JPH01269398A - Earwax barrier for hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To more effectively prevent a hearing aid from being blocked with earwax by mutually shifting and arranging projection members on the internal surface of a housing that connects the receiver of the hearing aid and the sound exit of a shell to each other. CONSTITUTION: The hearing aid 22 is equipped with the shell 40, which includes a microphone 42 and the receiver 44; and the shell 40 and receiver 44 have sound exist 46 and 48, respectively. The exits 46 and 48 are connected by the voice path 50 of the hearing aid and the barrier 20 is arranged in the speech path 50. The barrier 20 is equipped with the housing 54 and projection members 56, 58, 60, and 62. A center axis 74 passes the center of the cylindrical housing 54 and is at a nearly equal distance from the internal surface 72 of the housing at all points. The respective projection members are positioned spatially and angularly shifting from the center axis 74 and cooperate with one another to completely block the sound passage in the center of the cylinder, and are also almost at right angles to the center axis 74 and an internal wall surface 72 to substantially block earwax from entering the hearing aid.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to earwax barriers, and more particularly to earwax barriers to the audio path of hearing aids and devices, such as 'in-the-ear or 'in-the-ear' type hearing aids or acoustic resonators. Concerning barriers to prevent the intrusion of

A canine hearing aid (or simply an aid) has a nozzle or shell that holds the components of the hearing aid. Many aid shells are placed in the user's ear canal.
canat). The shell of an electric hearing aid includes, for example, a microphone, amplifier circuit components,
Holds the receiver. The microphone is exposed to an external audio signal and correspondingly forms an electrical signal. The electrical signal is sent to the amplifier circuitry and other electrical aid components. Such components then provide signals to a receiver, and the receiver correspondingly forms sound.

In many electric hearing aids, sound travels from an outlet in the receiver through an audio path within the aid, and from an outlet in the shell of the aid to the outside of the aid. The sound exiting the shell outlet then passes through the user's ear canal and causes the eardrum to vibrate.

Most hearing aid users have earwax in their ears.
It naturally secretes a substance called ear wax. Earwax cleans the internal tissues of the ear, but this tends to flow into the sound path of hearing aids. Earwax that enters the receiver inhibits or prevents the receiver from working properly.

Small decorative "in-the-ear" shaped aids and "ear canal" shaped aids (generally inserted at least partially into the user's ear canal) have been developed in recent years. However, such aids have reduced the volume inside the hearing aid available for the components. This is especially true if, for example, the inside of the user's ear is relatively small.

Furthermore, techniques associated with hearing aid construction often involve the construction of plastic shells. The shell has the contour of the inner surface of the ear. The thickness of the shell is dictated by the desire to maintain physical structural integrity and preserve the benefits of internal aid components. However, the wall thickness of the shell reduces the volume inside the shell of the component reservoir.

The limited volume available inside a hearing aid for components generally requires that the receiver be placed as deep as possible into the user's ear canal. However, such intra-canal placement of the hearing aid provides access of the receiver outlet to the auditory canal environment, including the wax-secreting tissue within the auditory canal.

In other words, the introduction of in-the-ear and canal-shaped stingrays has greatly improved the acceptance of hearing aids by the hearing-impaired.
This type of hearing aid has led to earwax problems. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, earwax infestation is recognized as a serious problem.

The intrusion of earwax into the audio path and receiver of a hearing aid effectively results in susceptibility to occlusion of the receiver. Gradually progressive occlusion of the receiver results in a reduction in acoustic gain and output by the receiver, sometimes eventually rendering the hearing aid completely unable to output amplified speech.

Decreased performance or failure of the aid is inconvenient for the user. If earwax blockage occurs, it may be necessary to completely disassemble the hearing aid and clean or replace the receiver. Of course, taking the hearing aid to a service center for disassembly and, if necessary, replacement of the receiver, is inconvenient and costly for the user.

Many of the devices currently on the market are not very suitable for preventing earwax build-up within hearing aid receivers. Some barrier configurations use a fine mesh screen between the receiver in the audio path and the exterior of the hearing aid. However, such screens have the disadvantage that if the screen size is made small enough to protect the receiver from earwax ingress, the screen may become clogged with earwax. If the mesh were made more roughly, it would not be as effective in preventing earwax from entering the receiver through this null barrier.

Another mechanism for preventing earwax from entering the receiver is to provide an opening with a small cross-sectional area between the receiver and the exterior of the aid.

Achieving a long-term effective barrier against earwax intrusion and prevention of earwax occlusion over the lifetime of the hearing aid often suffers from the same drawbacks described above.

Thus, such porous barriers generally provide an unsatisfactory trade-off between, on the one hand, resisting clogging of the barrier itself with earwax and, on the other hand, preventing earwax from entering the receiver. The stoma barrier will prevent earwax from entering, but it will also cause clogging. Larger pores will not clog, but may not be as effective at blocking earwax.

Furthermore, if a stoma barrier is placed in the passageway between the receiver and the hearing aid outlet, it may cause an increase in acoustic impedance. Increased impedance can result in undesirable variations in frequency response in the output pressure level produced by the receiver.

The focus of the invention is an earwax barrier for hearing aids. For purposes of explanation, the present invention will be specifically described for use with an electric hearing aid. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be used with acoustic resonators, acoustic hearing aids, and ear-related devices that would benefit from an earwax barrier.

The hearing aid 1rJ-shell includes a receiver inside the shell. Both the shell and receiver have acoustic outlets. The barrier includes a housing with a plurality of outriggers t. Howsong connects the receiver and the shell's acoustic outlet to each other. The housing defines an interior surface and a central axis of the passageway between the ends of the housing.

The overhanging members may be arranged offset from each other.

The overhang member extends inwardly from the inner surface of the housing.

Each overhang partially fills the interior of the housing. As a result, the overhang provides a detour for solid or semi-fluid earwax moving axially within the housing.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is an improved earwax barrier for hearing aids. Another object of the invention is a barrier that more effectively prevents earwax occlusion. Yet another objective is a barrier that more substantially blocks the ingress of naturally secreted earwax, thereby reducing occlusion of the hearing aid receiver. Yet another object is an earwax barrier that, when placed between the receiver and the acoustic outlet of the hearing aid, does not present a full acoustic impedance to the receiver.

Another objective is a barrier that collects earwax and does not need to be cleaned or replaced as often over the life of the hearing aid. Another objective is an earwax barrier that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, thus reducing the cost of hearing aids to the consumer.

The present invention will be explained in detail with reference to Examples below.

1 to 10, an advantageous embodiment of the present invention is shown in the "'inner ear" type or "ear-to-ear" Tyzo hearing aid 22.
Described as Nodame's Improved Ear Wax Barrier (or simply labeled Barrier).

So-called "normal" or "traditional" hearing aids are designed to be placed in the bowl of 't'he ear, or within the ear canal itself.However, as this type of hearing aid is developed, Previous hearing aids are designed to be worn somewhere behind the ear.

A conventional behind-the-ear type hearing aid is shown at 24 in FIG. The hearing aid 24 includes a plastic case 26 for housing the hearing aid components. Typical components included microphone 28, amplifier circuitry (not shown), receiver 30, plastic tubing 32, and earmold 34.

Microphones receive audio signals from outside the ear and convert them into electrical signals. The electrical signal is then correspondingly sent to receiver 30.

The receiver 30 has an acoustic outlet 36, which is connected to a plastic tube 32.

Receiver 30 transmits an audio signal via its outlet 36 upon receiving a signal from an electrical element within hearing aid 24 . These audio signals are then conducted through plastic tubing into the earmold 34 and into the user's ear.

In the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 1, the acoustic outlet 3G of the receiver 30 is physically isolated from the ear surroundings by a plastic tube 32.

As a result, due to the physical length of the plastic tube, the ingress of solid or semi-fluid earwax material into the receiver 30 was negligible.

However, with the miniaturization of electronic components in the 1970s and 1980s, it became possible to manufacture hearing aids that were more attractive in appearance. Such hearing aids are placed in the user's ears or ear pads. A hearing aid 22 according to FIG. 2 is shown.

Like the hearing aid 24 shown in FIG. 1, the hearing aid 22 also includes a shell 40 that also includes a microphone 42.
, amplifier circuit components (not shown), and a receiver 44. Shell 40 and register 44 each have an acoustic outlet port 6,48. The shell 40 and the outlets 46, 4-8 of the receiver 44 are connected by an audio path 50 of the hearing aid. The barrier 20 is placed in the audio path 50 between the two acoustic outlets 46,48.

Even with this configuration, the microphone 42 receives an audio signal,
Sends an electrical signal in response. The electrical signal is then sent to receiver 4
4, and the receiver converts it into an audio signal. The audio signal is then sent via the acoustic output 1 48 of the receiver 44 and the audio path 50 of the hearing aid 22 to the acoustic outlet 46 in the hearing aid O of the hearing aid 22 . After the sound leaves the shell of the hearing aid 22, it travels through the ear canal 52 of the user and reaches the eardrum.

As shown in FIG. 2, receiver outlet 411j
, in close proximity to the auditory canal (soil 3) 52, which contains tissue that secretes earwax. As a result, earwax exits 4
6 into the shell 40 and up the audio path 50 into the outlet 48 and into the receiver 44 itself. This may result in blockage of the receiver 44 or shell outlet 46, reducing its acoustic gain, output, and possibly completely impairing the audio amplification or modification capabilities of the hearing aid 22.

In the collapsed configuration of the present invention, as shown in FIG.
An earwax barrier 20 is positioned between the receiver 44 and the acoustic outlet 4G of the shell cow. For the preferred configuration shown, the acoustic outlet 48 of the receiver 44 is generally cylindrical. Thus, the barrier 20 itself is generally cylindrical and has a snug fit within the outlet 46 of the shell. Third
See diagram. Of course, in other configurations barrier 2
0 can have almost any cross-sectional shape.

For example, barrier 20 can be made as part of hearing aid 24. In other words, barrier 20 is shell cow ○ 1
As a part, it may also be configured as one part of the receiver 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, one configuration of the earwax barrier 20 includes a howsong 54 and first, second . Third and fourth overhang members (numerals 56, 58, 60, respectively)
62). Of course, more or fewer overhanging members may be used.

The housing 54 in this configuration is generally cylindrical and defines a wall 64 with first and second ends 66,68;
Made from any type of material. A preferred construction uses injection molded thermoplastics. Materials used for the backing of the no-using include, for example, "Cycolac" and ABC (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin.

The dimensions of one detailed configuration of the invention are described below. Of course, other configurations are possible, and the dimensions described are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The length between the first and second ends 66.68 of the housing 54 is approximately 0.35 inches (8.89 mm), and the inside diameter of the housing 54 is approximately 0.35 inches. mm (0.11 inch). The wall thickness of the housing is approximately 0.254 am (0
, 01 inches), and the housing 54 further defines an interior chamber 70 and an interior surface 72. Furthermore Howe Song 54
defines a central axis of the passageway 74 between the first and second ends.

In the preferred configuration described, central axis 74 passes through the center of generally cylindrical housing 54 and is approximately equidistant from interior surface 72 of housing 54 at all points. The first end 66 fits snugly within the receiver outlet 4δ. When used within the hearing aid 22, the second end 68 remote from the receiver 44 faces the acoustic outlet 46 of the shell 40 and the interior of the user's ear.

As shown, the four outrigger members 56-62 are substantially similar. (Of course, the individual barriers can also use different shaped outriggers.) For purposes of explanation, only the first outrigger 56 will be discussed in detail below.

The overhang member 56 is attached to the inner surface 72 of the housing 54 and extends inwardly toward the central axis 74 of the housing 54 . The overhang member 56 partially blocks the central acoustic passageway or inner wall 70.

In an advantageous construction, the outrigger member 56, like the housing 54, is made from an injection moldable thermoplastic. Of course, in other configurations, the extension member S6 can be coated with a coating that exhibits low bonding strength to earwax.

Such a coating may be made of, for example, ``Teflon'' (Tefl).
on)" and "Tefzel." Such coatings make cleaning of the outrigger or housing easier if earwax is deposited thereon.

When the housing 54 is cylindrical, the overhang member 56 defines an outer circumferential edge 76, and a portion of the outer circumferential edge is approximately circular. Alternatively, the overhanging member 56 (l''ll: can also be referred to as a disk. Although the invention includes overhanging members of various shapes, the excellent configuration shown in FIG. 4 uses a wedge-shaped gap 7'). 78. In this preferred configuration, the outrigger member 56 is approximately 2.794 mm (
0.11 inches) so that the overhang member fits snugly against the inner surface 72 of the housing 54.

In this preferred arrangement, the outrigger member 56 is attached to the inner surface 72 of the housing 54. In preferred configurations, attachment is accomplished using a strong glue such as a cyanoacrylate ester.

However, in other configurations, the overhang member 56 is molded as part of the housing 54 or simply
The housing 5 can be attached to the housing 5 by a press fit or other configuration into the interior chamber 70 of the housing 5.

In the preferred construction, housing 54 defines a circle and an inner diameter cross-sectional area with a circular interior. A portion of the circular interior is covered by an overhanging member 56. In the preferred construction shown in FIG. 4 (Step 8), the outrigger member 56 is in the form of a disk cut out in the shape of a wedge 78. This notched portion is called a wedge 78 for the sake of explanation. Of course, wedges normally only have straight sides, but in the context of the present invention the wedge 78 defining the free space area is a curved wedge notched from the circular flange 56, as shown in FIG. It may have one side.

In other words, the overhang member 56 may be referred to as the ``inner portion of 2700 degrees.'' The central axis 74 of the housing 54
defines the center of the circle. Also, the gears of the outrigger member 56 can be shown as 90° internal portions.

The spatial wedge 78 of the outrigger member 56 limits the free space area within the cross-sectional area of the housing 54. That is, the first
Looking at the housing parallel to axis 74 from end 66 to second end 68, the interior of housing 54 will form a circular interior. The overhanging member 56 is attached to the housing 5
The interior 76 except for the wedge 78 of No. 4 is shielded. 1st
The overhang member 56 itself limits the first obstructed area, and the wedge 78 limits the free space area within the cross-sectional area within the housing 54 perpendicular to the central axis 74.

Sound travels through this free space, or wedge 78, from the listener 44 to the outside of the hearing aid 22. If this overhang member 56 is the only barrier, earwax may flow in through the free space under certain circumstances. Therefore there is usually at least one additional secondary
A projecting member 58 is provided to prevent earwax from passing through.

In a preferred configuration, the second outrigger member 58 is located approximately 0.002 inches from the first outrigger member 56. In very good configurations, the outriggers are spaced far enough apart so that the outriggers contribute substantially no overall acoustic response and the amount of expected earwax buildup is less than the distance between the outriggers. placed and placed,
There must be. In other words, in order to obtain the extremely excellent effect of the earwax barrier 20, the diameter must be 0.127 mm (0.0
05 inches) to 101610l6.04 inches).

In the preferred embodiment shown, the outriggers 56-62 are interdigitated within the housing 54. That is, the overhanging members are arranged spatially and angularly shifted with respect to the central axis 7. The outrigger member can be made from a variety of materials, such as thermoplastics or semi-permeable materials. Of course, the flange elements can also be arranged radially or axially offset relative to each other.

The second flange member 58, like the first flange member 56, limits the second wedge 80.

The second wedge of advantageous construction has the same shape as the first wedge 78, but of course the second wedge aOt/i may be different in size and shape from the other wedges.

The second overhang member 58 and the wedge 80 also define a blockage force region and a free space region perpendicular to the central axis 74 within the housing. The free space of the second overhang member 58 is arranged to overlap the first obstructed area. That is, a detour is provided for earwax, which would otherwise enter from the first end 66 to the second end 68.

In the preferred configuration shown in FIG. 4, the wedge 78°80 is designed to be about 90'. The second overhang member 58
Although it has a similar configuration to the overhang member 56 of , it has been rotated 900 times clockwise from the position of the first overhang member 56 .

Finally, the fourth overhang member 62 is rotated 900 times clockwise from the position of the third overhang member 60.

In the superior configuration shown in FIG. 4, the free space of each overhang member is blocked by the closed portions of the other three overhang members! is blocked.

The overhang members thus combined with each other work together to completely block the interior chamber 70, which is the acoustic passageway, from the intrusion of earwax. That is, all lines of movement passing through the housing 54 along the inner surface 72 are obstructed by the outriggers. It has been found that such a structure provides a detour for the earwax and significantly reduces the amount of earwax that travels from the audio path 50 to the receiver 44 while presenting a significantly lower acoustic impedance to the receiver 44. .

A second advantageous configuration of the present invention is shown in FIG. Barrier 82 includes a housing 84 and a plurality of flange members. The barrier 82 is the first. Second. Third and fourth overhang members 86, 88, 90, 92 are provided. The construction of housing 84 is similar to that shown in FIG. The overhang members 89-96 also have approximately the same thickness as the configuration shown in FIG. 4, and are arranged at approximately the same mutual spacing. Each overhang member is not a 2700-inner portion, but a 1800-inner portion (semicircular in size).

The first overhang member 8G also forms a first blocked area and a first spatial area in this example. The second outrigger member 88 is effectively rotated such that the obstructing surface of the second outrigger member blocks the spatial area of the first outrigger member 86. The third outrigger member 90 shields the spatial area of the second outrigger member 88 . Similarly, the fourth
The overhanging member shields the spatial area of the third overhanging member 90 .

As shown in FIG. 6, the configuration of the 1800-internal section extension members 86-92 prevents earwax from flowing through the linear housing 84. A substantial build-up of earwax 94 will occur on the first flange member 2 over the life of the hearing aid 22. Second overhang member 88
It is expected that the second outrigger member will receive less earwax buildup 96 than the housing 84 .
This is because it is slightly deeper inward. But the third
The outrigger member 90 receives a significantly smaller amount of earwax build-up 98 because the travel path for the earwax is blocked by the first and second outrigger members 86,88. The fourth flange member 92 receives even less earwax buildup, since the earwax is already blocked by the first three flange members 86-90.

Another configuration of the invention is shown in FIG.

In this example, the barrier 100 also includes a housing 100 and a plurality of extension members 104, 106 and 110. The housing is generally similar to that shown in FIGS. 4-6.

The four overhanging members 104-110 each have a center 120°122.124 defined by the central axis 12δ.
, 126 radially extending from a series of 24 spokes 1
12.114,116.

It consists of 118. Each spoke has a diameter of approximately 0.2
5+rnm (0,0 units). In a preferred embodiment, the flange elements 104 to 110 are made of plastic in this case as well. The second overhang member 106
The overhang portion 104 is effectively rotated by a slight angle from its position.

In order, the third overhang member 108 connects to the second overhang member 106.
The fourth overhang member 10 is slightly rotated from the position of the third overhang member 108.

An alternative configuration is shown in FIG. In this configuration, the barrier 130 is connected to the housing 132 and the first, second, . Third. Fourth and fifth outrigger members 134.136.138.1
40.142. Each overhang member 134-14
2 constitutes approximately one part of the internal part. The second outrigger member 136 is rotated from the first outrigger member 134 . Similarly, the third. Fourth and fifth overhang members 13
8 to 142 are rotated from the position of each front overhang member. When the housing is viewed in the direction of the axis 144 arrow in FIG. 9, the entire internal diameter cross-section of the housing is screened by the overhangs 134-142.

The plurality of outriggers 134-1 have approximately the same thickness and axis 1 as the outriggers of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-7.
26). However, the number of overhang members is not four but five. That is, housing 132 is approximately 0.2 inches longer than housing 54 shown in FIG.

An alternative configuration is shown in FIG. Similar to the configuration shown in FIG.
It is the inner part of

However, each outrigger is rotated approximately 900 revolutions from the preceding outrigger rather than 1800.

That is, the second overhang member 152 is the same as the first overhang member 1.
It is rotated approximately 900 times from the 50 position. The third and fourth extension members 154 and 156 are also rotated approximately 900 times.

Another advantageous configuration is shown in FIG. Each outrigger member 160-166 is approximately 900 internal sections.

The second outrigger member 162 has been rotated approximately 900 rotations from the position of the first outrigger member 160. Similarly, the third outrigger member 164 has been rotated approximately 900 rotations from the position of the second outrigger member 162. Fourth overhang member 166
is approximately 90' rotated from the position of the third outrigger member 164.

A sixth advantageous variation of the invention is shown in FIGS. 11-15 as an earwax barrier 200 for a hearing aid 202. As best seen in FIG. 13, the hearing aid 202 includes a shell 204ffi forming an acoustic outlet 206 adapted to be inserted into the ear canal (not shown).
We are prepared. Hearing aid 202 further includes a receiver 208 having a receiver outlet 210 .

In this preferred configuration, the receiver 208 is retained within the shell 204 by an elastomeric filler 212.

That is, the receiver 208 can be positioned relative to the shell 204 and then embedded within the filler 212. Once the filler 212 has hardened, the receiver 208 is secured and protected by the flexible, shock-absorbing filler 212.

The shell 204 has an internally threaded opening 214 that connects the acoustic outlet 206 and the interior chamber 21 of the shell 20.
6 is connected. The opening 214 is adapted to receive the earwax barrier 200. 13th
As best shown in the figure, the Nistomer filler 212 forms a generally cylindrical passageway 218 adjacent the receiver outlet 216 and an internally threaded bore 220 adjacent the opening 214. Moreover, the opening 214 is connected to the inner chamber 2.
Shell 204 is filled to extend into 16.

In this superior configuration, earwax barrier 200 is AB
It is a one-piece piece made of a molded thermoplastic material such as S. Barrier 200 includes a generally cylindrical housing 22
2, the housing 222 has a barrier inlet 226 and an outlet 228.
A central acoustic path 224 is formed between the two. Housing 222 has an external thread 230 and a collar 232 that defines an outlet 228 . As shown in the figure, the outer diameter of the collar portion 232 is
The outer diameter of 0 is also slightly thicker.

Housing 222 is adapted to be received within internally threaded opening 214 of shell 204 extended by filler 212 . When retained within the aperture, the central axis 234 of the nose zinc 222, or more specifically the central acoustic passageway 224, is generally aligned with the receiver outlet 210. Barrier entrance 226 is passage 2
18 and slightly overlap so that the audio signal formed by the receiver 208 is
00 and passes through the entire acoustic path 224. That is, the acoustic path is a path that acoustically connects the receiver 208 and the outlet 206 of the hearing aid 202.

In this superior configuration, the collar portion 23 of the housing 222
2 has diametrically opposed slots 236A, 236B,' extending from the generally cylindrical barrier outlet 228. These slots 236A, 236B work together. A key member (generally designated 238) is used to rotate the earwax barrier 200i with a screwdriver-like tool (not shown). ．． Utilizing key member 238, earwax barrier 200 can be easily removed from shell 204 for cleaning or replacement.

Earwax barrier 200. Or especially the male thread of housing 222! 230 has an access opening 240. As best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, access opening 240 is generally rectangular and generally centrally located within external thread 230. As best seen in FIGS. Access opening 240 provides direct access to passageway 224 for inspection and cleaning reservoirs.

Next, FIGS. 12 and 14 will be described. Earwax barrier 200 includes at least two generally semi-circular outriggers 242A, 242B that extend into acoustic passageway 224.

The outrigger members 242A, 242B are equally spaced from each other and from the barrier inlet 226 and outlet 228, and are generally perpendicular to the central axis 234 and the inner wall surface of the housing 222. In this superior configuration, outrigger member 242A.

242B is the collar part 232 so that these slightly overlap.
It extends slightly beyond the center line "ML"i (see drawing 1).

The overhang members 242A, 242B (in this and other advantageous configurations) obstruct the central acoustic path 2244 to prevent earwax migration. Overhang member 2
42A and 242B are capturing members (
generally designated 244], thereby inhibiting the flow of earwax through the entire central acoustic path 224 without substantially interfering with the performance of the hearing aid 202. Deposition location 2, as best shown in FIG.
46A, 246B cooperate to extend completely across the interior wall of housing 222.

Earwax barrier 200 is molded in a five-part mold 248 shown in FIG. The mold 248 is the first. Second. Third insert 252A.

252B, 252Ci, with mold halves 25OA, 250B adapted to receive them.

Three inserts as shown) 252A.

252B and 252C cooperate to form the central acoustic path 224.
and access opening 240 .

16 and 17 will be described. Overhang member 242
A, 242B modification is shown. In order to simplify the explanation, only the overhanging member 242A will be described. The overhanging member 242A has a disk portion 254 and a flange portion 25.
6. The disk portion 254 is the twelfth disk unit described above.
This is the same as the overhanging member 242A shown in FIGS. Disk portion 254 defines an edge 258 .

Flange portion 256 extends generally perpendicular to disk portion 254 from edge 258 . Franz portion 256 extends away from receiver 208 toward acoustic outlet 206 of shell 204 . The flange portion 256 further forms a barrier to earwax passing through the barrier 200;
In addition, the capture member 244 is configured in cooperation with the disk portion 254 .

The disc portion 254 includes a series of recesses or "indentations" (
(generally indicated at 260), which further inhibits further migration of earwax by providing additional deposition sites.

In fact, movement is prevented, since the recess 260 is at least partially filled before further advancement takes place.

The outrigger member 242A shown in FIG. 16 provides additional advantages. The shape of the disc portion 254 and flange portion 256 provides adjustable acoustic attenuation means and, with appropriate design, can be combined with the earwax barrier 200 to provide near-optimal attenuation of the overall frequency response. In one configuration, the flange portion 256 is coupled to the disc portion 254 by an integral hinge. The orientation of the flange portion 256 is adapted to provide a variably attenuated acoustic path, thus reducing earwax. In combination with barrier 200, the desired acoustic attenuation is achieved.After proper positioning, flange portion 256 is secured to the inner IJffi surface of housing 222 by glue, adhesive, or other means.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the earwax barrier 200 may still include an adjustable acoustic baffle 262. The adjustable baffle 262 (variable acoustic attenuator) is connected to the central approximately cylindrical portions 2G4 and 1.
A pair of wing sections 266A, 266B are included, the wing sections extending in opposite directions from the central section 264. Each wing section 266A, 266B is generally rectangular and thin. Adjustable baffles 262 are attached to opposing pins 268A, 268B. The pin extends from the inner wall surface of the housing 222 and extends through the passageway 27 formed by the central portion 264.
0. The direction of the adjustable baffle 262 is glued or pinned 268A.

Locking tabs 272 and adjustable baffles 26 are provided on the inner wall surface of the housing 222 at equal intervals around the center of 268Be.
This can be determined by the combination with slots 274 formed at equal intervals on the end face of the central portion 264 of 2. The adjustable baffle 262 includes an adjustment aperture 276 that is centrally formed on one side of one of the wing sections 266A, 266B. Spatial region 278A between adjustable baffle 262 and overhang member 242A, 2 cows 2B
, 278B provide a reduced path for damping the overall acoustic response.

In each of the above embodiments, a detour is provided to effectively reduce earwax intrusion. Additionally, in some instances, the arrangement also includes means for adjusting the overall sound attenuation in combination with the earwax barrier 200. Nevertheless, a substantial spatial area is taken into consideration to reduce the acoustic impedance due to the earwax barrier.

In each advantageous configuration, the cross-sectional area of the housing is substantially reached by one or more outriggers.

In the preferred configuration described above, the earwax barrier 20 is placed within the audio path 50 or the exit 4 of the hearing aid shell 30.
6 and the outlet 48 of the receiver 44. Such positioning allows the barrier 20 to prevent earwax from entering the receiver 44 from outside the hearing aid 22. Of course, as another configuration, earwax barrier 2
0 can be connected directly to or into the outlet 48 of the receiver cow δ.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway view of a conventional behind-the-ear type hearing aid worn in the user's ear, and Fig. 2 is an excellent embodiment of the present invention used in an in-the-ear type hearing aid. FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a partial cross-section of the earwax barrier shown in FIG. 3. 5 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a second embodiment of the earwax barrier; FIG.
7 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of the third embodiment; FIG. 8 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of the third embodiment; FIG. 11 is a side view of the seventh embodiment, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 12-12 of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a partial view of the hearing aid incorporating the earwax barrier of FIG. 11. Partial side view shown in cross section,
Figure 14 is a plan view of the earwax barrier in Figure 11;
The figure is a partially sectional side view of the mold for producing the earwax barrier shown in Fig. 11, and Fig. 16 is a view showing a modified form of the overhanging member of the earwax barrier shown in Fig. 11. 17
The figure is a plan view of the overhanging member shown in Fig. 16, and Fig. 18 is a plan view of the overhanging member shown in Fig. 11.
FIG. 19 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the housing and acoustic baffle according to FIG. 18 in an enlarged manner. 20, 82, 100, 130, 146, 15
8゜200...Earwax barrier, 22.24.202
...Hearing aid, 26...Case, 28.42...Microphone, 30. Cow 4-, 208...Lemba,
32...Plastic tube, 34...Ear mold r1
36.46,48,206,210...Exit, 40.2
04... Shell, 50... Audio B, 52... Auditory canal, 5
4.84.102.132.222...Housing, 5
6,58,60,62,86゜88.90,92.10
Cow, 106. l○8゜110.134.136□138
, l cow 0,142° 150.152.154.156
．． 160°162.164, 166.242A, 242
B... Overhanging member, 64... Wall 1.66, 68 ・
・End part, 70° 216 Inner chamber, 72...Inner surface (74,
128°234...Central axis line, 76...Outer circumferential line, 7
8.80・Wedge, 94・Earwax, 96.98・・
・Earwax!゛Deposition, 112, 114, 116, 118... Nupo. -ri, 120', 122.124.126...middle) 6
．． 144... Axis line, 212... Filler, 214...
・Opening, 218... Passage, 220... Hole, 224・
...Acoustic passageway, 226...Entrance, 228...Exit,
230...Male thread part, 232...Collar part, 236A
, 236B slot, 238... key member, 24
0... Access opening, 244... Capturing member, 24-6
A, 246B... Deposition location, 248... Type, 25O
A, 250B...Mold half, 252A, 252B
, 252C... insert, 254... disk portion, 25G... flank portion, 258... edge, 260
... Recessed portion, 262-... Baffle, 264... Center portion, 266A, 266B... Wing portion, 268A, 268B
... Pin, 270 ... Passage, 272 ... Locking tab, 274 ... Slot, 276 ... Adjustment opening. Komafu ＼ - Procedural amendment (method) July Zg, 1986

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. Earwax barrier for a hearing aid of the type comprising a shell having an acoustic outlet and a receiver disposed within the shell and having a receiver outlet, connecting said acoustic outlet and said receiver outlet. a housing adapted to be received by the shell and at least two outrigger members in the generally cylindrical central acoustic passage; The substantially cylindrical central acoustic passage defines a central axis and is formed by the inner wall surface of the housing, and the two overhanging members are aligned with respect to the central axis. are spatially and angularly shifted, and work together to completely block the central acoustic passage of the substantially cylindrical shape, and with respect to the central axis and the inner wall surface. substantially vertical, said two overhanging members together forming an acquisition means for providing an earwax deposit location within said housing;
characterized in that the earwax deposition areas cooperate to extend completely over said inner wall surface, thus substantially preventing earwax from entering the hearing aid. Earwax barrier for hearing aids. 2. 2. The earwax barrier of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an access opening between the extension members, the access opening providing access to a generally cylindrical central acoustic passageway. 3. The housing includes a collar portion and a male thread portion.
The earwax barrier of claim 1. 4. 4. The earwax barrier of claim 3, wherein the external thread has a generally cylindrical access opening providing access to the central acoustic passageway. 5. Claim 4, wherein the collar includes a key member for rotating the earwax barrier, thereby allowing the earwax barrier to be removed from the shell.
Earwax barrier listed. 6. the key member includes two opposed slots;
The earwax barrier according to claim 5. 7. 2. The earwax barrier of claim 1, further comprising a variable acoustic attenuator, the variable acoustic attenuator and the extension member cooperating to provide means for variably attenuating the acoustic response of the hearing aid. 8. 8. The earwax barrier of claim 7, wherein the variable acoustic attenuator comprises an adjustable baffle having a pair of wing sections to adjustably attenuate the central acoustic path.