Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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EARPIECE FOR A HEARING AID AND A HEARING AID
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to hearing aids. The invention further
relates to an earpiece for a hearing aid. The invention, more particularly,
relates to
behind-the-ear hearing aids.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids generally comprise a housing, a tube and
an earpiece. The housing accommodates electronics, a microphone and a
miniature
loudspeaker, which serve to pick up sounds, amplify them and produce an
amplified
acoustic output signal. The tube provides a conduit for conveying the acoustic
signal
from the housing to the earpiece, and the earpiece couples acoustic energy
from the
tube into the ear canal. In use, the housing is placed behind the external
ear, partially
concealed. The tube, or at least a part of it, is semi-rigid or resilient in
order that the
tube may also serve the purpose of resting the hearing aid on the external ear
of the
user. The earpiece is adapted, e.g. through resilience or customization, to
the users
ear, to rest in the meatus of the ear canal.
EP-A-1448014 provides an earpiece adapted to allow sounds from outside the
ear to propagate to the tympanic membrane. This earpiece comprises a resilient
fiber
for abutting a lower part of the concha when the earpiece is inserted in the
ear canal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a hearing aid that is easily adapted to
different
users.
The present invention also provides a hearing aid that is simple in
manufacture.
The present invention also provides a hearing aid with excellent and
comfortable retention on the user.
The present invention also provides a hearing aid that provides a good
acoustical coupling to the user's ear canal.
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The present invention also provides a hearing aid that is partially open to
permit
sounds to reach the users tympanic membrane, alongside feeding amplified
sounds
to also reach the users tympanic membrane.
The present invention also provides an earpiece for a hearing aid that is
simple
in manufacture and that is easily adapted to different users and types of
hearing aids.
As an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an earpiece for a
hearing aid, the ear piece comprising, a plug for contacting the meatus of the
user's
ear canal, a contact element for resting against an inside of the user's
tragus, a means
for adjusting the contact element, and a fixture for holding the plug and the
contact
element together.
The plug provides a comfortable, partial support for the earpiece and is
adapted
to direct sounds amplified by the hearing aid towards the users ear canal. The
support
is complemented by the contact element, which rests against another part of
the ear.
According to the present invention, the fixture permits adjusting the contact
element and thereby permits adapting the hearing aid to different sizes of
ears and ear
canals, or to different preferences regarding pretension. The adjustment
facility
permits customizing the hearing aid in order that it may accommodate a wide
variety
of users.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the contact element maybe partially
shaped as an ellipse. It may have any other shape adapted for resting against
an
inside of the users tragus, thereby holding the earpiece in a fixed position
when the
earpiece is in use, e.g. it may be essentially circular, elliptic or
triangular. The contact
element may be produced in different sizes for different sizes of ears.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the fixture comprises a
number of guideways. The number may be between 1 and 50. The guideways may
be grooves, flutes or protrusions. Further the contact element may comprise a
number
of guideways adapted for interaction with the guideways on the fixture. The
number
of guideways may be between 1 and 50. The guideways may be grooves or
protrusions. The guideways allow the contact element to be rotated into a
selected
orientation relative to the earplug, thereby enabling a fitter to select the
most
comfortable position of resting against an inside of the user's tragus and the
ear canal.
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Furthermore the rotational capability allows for adjusting and fixing the
position of the
contact element in the ear for a variety of users.
According to an embodiment, the fixture comprises resilient means in order to
improve user comfort and to enhance the fit.
According to a further embodiment, the earpiece is adapted for incremental
adjustment. The incremental adjustment permits adaptation and simple securing
of the
size, once decided by the fitter or the end user.
The adjustment may be provided by providing a flexible beam, such as a
branch or a rod, with a plurality of grooves and a catch means for selectively
engaging
one of the grooves.
The beam may comprise a pair of opposing, generally flat faces, wherein the
plurality of grooves is positioned on a first one of the faces. The flat
opposing faces
adapt the beam for bending, e.g. into a loop.
The fixture may comprise catch means to retain an end of the beam.
According to an embodiment, the catch means comprises a rib and a resilient
strand, the rib being adapted for engaging one of the grooves. This design is
simple
in manufacturing and it provides easy adaptation and securing.
According to a further embodiment, the beam is provided with a plurality of
grooves on both of the faces. This permits looping the beam either way, e.g.
for the
purpose of using it for a left ear version and a right ear version, e.g. in
combination
with the retainer being adapted to accept the end of the beam when entered
from
either one of two sides. In a further embodiment the beam may be provided with
a
plurality of grooves on all of the faces, this provides for a better fixation
of the beam.
The grooves may be placed with increments varying between 0.5 mm and 5 mm and
preferably between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm.
According to an embodiment, the earpiece comprises a body with an axis and
a through axial bore, wherein the flexible beam extends from the body at an
angle
from the axis within a range of 45 to 90 , and preferably within a range of
55 to 80
from the axis. This permits adapting the earpiece for deep recession into the
ear canal
as the beam may partially protrude to engage the users concha behind tragus
and the
ear canal. The body may be generally cylindrical. Provided the beam is
flexible, the
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retainer may simply be arranged to accept the beam end when introduced
tangentially
to the cylindrical body from either one of two sides, the beam being twisted
due to the
angled extension of the cantilevered base end.
According to an embodiment, the fixture is made of a material selected from
the
group consisting of polyamide, silicone, polyurethane,
polytetrafluoroethylene,
ethylvinylacetate, polyacetal, thermoplastic elastomer, polymer, elastomer,
and
polyoxymethylene.
According to a further embodiment, the earpiece comprises a plug for
contacting the wall of the users ear canal, in order to guide the amplified
sound signal
into the users auditory canal.
According to still another embodiment, the plug is adapted to support a sound
conduit tube, while it is adapted to permit exterior sounds to bypass the plug
in order
to reach the users inner ear. This avoids uncomfortable occlusion effects. The
sound
bypass is further a substantial advantage to users with a mild hearing
deficiency, e.g.
users with a hearing deficiency in only part of the frequency range, as they
may then
still directly hear such sounds as they are able to hear unaided.
According to another embodiment the plug may be adapted to fit the ear canal,
thereby not allowing external sounds to bypass the plug. This may be an
advantage
for moderate to high hearing loss.
As another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hearing aid
comprising an earpiece, the earpiece having a plug for contacting the meatus
of the
user's ear canal, a contact element for resting against an inside of the
user's tragus,
a means for adjusting the contact element, and a fixture for holding the plug
and the
contact element together, a housing, and a sound conduit tube.
Further embodiments and advantages will appear from the detailed part of the
specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to
the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates the outer ear as seen from the side;
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Fig. 2 shows a hearing aid according to a first embodiment of the present
invention, in side view;
Fig. 3 shows a hearing aid according to a first embodiment of the present
invention, in rear view;
Fig. 4 shows a hearing aid according to a first embodiment of the present
invention, in perspective;
Fig. 5 shows a fixture for the earpiece according to a first embodiment of the
present invention, in a first state;
Fig. 6 shows a fixture for the earpiece according to a first embodiment of the
present invention, in a second state;
Fig. 7 shows a fixture for the earpiece according to a first embodiment of the
present invention, in a third state;
Fig. 8 shows a hearing aid according to a first embodiment of the present
invention, in the use position on the ear;
Fig. 9 shows a tube with a fixture according to a first embodiment of the
present
invention, the fixture being in a second state;
Fig. 10 shows a contact element according to a second embodiment of the
present invention, in a second state;
Fig. 11 shows part of a hearing aid with a fixture according to a second
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 12 shows part of a hearing aid with an earpiece according to a second
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 13 shows a hearing aid according to the second embodiment of the present
invention, in the use position on the ear;
Fig. 14 shows a contact element according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 15 shows an exploded view of a hearing aid with an earpiece according to
a third embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 16 shows a contact element according to a fourth embodiment of the
present invention;
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Fig. 17 shows an exploded view of a hearing aid with an earpiece according to
a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 18 shows a hearing aid with an earpiece according to the fourth
embodiment of the present invention, in the use position on the ear.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is first made to fig. 1, which shows the outer ear. In the fig. the
ear
canal 10 and tragus 8 are shown. The outer portion of the ear canal is
relatively soft.
Fig. 1 further shows Helix 1, Fossa of Helix 2, Antihelix 3, Crus Antihelix 4,
Concha
(cavuum) 5, Antitragus 6, Lobule 7, and Crus helices 9.
Reference is now made to figs. 2 to 5, which show a hearing aid 12 with an
earpiece 11, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The
hearing aid
comprises a behind-the-ear housing 29 and a tube 26 transferring sound from
the
housing to the earpiece 11. The tube 26 has a first bend 27 and a second bend
28.
The tube 26 is connected at one end with the housing and at the other end with
the
earpiece 11.
The earpiece generally comprises a peg 15, an earplug 20 and a body 21. The
cross section of the body may be circular, elliptic, rectangular or any other
form
allowing sound from the tube to pass through to the earplug. The earplug 20
allows
sound from the surroundings to pass through to the tympanic membrane by one,
two
or more apertures 31. The body 21, a rim 22, and a number of spokes 23 define
the
apertures. The peg engages the earplug 20 by threading into a through bore of
the
plug, the peg having a bead 19 for securing the position.
Fig. 5 shows a branch 13 connected with the peg 15, in a first state. The
branch
comprises a beam-like structure protruding generally radially from the peg.
The branch
is flexible in order that it may be formed into a loop, an exterior side of
the loop
providing support against the users ear when the earpiece is fitted into the
ear. The
peg 15 has a bore 17 that allows sound from the tube to pass through to the
earplug.
The peg 15 further has a branch 13 and a retainer 18 in form of an eyelet. The
branch
13 has a pointed end 14. The branch 13 extends from the peg by a first,
cantilevered
end, and threads by its other, pointed end into the retainer 18. The branch 13
is a
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beam like structure with two generally flat opposing faces, each provided with
a
number of transverse grooves 24, placed along the branch 13 at increments 25
of 2
mm. The grooves are 1,65 mm wide. The length of the branch 13 from the peg to
the
pointed end is approximately 44 mm.
The branch 13 is made of a flexible, resilient material such as a polymer, a
polyether block amide or a polyamide. The retainer 18 is likewise made of a
flexible,
resilient material such as polyamide, and comprises a strap that defines a
tangential
hole, adapted to receive an end of the branch 13. The branch 13 will be
arrested once
inserted into the retainer 18 by a rib of the peg engaging one of the grooves,
biased
by resilience of the strap. Once the branch 13 has been fixed in the retainer
18, as
shown in fig. 6, it forms a loop. This is referred to as the second state of
the fixture.
The size of the loop may vary depending on which of the grooves 24 in the
branch 13
that interacts with the rib in the retainer 18. In this way it is possible to
adjust the
effective size of the loop to properly fit the users ear. In another
embodiment the
branch 13 has no grooves and may be connected to the peg 15 by gluing. For
example, the branch 13 may be fixed in the retainer before gluing.
The protruding end of the branch 13 may be cut off, to reach the third state,
which is shown in fig. 7. The branch 13 has grooves on both faces in order
that it is
possible to form a loop either way around. In this way the branch 13 can be
used for
both a right ear and a left ear. Between the axis 16 and the base portion of
the branch
13 there is an angle of approximately 60 so that when the branch 13 is fixed
into the
retainer 18, the loop will be twisted. In other embodiments of the invention
this angle
may vary between 45 and 90 . The convex side of the loop provides a contact
surface
30, which may be in contact with concha 5, tragus 8, and the ear canal 10.
Fig. 8 shows a hearing aid with an earpiece according to the first embodiment
of the present invention. The earpiece is kept in a fixed position due to
retention by the
exterior of the branch 13, which provides the contact surface 30. The
interaction
between the branch 13, specifically the contact surface 30, and the inside of
the tragus
8 and the interaction of the earplug with the ear canal 10, provides the
retention of the
earpiece. Also the two bends 27, 28 of the tube 26 provides for the earpiece
to be kept
in a fixed position in the ear.
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Fig. 9 shows an earpiece with a tube 26 according to a first embodiment of the
present invention, in a second state, i.e. a state where the branch forms a
loop with
a protruding end.
In an earpiece 36 according to a second embodiment of the present invention,
shown in fig. 10, the branch 13 has one or more retainers 18 for fixation of
the pointed
end. The branch 13 has one or more spokes 32, which are connected to a hub 33.
Once the pointed end of the branch 13 has been fixed, the branch 13 assumes an
essentially circular shape. Part of the convex side of the fixed branch 13
provides a
contact surface 30, which is in contact with the inside of tragus 8 or the ear
canal 10
or both. The branch may be curved narrower along part of its length so that it
assumes
an essentially elliptic shape, once the pointed end has been fixed. The hub 33
has a
number of notches 34.
Fig. 11 shows a peg 37 of a second embodiment of the earpiece according to
the present invention, fig. 11 including views of the peg 37 with the tube 26
from two
different viewing angles as well as an enlarged view of the peg 37. The peg 37
comprises a number of protrusions 35 that match the notches 34 of the hub 33
(ref .
fig. 10). In this way the contact element may be rotated relative to the hub
to a
particular orientation selected for comfort and proper resting of the contact
element
behind tragus and in the ear canal, and then assembled so as to safely
maintain the
selected orientation.
Fig. 12 shows three views of a tube 26, an earplug 20 and an earpiece 36
according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 13 shows three views of a hearing aid with housing 29, tube 26 and
earpiece 36 according to the second embodiment of the present invention in the
use
position on the ear.
Fig. 14 shows an earpiece 38 according to a third embodiment of the present
invention. This earpiece 38 comprises a contact element molded in a resilient
material
so as to have the general appearance of a half-circle. The contact element
comprises
a hub 39 comprising a number of notches 34.
Fig. 15 shows a hearing aid with housing 29, tube 26, earplug 20 and earpiece
38 according to the third embodiment, which may be clicked on a fixture (e.g.
the peg
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37 shown in fig. 11). The contact element may be produced in different sizes
for
different sizes of ears.
Fig. 16 shows an earpiece 40 according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention, this earpiece comprising a contact element molded in a resilient
material so
as to generally resemble a full circle. The earpiece 40 comprises hub 41 in a
closed
shape comprising a number of notches that match the peg 37 (ref. fig. 11).
Fig. 17 suggests how the contact element may be mounted on the fixture by
pushing the hub 41 and then the earplug 20 onto the peg 37.
Fig. 18 shows three views of a hearing aid with housing 29, tube 26 and an
earpiece 40 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in
the use
position on the ear.
