CN101180918A - Crook for hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

A hook for a hearing aid. The hook comprises a sound passage for transmitting the sound emanating from an output transducer of the hearing aid. The hook furthermore comprises damping means for damping mechanical vibrations thereof.

Description

The uncinus that is used for hearing aids

Invention field

[0001] the present invention relates to be used for the uncinus of hearing aids, relate to hard of hearing formula (BTE-type) hearing aids particularly and use the hearing aids of this uncinus.

Background technology

[0002] ear-level hearing aid generally has the hearing aids shell that comprises outer cover, and all electronic devices of hearing aids comprise that the input and output transducer generally all is arranged in this outer cover.Outer cover is worn on ear back (Behind the Ear), therefore is abbreviated as hard of hearing formula (BTE).If output transducer is positioned at the hearing aids shell, the output sound from hearing aids is transmitted to the earplug that is placed in people's ear of wearing hearing aids via sound tube so.

[0003] ear-level hearing aid has hook portion usually, and it has formed shell (the voice output transducer is positioned at wherein) from hearing aids to the transition of sound tube.This hook portion can integrally form with the outer cover of hearing aids shell.Uncinus has curved shape, and this shape can be particularly useful for hearing aids is supported on the tram of wearer's ear back.

[0004] yet, frequently, in ear-level hearing aid, sound tube is not directly connected to the outer cover of hearing aids shell.But, the intermediate member of separation, so-called uncinus forms the outer cover of hearing aids shell and the transition between the sound tube.

[0005] uncinus is made by the material harder than the material of making sound tube, and purpose is that the permission sound tube easily is attached to there and removes therefrom.Represent that as the name of uncinus it has curved shape.The external shape of uncinus is normally such so that from uncinus to the hearing aids shell, can obtain to seamlessly transit to its attached place.Therefore, be attached to the near-end of hearing aids shell at uncinus, outer cross is mated with the cross section of hearing aids shell usually.Uncinus has tapering from near-end usually towards far-end.In inside, uncinus has from the sound channel of near-end to remote extension.This passage has annular cross section usually, and it has constant diameter along length.

[0006] in hearing aids, between output transducer and input pickup, there is feedback problem as everyone knows.Feedback is a problem especially, because it has limited the maximum gain that can realize with hearing aids.

[0007] the present invention itself is based on this understanding of inventor, even output transducer and input pickup are positioned at same shell, uncinus is attached to the outer cover of hearing aids shell, if perhaps hearing aids has complete shell, the hook portion that extends beyond output transducer so works in these feedback problems.

Summary of the invention

[0008] under such background, the present invention proposes to reduce the hearing aids particularly output transducer of ear-level hearing aid and the feedback quantity between the input pickup.In this respect, no matter should be noted that this specification and claim mention an input pickup Anywhere, do not get rid of use more than one input pickup.Those skilled in the art will know that common use more than an input pickup, for example be the acquisition directionality, and as discussing, the quantity of input pickup is normally inessential to feedback problem herein.

[0009] according to a first aspect of the invention, this purpose realizes by the uncinus that is used for hearing aids, described uncinus comprises the sound channel that is used to transmit by the sound that output transducer sent of hearing aids, it is characterized in that described uncinus comprises first material and second material with different elastic propertys.

[0010] by using two kinds of different materials, can realize: mechanical oscillation, the particularly mechanical oscillation in audible frequency range are not sent to input pickup in the hearing aids shell from uncinus.

[0011] according to a second aspect of the invention, this purpose realizes by the voice output hearing aids partly that comprises hook-type, the voice output of described hook-type partly has the sound channel that is used to transmit the sound that the output transducer by hearing aids sends, and it is characterized in that described hearing aids comprises the damping device of the mechanical oscillation of the voice output part that is used for damping (or decay) hook-type.

[0012] by this damping device that links to each other with hearing aids is provided, can realize: mechanical oscillation, the mechanical oscillation in the particularly audible frequency range partly are not sent to input pickup in the hearing aids shell from the voice output of hook-type.

[0013] in the preferred embodiment of a first aspect of the present invention, described first material and second material are provided as the integral part of uncinus.Provide two kinds of materials all as the integral part of uncinus, rather than, the separating part that for example provides a kind of conduct in them to be mounted thereon, perhaps as the part of uncinus assembly make and storage aspect be preferred.

[0014] present, preferably provide described a kind of material as described uncinus near-end and the sections between the far-end of described uncinus.Make simply like this, for example adhere to each other by each several part with uncinus.

[0015] in further preferred embodiment according to a first aspect of the invention, described first material is the two-part layer of adhesive material that connects uncinus.In this case, adhesive is as shock material.Therefore, do not need other shock material part.

[0016] in another embodiment according to a first aspect of the invention, described first material is an elastomeric material.This is preferred, because allow many kinds of design alternatives like this, for example uses the adhesive between two parts of the uncinus that rubber self makes as plastic material.It is preferred using plastic material, because it has allowed uncinus to have in fact identical with existing uncinus characteristic.Can make the uncinus that can exchange thus, thereby allow to improve existing hearing aids with the existing uncinus of existing hearing aids.

[0017] according to a first aspect of the invention, in the most preferred embodiment of described first material and second material, the material of the less important part of the making uncinus that provides is more soft than the material of the major part of making uncinus.This allows to use rubber above-mentioned and two kinds of materials of plastics.

[0018] in first embodiment of according to a second aspect of the invention described hearing aids, described damping device is provided as the integral part of uncinus.The integral part of damping material as uncinus is provided, rather than provide the separating part that for example is placed thereon as the part of uncinus assembly make and storage aspect be preferred.

[0019] alternately, however damping device can be provided as uncinus and comprise separating part between the part of hearing aids shell of output transducer.Therefore according to the present invention, the uncinus that need not have the integral damping device replaces having used existing traditional uncinus of hearing aids, and damping device can be inserted between the shell of existing uncinus and hearing aids, and does not depart from the present invention.

[0020] another embodiment of described hearing aids according to a second aspect of the invention, yet, damping device be provided at output transducer the part and hook portion of hearing aids shell between.This allows damping device to be provided as separating component, can be inserted between uncinus and the hearing aids shell.

[0021] another embodiment of described hearing aids according to a second aspect of the invention, damping device is provided as damping material, and it is than the material softness of the major part of making hook portion and hearing aids shell.This allows to use rubber above-mentioned and two kinds of materials of plastics.

Description of drawings

[0022] based on nonrestrictive exemplary embodiment, the present invention will be described in detail, and graphic extension in the accompanying drawings.In the accompanying drawings:

[0023] Fig. 1 a has shown the perspective view that merges according to the ear-level hearing aid of uncinus of the present invention,

[0024] Fig. 1 b has shown a different perspective view of the ear-level hearing aid of Fig. 1 a,

[0025] Fig. 2 has shown according to the present invention, comprises the hearing aids shell of the hearing aids of attached uncinus,

Fig. 3 a has shown the exploded view of observing from first angle according to uncinus of the present invention,

[0026] Fig. 3 b has shown the exploded view of observing from another angle according to uncinus of the present invention,

[0027] Fig. 4 a shown merge according to the perspective view of the ear-level hearing aid of damping device of the present invention and

[0028] Fig. 4 b has shown a different perspective view of the ear-level hearing aid of Fig. 4 a.

Embodiment

[0029] Fig. 1 a and 1b have shown hearing aids 1 from different perspectives.Hearing aids 1 comprises four parts, just hearing aids shell 2, earplug 3, uncinus 4 and sound tube 5.Hearing aids shell 2 can comprise all electronic devices of hearing aids, comprises input pickup and output transducer, signal processing apparatus, switch, battery etc.

[0030] uncinus 4 is attached to hearing aids shell 2.Uncinus 4 can be in various degree a permanent attribute to hearing aids shell 2 attached.That is to say that do not need tool using, it is discerptible, perhaps it can mechanically mesh with shell, and housing parts need can be removed by instrument, and purpose is to replace or remove uncinus.One end of sound tube 5 is attached to the other end of uncinus 4.The other end of sound tube 5 is attached to earplug 3.

[0031] sound tube 5, and particularly earplug is easy to be made dirty owing to using, and need be interchangeable therefore.Therefore, sound tube 5 is from uncinus 4, and is easily dismountable from earplug 3, and do not need to use any instrument.

[0032] uncinus 4, sound tube 5 and earplug 3 all comprise sound channel, form continuous sound channel like this to be used for the output perforate 6 conduction sound of transducer to earplug 3 from the hearing aids shell.Depend on the physical location of output transducer in hearing aids shell 2, hearing aids shell 2 also can comprise the tubular part of internal arrangement, forms from the output transducer to the earplug a part of sound channel of 3 voice output perforate 6.

[0033] Fig. 2 has at length shown uncinus 4 and hearing aids shell 2.As can be seen, the uncinus of illustrated embodiment comprises three part 4a, 4b, 4c.This three part 4a, 4b, 4c are at length shown in the exploded view of Fig. 3 a and Fig. 3 b.

[0034] 4a and 4c part is all made by plastic material, preferably but not necessarily made by plastic material of the same race.The far-end of uncinus 4, promptly the end of 4a part has been provided sound tube engagement and bracing or strutting arrangement 4d.In illustrated embodiment, sound tube engagement and bracing or strutting arrangement are provided as circumferential barb 4d.In Fig. 3 b, can know and find out, the near-end of uncinus 4, promptly the end of 4c part has been provided the shell geared assembly.In illustrated embodiment, the shell geared assembly is the undercut with groove 4e form, and the cover part of hearing aids shell 2 meshes herein, like this uncinus 4 is fixed to hearing aids shell 2.

[0035] third part 4b is between part 4a and part 4c.Third part 4b involving vibrations damping material.Have been found that and comprise in the uncinus 4 that this shock material has reduced the feedback from uncinus 4 to input pickup substantially.The material that shock material is preferably more soft than the material of fabrication portion 4a and 4c.

[0036] preferably, part 4a and 4c are made such as PMMA, PC, CP, PEX or analog by transparent plastic material, are perhaps made such as ABS or POM or analog by the opaque plastics material.Alternately, they can be made such as aluminium or stainless steel by metal.The more soft shock material of third part 4b preferably elastomeric material such as silicones, butyl, EDPM, TPE or analog.Can certainly use the damping material of other nonrubbers.

Should be appreciated that [0037] damping material can be integrated in the uncinus 4 with many different modes.

[0038] in the exploded view of Fig. 3 a and 3b, shock material is provided as the sections between the far-end of the near-end of uncinus 4 and described uncinus 4.This sections can be made as separated portions 4b, and the face separately of part 4a and 4c adheres to 4b subsequently.The part 4b of shock material has annular shape usually, because the remainder of it and uncinus 4 is similar, comprises sound channel 7.Other parts 4a, the 4c of separated portions 4b and uncinus 4 can form with the molding process that separates.Alternately, uncinus 4 can integrally form with multicomponent molding process, such as the molding process of two kinds of compositions.Similarly, if damping material is provided as separated portions, it can form and have the mechanical locking device so, is used to be engaged on the corresponding locking device of the last formation of part 4a, 4c separately.

[0039] yet, experiment shown in addition part 4a and 4c between the thin fragment of shock material reduce feedback significantly.Therefore, by suitable selection adhesive, such as silicone glue, the adhesive that shock material can be connected to each other together by two parts 4a and the 4c with uncinus 4 provides, and does not need to use the vibration damping parts of such separation.That is to say that adhesive itself is as vibration damping device.

[0040] present, preferably, compare the near-end of the more close uncinus 4 in the position of shock material with the far-end of uncinus 4.Preferably, less than half of the distance from the near-end to the far-end, and especially, less than from near-end to 1/3rd of far-end distance.

[0041] similarly, should notice that illustrated embodiment is a presently preferred embodiment, and shock material not must be between two end sections 4a, 4c of uncinus 4.But uncinus 4 can include only two parts, promptly hard part and soft part.Preferably, Rou Ruan part is positioned at the near-end of the uncinus 4 of contiguous hearing aids shell 2.Especially, uncinus can be used as single part and forms, and shock material can be used as spacer between uncinus 4 and hearing aids shell 2.

[0042] thickness of vibration damping device can depend on material or employed manufacturing process.At present, 1mm is preferred for the separating component of damping material to the thickness of 3mm.Yet, also can use littler thickness.Especially, according to described above, if adhesive is used as unique damping material, its thickness can for example between 1mm and 0.1mm, be preferably about 0.3mm less than 1mm.

[0043] in addition, should note the invention is not restricted to use the individual chip of damping material.But, can use several fragments of the different elastic property of having of damping material.

[0044] similarly, have constant thickness even should be noted that the annular section that illustrated embodiment proposes damping material, but annular section does not need to have constant thickness.For example, circular segment can be taper towards the concave side of uncinus.

[0045] although the foregoing description of current most preferred embodiment relates to damping device to be used in combination with uncinus that separate, interchangeable, the present invention is not restricted to this.

[0046] more properly, in second embodiment of Fig. 4 a and 4b, the damping device that comprises is as in uncinus part 4 with comprise element 4b between hearing aids shell 2 parts of output transducer.Damping device 4b connects the adhesive phase of uncinus 4 to the remainder of hearing aids shell 4.Alternately, at least a portion of uncinus part 4, damping material 4b and shell 2 can integrally form, and for example uses multicomponent molding process, for example two kinds of composition molding process.

[0047] similarly, the consideration that separates the relevant material of uncinus 4, size, shape uncinus about above-mentioned and first embodiment is effective for second embodiment.

[0048] impliedly, the present invention also can be considered to utilize a kind of method that is used for reducing the feedback in the hearing aids 1, the output transducer of sound from hearing aids shell 2 is transmitted into the uncinus 4 that is attached to it in hearing aids, and wherein this method comprises the step of using damping device to come damping (or decay) to vibrate with uncinus 4 relevant damping devices.

Claims (12)

1. hook that is used for hearing aids, described hook comprise the sound channel that is used to transmit the sound that the output transducer by described hearing aids sends, and it is characterized in that described hook comprises first material and second material with different elastic propertys.

2. hook according to claim 1 is characterized in that described first material and second material are provided as the integral part of described hook.

3. hook according to claim 2 is characterized in that described first material is provided as at least one sections between the far-end of the near-end of described hook and described hook.

4. according to claim 2 or 3 described hooks, it is characterized in that described first material is the two-part layer of adhesive material that connects described hook.

5. according to the described hook of any one claim in the claim 2 to 4, it is characterized in that described first material is an elastomeric material.

6. according to claim 4 or 5 described hooks, it is characterized in that described two parts of described hook are made with plastic material.

7. according to the described hook of any one claim in the claim 2 to 6, it is characterized in that in described first material and second material that the material of less important part that is used for making described hook is than the material softness of the major part that is used for making described hook.

8. the hearing aids of a voice output part that comprises hook-type, it has the sound channel that is used to transmit the sound that the output transducer by described hearing aids sends, it is characterized in that described hearing aids comprises damping device, be used for the mechanical oscillation of the voice output part of the described hook-type of damping.

9. hearing aids according to claim 8 is characterized in that described damping device is provided as described hook and comprises separating part between the part of described hearing aids shell of described output transducer.

10. hearing aids according to claim 8 is characterized in that described damping device is provided as the integral part of described hook.

11. according to Claim 8, the described hearing aids of any one claim in 9 or 10, it is characterized in that described damping device be provided at described output transducer the part and described hook portion of described hearing aids shell between.

12. the described hearing aids of any one claim in 11 is characterized in that described damping device is provided as damping material according to Claim 8, it is than being used to make the described major part of described hook portion and the material softness of described hearing aids shell.

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