EP1993323A1 - Earpiece for a hearing aid with bayonet fixing - Google Patents

Abstract

The earpiece has an external receiver (11) with an external receiver connecting piece at a sound outlet. An ear adjusting piece (10) holds the receiver in an ear channel. Inner side of the ear adjusting piece is turned towards an ear drum and the receiver is fastened at outer side in a removable manner. The receiver is fastened to an ear adjusting piece with a bayonet joint. A part of the bayonet joint is firmly connected with the receiver connecting piece and rotated from the inner side of the ear adjusting piece.

Description

The present invention relates to an ear piece for a hearing device that can be worn in the ear canal, with a handset including a earpiece at the sound outlet and an ear cup in which the handset is fixed, which holds the earpiece in the ear canal and the inner ear when worn in the ear canal Side, which faces the eardrum, and has an opposite outer side, to which the earpiece is removably attached. A hearing device is understood here to mean in particular a device that can be worn on the ear, such as a hearing aid, a headset, a headset and the like.

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) and in-the-ear hearing aids (ITO), e.g. also Concha hearing aids or canal hearing aids (CIC), provided. 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 integrated in a signal processing unit. 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 are installed for recording the sound from the environment. 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

In particular, so-called RIC devices (receiver in canal) are also known, which have a receiver unit to be inserted into the auditory canal. These are applied not only with so-called standardized soft-ear-tips but also with individually adapted ear shells, ie earmolds (= earmolds). The earphones are plugged into the respective, standardized or individual ear shell. When removing the receiver unit from the ear canal, the user typically grasps the receiver unit on the receiver or on the signal line connected thereto. In the case of an earmold, which sits relatively firmly in the ear canal, therefore, a high holding force between the earpiece and the earmold is necessary in order not to tear apart the entire unit when removing the earphone from the ear canal. This high holding force, in turn, means that the hearing unit can only be pushed out of the ear cup or the earmold piece with the aid of a tool ("cherry core remover") for cleaning purposes and for general replacement of the side facing the eardrum (inner side of the ear cup). In this case, arranged in the sound outlet opening cerumen protection is destroyed regularly. In addition, with repeated replacement of both the earphone and the ear cup or a corresponding adapter over time worn or damaged. This will increase the tightness between the earpiece and the earcup reduced, so that it can lead to contamination of the listener, but also to acoustic feedback.

From the publication WO 2004/025990 A1 is a hearing aid with an external handset known. The receiver module consists of an earmold to which a handset is attached. The attachment is made with a specially shaped fastener that holds the hand on the one hand and on the other hand screwed to the earmold.

Furthermore, the document discloses DE 10 2004 016 577 A1 a headset with hearing aid functionality. An earmold is connected to the headset module by means of a snap closure or a bayonet lock.

The object of the present invention is thus to provide an ear piece for a hearing device and in particular a hearing aid, in which the handset is fastened on the one hand with high holding power and on the other hand easily replaceable in an ear cup.

According to the invention this object is achieved by an ear piece for a hearing device that can be worn in the ear canal, with a handset including a earpiece at the sound outlet and an ear cup in which the handset is fixed, which holds the earpiece in the ear canal and when worn in the ear canal an inner side facing the tympanic membrane and having an opposite outer side to which the earpiece is removably attached, the earpiece being secured to the earcup with a bayonet fitting, and a first part of the bayonet fitting being fixedly connected to the earpiece and a second part of the bayonet lock is rotated from the inside of the ear cup to the first part of the bayonet lock.

The bayonet lock ensures on the one hand a much higher holding force than, for example, a detachable Snap connection. On the other hand, when closing the bayonet closure no closure components are bent or strongly rubbed against each other, which is why it hardly comes to wear.

Preferably, an adapter is mounted in the ear cup, in which the second part of the bayonet lock is rotatably mounted. Thus, it must not be determined already in the production of the ear cup, in which way the handset is mounted in the ear cup.
Another particular variant of the ear piece according to the invention consists in that the second part of the bayonet catch protrudes from the surface of the ear shell on its inner side, ie the side facing the eardrum when worn, and has at least two surfaces parallel to one another and to the axis of the bayonet closure. This makes it possible to use a simple tool, such as a small pair of pliers, to open the bayonet lock without destroying a wax guard located in the second part of the bayonet closure.

In addition, the first part of the bayonet lock may have a cone-shaped portion which is cut off on two opposite sides of the parallel surfaces of the second part of the bayonet closure accordingly. The cone ensures a seat of the listener in the ear cup coaxial with the sound channel of the ear cup or the adapter and is at the same time a part of the bayonet with the cut sides.

Furthermore, a seal may be arranged between the first and second part of the bayonet closure. With it, the closure is sealed against contamination and noise.

FIG 1

eine Prinzipskizze zum Aufbau eines Hörgeräts gemäß dem Stand der Technik;

FIG 2

ein Ohrstück mit externem Hörer gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;

FIG 3

eine Ansicht eines Hörerstuztens von der Schallausgangsseite des Hörers;

FIG 4

einen Querschnitt durch den Hörerstutzen von FIG 3;

FIG 5

den Hörerstutzen von FIG 4 gedreht um 90°;

FIG 6

einen Ohrpassstückadapter mit Hörerstutzen im nichtverriegelten Zustand;

FIG 7

den Ohrpassstückadapter von FIG 6 an der Schallaustrittsseite;

FIG 8

den Ohrpassstückadapter von FIG 6 im verriegelten Zustand;

FIG 9

den Ohrpassstückadapter von FIG 8 von der Schallaustrittsseite betrachtet.

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

FIG. 1

a schematic diagram of the construction of a hearing aid according to the prior art;

FIG. 2

an earpiece with external earpiece according to the present invention;

FIG. 3

a view of a Hörerstuztens from the sound output side of the handset;

FIG. 4

a cross section through the earpiece of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5

the earpiece of FIG. 4 rotated by 90 °;

FIG. 6

an earmold adapter with earpiece in the unlocked state;

FIG. 7

the earmold adapter of FIG. 6 at the sound exit side;

FIG. 8

the earmold adapter of FIG. 6 in the locked state;

FIG. 9

the earmold adapter of FIG. 8 viewed from the sound exit side.

The embodiments described in more detail below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention.

1. 1. "HALTEN": Der externe Hörer 11 soll mehrfach lösbar in dem Ohrpassstück 10 befestigt werden können.
2. 2. "DICHTEN": Der externe Hörer 11 soll vor Cermumen, Schmutz Schweiß etc. geschützt sein. Darüber hinaus soll er akustisch dicht in dem Ohrpassstück 10 befestigt sein, so dass kein Schall nach außen dringen kann.
3. 3. "SCWINGUNGEN DÄMPFEN": Die Schwingungen des Hörers 11 relativ zu dem Ohrpassstück 10 sollen gedämpft sein. Dies gilt umso mehr bei leistungsstarken Hörern, die verhältnismäßig große Bewegungen bzw. Eigenschwingungen ausführen.
4. 4. "AUFNAHME EINES HÖRERSCHUTZES": In vorteilhafter Weise besitzt der Ohrpassstückadapter 12 auch gleichzeitig die Funktionalität einer Aufnahme für einen Cerumenschutz.

FIG. 2 shows an external receiver unit to be connected to a behind the pinna to be worn hearing aid main unit. The external receiver unit has an earmold 10 in which an external receiver 11 is mounted. The attachment is related to the others FIGS. 3 to 9 explained in more detail. It takes place with the aid of an earmold adapter 12 and an acoustic seal 13. The sound of the earpiece 11 leaves the earmold 10 via a wax guard 14. The earpiece 11 is connected to electrical power via a signal line 15 Supplied with signals from the hearing aid main unit. For this purpose, the signal line 15 is plugged by means of a plug 16 to the hearing aid main unit. The attachment of the receiver 11 in the earmold 10 should, for example, meet the following requirements:

1. 1. "HOLD": The external handset 11 should be repeatedly releasably secured in the earmold 10.
2. 2. "SEAL": The external handset 11 should be protected from cermumen, dirt, sweat, etc. In addition, it should be acoustically tightly secured in the earmold 10, so that no sound can escape to the outside.
3. 3. "VIBRATION DAMPING": The vibrations of the receiver 11 relative to the earmold 10 should be damped. This applies all the more to powerful listeners who perform relatively large movements or natural oscillations.
4. 4. "RECORDING A HEARING PROTECTION": Advantageously, the earmold adapter 12 also has the same functionality as a receptacle for a cerumen protection.

The above four requirements are met according to the invention by a Ohrpassstückadapter 12 with bayonet. Such an earmold adapter 12 is in the FIGS. 6 to 9 shown. First, however, based on the FIGS. 3 to 5 explains the first part of the bayonet lock, which is firmly connected to the earpiece. FIG. 3 shows this earphone 20 from the sound output side. The FIGS. 4 and 5 show this earpiece 20 each in cross section, the sections are rotated by 90 ° relative to each other. The earpiece 20 consists essentially of a conical portion 21 and a subsequent to the wide portion of the cone tubular portion 22. A sound channel 23 penetrates the conical portion 21 and the tubular portion 22nd

The cone-shaped portion 21 is cut off on two opposite sides parallel to the cone axis, resulting in two parallel side surfaces 24 and 25. These are both in the top view of FIG. 3 as well as in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 but not in the 90 ° rotated view of FIG. 5 to recognize.

The nozzle 20 is preferably made of a hard plastic.

The second part 31 of the bayonet lock is according to FIG. 6 a part of the earmold adapter 12. This second part 31 is rotatably mounted in a hard outer shell 32 of the adapter 12. The adapter cup 32 has an inner side 33 which, when the earpiece is carried in the ear canal, faces the eardrum. A piece of the second part 31 of the bayonet lock protrudes from this inner side 33. This is also in FIG. 7 to see which is a plan view of the adapter 12 from this inside.

Inside the second part 31 of the bayonet closure runs coaxially with the bayonet closure a sound channel 34 into which a cerumen guard 35 is inserted. From the inside 33 opposite side of the earphone 20 is inserted into the adapter 12. When inserting the side surfaces 24 and 25 could pass through a corresponding recess 36 of the second part 31 of the bayonet lock. This recess 36 is in FIG. 7 can be seen and it is only slightly larger in one dimension than the distance between the two side surfaces 24 and 25. In addition, the recess 36 in the second dimension is so large that the cone-shaped portion 21 of the earpiece 20 with its untrimmed curves 39 through the Recess 36 can be pushed.

In the usual manner for bayonet fitting the second part 31 is after inserting the earpiece 20 by a certain angle, here 90 °, rotated. To easily rotate the second part 31, it has at least two flattened sides 37, 38 projecting from the inside 33. This allows the second part 31 of the bayonet lock, for example, with the help of a simple pliers or mounting aid easily grab and turn. The rotated state of the bayonet lock is in the FIGS. 8 and 9 shown. In the sectional view of FIG. 8 It can now be seen that the recess 36 is engaged behind by the cone-shaped portion 21. This means that the earpiece 20 is now firmly anchored in the adapter 12. In FIG. 9 this anchorage is shown schematically in the plan view. Namely, a rounded portion 39 of the cone-shaped portion 21 protrudes beyond the recess 36, so that the bayonet closure is closed and the earpiece 20 is anchored in the adapter 12.

Between the cone portion 21 of the earpiece 20 and the second part 31 of the bayonet lock can not be shown in the drawings 6 and 8, but in FIG. 2 recognizable seal 13 may be arranged. With the help of this opposite the earphone 20 and the outer shell 32 soft seal the cone 21 is sealed at the listener sound exit side with the closure. At the same time, the force for opening and closing the bayonet catch can be adjusted with this soft part.

Another alternative design of the external listener, i. the ear piece according to the invention, is that no separate adapter 12 is used, but the second part 31 of the bayonet lock is mounted rotatably directly in the ear cup.

With the above-described construction of an ear piece with a handset, which are coupled to one another by a bayonet closure, the handset 11 can be removed from the ear shell or the ear mold piece 10 with much less effort. This leaves the earphone undamaged. About that In addition, a wax guard 35 can be inserted into the ear piece or the adapter 12 without it having to be replaced at each earpiece removal. A daily cleaning of the unit "earpiece and ear piece" is thus possible.

Claims (6)

Earpiece for a hearing device that can be worn in the ear canal, with a receiver (11) including a receiver (20) at the sound outlet and - An ear cup (10) in which the handset (11) is fixed, which holds the handset (11) in the ear canal and when wearing in the ear canal an inner side which faces the eardrum, and has an opposite outer side, on which the handset (11) is removably attached, characterized in that - The handset (11) is fixed with a bayonet lock on the ear cup (10), wherein - A first part of the bayonet lock is firmly connected to the earpiece (20) and - A second part (31) of the bayonet closure from the inside of the ear cup (10) is rotated to the first part of the bayonet closure. An ear piece according to claim 1, wherein in the ear shell (10) an adapter (12) is fixed, in which the second part (31) of the bayonet lock is rotatably mounted. An earpiece according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second part (31) of the bayonet lock protrudes from the surface of the ear shell (10) on the inside and at least two mutually parallel and to the axis of the bayonet closure surfaces (37, 38). Earpiece according to one of the preceding claims, wherein through the second part (31) of the bayonet closure a sound channel (34) into which a wax guard (35) is inserted. An earpiece according to claim 3, wherein the first part of the bayonet catch has a cone-shaped portion (21) which is correspondingly cut off on two opposite sides (24, 25) of a recess (36) of the second part (31) of the bayonet closure. Earpiece according to one of the preceding claims, wherein between the first and the second part of the bayonet closure a seal (13) is arranged.

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