WO2012152302A1 - Sealing between shell and ear canal with an adapting cuff - Google Patents

Sealing between shell and ear canal with an adapting cuff Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012152302A1
WO2012152302A1 PCT/EP2011/057265 EP2011057265W WO2012152302A1 WO 2012152302 A1 WO2012152302 A1 WO 2012152302A1 EP 2011057265 W EP2011057265 W EP 2011057265W WO 2012152302 A1 WO2012152302 A1 WO 2012152302A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hearing aid
aid device
ear canal
sealing member
fluid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2011/057265
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Joseph Sauer
Benjamin Schmidt
Christian Weistenhöfer
Original Assignee
Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
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 Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. filed Critical Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
Priority to PCT/EP2011/057265 priority Critical patent/WO2012152302A1/en
Publication of WO2012152302A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012152302A1/en

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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2460/00—Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2460/17—Hearing device specific tools used for storing or handling hearing devices or parts thereof, e.g. placement in the ear, replacement of cerumen barriers, repair, cleaning hearing devices

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a hearing aid device with a seal for sealing between a hearing aid shell or housing and the ear canal .
  • a hearing aid requires a secure fit between the portion of the hearing aid device projecting into the ear canal and the ear canal.
  • In-the-Ear (ITE) or Completely-in- Canal (CIC) devices require a sealing between the hearing aid device and the ear canal.
  • the fit should not be so tight as to cause discomfort for the wearer.
  • a Deep Fit CIC needs a sealing in the bony part of the ear canal. This area is very sensitive regarding pressure.
  • a standard dome with a defined diameter could not adapt its size to the patient's ear canal. This could cause discomfort or pain.
  • a hearing aid device with a balloon seal which can be filled from the outside by using a pump or syringe.
  • the document US 2004/0215053 Al discloses a hearing aid with an elastic chamber with a membrane made of an elastomeric material for example silicone or rubber.
  • the chamber can be filled with an expansion medium such as gas, a liquid, a gel or foam to provide a seal .
  • the invention provides a hearing aid device with an annular expandable sealing member for sealing the device in the ear canal.
  • the sealing member is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir containing fluid for expanding the seal inside the ear canal.
  • the annular expandable sealing member can be expanded or contracted by hydraulic or pneumatic action wherein the fluid is transferred from the fluid reservoir to the annular expandable sealing member.
  • the sealing pressure can be adjusted to insure a comfortable, yet sealed and secure fit of the hearing aid device in the ear canal.
  • the invention further provides a hearing aid device,
  • annular expandable sealing member for sealing between said housing and said ear canal
  • annular expandable sealing member comprises an expandable hollow toroid wherein said toroid is in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir.
  • the toroid represents an advantageous shape for sealing between the housing and the ear canal.
  • the hearing aid device comprises an actuator for transferring fluid from said fluid reservoir to the annular sealing member.
  • the actuator is functionally connected to a lid provided in said housing such that opening or closing said lid actuates the actuator.
  • the actuator is functionally connected to a manual control element for manually actuating the actuator.
  • the hearing aid device comprises a removal cord, which removal cord comprises said manual control element.
  • the hearing aid is a Completely-in-Channel hearing aid (CIC) .
  • CIC Completely-in-Channel hearing aid
  • the fluid is selected from the group of fluids consisting of gas, liquid, and gel.
  • the annular expandable sealing member provides the sealing function instead of a dome or foam. It is preferably located at the end of the receiver.
  • the material of the annular expandable sealing member could be e.g. silicone or a different elastomeric material.
  • the annular expandable sealing member can connected to the housing or/and to the receiver.
  • the annular expandable sealing member is connected with a tube to a fluid reservoir which contains a suitable fluid, e.g. liquid, gel, air or something similar.
  • a second tube which goes outside the housing, has the function of a removal cord and pressure adjustment, e.g. by a
  • Fig. 1 shows a hearing aid device 1, with a housing 11, a receiver 13 and the annular expandable sealing member 15.
  • the annular expandable sealing member 15 has a generally toroidal shape and is connected to a fluid reservoir 17 via a fluid connection 19.
  • the annular expandable sealing member 15 can be made of silicone rubber or other suitable elastic
  • An actuator 21 is also connected to the fluid reservoir 17.
  • the actuator 21 also serves as a removal cord. It comprises a flexible tube, made e.g. of silicone rubber, and a silicone bulb which can be squeezed. Further a valve for regulating the direction of fluid flow can be provided (not shown) .
  • FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment, wherein the actuator 27 acts on the fluid reservoir 17' and is operably connected to a battery housing lid 23 which covers the battery 25.
  • the annular expandable sealing member can be expanded by closing the battery housing lid.
  • the actuator has a double function (actuator plus additional function such as removal cord or battery housing lid) . It is generally
  • the actuator has a double function.
  • an actuator may be provided as a dedicated element not having a double function e.g. a push button, turning knob, switch, or something similar.
  • the hearing aid device of the invention advantageously provides sealing system which is integral to the device, does not require undue efforts for sealing and securing the hearing aid device in the ear canal and can be individually adapted to the level of comfort of the hearing aid user.

Abstract

The invention relates to a hearing aid device (1) with an annular expandable sealing member (15) for sealing the device in the ear canal. The sealing member is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir (17) containing fluid for expanding the seal inside the ear canal.

Description

Description
Sealing between shell and ear canal with an adapting cuff The invention relates to a hearing aid device with a seal for sealing between a hearing aid shell or housing and the ear canal .
A hearing aid requires a secure fit between the portion of the hearing aid device projecting into the ear canal and the ear canal. In particular, In-the-Ear (ITE) or Completely-in- Canal (CIC) devices require a sealing between the hearing aid device and the ear canal. On the other hand, the fit should not be so tight as to cause discomfort for the wearer.
A Deep Fit CIC needs a sealing in the bony part of the ear canal. This area is very sensitive regarding pressure. A standard dome with a defined diameter could not adapt its size to the patient's ear canal. This could cause discomfort or pain.
The document US 7,227,968 B2 discloses the use of expansible, preferably inflatable, medium to keep the receiver in its place instead of using a plastic shell.
From the document US 2009/0214072 Al it is known to provide inflatable sealant element with an inflatable first section in fluid communication with a second section and the first section is designed to absorb acoustic energy when at least partially filled with fluid.
From DE 10 2004 010 866 Al a hearing aid device with a balloon seal is known which can be filled from the outside by using a pump or syringe.
The document US 2004/0215053 Al discloses a hearing aid with an elastic chamber with a membrane made of an elastomeric material for example silicone or rubber. The chamber can be filled with an expansion medium such as gas, a liquid, a gel or foam to provide a seal .
The solutions provided by the prior art depend on inflating a seal with external means, e.g. by connecting the hearing aid to a syringe or pump to inflate the seal.
However, it would be advantageous to provide a device which does not require any external inflation means or any
additional accessories or handling from the outside.
Generally speaking the invention provides a hearing aid device with an annular expandable sealing member for sealing the device in the ear canal. The sealing member is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir containing fluid for expanding the seal inside the ear canal.
The annular expandable sealing member can be expanded or contracted by hydraulic or pneumatic action wherein the fluid is transferred from the fluid reservoir to the annular expandable sealing member. The sealing pressure can be adjusted to insure a comfortable, yet sealed and secure fit of the hearing aid device in the ear canal. The invention further provides a hearing aid device,
comprising :
- a housing, wherein at least a portion of said housing is adapted to be worn inside the ear canal,
- an annular expandable sealing member for sealing between said housing and said ear canal, and
- a fluid reservoir wherein said annular expandable sealing member comprises an expandable hollow toroid wherein said toroid is in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir. The toroid represents an advantageous shape for sealing between the housing and the ear canal.
According to an embodiment of the invention the hearing aid device comprises an actuator for transferring fluid from said fluid reservoir to the annular sealing member.
According to an embodiment of the invention the actuator is functionally connected to a lid provided in said housing such that opening or closing said lid actuates the actuator.
According to an alternative embodiment of the invention the actuator is functionally connected to a manual control element for manually actuating the actuator. In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the hearing aid device comprises a removal cord, which removal cord comprises said manual control element.
According to an embodiment of the invention the hearing aid is a Completely-in-Channel hearing aid (CIC) .
According to an embodiment of the invention the fluid is selected from the group of fluids consisting of gas, liquid, and gel.
The annular expandable sealing member provides the sealing function instead of a dome or foam. It is preferably located at the end of the receiver. The material of the annular expandable sealing member could be e.g. silicone or a different elastomeric material. The annular expandable sealing member can connected to the housing or/and to the receiver. The annular expandable sealing member is connected with a tube to a fluid reservoir which contains a suitable fluid, e.g. liquid, gel, air or something similar. According to an embodiment of the invention, a second tube, which goes outside the housing, has the function of a removal cord and pressure adjustment, e.g. by a
pressing or turning a mechanism. By changing the pressure also the size (diameter) of the annular expandable sealing member will change. Thereby it is possible to have a custom sealing mechanism. Only a small amount of fluid is necessary to expand the annular expandable sealing member and seal the hearing aid device in the ear canal.
In the exemplary figs. 1 and 2 two exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown.
Fig. 1 shows a hearing aid device 1, with a housing 11, a receiver 13 and the annular expandable sealing member 15. The annular expandable sealing member 15 has a generally toroidal shape and is connected to a fluid reservoir 17 via a fluid connection 19. The annular expandable sealing member 15 can be made of silicone rubber or other suitable elastic
material. It is preferably located at the receiver end of the hearing aid device. An actuator 21 is also connected to the fluid reservoir 17. In this embodiment the actuator 21 also serves as a removal cord. It comprises a flexible tube, made e.g. of silicone rubber, and a silicone bulb which can be squeezed. Further a valve for regulating the direction of fluid flow can be provided (not shown) . Alternative
embodiments may comprise a rotatable element or a simple piston/cylinder type mechanism. Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment, wherein the actuator 27 acts on the fluid reservoir 17' and is operably connected to a battery housing lid 23 which covers the battery 25.
According to this embodiment, the annular expandable sealing member can be expanded by closing the battery housing lid.
In both the embodiments of figs. 1 and 2, the actuator has a double function (actuator plus additional function such as removal cord or battery housing lid) . It is generally
preferred, if the actuator has a double function.
Alternatively an actuator may be provided as a dedicated element not having a double function e.g. a push button, turning knob, switch, or something similar.
The hearing aid device of the invention advantageously provides sealing system which is integral to the device, does not require undue efforts for sealing and securing the hearing aid device in the ear canal and can be individually adapted to the level of comfort of the hearing aid user.

Claims

Claims
1. Hearing aid device with an annular expandable sealing member for providing a seal between the hearing aid device and the ear canal, wherein the sealing member is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir containing fluid for expanding the seal inside the ear canal.
2. Hearing aid device according to claim 1, comprising:
- a housing, wherein at least a portion of said housing is adapted to be worn inside the ear canal
- an annular expandable sealing member for sealing between said housing and said ear canal, and
- a fluid reservoir located inside the housing wherein said annular expandable sealing member comprises an expandable hollow toroid wherein said toroid is in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir.
3. Hearing aid device according to claim 2, further
comprising an actuator for transferring fluid from said fluid reservoir to the annular sealing member.
4. Hearing aid device according to claim 3 wherein said actuator is functionally connected to a lid provided in said housing such that opening or closing said lid actuates the actuator .
5. Hearing aid device according to claim 3, wherein said actuator is functionally connected to a manual control element for manually actuating the actuator.
6. Hearing aid device according to claim 5, comprising a removal cord, which removal cord comprises said manual control element.
7. Hearing aid device according to any of the aforementioned claims, wherein the hearing aid as a Completely-in-Channel hearing aid (CIC) .
8. Hearing aid device according to any of the aforementioned claims, wherein said fluid is selected from the group of fluids consisting of gas, liquid, and gel.
PCT/EP2011/057265 2011-05-06 2011-05-06 Sealing between shell and ear canal with an adapting cuff WO2012152302A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2011/057265 WO2012152302A1 (en) 2011-05-06 2011-05-06 Sealing between shell and ear canal with an adapting cuff

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2011/057265 WO2012152302A1 (en) 2011-05-06 2011-05-06 Sealing between shell and ear canal with an adapting cuff

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012152302A1 true WO2012152302A1 (en) 2012-11-15

Family

ID=44169034

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2011/057265 WO2012152302A1 (en) 2011-05-06 2011-05-06 Sealing between shell and ear canal with an adapting cuff

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2012152302A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11310580B2 (en) * 2011-06-01 2022-04-19 Staton Techiya, Llc Methods and devices for radio frequency (RF) mitigation proximate the ear

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1272003A1 (en) * 2001-06-25 2003-01-02 SonionMicrotronic A/S An expansible receiver module
US20040215053A1 (en) 2002-12-23 2004-10-28 Jorgensen Matin Bondo Balloon encapsulated direct drive
DE102004010866A1 (en) 2004-03-05 2005-06-02 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Ear insert e.g. for hearing aid, has supply line, over hearing aid for supply of signals with retaining mechanism holds supply line in ear
US20090214072A1 (en) 2007-06-17 2009-08-27 Personics Holdings Inc. Earpiece Sealing System
WO2010094034A1 (en) * 2009-02-13 2010-08-19 Personics Holdings Inc. Method and device for acoustic sealing and occulsion effect mitigation

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1272003A1 (en) * 2001-06-25 2003-01-02 SonionMicrotronic A/S An expansible receiver module
US7227968B2 (en) 2001-06-25 2007-06-05 Sonion Roskilde A/S Expandsible Receiver Module
US20040215053A1 (en) 2002-12-23 2004-10-28 Jorgensen Matin Bondo Balloon encapsulated direct drive
DE102004010866A1 (en) 2004-03-05 2005-06-02 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Ear insert e.g. for hearing aid, has supply line, over hearing aid for supply of signals with retaining mechanism holds supply line in ear
US20090214072A1 (en) 2007-06-17 2009-08-27 Personics Holdings Inc. Earpiece Sealing System
WO2010094034A1 (en) * 2009-02-13 2010-08-19 Personics Holdings Inc. Method and device for acoustic sealing and occulsion effect mitigation

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11310580B2 (en) * 2011-06-01 2022-04-19 Staton Techiya, Llc Methods and devices for radio frequency (RF) mitigation proximate the ear

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