EP2043387A1 - Acoustic tube for a hearing procedure - Google Patents

Abstract

The acoustic tube comprises a tube piece (14). An adapter (11) is mounted at one end of the tube piece for a connection at a hearing device. A connection piece (15) is provided for rotation or swiveling of the tube piece against another tube piece (18). The other tube piece has a prefabricated curvature in a special direction. One of the tube pieces is plugged on the connecting piece with a variable plugging depth. The hearing device is provided at an ear of a user. An independent claim is included for a hearing aid with a carrying hook.

Description

The present invention relates to a sound tube for transmitting sound from a hearing device worn on the ear to the auditory canal of the user with a piece of tubing at one end of which an adapter is attached for connection to the hearing device. The term "hearing device" is understood here in particular a hearing aid, but also any other ear-portable sound-emitting device, such as headphones, headset and the like. The present invention is therefore specifically directed to a hearing aid with a sound tube mentioned above.

Hearing aids are portable hearing aids that are used to care for the hearing impaired. In order to meet the numerous individual needs, different types of hearing aids such as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE), hearing aid with external receiver (RIC: receiver in the canal) and in-the-ear hearing aids (IDO), e.g. Concha hearing aids or canal hearing aids (ITE, CIC). The hearing aids listed by way of example are worn on the outer ear or in the ear canal. In addition, bone conduction hearing aids, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are also available on the market. The stimulation of the damaged hearing takes place either mechanically or electrically.

Hearing aids have in principle as essential components an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer. The input transducer is usually a sound receiver, z. As a microphone, and / or an electromagnetic receiver, for. B. an induction coil. The output transducer is usually used as an electroacoustic transducer, z. As miniature speaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, z. B. bone conduction, realized. The amplifier is usually in one Signal processing unit integrated. This basic structure is in FIG. 1 shown using the example of a behind-the-ear hearing aid. In a hearing aid housing 1 for carrying behind the ear, one or more microphones 2 for receiving the sound from the environment are installed. A signal processing unit 3, which is also integrated in the hearing aid housing 1, processes the microphone signals and amplifies them. The output signal of the signal processing unit 3 is transmitted to a loudspeaker or earpiece 4, which outputs an acoustic signal. The sound is optionally transmitted via a sound tube, which is fixed with an earmold in the ear canal, to the eardrum of the device carrier. The power supply of the hearing device and in particular of the signal processing unit 3 is carried out by a likewise integrated into the hearing aid housing 1 battery. 5

For behind or on the ear worn hearing aids, z. B. BTE hearing aid, the sound is guided by means of a sound tube to the ear. It is desirable that the sound tube is visually designed as little as possible conspicuous. Therefore, try to keep this tube as short as possible and also to the ear as far as possible to cling. For this purpose, custom sound tube formations are performed on high-priced hearing aids. Low-price devices try to cover the individual needs as far as possible with as few standard forms as possible. For example, for low-cost devices at least three different lengths of flexible sound tubes are currently provided, which also serve as a support hook for the hearing aid. Since these sonic tubes are preformed, they are each to be provided as a left and right variant for a hearing aid to be worn on the left and a hearing aid to be worn on the right. This means that at least six sound tube variants are to be provided. This in turn requires six different manufacturing forms and six different part numbers. Overall, so arise increased storage and manufacturing costs for low-price hearing aids.

Such a hearing aid is for example from the patent US Pat. No. 6,681,022 B1 known. There, a universal ear piece (eartip) is attached to a preformed sound tube of the hearing device worn on the ear (telephone, radio or other communication device). The sound tube also serves as a carrying hook and has several curvatures. Depending on the type of wear on the left or right ear, therefore, a suitable sound tube is to be selected.

A similar sound tube is also from the patent US 6 009 183 A known. There, too, the sound tube for wearing the hearing device on the left ear or on the right ear is interchangeable.

From the publication DE 201 14 121 U1 is a hearing aid system with a hearing aid and a portable ear earmold known. A sound tube with a quick coupling is used for detachable connection of the hearing aid with the earmold. The sound tube may be directly connected to the earmold and the quick coupling may be between the free end of the sound tube and the top of the hearing aid. Alternatively, the sound tube can also be divided into two tube sections, which can be connected and disconnected by means of the quick coupling.

Furthermore, the document discloses EP 1 853 088 A2 an earmold to which a piece of tubing is mounted. This piece of tubing is plugged into another tube which connects to a hearing aid.

Further, the patent discloses EP 0 997 057 B1 a behind-the-ear hearing aid system in which a tube of a hearing aid can be inserted into an ear piece. Of the Sound tube is stiffer than conventional hearing aids and may be provided at its end with annular barbs so that it can be firmly inserted into the earpiece.

The object of the present invention is to provide a sound tube for a hearing device which on the one hand conforms well to the respective ear and on the other hand brings low storage and manufacturing costs.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a sound tube for transmitting sound from a hearing device worn on the ear to the auditory canal of the user, with a first piece of tubing, at the first end of which an adapter is attached for connection to the hearing device, further comprising a two-piece with the first piece of tubing formed second tube piece and a connecting piece, on the one hand, the second end of the first piece of hose and on the other hand, an end of the second piece of hose are fixed, wherein the connecting piece ensures that the first piece of hose relative to the second piece of hose is rotatable or pivotable.

In an advantageous manner, it is thus possible to use the sound tube both for a hearing device that can be worn on the left ear and on the right ear. The fact that the sound tube is multi-part and rotatable in itself, it is also flexible. Thus, the variety of variants of the acoustic tubes to be provided can be reduced, which ultimately reduces the storage costs and production costs for the hearing devices.

Preferably, an adapter for an ear piece is attached to the free end of the second tube piece. This ear piece may be, for example, an ear tip or a universal ear piece, which fixes the sound tube in the ear canal.

The second piece of tubing may have a prefabricated curvature in one spatial direction. In particular, it is advantageous if the ends of the second piece of tubing occupy an angle of 70 to 90 °, in particular 80 or 79 °. This best reflects the average course of the ear canal.

According to a particular embodiment, the connecting piece may be tubular and the two pieces of hose are rotatable relative to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connecting piece. Thus, for example, one hose piece can be inserted into the first side of the connecting piece and the other hose piece into or onto the second side of the connecting piece. Due to the rotational symmetry of the connector, the pivot bearing can be easily realized here.

As already indicated, one of the two pieces of hose can be put on the connecting piece. In particular, it is advantageous if the insertion depth is variable. In this way, the sound tube is variable in another dimension.

In addition, the connector in the axial direction one behind the other can have a plurality of circumferentially extending barbs on / to which one of the two pieces of tubing is rotatably inserted. By the barbs, the friction is increased in the axial direction, but allowed due to their course in the circumferential direction of rotation.

It is also particularly advantageous if the first and / or second piece of hose is flexible. Thus, a deformability is achieved, which is necessary to better adapt the sound tube individually.

Particularly preferably, the above-described sound tube with its adapter to a hearing aid, especially a BTE hearing aid attached. Thus, also the Reduce overall hearing aid cost due to reduced tube cost.

FIG 1

den prinzipiellen Aufbau eines Hörgeräts gemäß dem Stand der Technik;

FIG 2

einen Schallschlauch gemäß dem Stand der Technik und

FIG 3

einen erfindungsgemäßen Schallschlauch.

The present invention will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1

the basic structure of a hearing aid according to the prior art;

FIG. 2

a sound tube according to the prior art and

FIG. 3

a sound tube according to the invention.

The embodiments described in more detail below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention. First, however, for a better understanding of the invention with reference to FIG. 2 a sound tube from the prior art explained in more detail.

The in FIG. 2 illustrated sound tube has a piece of tubing 10, at its first end an adapter 11 is attached for connection to a hearing aid. This adapter 11 thus serves not only for holding the sound tube on the hearing aid, but also for coupling the sound of the listener of the hearing aid in the hose piece 10. At the second end of the hose piece 10, an ear adapter 12 is attached. It is used to attach a replaceable universal ear piece (not shown). On the earpiece adapter 12, which is itself formed approximately tubular, an elongate retaining element 13 is formed perpendicular to its longitudinal extent. This holding element 13 is flexible and can be inserted into the recesses of the auricle, so that the ear piece adapter 12 or the tube piece 10 is better fixed in the auditory canal. Furthermore, the hose piece 10 has a prefabricated curvature. The ends of the tube piece 10, ie the axial curves at the ends, namely take the angle of 79 ° to each other. This allows the sound tube in most cases coaxially insert into the ear canal. However, the length and the curvature of the tube piece are predetermined. Thus, the entire sound tube can only be used for a specific ear size here on the right ear.

According to the invention, a universal sound tube is now provided which can be used both on the left ear and on the right ear and for different ear sizes. According to the embodiment of FIG. 3 the sound tube has a first piece of tubing 14, at the first end of the hearing aid adapter 11 is attached. With its second end, the first piece of hose 14 is pushed onto a connecting piece 15. This connecting piece 15 is tubular and has in its axial direction a plurality of barbs 16, which in turn extend in the circumferential direction.

The first piece of hose 14 is as far as necessary pushed or plugged via the connecting piece 15. Thus, the first tube piece 14 in the axial direction of the connecting piece 15 in a certain length 17 is variable.

In the first hose piece 14 facing away from the end of the connecting piece 15, a second piece of hose 18 is inserted, molded, glued or otherwise secured. At the other end of the second tube piece 18, the earpiece adapter 12 is fastened with its holding element 13. The second tube piece 18 is like the first piece of tubing 14 flexible. In addition, however, the second tube piece 18 is as in the example of FIG. 2 so preformed that its ends occupy an angle of 79 °. This angle is preferably between 70 ° and 90 °, so that the ear piece adapter 12 protrudes coaxially into the auditory canal.

Since the connecting piece 15 is rotationally symmetrical and in particular the barbs 16 extend in the circumferential direction, the second tube piece 18, as indicated by the double arrow 19, about the longitudinal axis of the Turn connector 15 so relative to the first tube piece 14. As a result, the entire sound tube can be used for both a left and a right hearing aid. In particular, it can also be used as a left-hand carrying hook and as a right-hand carrying hook for low-cost hearing aids. In addition, it is variable in its length, so that it can be used for different ear sizes.

Overall, therefore, the sound tube according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 be used in many situations, which not only simplifies the production process for the sound tubes, but also the total manufacturing costs for the hearing aids can be reduced.

Claims (7)

Sound tube for transmitting sound from a hearing device worn on the ear to the user's ear canal, with - A first piece of tubing (14), at the first end of an adapter (11) is attached for connection to the hearing device, - A second tube piece (18) formed in two parts with the first tube piece (14) and - A one-piece connector (15) to which on the one hand the second end of the first tube piece (14) and on the other hand, an end of the second tube piece (18) are attached, characterized in that the connecting piece (15) ensures that the first hose piece (14) is rotatable or pivotable with respect to the second hose piece (18), - The second tube piece (18) in a spatial direction has a prefabricated curvature, and - One of the two pieces of hose (14, 18) is placed on the connector (15) with variable insertion depth. A sound tube according to claim 1, wherein an adapter (12) for an ear piece is attached to the free end of the second tube piece (18). A sound tube according to claim 3, wherein the ends of the second tube piece (18) occupy an angle of 70 to 90. Sound tube according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting piece (15) is tubular and the two hose pieces (14, 18) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connecting piece (15) are rotated against each other. Sound tube according to claim 7, wherein the connecting piece (15) in the axial direction one behind the other several in Circumferentially extending barbs (16) has, on / to which one of the two hose pieces (14, 18) is rotatably inserted. Sound tube according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and / or second tube piece (14, 18) is flexible. Hearing aid with a carrying hook to which the sound tube is attached according to one of the preceding claims with its adapter (11).

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