EP0821541A2 - Hearing aid which is to be worn completely in the ear canal and which is individualised by moulding a body - Google Patents

Abstract

A hearing aid, to be contained wholly within the ear passage as a completely in the canal (CIC) appliance, comprises a body (40) of a soft material to be customised for the individual wearing the appliance. The body (40) material has a Shore hardness A of 5-70, using a twin-component silicon plastics with cross linking additives.

Description

The invention is in the field of hearing aids and relates to Hearing aid to be worn entirely in the ear canal according to the preamble of the first independent claim. The hearing aid according to the invention is through Pouring a body into an ear canal or model this ear canal is adaptable and thus from one general to another individualized state bringable.

Hearing aids to be worn entirely in the ear canal, so-called CIC devices (CIC for "Completely In the Canal") essentially show that like other hearing aids following components serving for the hearing function: one against the exit Microphone directed towards the ear canal to record sounds the outside world and its conversion into electrical signals, an amplifier to amplify these electrical signals, one against the inside of the Ear canal-facing speaker for converting the amplified electrical Signals in noise and a power source (battery) to operate of the components mentioned. The amplifier is usually integrated Circuit (chip) trained and can in addition to the amplifier function Take control functions and / or be programmable. The hearing aid can also have a receiving coil for receiving signals for remote control of the device or for receiving radio or telephone signals. The hearing aid can also be used only for radio reception and then only has a receiving coil and no microphone.

Furthermore, a CIC hearing aid must have elements like any other hearing aid have and is advantageously as close as possible to the ear canal adapted to the individual wearer.

The CIC hearing aid has compared to other hearing aids that are in the ear canal can reach, but which are not worn entirely in the ear canal, acoustic and aesthetic advantages. The acoustic advantages of the CIC device consist mainly of the space between the eardrum and the inside End of the device is smaller, which improves the sound quality and the necessary reinforcement, that means the energy necessary for the operation reduced. The aesthetic advantages of the CIC device are that Device is less visible.

Problems to be solved for CIC devices arise mainly from their compared to other devices greatly reduced size and from the fact that they positioned deeper in the ear canal than other devices. A typical one The CIC hearing aid has the shape of an irregular cylinder with a middle one Diameter of approx. 6 mm and an axial length of approx. 20 mm, where the diameter is given by the inner diameter of the ear canal and the length is essentially that of the hearing function Components is determined. The outer face of the device is covered by formed a front panel with a battery opening. On the inner face is the output of the speaker arranged when wearing the device is positioned approx. 3 mm from the eardrum.

According to the prior art, the structures and manufacturing processes for ITC devices (ITC for " I n T he C anal") are essentially used for structures and manufacturing processes of CIC devices. The ITC device is shaped in such a way that its inner end, which carries the loudspeaker, reaches into the ear canal, but that its larger part is positioned in the area of the expanding auditory canal exit, that is to say actually in the auricle. ITC devices of this type usually have a shell with a cavity as the supporting element, the components used for the hearing function being accommodated in this cavity. The shell is usually made from a hardening casting compound in a mold made from an auditory canal cast. It is also proposed to cast such shells directly in the ear canal.

Other ITC devices have a skeleton on which those serving the hearing function Components of the hearing aid are attached. The one that carries the components Skeleton is, advantageously directly in the ear canal, with a hardening Poured mass, being a body with an individual to the ear canal adapted form arises. Because this body has no supporting function has, it can be made of a soft material, whereby the Comfort can be improved. Such devices and corresponding Manufacturing methods are described, for example, in the publications EP-629101 and WO-92/03894.

The main difference between the CIC device and ITC devices is, as already mentions the significantly reduced size of the CIC device and its position much deeper in the ear canal. The size of the hearing function serving components essentially the same as in other hearing aids. The position of the CIC device in the ear canal is such that the device from an outer part of the ear canal, which is cartilaginous and whose shape is Jaw movements relatively changed, in an internal part of the ear canal which inner part of the auditory canal is bony is enough, which hardly changes Has shape and is extremely sensitive to pressure marks and the like. In particular, the CIC device does not get a hold of an im quite Form-constant and cartilaginous-elastic ear canal exit positioned Part.

The differences between the small CIC devices and the Larger ITC devices lead to difficulties for the manufacture of the CIC devices, the structures taken over directly from the ITC devices and manufacturing methods cannot be optimally resolved. So that CIC device can be worn comfortably in the ear canal, even if this ear canal has considerable shape due to jaw movements changes, and thus the device through these jaw movements is not worked out of the ear canal, it must fit the shape exactly this ear canal and it must be so soft that it can at least partially participate in the shape changes of the ear canal. Similar requirements also apply to those in the bony part of the ear canal positioned device part because of the high sensitivity of the wall this Ear canal part.

A shell that is supposed to take over the main carrying function of a CIC device, must have sufficient flexural strength. Should she at the same time but also be soft for the reasons mentioned above, this requires one Wall thickness, which is not possible with the small diameter of the CIC device is. For this reason, the softness of the shell and thus the wearing comfort the device the necessary strength and the necessary low Size are subordinate and can not be optimal.

A skeleton that is supposed to take on the main supporting function and that with one soft material is poured, which soft material purely for comfort can serve and does not have to perform any mechanical functions, needs space inside the device, which room in a CIC device is already scarce for the components used for the hearing function.

The object of the invention is to provide a hearing aid that the miniaturization that a CIC device requires allows it anyway offers maximum comfort that is particularly soft enough to the deformation of the ear canal due to jaw movements adjust such that these deformations do not result in a reduction in comfort to lead. Furthermore, the hearing aid according to the invention should be simple Procedure and with as few, as simple as possible steps of its general can be brought into its individualized state, so that it can be customized directly in the ear of the wearer and performed by a hearing consultant. In particular, the general If possible, all components of the device except the individually shaped one Already have bodies and should in particular after the individualization the body does not need to be reworked.

This task is solved by the CIC hearing aid as it is in the patent claims is defined which hearing aid for individualization by one general, that is not yet adapted to an individual ear canal State, in an individualized, that is, an individual ear canal adjusted state is brought.

The hearing aid according to the invention differs from existing hearing aids (CIC or ITC) in particular in that it is a load-bearing element neither a shell surrounding a cavity for the other components still has a skeleton encased in a body. The main function The hearing aid according to the invention is used solely by the individual Body adapted to the ear canal, in which the hearing function serving components are poured in virtually floating. This Body with the cast components has the entire axial length of the device has a sufficient cross-section, even if it made of a fairly soft material (Shore hardness A from 5 to 70) that to have the necessary bending strength for the mechanical supporting function.

It turns out that the device is in its general condition in which it is still has no body and in which it is only once, namely for casting of the body into which the ear canal needs to be inserted load-bearing element needs. It turns out that even without a stiffening element between the two end faces the device with the corresponding Care in the ear canal for casting the body is positionable that it but it is necessary to limit its axial extent. An the axial The length of the general device against the top-limiting element has increased ensure that the device is not stretched by the casting pressure in such a way that its innermost part approaches or even touches the eardrum, which is very painful. It also shows that the general device at Insertion into the ear canal easily compressed in the axial direction and that it stretches when pouring and that through the length-limiting element receives defined axial length.

The hearing aid according to the invention therefore has its general state an element limiting its axial length towards the top. This length-limiting Element can be a stiff in itself, also a load-bearing function take over provisional supporting element, which after casting the Body must be removed from the device. But it can also be flexible, in their length will not be an extensible string that after casting the body out removed from the device or left in the device. One to be removed length-limiting element protrudes from at least one end face Device out. If it is a rigid element, it is advantageous plastically deformable (e.g. metal wire). The length-limiting element can, if it is removed after casting and over both end faces protrudes, not only as a length-limiting element in the general hearing aid but also as a mold for an axially leading through the device Serve vent channel.

The hearing aid according to the invention in its general state points as the At least one microphone or receiver coil serving the hearing function, an amplifier chip and a speaker and one die front face forming front plate, in which a battery opening and a Opening for the vent channel are arranged. The inner face is in the essentially formed by the output side of the speaker. Between The front panel and the inner end face extend essentially tubular, stretchable membrane that wraps around the front panel and around around the loudspeaker tightly using suitable connecting means and a pouring cavity pourable through the battery opening in the front panel forms. The inner connection means (tight connection between Loudspeaker and membrane, for example, is essentially an elastic seal formed in the shape of an eight, with an opening for the Speakers and the other for a vent channel, or for the length-limiting Element is provided. A length-restricting one to be removed Element runs essentially axially through the casting cavity and through the corresponding openings in the front panel and connecting means outside, where appropriate locking means ensure that the distance a predetermined between the front plate and the inner end face (axial device length) Dimension cannot exceed.

The individualized hearing aid is made from the general hearing aid essentially by pouring the casting cavity through the battery opening the front panel with a casting compound, which advantageously to one soft body with a Shore hardness A of 5 to 70 solidifies. If the If the body is frozen, the length-limiting element may become removed, creating a substantially axially leading through the body Vent channel is created.

The simple manufacture of the body and the very simple one after casting steps necessary to complete the device (no editing of the cast body) make the hearing aid according to the invention extremely suitable for individualization directly in the ear canal, that is one Individualization that can be carried out directly by the hearing advisor, so that a Potential wearer of his hearing aid practically after only one session with the hearing advisor can take with you. Of course, it is also possible that Hearing aid according to the invention with the aid of a cast over an auditory canal cast manufactured ear canal model from a general to an individualized Bring condition.

Figuren 1 und 2

eine beispielhafte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemässen CIC-Hörgerätes in generellem und in individualisiertem Zustand, beide als schematische Schnitte parallel zur Achse;

Figuren 3 und 4

zwei weitere beispielhafte Ausführungsformen des erfindungsgemässen Hörgerätes in seinem generellen Zustand;

Figuren 5 und 6

zwei Ausführungsformen von Verbindungsmitteln zur Verbindung von Lautsprecher und vorläufigem Tragelement;

Figur 7

ein schematischer Schnitt durch eine Giessschablone positioniert in der Batterieöffnung der Frontplatte parallel zur Achse des Gehörgerätes und mit einer Schnittebene, die senkrecht auf der Schnittebene der Figuren 1 und 2 steht;

Figur 8

ein schematischer Schnitt wie Figur 5 durch eine weitere Ausführungsform einer Frontplatte für ein erfindungsgemässes Hörgerät;

Figur 9

eine Giessschablone mit Giessschlauch als weiters Detail einer weiteren beispielhaften Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemässen Hörgeräts;

Figur 10

ein Schnitt durch vorläufiges Tragelement und Giessschlauch der Ausführungsform gemäss Figur 7 (Schnittlinie VIII-VIII);

Figur 11

ein schematischer Schnitt durch eine weitere Giessschablone positioniert in der Batterieöffnung der Frontplatte eines erfindungsgemässen Hörgerätes;

Figur 12

eine Frontplatte mit Batteriefach, Eingiessschlauch und Entlüftungsschlauch als Details einer weiteren, beispielhaften Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemässen Hörgerätes in generellem Zustand.

Exemplary embodiments of the CIC device according to the invention in general and in an individualized state are to be described in more detail with reference to the following figures. Show:

Figures 1 and 2

an exemplary embodiment of the CIC hearing aid according to the invention in a general and in an individualized state, both as schematic sections parallel to the axis;

Figures 3 and 4

two further exemplary embodiments of the hearing aid according to the invention in its general state;

Figures 5 and 6

two embodiments of connecting means for connecting loudspeaker and provisional support element;

Figure 7

a schematic section through a casting template positioned in the battery opening of the front panel parallel to the axis of the hearing aid and with a cutting plane that is perpendicular to the cutting plane of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 8

a schematic section like Figure 5 through a further embodiment of a front panel for a hearing aid according to the invention;

Figure 9

a casting template with casting hose as a further detail of a further exemplary embodiment of the hearing aid according to the invention;

Figure 10

a section through the provisional support element and casting hose of the embodiment according to Figure 7 (section line VIII-VIII);

Figure 11

a schematic section through a further casting template positioned in the battery opening of the front panel of a hearing aid according to the invention;

Figure 12

a front plate with battery compartment, pouring hose and ventilation hose as details of a further exemplary embodiment of the hearing aid according to the invention in a general condition.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show, as schematic sections, an exemplary embodiment of the hearing aid according to the invention in a general state (FIG. 1) and in an individualized state (FIG. 2). As already mentioned, the hearing aid, in its general and in its individualized state as components serving as the hearing function, has, for example, a microphone 10, an amplifier chip 11 and a loudspeaker 12. These components are functionally connected to one another and to a battery that is still to be inserted by electrical lines (not shown). Furthermore, the device has a front plate 15 with a battery opening 16, an opening 17 for a preliminary support element 18 and an opening 19 for the microphone 10, wherein the function of the microphone opening 19 can also be performed by a sieve-like perforated area. The inner end face 20 of the device is mainly formed by the output side of the loudspeaker 12 and by the connecting means 22.

Figure 1 , which shows the hearing aid in its general condition, also shows the provisional support element 18, which consists for example of an easily bendable metal wire or metal band and through the opening 17 of the front plate 15 in a substantially axial direction against the inner end face 20 and through an opening 23 extends in the connecting means 22. On the outside of the front plate 15, a locking means 25 is provided, which prevents displacement of the support element 18 into the opening 17. This locking means 25 can, for example, as shown, be a curvature or a corresponding thickening. The function of the locking means can also be taken over by appropriate dimensioning and material pairing of openings 17 and 23 on the one hand and preliminary strand element 18 on the other hand, such that the static friction of the support element 18 in the openings 17 and 23 is sufficient to hold them in a defined relative position . In such a case, it is not necessary for the provisional support element to protrude over both end faces of the hearing device.

The provisional support element 18 can also protrude beyond the front plate 15 Have part 27, with the help of the device for individualization is inserted into the ear canal. Also on the inner end face 20 of the device the support element 18 is provided with locking means 25 which, for example, as shown from another curvature and one on this Curve attached tampon 26 exist. The tampon 26 is a security element which is also known from making ear canal castings and that prevents the general hearing aid for individualization is pushed too close to the eardrum. The tampon 26 is made for example from a foam or from cotton.

Between the front plate 15 and connecting means 22, which is in the area of the inner Front side runs around the speaker is essentially one tubular, stretchable membrane 30 attached all around the front panel 15 and is fastened around the connecting means 22 such that they a pourable cavity pourable through the battery opening 16 of the front panel 15 31 forms.

So that a battery compartment between the front plate 15 and the body to be cast remains free, there is a casting template in the battery opening 16 of the front plate 15 32 positioned, which casting template 32 in that area, which protrudes into the casting cavity 31, essentially the shape of the to be kept free Has battery compartment.

Furthermore, the casting template 32 has a pouring opening 33 and a vent opening 34 on. When the body is poured, the casting compound is the pouring opening 33 is injected and the displaced air escapes from the Vent opening 34.

The function of the casting template is not only to keep the Battery room, but also in it, not just at least part of the the hearing aid components serving the hearing function but also the battery contacts temporarily position it so that it is in the body to be cast have a defined position (see also description in context with Figures 7 and 8). For this purpose, positions 35 and 36 for example holding elements (not shown in Figure 1) for microphone 10 and amplifier chip 11 attached when removing the casting template 32 after watering the body, break off and remain in the body or can be removed with the template 32.

It can be seen from FIG. 1 that the provisional support element 18 and the Connection means 22 the speaker 12 in a defined to the front panel 15 Position, this position depending on the flexibility of the Support element 18 is limitedly variable. This makes the general hearing aid already roughly adaptable to the individual ear canal. It is also it can be seen that through the provisional support element 18 and in particular through its locking means 25 the axial length of the hearing aid upwards (axial Extension), but not limited towards the bottom (compression), i.e. the Front plate 15 is movable against the speaker, for example. A such movement is, as already mentioned, by the other components of the device and is limited when the body is poured through the the slight casting pressure that arises in the process is reversed.

Figure 2 shows the same embodiment of the hearing aid according to the invention as Figure 1, again in section parallel to its axis in its individualized state. In this state, it differs from the general state in particular by the body 40, which is cast in the casting cavity 31 (FIG. 1) inside the membrane 30, the actual casting mold being a natural auditory canal or a model of such an auditory canal, on the inner wall of which the membrane is used is pressed during casting thanks to its elasticity, so that the body 40 receives a shape that is precisely adapted to the ear canal. The casting template 32 (FIG. 1) is removed from the battery opening 16 of the front plate 15 and a battery 41 is inserted in the battery space kept free by the casting template. The battery opening 16 in the front plate 15 is closed by a battery cover 42.

Furthermore, the device differs in an individualized state by Absence of the provisional support element 18, in its place a vent channel 43 through the device, or through front panel 15 (opening 17), body 40 and Lanyard 22 (opening 23) leads. The preliminary support member 18 will removed by the locking means on the inner or on the outer face 25 removed (e.g. curvature removed) and the support element is pulled out of the device against the other side. If the support element is sufficiently easily bendable, it can easily be made from a curved one Vent channel are pulled.

The membrane 30 of the hearing aid according to the invention consists, for example made of a thermoplastic elastomer, for example based on a Silicone plastic, and has a thickness of about 0.2 mm. More examples from Materials that are suitable for the membrane: stretched polytetrafluoroethylene (Goretex®) or sprayable two-component silicones. The most important Conditions that the membrane material has to meet are sufficient Elasticity, one for safe handling of the device in its general condition sufficient, mechanical stability and sufficient Skin compatibility. The membrane is advantageously also porous, that is to say permeable to air and impermeable to the casting compound, which creates a ventilation opening can be superfluous.

The membrane 30 advantageously extends over at least a part the peripheral surfaces of the front plate 15 and the connecting means 22 of the inner face and is around the front panel and around the lanyard (Places 45) firmly and tightly connected to them, for example by Welding, gluing or by means of appropriate form-locking means. A Parallel application for this application (Swiss application no. 1861/96) deals in detail with membranes for hearing aids that pass through Casting a body to be individualized, and with means to make it more dense Attachment to a front panel and / or around speakers and temporary Support element.

The body 40 of the hearing aid is manufactured, for example, from a two-component addition-cross-linking silicone material. In itself is suitable for the production of the body any casting compound, which advantageously without Gas evolution becomes solid at room temperature and advantageously a body with a Shore hardness A of 5 to 70.

It turns out that when using a silicone-based membrane and a Casting compound, also based on silicone, when pouring through the chemical Relationship between the two materials creates an intimate connection between Membrane and body forms, so that the membrane is not peelable from the body is. Using a Goretex membrane results in a similarly firm one Connection between the surface of the body and the membrane, the probably due to at least partial penetration of the casting compound into the membrane pores and the resulting anchoring.

It also shows that when the body is poured between the front plate 15 and body 40 usually a surface adhesion that occurs after removal of the preliminary support element 18 as a mechanical connection between Front panel and body are enough. If this adhesion is not sufficient, can surface-enlarging agents on the inside of the front panel (Grooves or other unevenness) or even form-locking means to be cast be provided by which the connection between body 40 and Front plate 15 is reinforced.

Figures 3 and 4 show hearing aids in their general condition, which instead of an essentially stiff, preliminary support element (18, Figure 1) a flexible, length-limiting element, for example in the form of a string 18.1 (Figure 3) and 18.2 (Figure 2) which cannot be stretched in the longitudinal direction 4) have.

The string 18.1 in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 runs like the provisional one Support element of Figure 1 by front panel 15 and connecting means 22 and has locking means 25. It becomes after the body is poured removed, which, as when removing the temporary support member of the Figure 1 is a vent channel.

A soft hose 19 can also be provided around the string 18.1 is not removed from the device and which ensures that the vent channel has a minimum distance from the surface of the device, whereby a potential weak point of the body can be prevented. Such one Hose can also be used with an essentially rigid, length-limiting Element.

The length-limiting string 18.2 according to FIG. 4 does not run in one potential vent channel and remains in the device in its individualized Status. A hose 19 is provided for the vent channel, which is in this Embodiment must be at least so stable that its lumen also under which slightly increased pressure remains open during casting.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show two exemplary embodiments of connecting means 22 for a hearing device according to the invention. Both connecting means serve as a seal around the loudspeaker so that the casting compound cannot escape there and have an opening for the vent channel.

FIG. 5 shows a sealing ring made of an elastic material, which can be used as a connecting means 22. It has a first opening 12 ', which is adapted to the shape of the loudspeaker, and a second opening 23 for the vent channel or for the length-limiting element. The area with the second opening 23 of the connecting means 22 can continue in a tubular shape up to the front plate or through the front plate and surround the provisional support element over part of its length or over its entire length, similarly as is also the case for the hose 19 in FIGS Figures 3 and 4 is described.

Material and dimensioning of the connecting means 22 are in such a way on top of each other to tune that seal by inserting the speaker is stretched so that the speaker is stretched by the elastic forces can hold. The second opening 23 is to be dimensioned such that it passes through the provisional support element is sealed at least for the casting compound and that it remains open even without a support element (opening of the vent channel). If no vent channel is provided, the opening 23 can also be so be dimensioned so that they can be removed after removing the temporary support element closes.

The connecting means 22 of FIG. 6 consists of an elastic sealing ring 50 and a sleeve 51 which has an opening 23 and is optionally attached to the loudspeaker.

FIG. 7 shows the casting template 32 inserted in the battery opening 16 of the front plate 15 as a section parallel to the axis of the hearing aid (not shown completely) and perpendicular to the section of FIGS. 1 and 2. It can be seen from the figure that the casting template has stops 55 with it it can easily be brought into a defined position relative to the front panel. Furthermore, the template 32 has lateral slots in which battery contacts 56 can be positioned. When the body is cast, the ends of the contacts protruding from the slots are cast in and when the casting template is removed, the free ends of the contacts are exposed.

FIG. 8 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a front plate 15. This is again shown in section, the section being the same as in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the battery compartment is formed by an indentation 60 in the front plate, which at least in its lowest part has a pouring opening 33. With this embodiment of the front plate, no casting template is necessary for casting the body. The battery contacts 56 are already definitely positioned in the molding.

FIG. 9 shows a section (section plane essentially as in FIGS. 1 and 2) of a further, exemplary embodiment of the hearing aid according to the invention, of which only parts of the front plate 15 insert the casting template 32 with the pouring opening 33 and the vent opening 34, which is positioned in the battery opening of the front plate Part of the preliminary support element 18 and a pouring hose 61 is shown. The pouring hose 61 is provided so that it can be ensured that the casting cavity of the general hearing aid is poured from the inside against the outside or against the ventilation opening, whereby the formation of cavities in the body can be avoided. This is particularly important if a highly viscous casting compound is used.

So that the pouring hose 61 is not designed as a rigid tube needs, he is connected to the preliminary support member 18 such that he assumes a substantially parallel position to this. The connection between provisional support element 18 and pouring hose 61, for example realized by a twin hose 62, one hose 61 serves as a casting hose and the support element 18 through the other hose is stuck. The two tubes of the twin tube 62 are suitable Means connected together, for example molded together.

FIG. 10 shows a cross section through the twin tube 62.

FIG. 11 again shows a section (section plane as in FIGS. 1 and 2) of a further embodiment of a casting template 32, which is positioned in the battery opening of a front plate. This casting template consists of two parts 32.1 and 32.2 and is therefore particularly suitable for the formation of a battery compartment, which is to form a backstitch behind the opening in the front panel in one way or another. The battery opening shown shows a hinge axis 65 which, in a known manner, can simultaneously serve as an axis for a pivotable battery compartment cover and as a contact for programming the amplifier chip. This hinge axis 65 represents a narrowing of the battery opening, so that a casting template, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, cannot be positioned. The dividing line between the two template parts 32.1 and 32.2 advantageously runs obliquely to the plane of the battery opening and can be designed, for example, as a groove and comb. It is also possible to design the separating surface of the two parts in such a way that a tubular cavity serving as a ventilation channel is created between the two parts.

FIG. 12 shows the front panel area of a further exemplary embodiment of the hearing aid according to the invention. As already explained in connection with FIG. 8, the front plate 15 has an indentation 60 designed as a battery compartment. The molded-in wall has two openings, a pouring tube 61 with a pouring opening 33 being inserted through one of the openings, which pouring tube 61 extends as far as the inner end face of the hearing aid, and on the other opening a venting tube 65, which advantageously consists of a transparent plastic, with one Vent opening 34 sits. This ventilation hose 65 can be designed as a control instrument for monitoring the casting pressure. It is important that a maximum casting pressure is not exceeded when the body is cast in order to individualize the hearing aid according to the invention, in particular when the casting step is carried out in a patient's auditory canal. Since the casting compounds to be used are relatively highly viscous, they have a high pressure loss in hoses. It can now be determined experimentally how far the casting compound rises in the ventilation hose 65 when an ideal casting pressure is reached. This height is marked with a mark 66 and it is poured until the casting compound has reached the mark 66.

Claims (21)

Hearing aid to be worn entirely in the auditory canal with the components serving for the hearing function, which comprise at least a microphone (10) or a recording coil, an amplifier chip (11) and a loudspeaker (12), and with a front plate (15) which has a battery opening (16) and essentially forms an outer end face of the device, and an inner end face (20), in the area of which the output side of the loudspeaker (12) is arranged, which hearing aid has a casting cavity (31) in a general state and by casting one to an individual Body (40) adapted to the auditory canal can be brought into an individualized state in this casting cavity (31), the casting cavity (31) or the body (40) being delimited on an outer surface by a stretchable membrane (30), characterized in that the Body (40) consists of a soft material and in the individualized state is the supporting element of the device. Hearing aid according to claim 1, characterized in that, in order to limit its axial length in its general state, it has a flexible, length-limiting element (18.1, 18.2) running between the front plate and the inner end face. Hearing aid according to claim 1, characterized in that, in order to limit its axial length in its general state, it has a rod-shaped, preliminary support element (18) which is positioned in a defined manner relative to the front plate (15) and the loudspeaker (12) and at least one of the end faces protrudes from the device and is removable after casting the body. Hearing aid according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the provisional support element (18) or the flexible, length-limiting element (18.1, 18.2) is guided through an opening (17) in the front plate (15) and a locking means (25) The provisional support element (18) or the flexible, length-limiting element (18.1, 18.2) protrudes from the device through the opening (17) and the locking means is arranged in the opening (17) or on the outside of the front plate (15) is. Hearing aid according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it has in the region of the inner end face a connecting means (22) which has an opening (23) for the provisional support element (18) or the flexible, length-limiting element (18.1, 18.2) has, and a locking means (25) is provided, the provisional support element (18) or the flexible, length-limiting element (18.1, 18.2) protruding from the device through the opening (23) and the locking means (25) in the opening or outside the inner end face is arranged. Hearing aid according to claim 5, characterized in that an elastic seal is provided as the connecting means (22), which seals the loudspeaker (12) and the provisional support element (18) or the flexible, length-limiting element (18.1, 18.2) in the region of the outer end face ( 20) surrounds tightly and to which the membrane (30) is tightly connected. Hearing aid according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting means (22) has a tubular extension which surrounds the provisional support element (18) or the flexible, length-limiting element (18.1, 18.2). Hearing aid according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the provisional support element (18) is a metal wire or metal band or that the flexible, length-limiting element (18.1, 18.2) is a string. Hearing aid according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking means (25) is a curvature of the metal wire. Hearing aid according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a tampon (26) is attached to the part of the preliminary support element (18) or the flexible, length-limiting element (18.1, 18.2) projecting over the inner end face (20). Hearing aid according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in its general state for the recess of a battery compartment in the body to be cast, a casting template (32) with a pouring opening (33) positioned in the battery opening (16) of the front plate (15). having. Hearing aid according to claim 11, characterized in that the casting template (32) has slots in which battery contacts (56) are positioned. Hearing aid according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the casting template consists of two parts (32.2, 32.2). Hearing aid according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the front plate (15) for the recess of a battery compartment in the body to be cast has an indentation (60) with a pouring opening (33), battery contacts (56) in the indentation (60) ) are integrated. Hearing aid according to claim 11 or 14, characterized in that the casting template (32) or the indentation (60) also has a ventilation opening. Hearing aid according to claim 15, characterized in that a transparent ventilation tube is arranged on the ventilation opening of the casting template (32) or the indentation (60), which has a mark (66) for checking the casting pressure. Hearing aid according to one of claims 3 to 16, characterized in that a pouring tube (61) connects to the pouring opening (33) of the pouring template (32) or the molding (60), which pouring tube is connected to the provisional support element (18) in this way, that it assumes a position oriented substantially parallel to the support element (18). Hearing aid according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that in its individualized state a vent channel (43) runs through the body (40) produced by pouring out the casting cavity (31) and passes through the opening (17) in the front plate (15 ) on the outer face of the device and through the opening (23) in the connecting means (22) on the inner face (20) of the device. Hearing aid according to claim 18, characterized in that the wall of the vent channel (43) is at least partially formed directly by the body (40). Hearing aid according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the body (40) has a Shore hardness A of between 5 and 70. Hearing aid according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the body (40) consists of a two-component, addition-crosslinking silicone plastic.

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