JPH11275692A - Hearing aid or earphone and earplug used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hearing aid or earphone and an earplug used therefor which allow the wearer of the aid or earphone to satisfactorily catch the sounds outputted from its earplug section, not only while the wearer is not holding conversation with someone, but also while the wearer holds conversation with someone, by eliminating hindrance to hearing to the sounds due to the sense of being closed up, etc., when the earplug section is inserted. SOLUTION: An air circulating means 25 which communicates the exterior auditory meatus of the wearer of a hearing aid or earphone with the outside is provided to an earplug section 22 of the hearing aid or earphone, so that an air circulation is imparted between the external auditory meatus and the outside via the air circulating means 25, when the earplug section is inserted into the ear of the wearer. As a result, the earplug section 22 can be inserted into the ear without shutting the exterior auditory meatus from the outside, and the air circulation is maintained. Thus, the wearer can satisfactorily hear the sounds and will not feel the sense being closed up or oppressive feeling, since the eardrum of the wearer oscillates normally.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hearing aid or an earphone, and more particularly to a hearing aid or an earphone used by inserting an earplug into an ear hole (an external auditory canal), and an earplug used for the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When hearing or listening by inserting an earplug of a hearing aid or an earphone into an ear hole (hereinafter, simply referred to as "hearing aid"), the inside of the ear hole is cut off from the outside world by the earplug, and air circulation is prevented. When the eardrum disappears, the eardrum becomes difficult to vibrate, giving a feeling of tightness or tightness, causing a phenomenon that the sound is muffled and heard, which hinders hearing aid for a wearer of a hearing aid or the like.

In addition, when a wearer of a hearing aid or the like performs hearing while talking (the wearer often talks), the following problem occurs in addition to the above. In other words, when talking in a state in which the inside of the ear canal is blocked from the outside world, there is no air circulation between the inside of the ear canal and the outside world. The sound from the hearing aid or the like is doubled in the ear canal, and as a result, the above-mentioned problem of the impediment of hearing aid appears more remarkably.

However, conventional hearing aids and earphones are configured so that earplugs are fitted into the ear holes and inserted as tightly as possible in order to prevent the hearing sound from leaking to the outside. . For this reason, the conventional hearing aids and the like have a problem that the inside of the ear hole is air-tightly shielded from the outside world by the earplugs, and as a result, the above-mentioned phenomenon occurs and it becomes difficult to hear the sound from the hearing aids and the like.

[0005]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the invention according to claims 1 and 2 of the present invention provides a method of hearing aid by a feeling of sealing when an earplug is inserted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hearing aid or an earphone capable of eliminating obstruction and capable of satisfactorily hearing the sound output from the earplugs even when the wearer is not only talking but also talking. Things. The invention according to claims 3 to 5 of the present invention is an earplug used for a hearing aid or an earphone, and an object of the invention is to provide an earplug having the same functions as those of claims 1 and 2.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention relates to a hearing aid in which an earplug is inserted into an ear hole. Air communication means for communicating with the outside world, and when the earplug portion is inserted into the ear hole, the air circulation means is configured to provide air circulation between the inside of the ear hole and the outside world via the air communication means. It is characterized by the following.

[0007] Examples of the hearing aid include an ear-hearing hearing aid, a pocket-type hearing aid, and an in-the-ear hearing aid. The present invention includes all these types of hearing aids.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an earphone used by inserting an ear plug into an ear hole, the ear plug is provided with air circulation means for communicating the inside of the ear hole with the outside world. It is characterized in that, when the helical portion is inserted into the ear hole, air is circulated between the inside of the ear hole and the outside via the air circulating means.

As the earphone, a dedicated earphone attached to a device such as a hearing aid, a portable tape deck, and a portable CD player, or a general-purpose earphone commonly used for various devices such as a television, a radio, a stereo, and the like. Earphones and the like can be exemplified, and the present invention includes all these types of earphones.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in an earplug used for a hearing aid or an earphone, an earplug inserted into an ear hole and a connecting cylinder formed at a base end of the earplug are provided, The earplug portion is provided with a sound guide hole penetrating in the axial direction so as to communicate with the coupling cylinder, and is provided with air circulation means for communicating the earhole with the outside world, and the earplug portion is inserted into the earhole. Is configured to provide air circulation between the inside of the ear hole and the outside world via the air circulation means, and is configured to couple the coupling tube to a predetermined portion of an earplug main body or an earphone of a hearing aid. It is characterized by having done.

Here, the earplugs of the present invention can be applied to all the hearing aids and earphones described above. Further, as a mode of attaching the earplug to the hearing aid or the earphone, the connecting cylinder is fitted to the earplug of the earplug main body of the hearing aid or the earplug of the earphone main body of the earphone. As in the invention according to claim 5,
A method of fitting a coupling tube to the sound emitting portion of the earplug body of the hearing aid or the sound emitting portion of the earplug body of the earphone can be exemplified,
In the present invention, the above-mentioned embodiments can be arbitrarily selected and adopted.

[0012]

According to the present invention, when the earplug is inserted into the ear canal,
The inside of the ear canal is inserted into the ear canal without being shielded from the outside by the ear plug, while maintaining the air circulation through the air circulation means. Therefore, even if the earplugs are inserted into the ear canal, there is no feeling of sealing or oppression, and the eardrum vibrates normally,
The sound output from the earplugs can be satisfactorily assisted even when the wearer is not only talking but also talking.

[0013]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a hearing aid according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing an operation. This embodiment shows a case where the present invention is applied to an ear-hearing hearing aid.

1 and 2, an ear-hook hearing aid A has an ear-hearing hearing aid body 10 and an earplug body 20. The hearing aid body 10 is connected to the ear-hook body 20 via an earhook 11 and a sound guide tube 12. Is formed so as to be hung on the ear as a whole.

The housing 13 of the hearing aid body 10 has a microphone for converting an audio signal into an electric signal, an amplifier for amplifying an output signal of the microphone, a speaker for converting the output signal amplified by the amplifier into audio, and a volume control. A sound conversion adjusting means including a volume for the sound is built in, a sound from the outside is collected by a microphone, the output signal is amplified and output to a speaker, and the sound from the speaker is transmitted through an ear hook 11 and a tube 12. It is configured to be guided to the earplug main body 20 and output a hearing aid sound.
Reference numeral 14 denotes a microphone sound receiving port provided in the housing 13 of the hearing aid main body 10, reference numeral 15 denotes a power ON / OFF switch, reference numeral 16
Indicates a volume adjustment dial, and 17 indicates a battery housing unit.
This hearing aid main body 10 is configured similarly to a conventional ear-hearing hearing aid main body. The speaker is connected to the earplug body 20.
Can be electrically connected to a predetermined portion of the hearing aid main body 10 by a conducting wire.

The earplug main body 20 has an earplug 22 protruding from a base 21, and the center of the earplug 22 has a base 2.
The sound guide hole 23 is formed so as to communicate with the sound guide 1. The sound guided from the speaker of the hearing aid body 10 to the base 21 of the earplug body 20 passes through the sound guide hole 23 and is emitted from the tip of the hole 23. I have.

In the present invention, the earplug portion 22 of the earplug body 20 is provided with an air circulation means 25 for communicating the inside of the earhole 24 (see FIG. 2) with the outside world, and the air circulation between the inside of the earhole and the outside world. Is provided. In this embodiment, the earplug 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape corresponding to the ear hole 24, and two flat surfaces 25a, 25b are formed on the outer wall surface of the earplug 22 from the tip of the earplug 22 to the base 21 side. A configuration in which the air circulating means 25 is formed by the two flat surfaces 25a and 25b is disclosed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, when the earplug 22 is inserted into the earhole 24, gaps 26 and 27 are formed between the flat surfaces 25a and 25b and the inner wall surface of the earhole 24. The inside of the ear hole 24 and the outside world are communicated through the gaps 26 and 27, and air circulation is provided. In the figure, 28
Is a guiding groove formed in the base 21 corresponding to the plane surfaces 25a and 25b. The groove 28 is formed in the ear hole even when the base 21 comes into contact with the outer ear when the ear plug 22 is inserted into the ear hole. This is provided so as not to hinder the flow of air between the air and the outside world. This groove 28 is formed as desired.

The hearing aid of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is constructed as described above, and is used by inserting the hearing aid main body 10 around the ear and inserting the ear plug portion 22 into the ear hole like the conventional ear-hearing hearing aid. Therefore, even if the earplugs 22 are inserted into the ear holes, there is no feeling of sealing and there is air circulation, so that good hearing can be achieved.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the hearing aid of the present invention. This embodiment is characterized in the configuration of the air circulation means 25 provided in the earplug portion. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, a single groove 25c is formed on the outer wall surface of the earplug portion 22 formed in a cylindrical shape in the same manner as described above from the distal end to the proximal end side of the earplug portion 22. The air circulation means 25 is constituted by 25c. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, two concave grooves 25d and 25e are provided opposite to each other on the outer wall surface of the earplug portion 22 formed in a cylindrical shape in the same manner as described above.
The air circulation means 25 is constituted by d and 25e. FIG.
In the embodiment, four concave grooves 25f... 25i are formed on the outer wall surface of the earplug portion 22 which is formed in a cylindrical shape in the same manner as described above.
Each of the grooves 25f... 25i constitutes the air circulation means 25. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3D, a communication hole 25j communicating with the sound guide hole 23 is provided on the base end side of the earplug portion 22a fitted to the sound emission portion 29 protruding from the base 21 of the earplug main body 20. The communication hole 25j constitutes the air circulating means 25.

The hearing aid of each embodiment of FIG. 3 is configured as described above, and the hearing aid of each embodiment is used in the same manner as the hearing aid of FIG. 1 and has the same effect. Note that the shape of the earplug is not limited to the illustrated configuration, and the air circulation means 25 is not limited to the illustrated one but can be arbitrarily changed in design. May be configured so as to provide air circulation between the inside of the ear hole and the outside via the air circulation means 25 when the is inserted into the ear hole.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the hearing aid of the present invention. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an ear canal hearing aid.

In FIG. 4, an ear-hole type hearing aid B is formed by combining the hearing aid main body 30 and the earplug main body 40 integrally with each other to form an ear mold.
1 includes a microphone, an amplifier, a speaker, and a sound conversion adjusting means including a volume for adjusting the sound volume and the like, as in the embodiment of FIG. Output to the speaker,
The sound from the speaker is output to the earplug main body 40. The housing 31 has a microphone sound opening (not shown), a power ON / OFF switch,
A volume adjustment dial is provided and a battery is housed. The main body 30 of the hearing aid is configured in the same manner as the main body of a conventional ear canal hearing aid.

The earplug body 40 is connected to the hearing aid body 30.
The earpiece 41 has a sound guide hole 42 formed in communication with a sound output hole (not shown). The sound converted by the speaker passes through the sound guide hole 42 and is output as a hearing aid sound. The sound is emitted from the tip.

The earplug portion 41 is provided with an air circulation means 43 for communicating the inside of the ear hole 24 with the outside world. When the earplug portion 41 is inserted into the earhole, the inside of the ear hole and the outside world are connected via the air circulation means 43. It is configured to provide air circulation between them. In this embodiment, the earplug 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, and two flat surfaces 43 a and 43 b are formed on the outer wall surface of the earplug 41 from the tip of the earplug 41. A configuration in which the air flow means 43 is formed so as to extend toward the housing 31 and the flat surfaces 43a and 43b are disclosed. Thus, when the earplug 41 is inserted into the ear hole, a gap similar to that of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is formed between the flat surfaces 43a and 43b and the inner wall surface of the ear hole, and through this gap. The inside of the ear canal is communicated with the outside world, and air is circulated. Reference numeral 44 denotes a guide groove similar to the embodiment shown in FIG.

The hearing aid of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is configured as described above, and the earplug 41 is inserted into and attached to the ear canal as in the case of a conventional ear-hole type hearing aid, and used. Even if it is inserted into the ear hole, there is no feeling of airtightness, and since there is air circulation, it is possible to hear well. The hearing aid B of this embodiment
3 as air circulation means 43 of earplug 41.
The embodiment can be changed to any other configuration. Further, the shape and the like of the earplug part 41 can be similarly changed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the hearing aid of the present invention. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a pocket hearing aid.

In FIG. 5, the pocket hearing aid C comprises a hearing aid main body 50 and an earphone 100.
A plug 62 is attached to the other end of a cord 61 which is electrically connected at one end to a predetermined portion of the earplug main body 60, and the plug 62 is inserted into a jack (not shown) of the hearing aid main body 50 to connect the main body 50 to the predetermined portion. The earphone 100 is configured to be electrically connected, and the earphone 100 is configured to be dedicated to the hearing aid C.

The case 51 of the hearing aid main body 50 is formed in a box shape so as to be accommodated in a pocket (not shown) such as clothes. The case 51 has a microphone for converting a sound signal into an electric signal, and an output of the microphone. A built-in amplifier for amplifying the signal and voice conversion adjusting means including a volume for volume control, etc., picks up the surrounding sound with a microphone, amplifies the output signal, and outputs it to the earplug main body 60 through the conducting wire 61. It is configured to be. 52 is a microphone sound opening provided in the case 51 of the hearing aid main body 50;
53 is a power ON / OFF switch, 54 is a volume adjustment dial, and 55 is a battery housing. The main body 50 of the hearing aid is configured similarly to the main body of a conventional pocket hearing aid.

The earplug main body 60 of the earphone 100 has an earphone portion 63 and an earplug portion 64 protruding from the earphone portion 63.
A sound guide hole 65 communicating with a third sound output hole (not shown) is formed. The housing 66 of the earphone unit 63 has a built-in speaker for converting an output signal sent from the hearing aid main body 50 through the conducting wire 61 into sound, and the sound converted by the speaker passes through the sound guide hole 65 and is output as hearing aid sound. The sound is emitted from the tip of the hole 65.

The ear plug portion 64 is provided with an air flow means 67 for communicating the inside of the ear hole 24 with the outside. When the ear plug portion 64 is inserted into the ear hole, the inside of the ear hole and the outside world are connected through the air flow means 67. It is configured so as to provide air circulation between them. In this embodiment, the earplug portion 64 is formed in a cylindrical shape similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, and two flat surfaces 67 a and 67 b are formed on the outer wall surface of the earplug portion 64 from the tip of the earplug portion 64. The flat surfaces 6 are formed over the earphone 63 side.
A structure in which the air circulation means 67 is constituted by 7a and 67b is disclosed. As a result, the ear plug 64 is moved to the ear hole 24.
1, a gap similar to that of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is formed between the flat surfaces 67a and 67b and the inner wall surface of the ear hole, and the inside of the ear hole and the outside world are communicated through the gap. ,
Air is circulating. Reference numeral 68 denotes a guide groove similar to the embodiment shown in FIG.

The hearing aid of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is constructed as described above, and has a hearing aid main body 5 similar to a conventional pocket hearing aid.
0 is accommodated in a pocket of clothes, etc., and the earplugs 64 are inserted into ear holes for use, whereby the same operation as in the embodiment of FIG. In the hearing aid C of this embodiment, the earplug 64
The air circulation means 67 can be changed to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 or any other configuration. In addition, earplugs 64
And the like can be similarly changed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the case where the present invention is embodied as a pocket-type hearing aid has been described. However, the earphone 100 can be directly employed as an embodiment of a dedicated earphone of the hearing aid C. Also,
A dedicated earphone attached to a device such as a portable tape deck or a portable CD player, or a general-purpose earphone commonly used for various devices such as a television, a radio, a stereo, and the like is the same as the earphone 100 of FIG. Can be adopted.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of an earplug according to the present invention. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the earplug, FIG.
FIGS. 3C and 3D are explanatory views showing the use state. This embodiment shows a case where the earplug of the present invention is used for an earphone.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 80 denotes an earphone. An earplug main body 81 of the earphone 80 includes an earphone 82, and an earplug 84 provided by fitting to a sound emitting portion 83 protruding from the earphone 82. A cord 86 which is electrically connected at one end to a predetermined portion of the earphone portion 82 and is led out of the housing 85 of the earphone portion 82, and a plug (not shown) is attached to the other end of the cord 86. is there. A sound guide hole 87 communicating with the sound emitting portion 83 is formed in the center of the earplug portion 84, and a flare portion 88 is provided at the tip,
A sound output from a speaker (not shown) built in a housing 85 of the earphone unit 82 is formed so as to have a mushroom-shaped appearance as a whole.
It is configured to emit sound from the tip.

The earphone 80 may be constituted exclusively for a device such as a hearing aid, a portable tape deck or a CD, or may be constituted as a general-purpose earphone commonly used for various devices such as a television, a radio, a stereo, and the like. Things. Also, the earphone 80 of FIG. 6 is disclosed as an example,
The configuration and the like are not limited to those shown in the figure, and can be arbitrarily changed in design.

The earplug 90 of the present invention is used by being attached to the above-mentioned earphone. The earplug 90 of this embodiment is provided with an earplug 91 inserted into an ear hole and this earplug 9.
A sound guide hole 93 is formed at the center of the ear plug portion 91 so as to communicate with the connection tube 92 and penetrate in the axial direction.

The ear plug portion 91 has an air flow means 94 for communicating the inside of the ear hole with the outside world. When the ear plug portion 91 is inserted into the ear hole, the connection between the inside of the ear hole and the outside world is made via the air flow means 94. It is configured to provide air circulation between them. In this embodiment, the earplug portion 91 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and two flat surfaces 94a,
A configuration in which an air circulation unit 94b is formed from the front end of the earplug portion 91 to the coupling cylinder 92 side and the flat surfaces 94a and 94b are formed. This allows
When the ear plug 91 is inserted into the ear hole, the flat surfaces 94
A gap similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is formed between the a and 94b and the inner wall surface of the ear hole, and the inside of the ear hole communicates with the outside world via this gap, so that air can flow. ing.

The earplug 90 connects the connecting cylinder 92 to the earphone 8.
In this embodiment, the coupling tube 92 is formed so as to fit and fit with the earplug portion 84 of the earphone 80, and the coupling tube 92 is connected to the earplug portion 84 of the earphone 80. And the two are connected to each other.

The earplug of FIG. 6 is constructed as described above, and the connecting cylinder 92 is connected to the earplug 8 of the earphone 80 as shown in FIG.
4, the earplugs 90 are attached to the earphones 80, and the earplugs 91 are inserted into the ear holes and used in this state.
Thereby, it works in the same way as the embodiment of FIG. When the earplug of this embodiment is employed, the earplug 80 of the earphone 80 of the earplug 90 can be used.
The user can easily mount and remove the earplugs 90 from the earphones 80 and the earplugs 84 attached to the earphone 80. In this earplug 90, the air circulation means 94 can be changed to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 or any other configuration.

Although the embodiment of FIG. 6 discloses the case where the earplugs 90 are used for earphones, the earplugs of the present invention can of course be used as earplugs for the above-mentioned various types of hearing aids. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the connecting tube 92 of the ear plug 90 is configured to be fitted and attached to the ear plug portion 84 of the earphone 80. It is also possible to form so as to fit and fit the sound part 83, to remove the ear plug part 84 from the ear plug main body 81, and to directly fit the connecting cylinder 92 to the sound output part 83 for mounting.

[0041]

According to the present invention, when the earplug is inserted into the earplug, the inside of the earplug is not interrupted by the earplug and is inserted into the earplug while maintaining the air circulation. Therefore, when worn, there is no feeling of sealing or oppression, and the eardrum vibrates normally, so that hearing can be favorably performed without any muffled sound.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a hearing aid of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of the hearing aid.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the earplugs of the hearing aid.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the hearing aid of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the hearing aid of the present invention.

6 shows an embodiment of an earplug according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 6a is a perspective view of the earplug, FIG. 6b is a front view, and FIGS.

[Explanation of symbols]

 22 earplugs 25 air circulation means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A hearing aid which is used by inserting an earplug into an ear hole, wherein said ear plug is provided with air circulation means for communicating the inside of the ear hole with the outside world, and said ear plug is inserted into said ear hole. A hearing aid characterized by providing air circulation between the inside of the ear canal and the outside via an air circulation means. 2. An earphone which is used by inserting an earplug into an earhole, wherein said earplug is provided with air circulation means for communicating the inside of the earhole with the outside world, and said earplug is inserted into said earhole when said earplug is inserted into said earhole. An earphone characterized by providing air circulation between an inside of an ear hole and the outside via an air circulation means. 3. An earplug used for a hearing aid or an earphone, comprising: an earplug inserted into an ear hole; and a coupling tube formed at a base end of the earplug. Along with a sound guide hole penetrating in the axial direction to communicate therewith, an air circulation means for communicating the ear hole with the outside world is provided, and when the earplug portion is inserted into the ear hole, the air circulation means is provided. An earplug, which is configured to provide air circulation between an inside of an ear hole and the outside world, and is configured to connect the connecting tube to a predetermined portion of an earplug main body of a hearing aid or an earphone. 4. The earphone body of the hearing aid or the earphone body of the earphone is adapted to be fitted and connected to the earphone part of the earphone body.
Earplugs described. 5. The coupling tube according to claim 3, wherein the coupling tube is configured to be fitted and coupled to a sound emitting portion of an earplug body of a hearing aid or a sound emitting portion of an earplug body of an earphone. Earplugs.