JPH0549159B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to earwax barriers, and more particularly to hearing aids and devices, such as
The present invention relates to a barrier for preventing earwax from entering the sound path of an "in-the-ear" or "in-the-ear" type hearing aid or acoustic resonator.

Most hearing aids (or simply aids) include a housing or shell that holds the components of the hearing aid. Many end shells are designed to fit within the user's ear canal. The shell of an electric hearing aid holds, for example, a microphone, amplification circuitry, and a receiver. The microphone is exposed to an audio signal from outside the aid and correspondingly forms an electrical signal. The electrical signal is sent to amplifier circuitry or 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 coming out of the shell outlet then passes through the user's ear canal and causes the eardrum to vibrate.

Most hearing aid users' ears naturally produce a substance called ear wax. Earwax cleans the internal tissues of the ear, but it also tends to flow into the audio path of hearing aids. Earwax that enters the receiver impedes or prevents the receiver from working properly.

Small decorative "in-the-ear" and "ear canal" 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 available inside the hearing aid for the components. This is especially true if, for example, the inside of the user's ear is relatively small.

Additionally, techniques associated with hearing aid construction often involve plastic shell construction. The shell has the contour of the inner surface of the ear. The thickness of the shell is dictated by the need to maintain physical structural integrity and protect internal aid components. However, the wall thickness of the shell reduces the volume inside the shell for components.

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, this type of placement of hearing aids in the auditory canal
Provides access of the receiver outlet to the auditory canal environment, including earwax-secreting tissue within the auditory canal.

Thus, while the advent of in-the-ear and in-the-ear aids has improved the acceptance of hearing aids by the hearing impaired, these types of hearing aids have introduced 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 can sometimes become clogged with earwax. Rougher mesh fabrication may not simultaneously effectively prevent earwax from entering the receiver through this screen 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. Another mechanism involves an exchange of cellular synthetic material between the receiver and the exterior of the aid. Such arrangements often suffer from the same drawbacks mentioned above in simultaneously providing a long-term effective barrier to earwax ingress and prevention of earwax occlusion over the life of the hearing aid.

That is, such porous barriers generally
This results in an unsatisfactory trade-off between, on the one hand, resisting clogging of the barrier itself with earwax and, on the other hand, preventing the ingress of earwax into the receiver. The stoma barrier is supposed to stop earwax from getting in, but it can also clog. 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 includes a shell and a receiver inside the shell. Both the shell and receiver have acoustic outlets. The barrier includes a housing with a plurality of outriggers. The housing connects the receiver and shell acoustic outlets 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 blocks an interior portion of the housing. As a result, the flange member provides a detour for solid or semi-fluid earwax moving axially within the housing.

The object of the invention is therefore 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, presents less acoustic imperance to the receiver.

Another purpose 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.

1-10, an advantageous embodiment of the present invention is shown as an improved earwax barrier (or simply labeled barrier) for an "in-ear" or "in-the-ear" type hearing aid 22. Referring to FIGS.

So-called "regular" or common hearing aids are designed to fit within the bowl of the ear or the ear canal itself. However, before this type of hearing aid was developed, hearing aids were designed to be worn somewhere behind the ear.

A conventional behind-the-ear type hearing aid is shown in Figure 1 with reference numeral 2.
4. Hearing aid or aid 24 includes a plastic case 26 for housing hearing aid components. Typical components included a 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;
This is connected to 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 routed through the plastic tube to the earmold 34 and into the user's ear.

In the conventional configuration shown in FIG.
The acoustic outlet 36 of the 0 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 create hearing aids that were more visually appealing. Such hearing aids are placed in the user's ear or ear canal. A hearing aid 22 according to FIG. 2 is shown.

Similar to hearing aid 24 shown in FIG. 1, hearing aid 22 also includes a shell 40 that may also include a microphone 42, amplification circuitry (not shown), and a receiver 44. Shell 40 and receiver 44 have acoustic outlets 46 and 48, respectively. The shell 40 and the outlets 46, 48 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.

Microphone 42 also receives audio signals in this configuration and sends corresponding electrical signals. The electrical signal is then sent to receiver 44, which converts it into an audio signal. The audio signal is then sent to receiver 4.
4 acoustic outlet 48 and the audio path 5 of the hearing aid 22
0 to the acoustic outlet 46 in the shell 40 of the hearing aid 22. The audio is Ciel 4 from hearing aid 22.
After leaving the ear, it travels through the ear canal 52 of the user and reaches the eardrum.

As shown in FIG. 2, receiver outlet 48 is in close proximity to ear canal 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 results in occlusion of the receiver 44 or shell outlet 46 and its acoustic gain,
reducing the output and possibly hearing aids 22
may completely impair the audio amplification or modification capabilities of the device.

In a preferred arrangement of the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, an earwax barrier 20 is disposed between the receiver 44 and the acoustic outlet 46 of the shell 40. For the preferred configuration shown, the receiver 44
The acoustic outlet 48 is generally cylindrical. The barrier 20 itself is therefore generally cylindrical and fits snugly within the shell outlet 46. See Figure 3. Of course, in other configurations Barrier 20
can have almost any cross-sectional shape. For example, barrier 20 can be made as part of hearing aid 24. That is, barrier 20
as part of shell 40 or as part of receiver 4
It may be configured as a part of 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, one configuration of the earwax barrier 20 includes a housing 54 and a first
Second, third, and fourth outrigger members (designated 56, 58, 60, and 62, respectively) are provided. Of course, more or fewer outriggers may be used.

The housing 54 in this configuration is generally cylindrical and includes walls 64 at first and second ends 66, 68.
and may be made from any type of material. A preferred construction uses injection molded thermoplastic. Materials used in the construction of the housing 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.

First and second ends 66, 68 of housing 54
The length between them is approximately 0.35 inches, and the inside diameter of the housing 54 is approximately 0.11 inches. The housing wall thickness is approximately 0.254 mm (0.01 inch), and the housing 54 further includes an interior chamber 7.
0 and forms an inner surface 72. Furthermore, housing 5
4 defines the 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 is connected to the receiver outlet 48
It fits snugly inside. 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 a preferred construction, the outrigger member 56, like the housing 54, is fabricated from a thermoplastic that can be injection molded. Of course, in other configurations, the outrigger member 56 can be covered with a coating that exhibits low bonding strength to earwax. Such coatings include, for example, “Teflon”,
Includes “Tefzel”. Such a coating makes it easier to clean the outrigger or housing if earwax is deposited thereon.

When the housing 54 is cylindrical, the overhang member 56 defines an outer circumferential edge 76, a portion of which is approximately circular. Alternatively, the overhanging member 56 can also be called a disk. Although the present invention encompasses various shapes of outrigger members, the preferred configuration of FIG. 4 includes a disc with a wedge-shaped gap 78. In this preferred configuration, the outrigger member 56 has a limited maximum outer diameter of approximately 0.11 inches so that the outrigger 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 outrigger member 56 is
4 or simply press fit into the interior chamber 70 of the housing 54 or otherwise formed to attach to the housing 54.

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, the outrigger member 56 is in the form of a disc cut into a wedge 78. This notched portion will be referred to as 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 region is a curved wedge notched from the circular flange 56, as shown in FIG. It may have one edge.

In other words, the overhanging member 56 can also be shown as a "270° circular section." A central axis 74 of housing 54 defines the center of the circle. Also, the "gap" of the outrigger member 56 can be shown as a 90 degree circular section.

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, from the first end 66 to the second end 68
When looking at the housing parallel to axis 74, the interior of housing 54 will form a circular interior. The overhang member 56 shields the interior 76 of the housing 54 except for the wedge 78. The first overhang member 56 itself limits the first obstructed area, and the wedge 78 is perpendicular to the central axis 74.
Limiting the free space area within the cross-sectional area within the housing 54.

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

In a preferred configuration, the second outrigger member 58 is
is located approximately 5.08 mm (0.02 inches) from the outrigger member 56. In a very good configuration,
The outrigger members must be spaced sufficiently apart so that the outrigger members provide substantially no overall acoustic response and the amount of earwax accumulation expected is less than the distance between the outrigger members. It won't happen. In other words, in order to obtain the most excellent effect of Ear Wax Barrier 20, the minimum diameter is 0.127 mm (0.005 inch).
Use an overhang spacing of 1.016 mm (0.04 inch).

In the preferred embodiment shown, the outriggers 56-6
2 are arranged in the housing 54 so as to interlock with each other. That is, the overhanging member is centered on the central axis 74.
It is arranged spatially and angularly shifted from the The outriggers 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 overhang member 58 is the first overhang member 56
Similarly, the second wedge 80 is restricted. The second wedge of good construction has the same shape as the first wedge 78, but of course the second wedge 80
may be different in size and shape from other wedges. Second overhang member 58 and wedge 8
0 is also perpendicular to the central axis 74 within the housing.
It forms an occluded area and a free space area. 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.
80 is designed at approximately 90°. The second outrigger member 58 has a similar configuration to the first outrigger member 56, but is rotated 90° clockwise from the position of the first outrigger member 56. Finally, the fourth overhang member 62 is rotated 90° clockwise from the position of the third overhang member 60.

In the preferred arrangement shown in FIG. 4, the free space of each outrigger member is blocked or obstructed by the closed portions of the other three outrigger members. 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 outriggers. Barrier 82 is connected to first, second, third and fourth outrigger members 86,8.
It is equipped with 8, 90, and 92. 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. However, each outrigger member is approximately a 180° circle (or semicircle) rather than a 270° circle.

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

As shown in FIG. 6, the configuration of the 180 DEG -circle-shaped extension members 86-92 prevents earwax from flowing through the straight housing 84. A substantial build-up of earwax 94 will occur on the first outrigger member over the life of the hearing aid 22. The second overhang member 88 is expected to receive a smaller amount of earwax build-up 96 because the second overhang member is located slightly deeper into the housing 84. But the third
The overhanging member 90 has a significantly small amount of earwax accumulation 98
This is because the travel path for earwax is blocked by the first and second overhang members 86 and 88. The fourth flange member 92 receives a further small amount of earwax build-up, since the earwax is already deposited on the first three flange members 86-9.
This is because it is blocked by 0.

Another configuration of the invention is shown in FIG. In this example, the barrier 100 also includes a housing 100 and a plurality of overhang members 104, 106, 108, 110.
It is equipped with The housing is generally similar to that shown in FIGS. 4-6.

The four outrigger members 104-110 each have a center 120,1 defined by a central axis 128.
A series of radially extending from 22, 124, 126
24 spokes 112, 114, 116, 118
It consists of Each spoke is approximately 0.254 in diameter
mm (0.01 inch). In a preferred embodiment, the flange elements 104 to 110 are made of plastic in this case as well. The second outrigger member 106 is effectively rotated some angle from the position of the first outrigger member 104. In sequence, the third outrigger member 108 is slightly rotated from the position of the second outrigger member 106, and the fourth outrigger member 110 is slightly rotated from the position of the third outrigger 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 overhang members 13
4,136,138,140,142. Each outrigger member 134-142 constitutes approximately a portion of a circular portion. The second outrigger member 136 is rotated from the first outrigger member 134 . Similarly, each of the third, fourth and fifth outrigger members 138-142 are rotated from their respective forward outrigger positions. 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 shielded by the outriggers 134-142.

The plurality of outrigger members 134-142 have substantially the same thickness and displacement along axis 144 as the outrigger members of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-7. 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.
54, 156, and each overhang member 15
It is a circular portion of approximately 180° ranging from 0 to 156. However, each outrigger member is rotated approximately 90° from the preceding outrigger member rather than 180°. That is, the second overhang member 152 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the position of the first overhang member 150. The third and fourth extension members 154, 156 are also rotated approximately 90 degrees.

Another advantageous configuration is shown in FIG. Each outrigger member 160-166 is approximately a 90 degree circular section. The second overhang member 162 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the position of the first overhang member 160. Similarly, the third outrigger member 164 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the position of the second outrigger member 162. The fourth outrigger member 166 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the position of the third outrigger member 164.

A sixth advantageous modification of the invention is the hearing aid 202.
An earwax barrier 200 is shown in FIGS. 11-15. As best seen in FIG. 13, the hearing aid 202 is connected to the ear canal (not shown).
an acoustic outlet 2 adapted to be inserted into the
06 is provided. 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, receiver 208 is positioned relative to shell 204 and then embedded within 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 aperture 214 that connects the acoustic outlet 206 to the shell 204.
It is connected to the inner chamber 216 of 04. This opening 2
14 is adapted to receive earwax barrier 200. FIG. 13 best shows that the elastomeric filling 212 is located adjacent the receiver outlet 216 in the generally cylindrical passageway 2.
18 and forming an internally threaded hole 220 adjacent the opening 214 and extending the opening 214 into the interior chamber 216 .
4 is filled.

Earwax barrier 20 in this superior composition
0 is a one-piece piece made of a molded thermoplastic material such as ABS. Barrier 200 includes a generally cylindrical housing 222 that defines a central acoustic passageway 224 between an inlet 226 and an outlet 228 of the barrier. The housing 222 has a male threaded portion 230 and a collar portion 23.
2, and the collar portion forms an outlet 228. As shown, the collar section 23
2 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the male threaded portion 230.

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 housing 222, or more specifically the central acoustic passageway 224, is generally aligned with the receiver outlet 210. Barrier inlet 226 is aligned with and slightly overlaps passageway 218 so that receiver 20
The audio signal produced by 8 is received by barrier 200 and passes through 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 preferred configuration, the collar portion 232 of the housing 222 has a generally cylindrical barrier outlet 228.
diametrically opposed slots 236 extending from the
A, 236B. These slots 2
36A and 236B together constitute a key member (generally designated 238), which is used to rotate the earwax barrier 200 with a screwdriver-like tool (not shown). used for. Earwax barrier 2 using key member 238
00 can be easily removed from shell 204 for cleaning or replacement.

The earwax barrier 200, or in particular the externally threaded portion 230 of the housing 222, has an access opening 240. As best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, access opening 240 is generally rectangular and generally centrally located within externally threaded portion 230. As best seen in FIGS. Access opening 240 provides direct access to passageway 224 for inspection and cleaning.

Next, FIGS. 12 and 14 will be described. Earwax barrier 200 includes at least two generally semicircular outriggers 242A, 242B;
These extend into the 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 aligned with the central axis 234 and the housing 22.
It is almost perpendicular to the inner wall surface of No. 2. In this preferred configuration, the outriggers 242A, 242B extend slightly beyond the centerline "ML" of the collar 232 so that they overlap slightly (see FIG. 14).

The overhang members 242A, 242B (in this and other advantageous configurations) obstruct the central acoustic path 224 to prevent migration of earwax. The overhang members 242A, 242B together constitute a capture member (generally designated 244) for depositing earwax into predetermined deposition locations 246A, 246B, thereby substantially improving the performance of the hearing aid 202. This prevents earwax from flowing through the central acoustic passageway 224 without interfering with the performance.
As best shown in FIG. 14, the deposition locations 246A, 246B cooperate to
It extends completely over the inner wall surface of 2.

The earwax barrier 200 is shown in FIG.
It is molded in a partial mold 248. The mold 248 has first, second, and third inserts 252A, 252
Mold halves 250A, 250B are adapted to receive B, 252C. As shown, three inserts 252A, 252B, 2
52C cooperate to form a central acoustic passageway 224 and an access opening 240.

Figures 16 and 17 will be described. A modification of the outrigger members 242A, 242B 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 256. The disk portion 254 is the same as the overhang member 242A described above and shown in FIGS. 12 to 15. Disc portion 254 forms an edge 258 .

Flange portion 256 extends substantially perpendicularly to disk portion 254 from edge 258 . Flange portion 256 extends away from receiver 208 and toward acoustic outlet 206 of shell 204 . Flange portion 256 further forms a barrier to passage of earwax through barrier 200 and cooperates with disk portion 254 to define capture member 244 .

Disk portion 254 includes a series of recesses or "divots" (generally designated 260);
This 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. Disk part 25
4 and the shape of the flange portion 256 provide adjustable acoustic attenuation means and, with proper design, can be combined with the earwax barrier 200 to provide near-optimal attenuation of the overall frequency response.
In one configuration, flange portion 256 is coupled to disk portion 254 by a "living hinge." The orientation of flange portion 256 is adapted to provide a variably attenuated acoustic path, thus providing the desired acoustic attenuation in combination with earwax barrier 200. After being properly positioned, flange portion 256 is secured to the inner wall surface of housing 222 by adhesive bonding or other means.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the earwax barrier 200 may also include an adjustable acoustic baffle 262. adjustable baffle 2
62 (or "variable acoustic attenuator") includes a central generally cylindrical section 264 and a pair of wing sections 266A, 2.
66B, and the wing part has a central part 264
They extend in opposite directions from each other. Each wing section 26
6A and 266B are almost rectangular and thin. Adjustable baffle 262 is attached to opposing pins 268A, 268B. The pin extends from the inner wall surface of housing 222 and is configured to engage a passageway 270 defined by central portion 264 . The direction of the adjustable baffle 262 can be determined by glue bonding or by connecting the locking tabs 272 provided on the inner wall surface of the housing 222 at equal intervals around the pins 268A and 268B and the end surface of the central portion 264 of the adjustable baffle 262 at equal intervals. slot 27 formed in
It can be determined by the combination with 4. The adjustable baffle 262 includes an adjustment aperture 276, which is located in one of the wing sections 266A, 266B.
It is formed along the sides and in the center. The spatial regions 278A, 278B between the adjustable baffle 262 and the outrigger members 242A, 242B provide a reduced path for overall acoustic response attenuation.

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 shielded by one or more overhang members.

In the above excellent configuration, earwax barrier 2
0 is placed in the audio path 50 or between the outlet 46 of the hearing aid shell 30 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, in the alternative the earwax barrier 20 can be connected directly to or into the outlet 48 of the receiver 48.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

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. A partially cutaway diagram of
3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of the earwax barrier shown in FIG. 3; and FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the earwax barrier shown in FIG. A partial cross-sectional perspective view of the second embodiment, FIG.
7 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of the third embodiment; FIG. 8 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of the fourth embodiment; FIG. 9 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of the fifth embodiment, FIG. 10 is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of the sixth embodiment, and 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. A partial side view shown in cross section, FIG. 14 is the first
Figure 1 is a plan view of the earwax barrier, Figure 15 is the top view of the earwax barrier.
Fig. 1 is a partially sectional side view of the mold for manufacturing the earwax barrier shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 16 is a view showing a modified form of the overhanging member of the earwax barrier shown in Fig. 11, and Fig. 17 is A plan view of the overhanging member in FIG. 16,
Figure 18 shows the earwax barrier shown in Figure 11 with an acoustic baffle installed, and Figure 19 shows the earwax barrier shown in Figure 11.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partially exploded perspective view of the illustrated housing and acoustic baffle; 20, 82, 100, 130, 146, 15
8,200...Earwax barrier, 22,24,2
02...Hearing aid, 26...Case, 28,42...
...Microphone, 30,44,208...Receiver, 32...Plastic tube, 34...Earmold, 36,46,48,206,210...
Exit, 40, 204... Ciel, 50... Audio path, 52... Auditory canal, 54, 84, 102, 13
2,222...housing, 56,58,60,
62, 86, 88, 90, 92, 104, 10
6,108,110,134,136,138,
140, 142, 150, 152, 154, 15
6,160,162,164,166,242
A, 242B... Overhanging member, 64... Wall, 6
6, 68... End, 70, 216... Inner chamber, 72
...Inner surface, 74,128,234...Central axis line,
76...Outer line, 78, 80...Wedge, 94...
...Earwax, 96,98...Earwax accumulation, 112,
114, 116, 118...spoke, 120,
122, 124, 126... center, 144... axis, 212... filling, 214... opening, 218
... passage, 220 ... hole, 224 ... sound passage,
226...Inlet, 228...Outlet, 230...Male thread part, 232...Collar part, 236A, 236
B...Slot, 238...Key member, 240...
... access opening, 244 ... capture member, 246
A, 246B... Deposition location, 248... Type, 25
0A, 250B...Mold half, 252A, 252
B, 252C...Insert, 254...Disc part, 256...Flange part, 258...Edge,
260... recess, 262... baffle, 264...
Center part, 266A, 266B...Wing part, 268
A, 268B...pin, 270...passage, 272
... Locking tab, 274 ... Slot, 276 ...
Adjustable aperture.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An earwax barrier for a hearing aid, comprising a shell having an acoustic outlet and disposed within the shell.
a receiver having a receiver outlet, the shell having a generally cylindrical central acoustic passageway connecting said acoustic outlet and said receiver outlet; and at least two overhang members in said generally cylindrical central acoustic passageway, said generally cylindrical central acoustic passageway defining a central axis; is formed by an inner wall surface of, and the two overhanging members are positioned spatially and angularly shifted with respect to the central axis,
Furthermore, the two overhanging members work together to completely block the acoustic passageway in the center of the cylinder, and are substantially perpendicular to the central axis and the inner wall surface. capture means for providing an earwax accumulation area within said housing, said earwax accumulation area cooperating with said earwax accumulation area extending completely over said inner wall surface, in this way An earwax barrier for a hearing aid, characterized in that the ingress of dirt into the hearing aid is substantially prevented. 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 earwax barrier of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a collar portion and an externally threaded portion. 4. The external thread is generally cylindrical and has an access opening providing access to the central acoustic passageway;
The earwax barrier according to claim 3. 5. The earwax barrier of claim 4, wherein the collar portion includes a key member for rotating the earwax barrier, thereby allowing the earwax barrier to be removed from the shell. 6. The earwax barrier of claim 5, wherein the key member comprises two opposed slots. 7. The earwax barrier of claim 1, further comprising a variable acoustic attenuator, the variable acoustic attenuator and the overhang member cooperating to constitute means for variably attenuating the acoustic response of the hearing aid. . 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.