KR102665817B1 - Customizable hearing aid deivce - Google Patents

Abstract

A hearing aid that allows user customization is disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a hearing aid body is formed in a curved shape so that it can be hung between the user's head and the auricle, and has a first inner surface with a concave curvature and a first outer surface with a convex curvature; a sound tube coupled to one end of the hearing aid body in the longitudinal direction; An ear tip coupled to the end of the sound tube and inserted into the user's ear hole; A hearing aid that can be customized by a user may be provided, including a body protection cover made of an elastic material coupled to the hearing aid body to surround the first inner surface.

Description

Hearing aid that can be customized by user {CUSTOMIZABLE HEARING AID DEIVCE}

The present invention relates to a hearing aid that allows user customization.

Hearing aids are medical devices that are mounted on the user's ears to supplement the user's hearing deficiency. They generally consist of a microphone that receives external sounds, a signal processing unit that amplifies the received sounds, and a receiver that outputs the amplified sounds. Depending on the type of hearing aid mounted on the ear, they can be classified into in-the-ear hearing aids and behind-the-ear hearing aids.

In the past, there was an overwhelming demand for in-the-ear hearing aids that were completely inserted into the ear canal so that they were inconspicuous due to the inconvenience of being seen by others. However, recently, they are not in a form that completely closes the external auditory canal, so they provide a relatively open feeling and sound quality. Demand for behind-the-ear hearing aids, which have the advantage of less echoing, is gradually increasing.

A behind-the-ear hearing aid may be composed of a hearing aid body that is hung between the user's head and the ear pinna, an ear tip that is inserted into the user's ear hole, and a sound tube that connects the hearing aid body and the ear tip.

However, as mentioned above, behind-the-ear hearing aids have various advantages compared to in-the-ear hearing aids, but the behind-the-ear hearing aids currently sold on the market have a disadvantage in that they cannot meet the tastes of various users because their exterior design is clunky and uniform. As a result, the reality is that there are still relatively more consumers looking for in-the-ear hearing aids that are less noticeable to others. In addition, unlike general earphones, hearing aids are devices that are used for long periods of time due to necessity, but they have the problem of not being comfortable to wear unless they are custom-made, and they also have the problem of being easily separated from the ear during somewhat dynamic exercise such as jogging.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2023456 (2019.11.04, Behind-the-ear hearing aid using RIT)

An embodiment of the present invention provides a hearing aid that can be customized to suit the user's taste.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a hearing aid body is formed in a curved shape so that it can be hung between the user's head and the auricle, and has a first inner surface with a concave curvature and a first outer surface with a convex curvature; a sound tube coupled to one end of the hearing aid body in the longitudinal direction; An ear tip coupled to the end of the sound tube and inserted into the user's ear hole; and a body protection cover made of an elastic material coupled to the hearing aid body to surround the first inner surface, wherein the body protection cover includes a color selected according to the user's preference, and the body protection cover is separated from the hearing aid body. The hearing aid has an incision so that one end of the incision surrounds the sound tube and a mask string insertion groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body is formed on the first outer surface. It extends from one end surface in the longitudinal direction of the main body through the first outer surface to a corner portion between the first outer surface and the other longitudinal end surface of the hearing aid main body, and both sides of the cutout are on the first outer surface. They are arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and the hearing aid body has a protrusion that protrudes from the first outer surface to extend in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body, and the protrusion supports both sides of the cutout and forms a groove for inserting the mask string. The lower surface is divided, and the protrusion provides a mounting space for a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body, and the plurality of piezoelectric elements generate electricity when pressed by a mask string inserted into the mask string insertion groove. A hearing aid capable of user customization can be provided, characterized in that it is coupled to the first inner surface and supplied to a planar heating element in contact with the main body protective cover.

The planar heating element heats the main body protective cover to increase ductility, thereby increasing the contact area and adhesion between the main body protective cover and the user's skin, which is pressed toward the user's skin by the mask string.

The main body protective cover may be provided with a plurality of anti-slip protrusions on its externally exposed surface.

When electricity is generated from a preset first number or more of the plurality of piezoelectric elements, the hearing aid determines that a mask string is inserted into the mask string insertion groove, and outputs the information through a receiver mounted on the hearing aid body. A signal generator that generates a preset sound signal; And when the mask string is inserted into the mask string insertion groove and the number of piezoelectric elements generating electricity decreases below the preset second number after a preset first time has elapsed, the mask string inserted into the mask string insertion groove It is determined that the device is separated, and vibration is generated in the hearing aid body for a preset second time. The vibration may further include a vibration generator formed in the width direction of the hearing aid body toward the user's head and ear pinna.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the exterior design of the hearing aid body exposed to the outside can be customized to suit the user's taste by using a body protection cover manufactured to suit the user's taste in combination with the hearing aid body.

Additionally, comfort can be improved by selecting a body protective cover according to the user's physical conditions.

In addition, the body protection cover can protect the hearing aid body, which includes major electronic components such as a microphone, signal processing unit, and receiver, from external shock.

1 is a diagram of a hearing aid capable of user customization according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an example of use of Figure 1,
Figure 3 is a view cut along line I-I of Figure 1,
Figure 4 is a diagram of the hearing aid body of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a diagram of the main body protective cover of Figure 1;
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of components coupled to or mounted on the hearing aid body of FIG. 1.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Terms used in the embodiments of the present invention, unless clearly defined in a different sense, may be interpreted as meanings that can be generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and may only be interpreted as specific meanings. It will be viewed as an example to explain the embodiment, but there is no intention to limit the present invention.

In this specification, the singular form will be considered to also include the plural form unless otherwise specified.

Additionally, when a part is described as “including” a certain element, it means that the part may further include other elements.

Additionally, when a component is described as “above” it means above or below the component, and does not necessarily mean that it is located above the direction of gravity.

Additionally, when a component is described as being “connected” or “coupled” to another component, it does not only mean that the component is directly connected or coupled to the other component, but also indirectly through another component. It may also include cases where it is connected or combined.

In addition, terms such as first and second may be used to describe a certain component, but these terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the essence or order of the component is determined by the term. It is not intended to limit the order or the like.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a hearing aid capable of user customization according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an example of use of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram cut along lines II-I of FIG. 1.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the hearing aid 10 that allows user customization according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a hearing aid body 100, a sound tube 200, an ear tip 300, and a body protection cover 400. may include.

The hearing aid body 100 may be formed in a curved shape so that it can be hung between the user's head and the pinna of the ear.

Accordingly, the hearing aid body 100 has a first inner surface 101 having a concave curvature in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body 100, and a first outer surface 102 having a convex curvature in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body 100. may be provided, and the first inner surface 101 and the first outer surface 102 may be connected through a pair of side surfaces 103 facing each other in the width direction of the hearing aid body 100.

In this specification, the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body 100 may refer to the direction in which the hearing aid body 100 extends in a curved manner, and the width direction of the hearing aid body 100 may refer to a pair of side surfaces 103 unless otherwise specified. ) can mean the direction of connecting.

The first inner surface 101 may have a convex curvature in the width direction of the hearing aid body 100.

A planar heating element 110 may be coupled to the first inner surface 101, and a plurality of planar heating elements 110 may be arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body 100.

The first outer surface 102 is formed to extend in a straight line in the width direction of the hearing aid body 100, and may be provided with a protrusion 120 at the central portion in the width direction of the hearing aid body 100.

A detailed description of the protrusion 120 will be described later with reference to the additional drawings.

The side surface 103 may extend in a straight line between the first inner surface 101 and the second outer surface 102.

The sound tube 200 may be coupled to one end surface 104 of the hearing aid body 100 in the longitudinal direction.

The ear tip 300 may be coupled to the end of the sound tube 200 and inserted into the user's ear hole.

Since the sound tube 200 and the ear tip 300 are well-known components in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The body protection cover 400 may be coupled to the hearing aid body 100 to surround the first inner surface 101.

The body protection cover 400 may be made of an elastic material, for example, silicone, and may be provided with a cutout 410 so that it can be separated from the hearing aid body 100. Accordingly, the user can separate the body protection cover 400 from the hearing aid body 100 by opening the incision 410.

For example, the cutout 410 may be formed on the second outer surface of the main body protective cover 400.

The main body protective cover 400 may include a color selected according to the user's preference.

For example, the main body protective cover 400 may be produced in various colors and supplied to the market, and a character design, etc. may be printed on the main body protective cover 400.

The main body protection cover 400 may be provided with a plurality of anti-slip protrusions (not shown) on the externally exposed surface.

FIG. 4 is a view of the hearing aid body of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a view of the body protective cover of FIG. 1.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the cut portion 410 is formed on one end surface 104 in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body 100, through the first outer surface 102, and between the first outer surface 102 and the hearing aid main body. It may extend onto the corner portion of the other end surface 105 in the longitudinal direction of 100.

Additionally, both sides of the cutout portion 410 may be spaced apart from each other on the first outer surface 102 .

As a result, one end of the incision 410 can surround the sound tube 200, and a mask string insertion groove G extending in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body 100 is formed on the first outer surface 102. You can.

Therefore, the user can minimize interference with the sound tube 200 when attaching or detaching the body protective cover 400, and when wearing the mask 20 while using a hearing aid, the user can insert the mask string 21 into the mask string. By inserting it into the groove (G), the hearing aid body 100 can be prevented from being separated.

Meanwhile, the protrusion 120 protrudes from the first outer surface 102 to extend in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body 100, thereby supporting both sides of the incision 410 and dividing the lower surface of the mask strap insertion groove (G). can do.

That is, the protrusion 120 may function to align the position of the mask string insertion groove (G).

Specifically, the user can keep the position of the mask strap insertion groove (G) constant by combining the main body protective cover 400 so that the protrusion 120 is inserted into the incision 410.

Additionally, the protrusion 120 may provide a space where a plurality of piezoelectric elements 130 can be mounted.

A plurality of piezoelectric elements 130 may be arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body 100.

In particular, the protrusion 120 extends from the corner between the first outer surface 102 and one end surface 104 to the corner between the first outer surface 102 and the other end surface 105, thereby forming the piezoelectric element 130. Mounting space may be secured as much as possible.

The piezoelectric element 130 can generate electricity when pressed by the mask string 21 inserted into the mask string insertion groove (G), and the electricity generated in this way can be supplied to the planar heating element 110.

Therefore, when the mask string 21 is inserted into the mask string insertion groove (G), that is, when the user wears the mask 20, the planar heating element 110 can receive electricity from the piezoelectric element 130 and generate heat. , the second inner surface portion of the main body protective cover 400 in contact with the planar heating element 110 is heated by heat to increase ductility, so that the main body protective cover 400 is pressed against the user's skin by the mask string 21 The contact area and adhesion between the user's skin may increase. As a result, the effect of preventing separation of the hearing aid body 100 can be further improved.

On the other hand, when the electricity supplied from the piezoelectric element 130 is insufficient to enable the planar heating element 110 to generate heat at a preset temperature, additional electricity is supplied to the planar heating element 110 from the battery mounted on the hearing aid body 100. It may be controlled, but is not necessarily limited to this.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of components coupled to or mounted on the hearing aid body of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 6, in addition to the planar heating element 110 and the piezoelectric element 130, as described above, the hearing aid body 100 may be coupled or mounted with an additional microphone 140, a signal processing unit 150, and a receiver 160. , the signal generator 170 and the vibration generator 180 may be additionally combined or mounted.

Since the microphone 140, signal processing unit 150, and receiver 160 are well-known components in the technical field, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The signal generator 170 determines that the mask string 21 is inserted into the mask string insertion groove (G) when electricity is generated in a preset first number or more of the piezoelectric elements 130 among the plurality of piezoelectric elements 130. If this is determined, a preset sound signal can be generated to be output through the receiver 160.

For example, if the total number of piezoelectric elements 130 is 9, the first number may be 7.

Therefore, when the user hears a preset sound, for example, a buzzer sound, through the ear tip 300, he or she can recognize that the mask string 21 is properly seated in the mask string insertion groove G.

The vibration generator 180 is configured such that the mask string 21 is inserted into the mask string insertion groove G, that is, electricity is generated from the first or more preset number of piezoelectric elements 130 among the plurality of piezoelectric elements 130. If the number of piezoelectric elements 130 generating electricity decreases below the preset second number after the first set time has elapsed, it is determined that the mask string 21 inserted into the mask string insertion groove G is separated. This can be done, and if this is determined, vibration can be generated in the hearing aid body 100 for a preset second time.

Therefore, when the mask string 21 is separated, the user can feel vibration through the hearing aid body 100.

Here, the second number may be set to be smaller than the first number. For example, if the total number of piezoelectric elements 130 is 9 and the first number is set to 7, the second number may be 2.

In addition, the reason for excluding the case where the number of piezoelectric elements 130 that generate electricity is reduced to less than the second number before the first time elapses is that the wearing position is uncomfortable while the user is wearing the mask, so the mask straps 21 This is because it may have been temporarily separated from the mask string insertion groove (G).

Accordingly, the first time may be set to be longer than the average time it takes for the user to wear the mask 20 while wearing the hearing aid 10 according to the present invention, for example, 12 seconds.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, the reason for different notification methods when wearing the mask 20 and when taking off the mask 20 is that when taking off the mask 20, there is no sound like when wearing the mask 20. The reason for generating the vibration may be to make the user aware when the hearing aid body 100 unintentionally leaves the user's ear during the process of removing the mask 20.

In other words, if the user feels vibration until the mask 20 is completely removed, it can be confirmed that the hearing aid body 100 did not come off the user's ear during the process of removing the mask 20.

Accordingly, the second time may be set to be longer than the average time required to take off the mask 20 while wearing the hearing aid 10 according to the present invention, for example, 3 seconds.

Additionally, the vibration generated by the vibration generator 180 may be formed in the width direction of the hearing aid body 100.

For example, the vibration generator 180 may include a vibrator that generates vibration toward the user's head and ear pinna.

Therefore, compared to the case where the vibration is formed in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body 100 or the direction perpendicular to the width direction of the hearing aid body 100, the possibility of separation of the hearing aid body 100 due to vibration can be minimized. You can.

Meanwhile, part or all of the signal processing unit 150, signal generating unit 170, and vibration generating unit 180 may be implemented by a CPU, IC chip, memory, etc. mounted on a control board.

Although the above description focuses on preferred embodiments of the present invention, this is only an example and does not limit the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can modify and change the embodiments in various ways by adding, changing, deleting or adding components, etc., without departing from the technical idea of the present invention as set forth in the claims. It will be possible, and this will also be said to be included within the scope of the rights of the present invention.

10: hearing aid 20: mask
21: Mask string 100: Hearing aid body
101: first inner surface 102: first outer surface
103: side 104: one side
105: Other end surface 110: Planar heating element
120: protrusion 130: piezoelectric element
140: Microphone 150: Signal processing unit
160: Receiver 170: Signal generator
180: Vibration generator 200: Sound tube
300: Ear tips 400: Body protective cover
410: incision

Claims (3)

A hearing aid body formed in a curved shape so that it can be hung between the user's head and the auricle, and having a first inner surface with a concave curvature and a first outer surface with a convex curvature;
a sound tube coupled to one end of the hearing aid body in the longitudinal direction;
An ear tip coupled to the end of the sound tube and inserted into the user's ear hole; and
A body protection cover made of an elastic material coupled to the hearing aid body to surround the first inner surface,
The main body protective cover includes a color selected according to the user's preference,
The body protection cover has a cutout portion so that it can be separated from the hearing aid body,
The cutout portion is located on one end of the cutout portion in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body so that a mask string insertion groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body can be formed on the first outer surface with one end surrounding the sound tube. It extends through the first outer surface to a corner portion between the first outer surface and the other end surface in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body, and both sides of the cutout are arranged to be spaced apart from each other on the first outer surface,
The hearing aid body has a protrusion extending from the first outer surface in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body,
The protrusion supports both sides of the incision and partitions the lower surface of the mask string insertion groove,
The protrusion provides a mounting space for a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid body,
The plurality of piezoelectric elements generate electricity when pressed by a mask string inserted into the mask string insertion groove and supply it to a planar heating element coupled to the first inner surface and in contact with the main body protective cover. Hearing aids available. According to paragraph 1,
The planar heating element heats the main body protective cover to increase softness, thereby increasing the contact area and adhesion between the main body protective cover and the user's skin, which is pressed toward the user's skin by the mask string. A hearing aid that can be customized by the user. According to paragraph 1,
A hearing aid that can be customized by the user, wherein the body protective cover has a plurality of anti-slip protrusions on the externally exposed surface.

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