg portion has a plate shape with a rectangular cross section, and both width ends of the plate shape fit into the sound emission port. Both sides of the leg portion in the thickness direction maintain a constant gap with respect to the inner wall surface of the sound emission port. The lid portion is formed with a notch that extends from the base of the leg portion to both sides of the lid portion. The gap between the leg portion and the inner wall surface of the sound emission port, and the cutout portion of the lid portion form an acoustic passage that extends from the sound reproducing element to the side of the lid portion.

JP 2000-341797 A

The earwax intrusion prevention barrier for hearing aids described in Patent Document 1 is fixed in a state where the lid is placed on the opening of the sound emission port. Therefore, the earwax is prevented from entering the acoustic outlet from the direction of the ear canal insertion, but the notch that is the outlet of the acoustic passage is opened (exposed) to the side of the lid, so the earwax on the inner surface of the external ear canal is removed from the notch. Direct intrusion. If earwax enters the notch, it may block the sound emission port and deteriorate the performance (especially sound quality) of the hearing aid. Furthermore, earwax may invade the function part to destroy the function of the sound reproducing element.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a hearing aid and an ear tip that can suppress intrusion of earwax into an opening and suppress deterioration of sound quality.

The hearing aid of the present disclosure includes an acoustic part provided with a sound conduit and an ear tip attached to the sound conduit. The ear tip includes an opening that communicates with the sound conduit, and a cover that projects outward in the radial direction with respect to the sound conduit and has a skirt on the outer circumference in the projecting direction that is arranged radially outside the opening. The cover is provided with a notch at a position different from the position facing the opening. The opening and the notch are arranged so as to be offset from each other in the circumferential direction .

The ear tip according to the present disclosure is an ear tip attached to a sound conduit, and has an opening communicating with the sound conduit and a portion protruding outward in the radial direction with respect to the sound conduit, and a skirt on the outer periphery in the protruding direction has a radius larger than that of the opening. And a cover arranged outside in the direction. The cover is provided with a notch at a position different from the position facing the opening. The opening and the notch are arranged so as to be offset from each other in the circumferential direction .

According to the present disclosure, entry of earwax into the opening can be suppressed, and deterioration of sound quality can be suppressed.

The perspective view which the ear tip of the hearing aid which concerns on 1st Embodiment was notched. The perspective view which looked at the ear tip shown in FIG. 1 diagonally from the front in the insertion direction. The perspective view which looked at the ear tip shown in FIG. 1 diagonally from the rear in the insertion direction. The top view which looked at the ear tip shown in FIG. 2 from the front in the insertion direction. Side view of the ear tip of FIG. 4 seen from the bottom side of the same figure Side view of the ear tip of FIG. 4 seen from the right side of the same figure Rear view of the ear tip of Fig. 4 seen from the back side of the same figure AA sectional view of FIG. BB sectional view of FIG. The perspective view which looked at the ear tip which concerns on 2nd Embodiment from the insertion direction front diagonally. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the ear tip shown in FIG. The top view which looked at the ear tip shown in FIG. 10 from the front in the insertion direction. FIG. 12 is a side view of the ear tip of FIG. 12 viewed from the lower side of the figure. Side view of the ear tip of FIG. 12 viewed from the right side of FIG. Rear view of the ear tip of FIG. 12 seen from the back side of the same figure. C-C sectional view of FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. Side view of an ear tip according to a modification

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters and duplicate description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to prevent the following description from being unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter by them.

(First embodiment)
[Structure, etc.]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view in which an ear tip 200 of the hearing aid 100 according to the first embodiment is cut away.

The hearing aid 100 is an ear canal type hearing aid that is used by partially inserting it into the external auditory meatus. The hearing aid 100 is a hermetically sealed type that hermetically seals the inside of the ear canal. The hearing aid 100 includes the acoustic unit 10 and the ear tip 200. The ear tip 200 has an opening 11 and a cover 13.

The acoustic unit 10 has a case body 15. The case main body 15 is formed of, for example, a tear drop shape using a material that does not easily deform such as synthetic resin. The hearing aid 100 has the tapered side inserted into the ear canal and the large-diameter side disposed outside the ear canal when worn by the user on the ear.

The case body 15 accommodates devices such as a microphone, an amplifier, and a sounding body. The sounding body is a unit that causes vibration in accordance with an input audio signal, and generates a sound amplified by an amplifier based on the audio signal input via a microphone. A charging terminal portion 19 is provided on the large-diameter body portion 17 of the case body 15 so as to project in the direction toward the tragus when the hearing aid 100 is mounted. The charging terminal portion 19 also serves as a grip portion when the hearing aid 100 attached to the ear is removed.

A cylindrical sound conduit 25 having an axis 23 is provided on the case body 15 on the tapered side opposite to the charging terminal portion 19 so as to project therefrom. In the hearing aid 100, the protruding direction of the sound conduit 25 is the insertion direction into the ear canal. Hereinafter, in the embodiment, the front side in the insertion direction into the ear canal is referred to as the tip side.

An annular convex portion 29 that is fitted into the inner peripheral engagement groove 27 of the ear tip 200 is formed on the tip end side of the sound conduit 25. By fitting the inner peripheral engagement groove 27 into the annular convex portion 29, the ear tip 200 is mounted on the sound conduit 25 while being restricted from moving in the direction along the axis 23. The sound conduit 25 is formed with a sound passage hole (not shown) as a through hole that allows the sound generated by the sounding body to pass through inside and outside the case body 15. The axis 23 of the sound conduit 25 is also the center line of this sound passage hole.

The ear tip 200 is used by being attached to the outer circumference of the sound conduit 25. The ear tip 200 is formed of a material having elasticity. As the material having elasticity, for example, soft rubber or silicone rubber can be used. In the present embodiment, for example, the ear tip 200 is integrally molded using silicon rubber. Since the silicone rubber has elasticity, it is possible to easily expand the diameter of the ear tip 200 and fit it into the outer circumference of the sound conduit 25.

2 is a perspective view of the ear tip 200 shown in FIG. 1 as seen obliquely from the front in the insertion direction.

The ear tip 200 has a base 31 that is in close contact with the ear canal. The base 31 of the ear tip 200 is on the side of the acoustic unit 10. Therefore, the ear tip 200 is inserted into the ear canal with the side opposite to the base 31 being the insertion direction (direction of arrow F in FIG. 2).

The base 31 is formed, for example, in an inverted bowl shape. That is, the base portion 31 has the large diameter portion 33 on the side opposite to the insertion direction. The inside of the large diameter portion 33 becomes a large diameter opening portion 35 and opens. The base 31 has a curved surface 37 whose diameter is gradually reduced in the insertion direction. The tip side of the curved surface 37 is a tip wall 39 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the large diameter portion 33. The tip wall 39 closes the inner space 41 of the base 31 on the back side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ear tip 200 shown in FIG. 1 as seen obliquely from the rear side in the insertion direction.

On the tip wall 39 of the base portion 31, a connecting cylinder 43 is coaxially formed so as to project toward the tip side. The connecting cylinder 43 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example. The connecting tube 43 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a rectangular tube shape or a polygonal tube shape such as a hexagon or an octagon.

The connecting cylinder 43 penetrates the distal end wall 39 from the internal space 41 of the base 31 and projects from the distal end side of the base 31. In the connecting cylinder 43, the inner space 41 side of the base 31 with the tip wall 39 interposed therebetween serves as the sound conduit fitting portion 45, and the portion protruding from the tip wall 39 serves as the connecting portion 47.

The sound guide fitting portion 45 is formed with the inner peripheral engagement groove 27. That is, the sound conduit 25 is inserted into the sound conduit fitting portion 45. The sound pipe fitting portion 45 and the connecting portion 47 communicate with each other in the connecting cylinder 43. The connecting cylinder 43 is closed by the cover 13 at the tip side of the connecting portion 47. That is, the connecting cylinder 43 connects the base 31 and the cover 13.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the ear tip 200 shown in FIG. 2 as seen from the front in the insertion direction.

The cover 13 is formed so as to project outward in the radial direction with respect to the sound conduit 25. The cover 13 has, for example, a substantially circular outer periphery and is coaxial with the base portion 31 and the connecting cylinder 43. Therefore, it is arranged concentrically with the base 31 in a plan view as seen from the front in the insertion direction. Notches 49 are formed on the outer periphery of the cover 13 at both ends in the diametrical direction. The cutout 49 will be described in detail later.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the ear tip 200 shown in FIG. 4 viewed from the lower side of the figure.

The center of the cover 13 on the radially inner side is integrally fixed to the tip of the connecting cylinder 43. The cover 13 is gradually expanded toward the rear in the insertion direction (downward in FIG. 5), and is formed in an umbrella shape in which the rear end hem portion 51 has the maximum outer diameter.

The cover 13 is formed such that a cross-sectional shape of a surface including the axis 23 of the sound conduit 25 is, for example, a substantially arc shape curved in a direction approaching the sound conduit 25. The outer diameter of the hem portion 51 is larger than the outer diameter of the tip wall 39 of the base portion 31. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the hem portion 51 projects radially outward from the outer periphery of the tip wall 39 and overhangs.

The base portion 31 is gradually expanded in diameter from the tip wall 39 toward the side opposite to the insertion direction by the curved surface 37, and the large diameter portion 33 at the rear end in the insertion direction is larger than the outer diameter of the skirt portion 51. That is, the diameter of the base 31 is larger than the diameter of the cover 13.

In the ear tip 200, the cover 13 is formed in a substantially arcuate shape toward the side opposite to the insertion direction, and the distal end side of the base 31 is the curved surface 37 facing the side opposite to the insertion direction, so that the ear tip 200 can be easily inserted into the ear canal. Becomes

The shape and inner diameter of the ear canal are different for each user. When the ear tip 200 is inserted into the ear canal, the cover 13 is first inserted. For a user with a small inner diameter of the ear canal, any portion of the substantially circular shape extending from the tip side of the cover 13 to the hem 51 contacts the inner side of the ear canal. At that time, the cover 13 is deformed following the inner shape of the ear canal. Further, for a user with a large inner diameter of the ear canal, a gap is created between the hem portion 51 of the cover 13 and the ear canal.

In any case, in the ear tip 200, any part of the curved surface 37 extending from the distal end side of the base portion 31 to the large diameter portion 33 is in close contact with the inner side of the entrance of the ear canal. At that time, the base 31 is deformed following the inner shape of the ear canal. As a result, the ear tip 200 functions as a sealed type that seals the inside of the ear canal according to various shapes of the ear canal.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the ear tip 200 shown in FIG. 4 viewed from the right side of the figure.

The cover 13 is supported by the connecting cylinder 43 and is arranged forward of the tip wall 39 of the base 31 in the insertion direction, so that a gap is formed between the tip wall 39 and the hem 51. The gap is open over the outer circumference (360°) of the hem portion 51. The space between the front end wall 39 of the base 31 and the hem 51 serves as a sound guide space 53. That is, in the cover 13, the sound guide gap 53, which is a slight gap between the skirt portion 51 and the base portion 31, is secured in the circumferential direction.

In the cover 13 shown in FIG. 6, the outer diameter of the hem portion 51 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tip wall 39, but this is due to the pair of notches 49 provided in the hem portion 51. The hem portion 51 has a larger diameter than the tip wall 39 in the portion without the notch 49, as shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the ear tip of FIG. 4 viewed from the back side of the figure.

In the ear tip 200, the sound conduit fitting portion 45 of the connecting cylinder 43 stands coaxially inside the large-diameter opening 35. The ear tip 200 has an annular inner space 41 between the sound conduit fitting portion 45 and the large-diameter opening 35. The sound conduit 25 is inserted into the sound conduit fitting portion 45. The sound conduit 25 projects from the tapered side of the acoustic section 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, a part of the sound side 10 on the tapered side is arranged in the annular inner space 41 in a state where the sound conduit 25 is attached to the sound conduit fitting portion 45. That is, the large-diameter opening 35 of the base 31 covers the tapered side of the acoustic portion 10 with the annular internal space 41 therebetween. The internal space 41 serves as a deformation absorbing space when the base 31 is deformed by the ear canal in the diameter reducing direction. As a result, the base portion 31 is freely deformed with respect to the ear canal, and high sealing performance can be secured.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

The cover 13 is supported by the connecting portion 47 standing upright from the tip wall 39 of the base portion 31, and consequently closes the tip opening of the tubular connecting portion 47. On the other hand, the connecting portion 47 of the connecting tube 43 is formed with the openings 11 penetrating both ends in the diameter direction. The opening 11 is arranged so as to be displaced by 90° in the circumferential direction with respect to the notch 49 of the cover 13. The shift angle of 90° between the opening 11 and the notch 49 is an example.

The sound conduit 25 is attached to the sound conduit fitting portion 45 of the connecting cylinder 43. The sound conduit 25 is attached to the sound conduit fitting portion 45 so that the sound passage hole at the tip is opened inside the connecting cylinder 43. That is, the opening 11 of the connecting portion 47 communicates with the sound conduit 25 attached to the sound conduit fitting portion 45. The sound passage hole of the sound conduit 25 is opened inside the connecting cylinder 43. The sound communication hole communicates with the outside of the connecting cylinder 43 through the pair of openings 11 formed in the connecting cylinder 43.

That is, the sound emitted from the opening 11 is radially transmitted from the annular sound conducting space 55 covered by the cover 13 to the outside through the sound conducting gap 53 between the cover 13 and the base 31. ..

Thus, the cover 13 is arranged such that the hem portion 51 on the outer circumference in the projecting direction is arranged radially outside the opening 11. As a result, an annular sound guiding space 55 that surrounds the connecting portion 47 is provided inside the cover 13.

The annular sound guiding space 55 can linearly transmit the sound emitted from the opening 11 outward in the radial direction through the sound guiding gap 53. In addition, the annular sound guide space 55 can once transmit the sound emitted from the opening 11 in the circumferential direction, and then can transmit the sound outward through the sound guide gap 53. Therefore, the ring-shaped sound guiding space 55 has a function of preventing earwax from directly entering the opening, and serves as a sound passage for emitting the sound from the opening 11 from an arbitrary position in the circumferential direction of the sound guiding gap 53. It also has the function of.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

The cover 13 is provided with a notch 49 at a position different from the position facing the opening 11. The notch 49 largely opens the annular sound guide space 55 covered by the cover 13. The hem 51 of the cover 13 is arranged in a direction approaching the sound conduit 25 so as to cover at least a part of the opening 11 with a gap. Here, "the skirt portion 51 covers at least a part of the opening portion 11 with a gap" means that "the skirt portion 51 covers all of the opening portion 11 with a gap". ..

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the sound conduit fitting portion 45 becomes an acoustic opening at the tip wall 39 and opens. The opening 11 is formed by cutting out the connecting portion 47 to a position reaching the tip wall 39. Therefore, the sound guide gap 53 overlaps a part of the opening 11.

Further, the ear tip 200 may be one in which “the hem portion 51 covers the entire opening 11 with a gap”. In the ear tip 200, when the hem portion 51 covers the entire opening 11, the sound guide gap 53 does not overlap the opening 11. That is, referring to FIG. 9, the opening 11 is formed at a position that is moved to the right of the hem portion 51 in FIG.

In the case where the “hem 51 covers the entire opening 11 with a gap,” earwax that has entered the sound guide gap 53 inward in the radial direction linearly enters the opening 11 through the annular sound guide space 55. Can be suppressed. In this case, the sound emitted from the opening 11 passes through the skirt 51 and is emitted outward from the sound guide gap 53.

Next, a procedure for mounting the hearing aid 100 on the ear will be described.

When the hearing aid 100 is attached, first, the ear tip 200 is attached to the acoustic unit 10. The ear tip 200 expands the diameter of the connecting portion 47 of the connecting tube 43 to the sound conduit 25 of the acoustic portion 10 and externally inserts it (inserts the inner circumference of the connecting portion 47 into the outer circumference of the sound conduit 25). After the diameter of the connecting portion 47 is expanded, the diameter of the connecting portion 47 is reduced by elastic force, and the inner peripheral engagement groove 27 is engaged with the annular convex portion 29 of the sound conduit 25. As a result, the ear tip 200 is restricted from coming off from the sound conduit 25, and the attachment to the acoustic section 10 is completed.

The hearing aid 100 to which the ear tip 200 is attached is inserted into the ear canal with the ear tip 200 as the distal end side in the insertion direction. When the ear tip 200 is inserted to a predetermined position in the ear canal, the outer periphery (curved surface 37) of the base 31 comes into close contact with the inner side of the ear canal. As a result, the ear canal is closed by the base 31. At the same time, in the ear tip 200, the base portion 31 elastically deforms in accordance with the inner shape of the ear canal, and the elastic repulsive force holds the ear tip 200 in the ear canal with an appropriate fitting force. As a result, the user is prevented from suffering pain in the ear canal during wearing. At this time, in the ear tip 200, since the curved surface 37 having a gradually smaller diameter toward the distal end side is brought into close contact with the ear canal, the holding force can be adjusted according to the insertion depth.

Further, in the hearing aid 100, the case body 15 of the acoustic unit 10 is supported by the concha of the ear outside the external auditory meatus, and the charging terminal unit 19 is supported by the antitragus or the like, which is also self-supported in the ear. .. As a result, the hearing aid 100 is completely attached to the ear.

[Action, etc.]
Next, the operation of the hearing aid 100 and the ear tip 200 will be described.

The hearing aid 100 may include an ear tip 200. The ear tip 200 may be handled alone.

In the hearing aid 100, the ear tip 200 is attached to the sound conduit 25 of the sound part 10. The ear tip 200 mounted on the outer circumference of the sound conduit 25 has an opening 11 communicating with the sound conduit 25. The opening 11 emits the sound transmitted from the sound conduit 25.

The ear tip 200 has a cover 13. The cover 13 projects outward in the radial direction with respect to the sound conduit 25, and the hem portion 51 on the outer periphery in the projecting direction is arranged outside the opening 11 in the radial direction.

In the state where the ear tip 200 is attached to the sound conduit 25, the cover 13 on the distal end side in the insertion direction is first inserted into the ear canal, and then the opening 11 is arranged in the ear canal. At this time, the hem portion 51 of the cover 13 is arranged outside the opening portion 11 in the radial direction.

Therefore, the ear tip 200 can prevent the earwax from the ear canal from directly entering the opening 11. In addition, the hearing aid 100 can maintain the area of the opening 11 constant and realize uniform acoustic characteristics.

The cover 13 is provided at a position where the hem portion 51 faces the opening 11. The cover 13 has a notch 49 formed by notching the hem 51 at a position different from the position facing the opening 11.

Accordingly, the hearing aid 100 and the ear tip 200 can efficiently transmit the sound from the sound conduit 25 to the ear canal through the notch 49 while suppressing the invasion of earwax into the opening 11 by the hem 51.

The cover 13 seals between the cover 13 and the eardrum when the entire outer circumference of the hem 51 in the projecting direction is in close contact with the ear canal. Therefore, the sound emitted from the opening 11 is blocked by the cover 13 located on the distal end side in the insertion direction, and is less likely to be transmitted to the eardrum. In the hearing aid 100, the notch 49 is provided in the hem portion 51, so that the sound from the opening 11 is transmitted to the eardrum through the notch 49 without sealing between the cover 13 and the eardrum. Furthermore, since the notch 49 is provided at a position different from the position facing the opening 11 in the circumferential direction, it is possible to make it difficult for earwax to enter the opening 11.

Further, the ear tip 200 has a base portion 31. The ear tip 200 is inserted into the ear canal while being attached to the sound conduit 25. The base portion 31 is located on the base end side in the insertion direction of the ear tip 200. That is, it is located on the side of the acoustic unit 10. The cover 13 is located on the front end side in the insertion direction. The base 31 and the cover 13 are connected by a connecting cylinder 43. Therefore, at the time of insertion into the ear canal, first, the cover 13 is inserted first, and then the subsequently inserted base 31 closes the entrance side of the ear canal.

The opening 11 is formed in the connecting cylinder 43 between the cover 13 and the base 31. The sound transmitted from the opening 11 to the ear canal vibrates the eardrum. The sound transmitted to the external auditory meatus is prevented from leaking to the outside, because the base 31 closes the entrance side of the external auditory meatus. Therefore, the hearing aid 100 and the ear tip 200 can suppress the sound leaking from the ear canal from being collected by the microphone of the acoustic unit 10.

In the ear tip 200, a slight gap (sound guide gap 53) is secured in the circumferential direction between the hem portion 51 of the cover 13 and the base portion 31. When the hem portion 51 covers a portion of the opening 11, the other portion (a portion other than the portion) of the opening 11 can be seen from the sound guide gap 53. On the other hand, when the hem portion 51 covers the entire opening 11, the opening 11 cannot be seen from the sound guide gap 53. That is, the opening 11 is entirely hidden behind the hem 51. The degree of overlap with the opening 11 of the cover 13 is appropriately selected based on, for example, sound quality priority or earwax intrusion prevention priority.

Further, the hem portion 51 of the cover 13 is arranged in a direction approaching the sound conduit 25. The opening 11 is arranged between the cover 13 and the sound conduit 25. The cover 13 covers at least a part of the opening 11 by arranging the skirt 51 in a direction approaching the sound conduit 25. Since the hem portion 51 is arranged radially outside the opening portion 11, the skirt portion 51 covers the opening portion 11 with a gap.

This allows the hearing aid 100 and the ear tip 200 to act like an umbrella at the tip when inserted into the ear canal, and more effectively prevent the entry of earwax into the opening 11.

Further, according to the hearing aid 100, the adhesion to the ear canal can be improved by the base portion 31 of the ear tip 200. Since the base portion 31 includes a material having elasticity, the base portion 31 conforms to the shape of the ear canal and deforms. As a result, the wearing feeling of the user is improved. At the time of wearing, the hem 51 of the cover 13 may not contact the ear canal. It suffices that the cover 13 be capable of suppressing intrusion of earwax through the opening 11, and a gap may be formed between the cover 13 and the ear canal to improve sound transmissibility. Even if there is a gap between the cover 13 and the ear canal, the base portion 31 is in close contact with the entrance side of the ear canal and can seal the ear canal.

Further, the cross-sectional shape of the cover 13 may be a substantially arcuate shape that is curved in a direction approaching the sound conduit 25. That is, the cover 13 may be formed in an umbrella shape in which the diameter is gradually increased toward the rear in the insertion direction, and the bottom end hem portion 51 has the maximum outer diameter. The cover 13 may be formed in a film shape having elasticity. As a result, the hem 51 of the cover 13 can be easily deformed following various shapes of the external auditory meatus, and the wearing feeling of the user can be improved.

Further, the diameter of the base portion 31 of the ear tip 200 may be larger than the diameter of the cover 13. As a result, in the hearing aid 100 and the ear tip 200, the base 31 prevents the entrance of the ear canal and prevents leakage to the outside.

(Second embodiment)
The second embodiment exemplifies that the ear tip is an open type in which the inside of the ear canal is opened.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the ear tip 300 according to the second embodiment as seen obliquely from the front in the insertion direction. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the ear tip 300 shown in FIG. 10 as seen obliquely from the rear in the insertion direction. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the ear tip 300 shown in FIG. 10 as seen from the front in the insertion direction. FIG. 13 is a side view of the ear tip 300 shown in FIG. 12 viewed from the lower side of the figure. FIG. 14 is a side view of the ear tip 300 shown in FIG. 12 viewed from the right side of the figure. FIG. 15 is a rear view of the ear tip 300 shown in FIG. 12 viewed from the back side of the figure. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of FIG.

In the present embodiment, the same members and parts as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted or simplified.

The ear tip 300 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, except that the through hole 57 is provided in the base 31. That is, the base 31 of the ear tip 300 is provided with the through hole 57 for communicating the external auditory meatus blocked by the base 31 to the outside.

The through hole 57 is provided in the curved surface 37 of the base 31. There can be a plurality of through holes 57. For example, four through holes 57 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the curved surface 37. Of these, the pair of through holes 57 on both sides in the diametrical direction are at positions that are circumferentially aligned with the notches 49 of the cover 13. Therefore, the ear tip 300 can move the earwax that has entered through the cutout 49 from the through hole 57 to the internal space 41 of the base 31 and discharge it outward from the large-diameter opening 35.

In the ear tip 300, the through hole 57 is provided in the base portion 31 that closes the entrance side of the ear canal. Therefore, although the base 31 is attached to the entrance side of the ear canal, the space between the base 31 and the eardrum communicates with the outside through the through hole 57. That is, in the case of this configuration, the hearing aid 100 is an open type (open ear tip type) that makes the external auditory meatus unsealed when worn.

Thereby, the hearing aid 100 and the ear tip 300 can adjust the atmospheric pressure of the external auditory meatus to the atmospheric pressure, and can improve the wearing feeling.

In general, when the hearing loss deteriorates due to aging, the hearing in the low frequency range is relatively normal. For this reason, by providing the through hole 57 and directly capturing the sound in the low frequency range into the external auditory meatus, it is possible to prevent the user from getting tired particularly in the case of mild hearing loss, and to wear the device for a long time. In addition, howling is unlikely to occur in the low-pitched reproduced sound emitted from the opening 11.

(Modification)
Next, an ear tip 200A according to a modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

FIG. 18 is a side view of an ear tip according to a modified example.

In the ear tip 200 according to the first embodiment and the ear tip 300 according to the second embodiment, the base 31 may be formed in two stages. Here, the configuration of an ear tip 200A according to a modified example in which the base 31 has two stages will be described by taking the ear tip 200 according to the first embodiment as a typical example.

The ear tip 200A is provided with a second base portion 59 on the rear end side in the insertion direction of the base portion 31. The second base 59 has substantially the same configuration as the base 31 except that it has a larger outer diameter than the base 31. In the ear tip 200</b>A, the sound conduit fitting portion 45 of the connecting cylinder 43 protruding from the base 31 penetrates the tip wall of the second base 59. The sound conduit fitting portion 45 communicates with the internal space 41 of the second base portion 59.

According to the ear tip 200A, in addition to the base portion 31, the second base portion 59 having a larger diameter is continuously provided rearward in the insertion direction, so that the adhesion to the ear canal can be further improved. In particular, even in the case of a user with a large ear canal, the holding performance to the ear canal can be improved. In other words, the ear tip 200A can improve the versatility of various ear canals.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the first embodiment and the second embodiment have been described as examples of the technology in the present disclosure. However, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. have been made. Moreover, you may combine each embodiment.

Although the first embodiment and the second embodiment exemplify that the opening 11, the notch 49, and the through hole 57 are provided as a pair, respectively, the opening 11, the notch 49, and the through hole 57 may be one or two. Any number of three or more may be provided.

In the above-described modification, the configuration in which the second base 59 is continuously provided in addition to the base 31 has been described, but the ear tip may be provided with more bases. As a result, the ear tip can further improve the adhesiveness and versatility.

Although the first and second embodiments exemplify that the hearing aid 100 is an ear canal type hearing aid, it may be a hearing aid other than an ear canal type hearing aid (for example, an ear-hook type hearing aid).

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the example in which the ear tip is used for the hearing aid is shown. However, the ear tip may be used in the ear canal for TV, portable music player, mobile phone, etc. It can also be used for inserting earphones.

Therefore, according to the hearing aid 100, intrusion of earwax into the opening 11 can be suppressed, and deterioration of sound quality can be suppressed. Further, according to the ear tips 200, 300, and 200A, when the ear tips 200, 300, and 200A are attached to the sound part 10, the intrusion of earwax into the opening 11 can be suppressed, and the intrusion of earwax into the sound conduit 25 can be suppressed.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present disclosure is useful for a hearing aid, an ear tip, and the like that can prevent earwax from entering the opening and suppress deterioration of sound quality.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Acoustic part 11 Opening 13 Cover 23 Axis 25 Sound conduit 31 Base 43 Connection tube 49 Notch 51 Bottom 57 Through hole 100 Hearing aid 200,300,200A Ear tip

Claims (12)

An acoustic part provided with a sound conduit,
An ear tip attached to the sound conduit,
Equipped with
The ear tips are
An opening leading to the sound conduit,
A cover that projects outward in the radial direction with respect to the sound conduit, and a skirt portion of the outer periphery in the projecting direction is arranged radially outward of the opening.
Equipped with
The cover is provided with a notch at a position different from the position facing the opening,
The hearing aid , wherein the opening and the notch are arranged so as to be displaced from each other in the circumferential direction . The hearing aid according to claim 1 , wherein
The ear tips are
A base that is in close contact with the ear canal,
A connecting cylinder connecting the base and the cover,
The hearing aid, wherein the opening is formed in the connecting tube. A hearing aid according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein
The hearing aid, wherein the hem portion of the cover is arranged in a direction toward the sound conduit so as to cover at least a part of the opening with a gap. The hearing aid according to claim 2 , wherein
A hearing aid, wherein the diameter of the base is larger than the diameter of the cover. The hearing aid according to claim 2 or 4 , wherein
A hearing aid, wherein the base portion is provided with a through hole for communicating the external auditory meatus blocked by the base portion to the outside. The hearing aid according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The hearing aid, wherein the cover is formed such that a cross-sectional shape of a surface including an axis of the sound conduit is curved in a substantially arc shape in a direction approaching the sound conduit. An ear tip attached to the sound conduit,
An opening leading to the sound conduit,
A cover that projects outward in the radial direction with respect to the sound conduit, and a skirt portion of the outer periphery in the projecting direction is arranged radially outward of the opening.
Equipped with
The cover is provided with a notch at a position different from the position facing the opening,
An ear tip in which the opening and the notch are arranged so as to be offset from each other in the circumferential direction . The eartip according to claim 7 , further comprising:
A base that is in close contact with the ear canal,
A connecting cylinder connecting the base and the cover,
The opening portion is an ear tip formed in the connecting tube. The ear tip according to claim 7 or 8 , wherein
An ear tip in which the hem portion of the cover is arranged in a direction toward the sound conduit so as to cover at least a portion of the opening with a gap. The ear tip according to claim 8 ,
An ear tip in which the diameter of the base is larger than the diameter of the cover. The ear tip according to claim 8 or 10 , wherein
An ear tip in which a through hole that allows the ear canal blocked by the base to communicate with the outside is provided in the base. The eartip according to any one of claims 8 to 12 ,
An ear tip in which the cover is formed such that a cross-sectional shape of a surface including an axis of the sound conduit is curved in a substantially arc shape in a direction approaching the sound conduit.

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