JPH0441675Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to an earphone used, for example, in a hearing aid, and particularly relates to an improvement in the tip end of an eartip connected to the earphone body.

(Prior art) When using a hearing aid, if the tip of the ear tip connected to the earphone body does not precisely match the shape of the user's ear canal, the earphone will not only not fit into the ear canal when worn, but may also be accidentally inserted. It goes without saying that it is troublesome to use if the ear tip falls out of the ear canal, but if it does not match up and even a slight gap is created between the ear canal and the tip of the ear tip, a howling phenomenon (which causes a beeping sound) can occur. This has caused the problem that reliable hearing aid effects cannot be obtained. In addition, the volume increases as the hearing loss increases, so that howling occurs even in the slightest gap, and this howling has become a serious problem.

For this reason, in the past, eartips that matched the shape of the ear canal could be provided to each user as appropriate.
Attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems by preparing various types of eartips in advance, or customizing eartips for each user.

(Problem that the invention aims to solve) However, the size and shape of human ear canals vary widely from person to person, so even if you prepare many types of ear tips, it will not fit the ear canals of many people. Since it is practically impossible to match the above, the above problem has not yet been effectively solved.

In addition, custom-made ear tips can be made to match the ear canal better than the various types of ear tips mentioned above, but it is not always possible to obtain an accurate match technically, so there is no absolute solution. This has the problem that it is not only ineffective, but also extremely costly.

(Means for Solving the Problems) Therefore, the present invention was developed to effectively solve the problems of the conventional earphones mentioned above. An alloy expansion member is attached or embedded when the eartip is molded, so that when the eartip is attached to the ear canal, the expansion member deforms as body temperature is detected, causing the tip of the ear tip to conform to the shape of the ear canal. Adopted.

(Function) Therefore, in the present invention, regardless of the shape of the ear canal, when the earphone is attached to the ear canal, the shape memory alloy expansion member provided at the tip of the ear tip immediately senses body temperature. As a result, the tip of the ear tip is deformed in the direction of expanding, so that the tip of the ear tip is also deformed and can accurately match any shape of the ear canal.

(Embodiment) Below, the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment illustrating the present invention.This embodiment is a behind-the-ear type hearing aid in which a hearing aid 6 and an earphone body 1 are connected by a hanger 7 as shown in FIG. Initially, although not shown in detail, assuming that the earphones are for various types of hearing aids, such as pocket-type, pen-type, or canal-type hearing aids, an expansion member made of a shape memory alloy is installed at the tip of the eartip 2 connected to the earphone body 1. 3 is attached to the ear canal, and when the ear tip 2 is attached to the ear canal, the distal end of the ear tip 2 is configured to conform to the shape of the ear canal by deformation of the expanding member 3 as body temperature is sensed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG.
In view of the fact that there is a cylindrical connecting portion 2b formed on the back surface of the tip portion 2a, the shape memory alloy expansion member 3 is connected to a substrate 4 having a fitting hole 4a for the connecting portion 2b, and the substrate 4. By fitting the connection part 2b of the ear tip 2 into the insertion hole 4a of the base plate 4, the expanding member 3 can be inserted into the ear tip. It shall be easily attached to the back side of the tip portion 2b of 2.

In addition, the shape memory alloy expansion member 3 having such a configuration is
The metamorphosis temperature is set to a temperature slightly lower than body temperature, and when the temperature is below the metamorphosis temperature, each arm 5 of the expansion member 3 does not deform the tip 2a of the ear tip 2, as shown in FIG. 2A. However, when the temperature reaches the transformation temperature or higher, each arm 5 senses the temperature and expands to release the ear tip. The tip portion 2a of 2 is heat-treated so that it can be expanded and deformed.

Therefore, with this earphone, regardless of the shape of the ear canal of a hearing aid user, if the earphone is attached to the ear canal, the shape memory alloy expanding member 3 provided at the tip 2a of the ear tip 2 will open. Each arm 5 senses the body temperature through the tip 2a of the ear tip 2 and deforms in the direction of expanding the tip 2a of the ear tip 2. This causes the tip 2a of the ear tip 2 to adjust to the shape of the ear canal. deform and expand until they match.

Therefore, by sensing the body temperature of the expanding member 3, it is possible to accurately match the tip 2a of the ear tip 2 to the ear canal of any size and shape, providing a comfortable fit when worn. Not only does the ear tip 2 not come off inadvertently, but there is no gap between the ear canal and the ear tip 2, so there is no reduction in hearing aid effectiveness due to howling.

Note that when the earphone is removed from the ear canal, the expansion member 3 returns to its original shape by sensing the temperature of the outside air.
Needless to say, the ear tip 2 returns to the state shown in FIG. 2A.

Further, the expanding member can be integrally incorporated into the eartip when the eartip is molded and provided at the tip of the eartip.

(Effects of the invention) As described above, the present invention has an expanding member made of a shape memory alloy attached or buried at the tip of the ear tip connected to the earphone body, and when the earpiece is attached to the ear canal, The feature is that the expansion member is deformed so that the tip of the eartip matches the shape of the ear canal, so regardless of the shape of the ear canal, if the earphone is attached to the ear canal, the expansion member will fit the shape of the tip of the ear tip. The shape-memory alloy expanding member immediately senses body temperature and deforms in the direction of expanding the tip of the eartip, which also deforms the tip of the eartip, making it suitable for any ear canal shape. It became possible to match.

Therefore, with the present invention, not only can a comfortable fit be obtained when worn, and the earpiece will not come off accidentally, but also there will be no gap between the ear canal and the eartip, which will prevent the howling phenomenon. Therefore, the hearing aid effect will not deteriorate at all.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the relationship between the ear tip and the expanding member of the earphone according to the embodiment of the present invention;
Figure A is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the state of the tip of the ear tip when the ear canal is not installed, Figure B is a cross-sectional view of the tip of the ear tip when the ear canal is installed, and Figure 3
The figure is a perspective view showing an example of a hearing aid. 1...Earphone body, 2...Ear tip, 2a
... Tip of the ear tip, 3 ... Expanding member made of shape memory alloy.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] An expanding member made of a shape memory alloy is attached to the tip of the ear tip connected to the earphone body, or is embedded in the tip of the ear tip, so that when the ear tip is attached to the ear canal, the expanding member deforms as body temperature is sensed. An earphone characterized in that the tip of the ear tip is configured to match the shape of the ear canal.