WO2007137855A1

WO2007137855A1 - Ear insert, in particular hearing aid ear insert

Info

Publication number: WO2007137855A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/004841
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Müller
Original assignee: GEERS Hörakustik AG & Co. KG
Priority date: 2006-06-01
Filing date: 2007-05-31
Publication date: 2007-12-06
Also published as: EP2022292A1; DE102006025718A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an ear insert, in particular a hearing aid ear insert. According to the invention, the ear insert has a lateral recess which opens to the side of the wall of the auditory canal. The invention also relates to a hearing aid which comprises an ear insert according to the invention.

Description

Ear insert, in particular hearing aid ear insert

The invention relates to an ear insert, in particular a hearing aid ear insert, and a hearing aid comprising such a hearing aid ear insert.

Hearing aids include a hearing aid ear insert that is inserted into the ear canal. In many cases, the hearing aid ear inserts are formed such that they are completely absorbed in the ear canal. A known hearing aid ear insert in the form of the ear piece of a behind-the-ear hearing device is shown in FIG. The hearing aid ear insert 100 is inserted into the auditory canal 18, the region of which opens to the auricle 16 is designated by the reference numeral 10. On the other hand, the auditory canal ends at the eardrum 14 in the resonance space 12 arranged in front of it. The known hearing aid ear insert 100 has a continuous receptacle in the form of a bore 104, in which a sound tube 34 terminates, that of a unit of a behind-the-ear hearing device comes, which is arranged in the illustration of FIG. 2 behind the auricle 16 and insofar is not visible. It contains a microphone, an amplifier section, a battery and a handset. From the listener the sound tube 34 directs the sound through the bore 104 into the resonance chamber 12 in front of the eardrum 14. In addition, a channel 106 is provided as a pressure equalizing or venting channel. Such a hearing aid ear insert is known from DE 20 2004 011 467 Ul.

The known hearing aid ear insert 100 is made of solid material except for the channel 106 and the bore 104. For example, when chewing or speaking, the area of the ear canal 18 in which the hearing aid ear insert 100 is located is compressed. The compression meets solid material rial and thus exerts a pressure. Vibrations are transmitted through the material to the bony part of the ear canal.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an ear insert, in particular a hearing aid insert, or a hearing aid, which offer a higher wearing comfort. This object is achieved with an ear insert with the features of claim 1 and a hearing aid with the features of claim 17. Subclaims are directed to preferred embodiments.

The ear insert according to the invention has a lateral recess which opens laterally to the auditory canal wall. The lateral recess causes the compression of the auditory canal, for example, produced during speech and chewing, does not strike against the ear insert. Wearing the ear piece becomes much more comfortable. In addition, material can be saved. By remaining in the longitudinal direction in front of and behind the recess material of the ear insert also an additional assurance of the ear insert is achieved in the ear canal. The omission of the material in the area of the lateral recess reduces the surface contact of the ear insert with the skin.

An ear insert in the form of a hearing aid insert according to the invention can be an in-the-ear hearing device or the earpiece of a behind-the-ear hearing device. In the latter case, the above-described advantageous effects due to the already smaller design have a particularly good effect.

However, the use of an ear insert according to the invention is not limited to hearing aids. An inventively designed ear insert can also be designed as ear protection ear tip, as it is used to protect against noise, water, wind or the like. Another embodiment provides an ear insert according to the invention as a monitoring device, as they are worn by musicians to transmit the music played without noise and thus better control voice or instrument.

It is particularly preferred if the ear insert - at least in the lateral area outside the lateral recess - is adapted in its lateral outer contour to the inner contour of an auditory canal. The described advantages of the recess according to the invention then come to effect particularly effectively. Particularly advantageous is an individual adaptation to the auditory canal of the wearer of the hearing aid.

However, an embodiment of the ear insert according to the invention is also possible with standard ear inserts, in particular standard hearing aid ear sets, which are not individually adapted but have standardized shapes.

A further development of the ear insert according to the invention has a channel extending substantially along the ear canal with an ear insert inserted into the auditory canal with a first opening on the side of the ear insert which points in the direction of the auricle when the ear insert is inserted into the auditory canal, and a second opening the side of the ear insert, which points in the direction of the eardrum when inserted into the ear canal earpiece. Through the channel, a ventilation and possibly a pressure equalization take place.

In such an embodiment, it is possible, in particular, for the lateral recess to be arranged in such a way that, through it, the cable opens laterally to the auditory canal wall. Both the configuration of the channel and the shape and design of the lateral recess can then be adapted to the conditions of the auditory canal in a particularly flexible manner.

Even a lateral recess of shallow depth can provide the advantages according to the invention. However, it is particularly advantageous if the lateral recess extends deeply into the side of the ear insert. A particularly preferred embodiment provides that the lateral recess completely penetrates the channel.

In this case, the channel and the recess may be configured such that the first and the second opening of the channel form independent portions of the channel. In particular, these independent subregions may be formed by ring structures arranged at the opposite ends of the ear insert.

Such a design is very flexible and very adaptable to different anatomies. The ear insert is very light and is held securely in the ear canal by the ring structures.

In particular, it is possible that the two openings, which are formed by the independent portions of the channel are not aligned in one direction, so in particular not aligned, and so can follow the individual circumstances of the ear canal.

In principle, the first opening of the channel in the direction of the auricle and the second opening of the channel in the direction of the eardrum may be the same size. It is particularly advantageous if the two openings have different cross sections. This can be special realize easily in an embodiment in which the openings are formed by independent portions of the channel.

Thus, for example, by means of a large opening in the direction of the pinna, pressure that builds up in the lateral recess, for example when chewing or speaking, can easily escape.

A development of the ear insert according to the invention provides protection against penetration of cerumen into one of the openings of the channel.

The extent of the lateral recess in the direction of the auditory canal is preferably selected to be more than 30%, preferably more than 40%, more preferably more than 50% and most preferably more than 60% of the extent of the ear insert in the auditory canal direction. Such a dimensioned recess ensures the greatest possible flexibility and adaptability to the individual anatomy.

The greater the extent of the lateral recess in the direction of the auditory canal, the shorter the result in an embodiment in which the lateral recess opens a channel laterally, as well as the ring structure delimiting the opening in the direction of the eardrum. Especially with a hearing aid insert, this results in the advantage that a larger frequency range, which could possibly still be heard by the wearer of the hearing aid even without hearing aid support, can more easily pass through the shorter opening. In an embodiment with a channel which opens through the lateral recess to the ear canal wall, the lateral recess may also be bounded by areas at the ends of the ear insert, which do not close in an annular manner, but open, for example fork-shaped to the ear canal wall.

A hearing aid according to the invention has a hearing aid insert according to the invention. The embodiment of the hearing aid set is particularly advantageous as an ear piece of a behind-the-ear hearing aid in which the microphone, the amplifier and the battery are carried in a separate unit behind the ear. In such an embodiment, the sound from a receiver also arranged in the unit carried behind the ear can be conducted by means of a sound tube which terminates in a corresponding passage opening of the ear piece.

In another embodiment, an electrical signal from the device located behind the ear is directed towards the earpiece of the behind-the-ear hearing aid. In a receptacle provided therein, in such an embodiment, the earpiece is generated, which generates a sound signal from the electrical signal and sends it in the direction of the resonance space in front of the eardrum.

In the case of an in-ear hearing aid, a hearing aid ear insert according to the invention is designed as a complete hearing aid, which in particular comprises the lateral recess designed according to the invention. All units of the hearing aid, for example microphone, amplifier, battery and handset, are integrated in such a configuration in the hearing aid ear insert. An embodiment of an ear insert according to the invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying schematic figures using the example of a hearing aid insert. Show

1 shows a hearing aid ear insert according to the invention inserted in an auditory canal in the form of an ear piece of a behind-the-ear hearing device, and

2 shows an ear piece of the prior art inserted into an auditory canal.

FIG. 1 shows a hearing aid ear insert according to the invention in the form of an ear piece 20 of a behind-the-ear hearing device in an auditory canal 18. The auditory canal opens into an outer area 10 in the direction of an auricle 16 and ends in a resonance space 12 in front of the eardrum 14. A through bore 22 serves to receive the end of a sound tube 34, which connects the opening 22 with a behind-the-ear unit of a behind-the-ear hearing aid. This unit, which is located behind the pinna 16 and is therefore invisible, comprises a microphone, an amplifier, a battery and a handset which in a manner known per se emits sound into the sound tube 34, which forms the sound transmission means in this embodiment.

In the embodiment shown, a channel 23 comprises a first opening 24 in the direction of the auricle 16 and a second opening 26 in the direction of the resonance space 12 in front of the eardrum 14. A lateral recess 32 in the earpiece 20 is provided, which extends so deeply into the earpiece 20 protrudes that the openings 24 and 26 form independent sub-areas of the channel 23. In particular, the openings 24 and 26 of ring structures 28 and 30, respectively, at the ear and aft ends of the earpiece 20. The lateral recess 32 is located at a location in a region 36 of the auditory canal wall of the auditory canal 18, where it has a constriction (isthmus).

While the extension of the earpiece 20 in the direction of the auditory canal 18 is, for example, 1.3 cm, the extent of the lateral recess in the direction of the auditory canal 18 in the illustrated embodiment is, for example, 0.7 cm. The diameter of the bore 26 in

For example, the direction of the eardrum 14 may be 1 mm and the diameter of the opening 24 in the direction of the auricle 16 may be four times as large. The absolute dimensions, however, are usually chosen depending on the anatomy of the wearer.

The representation of Figure 1 is only to be understood schematically. The precise alignment of the ring structures 28 and 30 and the apertures 24 and 26 formed thereby forming the channel 23 is adapted to the anatomy of the wearer. In particular, the openings 24, 26 need not be arranged in a line and are not aligned.

For use, the earpiece 20 is inserted into the ear canal 18. The ring structures 28, 30, which surround the openings 24 and 26, which form the subregions of the channel 23, come to lie in front of and behind the region 36 of the auditory canal 18. This area corresponds to the isthmus, ie in particular a bottleneck of the auditory canal. By this arrangement, the earpiece 20 is securely held in the ear canal 18 and "snaps" virtually there. The unit of behind-the-ear hearing aid with microphone, amplifier, battery and handset is worn behind the pinna 16 and is in a conventional manner via the sonic hose 34 connected to the receptacle 22.

Not shown is an optional protection against ingress of cerumen into the opening 26 of the channel 23 or into the opening 22 for receiving the sound tube 34th

Chewing or speaking movements compress the ear canal 18. Possibly building up therepressions escape easily through the large opening 24 in the earpiece. The second opening 26 of the channel 23 may be kept very short in the auditory canal direction, so that the largest possible frequency volume can pass unhindered through the earpiece. Possibly still well heard by the wearer frequencies can be considered in the adaptation of the hearing aid.

In one embodiment, not shown, is the handset, which is arranged in the embodiment of Fig. 1 in the unit of the behind-the-ear hearing aid behind the pinna, directly in the receptacle 22. An electrical signal is from the unit behind the Ear delivered to the listener, which generates sound there, which is emitted in the direction of the resonance chamber 12 in front of the eardrum 14.

In one embodiment, not shown, a complete in-the-ear hearing device is formed by the Hörgeräteohrein- set, so that no behind the ear to be worn unit is necessary. All units of the hearing aid, in particular microphone, amplifier, battery and handset, are integrated in such a configuration in the hearing aid ear insert. The additional lateral cutout in the hearing aid ear insert significantly improves the wearing comfort and functionality of the hearing aid insert.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 outer ear area

12 resonance chamber in front of the eardrum

14 eardrum

16 pinna

18 auditory canal

20 ear piece

22 Recording for a sound transmission medium

23 channel

24 first opening of the channel

26 second opening of the channel

28, 30 ring structures

32 lateral recess

34 sound tube

36 area of the auditory canal wall

100 ear piece

104 Recording for a sound transmission medium

106 channel

Claims

claims

1. ear insert, in particular hearing aid ear insert, characterized by a lateral recess (32) which is arranged such that it opens laterally to the ear canal wall when inserted into an ear canal ear insert.

2. ear insert according to claim 1, characterized in that its outer contour with the exception of the lateral recess (32) is adapted to an ear canal.

3. Ear insert according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by a channel (23) having a first opening (24) on the one

Side of the earpiece (20), which shows when inserted into an ear canal (18) earpiece (20) in the direction of the auricle (16), and a second opening (26) on the side of the earpiece (20), which in in an auditory canal (18) inserted ear insert (20) in the direction of the eardrum (14).

4. ear insert according to claim 3, characterized in that the lateral recess (32) is arranged such that the channel (23) opens laterally through it to the ear canal wall.

5. ear insert according to claim 4, characterized in that the lateral recess (32) passes through the channel (23) completely.

6. ear insert according to claim 5, characterized in that the lateral recess (32) is designed such that the first (24) and the second (26) opening of the channel (23) comprise independent portions of the channel (23), which are preferably defined by ring structures (28, 30) at the opposite ends of the ear insert.

7. ear insert according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the first (24) and the second (26) opening of the channel (23) are not arranged in a line, in particular not aligned.

8. ear insert according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the first (24) and the second (26) opening of the channel (23) have different cross section.

9. ear insert according to claim 8, characterized in that the first opening (24) has a larger cross-section than the second opening (26).

10. ear insert according to claim 9, characterized in that the cross section of the first opening (24) is five to twenty times, preferably eight to fifteen times the cross section of the second opening (26).

11. Ear insert according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized by a protection against ingress of cerumen into one of the openings (24, 26) of the channel (23).

12. ear insert according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the extension of the lateral recess (32) in the direction of the auditory canal (18) more than 30%, preferably more than 40%, more preferably more than 50%, and most preferably more than 60% of the extent of the ear insert in the auditory canal direction.

13. Ear insert according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the lateral recess comprises in the ear canal (18) inserted ear tip at least the area of the isthmus in the ear canal.

14. ear insert according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it is a hearing aid ear insert.

15. Ear insert according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it is an ear protection ear piece.

16. Ear insert according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it is an ear insert for a monitoring device.

17. Hearing aid, comprising an ear insert according to one of claims 1 to 13 in the form of a hearing aid ear insert.

18. Hearing aid according to claim 17, wherein it is a behind-the-ear hearing aid with a behind the ear to be worn unit and an ear piece, wherein the hearing aid ear insert in the ear canal (18) to be worn earpiece (20).

19. Hearing aid according to claim 18, with a sound tube (34), which acts as a sound transmission means of a device arranged behind the ear behind the ear to the earpiece (20) for transmission of sound from the listener into the resonance chamber (12) in front of the eardrum (14).

20. Hearing aid according to claim 18, with a receiver arranged in the earpiece as sound transmission means.

21. Hearing aid according to claim 17, wherein it is an in-ear hearing aid, which is formed by a hearing aid ear insert according to one of claims 1 to 13.