WO2000072632A2 - Dispositif combine de suspension de recepteur et de protection contre le cerumen pour prothese auditive dans le canal - Google Patents

Dispositif combine de suspension de recepteur et de protection contre le cerumen pour prothese auditive dans le canal Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000072632A2
WO2000072632A2 PCT/US2000/013438 US0013438W WO0072632A2 WO 2000072632 A2 WO2000072632 A2 WO 2000072632A2 US 0013438 W US0013438 W US 0013438W WO 0072632 A2 WO0072632 A2 WO 0072632A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cover
sound port
receiver
hearing device
cerumen
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/013438
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2000072632A3 (fr
Inventor
Owen D. Brimhall
Original Assignee
Sonic Innovations, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sonic Innovations, Inc. filed Critical Sonic Innovations, Inc.
Priority to AU48530/00A priority Critical patent/AU4853000A/en
Publication of WO2000072632A2 publication Critical patent/WO2000072632A2/fr
Publication of WO2000072632A3 publication Critical patent/WO2000072632A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
    • H04R25/654—Ear wax retarders

Definitions

  • the present invention pertains to hearing aids. More particularly, the present invention pertains to cerumen guards and receiver assemblies for use in hearing devices.
  • ITC hearing devices Three main types of ITC hearing devices are offered by audiologists and physicians. In-The-Ear (ITE) devices rest primarily in the concha of the ear and have the disadvantages of being fairly conspicuous to a bystander and relatively bulky to wear. Smaller ITC devices fit partially in the concha and partially in the ear canal and are less visible but still leave a substantial portion of the hearing device exposed. Recently, Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC) hearing devices have come into greater use. As the name implicates, these devices fit deep within the ear canal and are essentially hidden from view from the outside.
  • IIC Completely-In-The-Canal
  • in-the-canal devices In addition to the obvious cosmetic advantages these types of in-the-canal devices provide, they also have several performance advantages that larger, externally mounted devices do not offer. Placing the hearing device deep within the ear canal and proximate to the tympanic membrane (ear drum) improves the frequency response of the device, reduces distortion due to jaw extrusion, reduces the occurrence of the occlusion effect and improves overall sound fidelity.
  • cerumen With the onset of smaller and more sophisticated hearing devices, the buildup of cerumen can have more severe effects on their performance.
  • Receivers i.e., acoustic speakers
  • cerumen accumulation physically blocks the receiver port located on the distal end of the device, i.e., adjacent the tympanic membrane, occluding the acoustic path and preventing sound waves from efficiently reaching the tympanic membrane.
  • the cerumen can penetrate into the receiver housing and damage the sensitive mechanical and electrical components located within the housing. Most of these internal components are critical to the operation of the hearing device and their failure will necessitate repair or replacement of the hearing device.
  • the monetary and time costs associated with replacing failed hearing devices due to cerumen clogging and receiver damage are significant.
  • WaxBuster® active wax protection system
  • WaxBuster® featuring a mechanical piston device that acts at the receiver port.
  • a ring moves down on the piston rod to push cerumen out of the sound channel.
  • the ring returns to its original position by means of a coil spring.
  • the device adds significant size to the hearing aid and must be manually operated.
  • a further disadvantage of the WaxBuster® system is that the tip is directly open to wax when the aid is inserted into the ear canal. Scooping of wax into the receiver port on insertion is a significant cause of clogging.
  • FIG. 1 is a cut away section of an ear canal and its associated anatomy
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an in-the-canal hearing device seated within an ear canal, illustrating the partial blockage of a distally located sound port by cerumen;
  • Fig. 3 is a preferred in-the-canal hearing device having a combined receiver suspension and cerumen guard device seated in a sound port of its receiver housing;
  • Fig. 4 is a cut-away side view of the distal end of the receiver housing of Fig. 3, further illustrating the combined receiver suspension and cerumen guard device, with the cerumen guard shown in a closed position; and
  • Fig. 1 illustrates the general anatomy of an ear.
  • the ear includes a canal
  • ceruminous glands 12 secrete a yellowish wax-like substance called cerumen 14 (ear wax), which accumulates within the ear canal 10 and, most particularly, along the fleshly walls 11.
  • cerumen 14 naturally propagates outward from the inner portions of the ear canal 10 towards the concha 17. This outward movement is due in part to the action of tiny cilia (not shown) located along the fleshy walls 11 and in part to the natural movements of the ear canal 10.
  • the tympanic membrane 16 is located at the deepest portion of the ear canal 10, and transmits acoustic energy into the inner ear where it is eventually interpreted by the brain as sounds.
  • a preferred ITC hearing device 30 includes a receiver housing 32 substantially enclosed in a conformal jacket 34.
  • the conformal jacket 34 facilitates the positioning of the hearing device 30 within a wearer's ear canal (10).
  • the conformal jacket 34 forms an acoustic seal between a distal end 36 of the receiver housing 32, which is positioned proximate the wearer's tympanic membrane (16), and the outer ear (17) of the wearer.
  • a sound port (i.e., an opening) 38 is provided in the distal end 36 of the receiver housing 32.
  • a flexible, cylindrical grommet 40 is snuggly seated in the sound port 38. As best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the grommet 40 is retained by a circular rim 46 of the receiver housing 32, which defines the sound port 38.
  • the grommet 40 comprises a receiver suspension tube 42, which extends into the receiver housing 32.
  • a cylindrical neck portion 52 of a receiver unit 50 is retained by the suspension tube 42, such that sound waves emitted from an audio speaker (not shown) within the receiver unit 50 are directed through the sound port 38.
  • the suspension tube 42 also functions to isolate any vibration of the receiver 50 from the receiver housing 32.
  • the general flexibility of the grommet 40 provides vibration isolation between the receiver 50 and the receiver housing 32.
  • a cover piece 44 is "hingedly” attached to the grommet 40, and is sized to substantially cover the sound port 38, thereby functioning as a cerumen guard.
  • the grommet 40 is preferably made of a flexible elastomeric material, such as rubber or silicon, with the cover piece 44 integrally molded with the rest of the grommet 40 as a single piece construction.
  • a flexible elastomeric material such as rubber or silicon
  • the cover piece 44 is attached by an arcuate extension portion 54 of the grommet 40 proximate the circular rim 46 of the sound port 38.
  • the extension portion 54 is preferably sized such that, taking into account the particular strength and flexibility of the grommet material, the cover piece 44 can be placed in either a closed (Fig. 4), or open (Fig. 5) position.
  • the cover piece 44 pivots about flexible extension portion 54 at the rim 46 of the sound port 38.
  • the compliant material forming the grommet 40 also facilitates the movement of the cover piece 44 about the extension portion 54 of the grommet 40.
  • the cover piece 44 and grommet 40 may be made of two or more separate pieces, which are bonded together in a way which still allows for the flexible pivoting of the cover piece 44 relative to the circular rim 46 of the sound port 38.
  • the term “hingedly” means that the cover piece 44 may be "pivoted” about the extension portion 54 of the grommet 40 akin to a door being pivoted about its hinges. It is not necessary that there be actual hinges or pins, etc., which attach the cover piece 44 to the grommet 40, although this is also contemplated by the term "hingedly”.
  • the cover piece 44 may be completely removable from the grommet 40, e.g., in a "snap-on" configuration.
  • the cover piece 44 is fashioned with a positioning lip 48, which extends towards the receiver housing 32 from an outer circumferential edge of the cover 44. As seen in Fig. 4, when the cover piece 44 is in a closed position, the positioning lip 48 biases the cover piece 44 slightly away from the sound port 38, providing an annular opening 39 around much of the circular rim 46 of the sound port 38 (i.e., except where the lip 48 and attaching portion 54 are located).
  • the flexible material forming the grommet 40 will allow the cover piece 44 to be easily bent open for cleaning of entrapped cerumen, while being resilient enough to provide a natural biasing to automatically return the cover piece 44 to a closed (i.e., operating) position.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)
  • Details Of Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)

Abstract

Un appareil auditif situé dans le canal comprend un élément de suspension flexible du récepteur assis dans l'orifice de son du logement du récepteur d'un appareil auditif. L'élément de suspension comprend une partie tubulaire s'étendant jusque dans le logement du récepteur, la partie tubulaire étant configurée pour retenir l'unité récepteur dans une position telle que des ondes sonores émises par l'unité récepteur sont orientées à travers l'orifice de son. L'élément de suspension comprend également une pièce de couverture configurée pour empêcher le cérumen de se loger dans l'orifice de son lorsque le couvercle est disposé en position fermée. Le couvercle peut être moulé solidaire de l'élément de suspension en une pièce unitaire et il est de préférence doté d'une lèvre de positionnement s'étendant depuis un bord extérieur du couvercle et configurée pour empêcher le couvercle d'obturer l'orifice de son lorsque ledit couvercle est en position fermée.
PCT/US2000/013438 1999-05-24 2000-05-16 Dispositif combine de suspension de recepteur et de protection contre le cerumen pour prothese auditive dans le canal WO2000072632A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU48530/00A AU4853000A (en) 1999-05-24 2000-05-16 Combined receiver suspension and cerumen guard device for an in-the-canal hearing aid

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US31748599A 1999-05-24 1999-05-24
US09/317,485 1999-05-24

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000072632A2 true WO2000072632A2 (fr) 2000-11-30
WO2000072632A3 WO2000072632A3 (fr) 2001-04-12

Family

ID=23233870

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/013438 WO2000072632A2 (fr) 1999-05-24 2000-05-16 Dispositif combine de suspension de recepteur et de protection contre le cerumen pour prothese auditive dans le canal

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4853000A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000072632A2 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004008803A1 (fr) * 2002-07-12 2004-01-22 Oticon A/S Moyens de suspension pour transducteur
CN101057487A (zh) * 2004-11-10 2007-10-17 阿尔卡特朗讯 用于针对支持数据网络电话的本地环路循环施加保持电流的控制电路
US20110299712A1 (en) * 2010-06-07 2011-12-08 Sonion A/S Cerumen Filter For A Hearing Aid
CN112823533A (zh) * 2018-10-03 2021-05-18 纱帝股份公司 用于音频设备的声学保护器及设置有所述保护器的音频设备

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5293008A (en) * 1990-02-26 1994-03-08 Oticon A/S Earwax trap for use with hearing-aid apparatus, and hearing-aid apparatus with such a trap
US5327500A (en) * 1992-12-21 1994-07-05 Campbell Donald E K Cerumen barrier for custom in the ear type hearing intruments
US5864628A (en) * 1995-01-27 1999-01-26 Beltone Electronics Corporation Press-fit sound damping structure

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5293008A (en) * 1990-02-26 1994-03-08 Oticon A/S Earwax trap for use with hearing-aid apparatus, and hearing-aid apparatus with such a trap
US5327500A (en) * 1992-12-21 1994-07-05 Campbell Donald E K Cerumen barrier for custom in the ear type hearing intruments
US5864628A (en) * 1995-01-27 1999-01-26 Beltone Electronics Corporation Press-fit sound damping structure

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004008803A1 (fr) * 2002-07-12 2004-01-22 Oticon A/S Moyens de suspension pour transducteur
US7324653B2 (en) 2002-07-12 2008-01-29 Oticon A/S Suspension means for transducer
CN101057487A (zh) * 2004-11-10 2007-10-17 阿尔卡特朗讯 用于针对支持数据网络电话的本地环路循环施加保持电流的控制电路
US20110299712A1 (en) * 2010-06-07 2011-12-08 Sonion A/S Cerumen Filter For A Hearing Aid
CN112823533A (zh) * 2018-10-03 2021-05-18 纱帝股份公司 用于音频设备的声学保护器及设置有所述保护器的音频设备
CN112823533B (zh) * 2018-10-03 2022-06-21 纱帝股份公司 用于音频设备的透声保护器及音频设备

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4853000A (en) 2000-12-12
WO2000072632A3 (fr) 2001-04-12

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