[go: up one dir, main page]

EP1060640A1 - Hearing aid - Google Patents

Hearing aid

Info

Publication number
EP1060640A1
EP1060640A1 EP99904679A EP99904679A EP1060640A1 EP 1060640 A1 EP1060640 A1 EP 1060640A1 EP 99904679 A EP99904679 A EP 99904679A EP 99904679 A EP99904679 A EP 99904679A EP 1060640 A1 EP1060640 A1 EP 1060640A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hearing aid
cover element
aid according
cover
sound
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP99904679A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1060640B1 (en
EP1060640B2 (en
Inventor
Hilmar Meier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sonova Holding AG
Original Assignee
Phonak AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=8231507&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP1060640(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Phonak AG filed Critical Phonak AG
Priority to EP99904679A priority Critical patent/EP1060640B2/en
Publication of EP1060640A1 publication Critical patent/EP1060640A1/en
Publication of EP1060640B1 publication Critical patent/EP1060640B1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1060640B2 publication Critical patent/EP1060640B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
    • H04R25/654—Ear wax retarders
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/021—Behind the ear [BTE] hearing aids
    • H04R2225/0213—Constructional details of earhooks, e.g. shape, material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/025—In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/40—Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic
    • H04R25/402—Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic using contructional means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/602—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of batteries
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/604—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/607—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of earhooks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/658—Manufacture of housing parts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a hearing aid according to the preamble of patent claim 1.
  • Hearing aids have a sound entry opening for picking up ambient sounds and a sound exit opening for delivering the surrounding sounds processed in the hearing aid. It is of the utmost importance that the
  • Disturbing noises are in no way superimposed on disturbing noises, which are subsequently treated as ambient noises.
  • Disturbing noises can be caused by the fact that air currents at edges on or near the hearing aid break off (tear-off problem) or that air currents with different speeds and / or directions in the area immediately in front of the microphone membrane cause it to be moved (Gradient problem). These two causes can also occur in combination.
  • US Pat. No. 4,073,366 describes a cover element which is glued over the sound entry opening of a hearing aid.
  • the known cover element consists of several layers which are glued together at the edges and which are made of porous materials, with the aim of preventing disturbing noises from occurring at the edges of the inlet opening as a result of tearing off air currents.
  • the overall noise can be influenced only slightly, because of the cover element over the
  • the opening noise can be reduced due to the gradient problem, but not the noise that occurs due to the demolition problem.
  • the reason for this is that by attaching cover elements above the sound inlet opening to reduce flow stalls at their edges, new potential sources of noise are generated at the edges of the cover element itself. The source of noise has only been moved.
  • the present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a hearing aid in which the Noise is reduced.
  • the invention has the following advantages: by integrating at least one cover element into the hearing aid itself and the surface-flush arrangement of the
  • Cover element in the hearing aid housing edges are avoided, which are otherwise a source of noise, which takes into account the demolition problem.
  • the gradient problem is also taken into account by the cover element being made of a porous, preferably an open-porous material and having a certain thickness.
  • an open-pored polyethylene is particularly suitable as the material for the cover elements.
  • the properties of the material can be characterized on the one hand by the filter fineness, which corresponds to the minimum particle size of the filtered particles, and on the other hand, by the open porosity, which corresponds to the ratio between the pore opening and the remaining area.
  • the filter fineness is also given approximately with d50 values, with 50% of the particles passing through the filter at the specified d50 value and 50% of the particles being retained. It has been found that the d50 values for the filter fineness between lO ⁇ m and 200 ⁇ m and the Open porosity is between 70 and almost 100%.
  • cover elements achieves a high level of reproducibility since there are no material transitions that can have a lasting effect on the acoustic properties of the overall system, because material transitions involve the risk that deviations from the acoustic standard behavior occur. Furthermore, both the manufacture and the assembly of the cover elements according to the invention in hearing aids is considerably simpler and therefore also more cost-effective.
  • an embodiment variant of the invention consists in that the cover elements made of a homogeneous material are covered with a thin permeable layer, for example Teflon.
  • a thin permeable layer for example Teflon.
  • Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through parts of a hearing aid according to the invention with inserted - 5 -
  • FIG. 3 shows a side view of a further embodiment of a hearing device according to the invention with an inserted cover element
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover element according to FIG. 3,
  • Fig. 5 shows a longitudinal section through another
  • 6A and 6B show a section through or a plan view of an in-the-ear hearing device with a cover element according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a hearing aid according to the invention consisting of a reinforcing element VE and a hook element HE.
  • the hook element HE is detachable with the
  • Reinforcing element VE connected ie the hook element HE or the reinforcing element VE can be exchanged or replaced as desired.
  • the reinforcing element VE essentially the electronic processing of the acoustic signals (see arrow ES) is carried out, which - after processing - is transferred to the hook element HE (see arrow SS) or into a sound transmission channel UEK contained therein.
  • the reinforcing element VE of the hearing aid should not be discussed further at this point, since the invention is particularly directed to the equipment of the hook element HE.
  • the invention is not limited to hearing aids which consist of two parts, namely reinforcing element VE and hook element HE. Rather, the invention is particularly suitable for hearing aids that consist of only one housing part. In addition, the invention can be used both in ITE (in-the-ear) hearing aids and in BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing aids.
  • the outer shape of the reinforcing element VE is important: in particular in the transition area between the reinforcing element VE and the hook element HE - again in relation to the embodiment according to FIG. 1 - they have identical - but at least similar - contours and surface properties. Overall, the entire hearing aid according to the invention has no sharp edges so that no disturbing noises are generated. - 7 -
  • the hook element HE preferably does not contain any electronic components, but is there in particular to record ambient sounds as free of interference as possible and to transmit them in the direction of the arrow ES to the reinforcement unit VE.
  • the processed acoustic signals - in the direction of arrow SS - are transmitted through the sound transmission channel UEK in the hook element HE to a sound exit opening SA, where the acoustic signals enter the actual auditory canal of the hearing aid wearer.
  • a cover element DE is provided in the hook element HE, which covers the area of the sound entry opening SE from the outside environment, the cover element DE being integrated into the hook element HE such that there are no edges at the transition points between the hook element HE and the cover element DE, ie the cover element DE is integrated flush with the hook element HE.
  • the cover element DE is spherical towards the outside, but at least spherical sector-shaped. This means that there are no edges on the hearing aid side that can be sources of noise.
  • the materials used for the cover elements DE have a certain porosity, preferably a certain open porosity, which can be defined by the two parameters filter fineness and open porosity. Otherwise, the material used has a homogeneous structure according to an embodiment of the invention - 8th -
  • Called foam foamed polyurethane, sintered glass or sintered metal.
  • the cover element is made of a homogeneous material.
  • This layer is preferably made of Teflon. The advantages of such a layer are that the chemical resistance increases - 9 -
  • FIG. 2 shows, in perspective representation, the cover element DE according to the invention for the hearing aid according to FIG. 1.
  • An outward-facing surface AF and inward-facing surfaces IF can be seen.
  • the subdivision of the area AF into three partial areas has only been carried out for a clear representation of the surface curvatures and is otherwise of no significance. The same applies to the four partial areas of the inward area IF.
  • the cover element DE shown in FIG. 2 has good behavior in relation to the gradient effect due to the large volume. However, due to this large volume, there are restrictions with regard to the acoustic impedance and with respect to the - 10 -
  • FIG. 3 shows - like FIG. 1 - a hearing aid according to the invention in longitudinal section, the same reference numerals being used for the individual parts as were already used for the hearing aid according to FIG. 1.
  • the cover element DE is rounded off in the edge region in this embodiment.
  • the recess in the hook element HE for receiving the cover element DE has been adapted to its outer shape.
  • This embodiment of the invention has the additional advantage that a more compact and thus more stable construction is achieved than in the embodiment variant according to FIG. 1.
  • the cover element DE is now embraced by the hook element HE such that the freedom of movement of the cover element DE is restricted in the radial direction becomes.
  • the cover element DE can be moved perpendicular to the cutting plane according to FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 4 shows the cover element DE, which can be inserted into the hearing aid according to FIG. 3.
  • the cover element DE according to FIG. 4 is designed as a shell, ie the outward-facing surfaces remain unchanged, but the volume made of porous material is reduced. at - 11 -
  • the filter fineness is preferably chosen between 10 to 40 ⁇ m, the thickness of the bowl being at least 0.5 mm.
  • FIG. 5 is an embodiment of a
  • the two microphones M1 and M2 are arranged under the same cover element DE.
  • the cover element DE is designed as a shell and delimits a space V which has sound entry openings SEI and SE2, in the vicinity of which one of the microphones M1 and M2 are arranged.
  • volume V in front of the microphones Ml and M2 are identical. Unavoidable contamination on the outward surface of the cover element DE has the same effects on both microphones Ml and M2.
  • FIG. 6 shows an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid, a cross section being shown in FIG. 6A and a top view in FIG. 6B.
  • DE again designates the cover element, by means of which a sound entry opening SE is covered. Furthermore is - 12 -
  • a sound channel UEK can be seen through which the sound waves are conducted to a microphone M.
  • a battery BT and a housing E containing the electronics are also shown in FIG. 6A.
  • 6B shows the cover element DE, which in this embodiment is preferably designed as a spherical sector.
  • the ITE embodiment according to FIG. 6 differs primarily by a different arrangement of the individual hearing aid components. However, this does not deviate from the principle according to the invention.
  • the above statements relate to hearing aids whose sound inlet openings are provided with a corresponding cover element.
  • the sound outlet opening is additionally provided with a cover element. This creates a hearing aid that is not only optimal in terms of acoustic behavior, but in particular is also armed against any external influences.
  • cover elements that are used to cover other ventilation openings.
  • cover elements that are used to cover other ventilation openings.
  • cover elements For example, when using zinc-air batteries, it must be ensured that air access is guaranteed.
  • the ones explained above are also suitable here - 13 -
  • cover element is preferably integrated flush with the surface of the hearing aid housing.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Details Of Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)
  • Adornments (AREA)
  • Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)
  • Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)
  • Soundproofing, Sound Blocking, And Sound Damping (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a hearing aid, comprising a sound entry opening (SE), a sound exit opening (SA) and a covering element (DE) for covering the sound entry opening (SE). According to the invention the covering element (DE) is embedded in the hearing aid housing flush with the surface of same and consists of an open-cell material. The advantage of the invention is that integration of the covering element (DE) into the hearing aid prevents interference noise resulting from air movements.

Description

- 1 - - 1 -

HörgerätHearing aid

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Hörgerät nach dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruchs 1.The present invention relates to a hearing aid according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Hörgeräte weisen eine Schalleintrittsoffnung zum Aufnehmen von Umgebungslauten und eine Schallaustrittsöffnung zur Abgabe der im Hörgerät verarbeiteten Umgebungslaute auf. Dabei ist es von grösster Bedeutung, dass denHearing aids have a sound entry opening for picking up ambient sounds and a sound exit opening for delivering the surrounding sounds processed in the hearing aid. It is of the utmost importance that the

Umgebungslauten in keiner Weise störende Geräusche überlagert werden, die in der Folge wie Umgebungslaute behandelt werden. Störende Geräusche können dabei die Ursache darin haben, dass Luftströmungen an Kanten am bzw. in der Nähe des Hörgerätes abreissen (Abriss-Problematik) oder dass Luftströmungen mit unterschiedlichen Geschwindigkeiten und/oder Richtungen im Bereich unmittelbar vor der Mikrophonmembran dazu führen, dass diese bewegt wird (Gradienten-Problematik) . Diese beiden genannten Ursachen können auch in Kombination auftreten.Surrounding noises are in no way superimposed on disturbing noises, which are subsequently treated as ambient noises. Disturbing noises can be caused by the fact that air currents at edges on or near the hearing aid break off (tear-off problem) or that air currents with different speeds and / or directions in the area immediately in front of the microphone membrane cause it to be moved (Gradient problem). These two causes can also occur in combination.

In der US-4 073 366 ist ein Deckelement beschrieben, das über die Schalleintrittsoffnung eines Hörgerätes geklebt wird. Das bekannte Deckelement besteht aus mehreren Schichten, die an den Rändern zusammengeklebt sind und die aus porösen Materialien bestehen, womit verhindert werden soll, dass an den Kanten der Eintrittsöffnung infolge von abreissenden Luftströmungen störende Geräusche entstehen.US Pat. No. 4,073,366 describes a cover element which is glued over the sound entry opening of a hearing aid. The known cover element consists of several layers which are glued together at the edges and which are made of porous materials, with the aim of preventing disturbing noises from occurring at the edges of the inlet opening as a result of tearing off air currents.

Es hat sich gezeigt, dass mittels dieser bekannten Lehre - 2 -It has been shown that by means of this known teaching - 2 -

die Störgeräusche insgesamt nur gering beeinflusst werden können, denn durch das Deckelement über derthe overall noise can be influenced only slightly, because of the cover element over the

Eintrittsöffnung kann zwar die Störgeräuschbildung aufgrund der Gradienten-Problematik reduziert werden, nicht jedoch die Störgeräusche, die aufgrund der Abriss-Problematik entstehen. Der Grund dafür liegt darin, dass durch das Anbringen von Deckelementen über der Schalleintrittsoffnung zur Verminderung von Strömungsabrissen an deren Kanten neue potentielle Herde von Störgeräuschen an den Kanten des Deckelementes selbst entstehen. Damit ist die Quelle für Störgeräusche lediglich verschoben worden.The opening noise can be reduced due to the gradient problem, but not the noise that occurs due to the demolition problem. The reason for this is that by attaching cover elements above the sound inlet opening to reduce flow stalls at their edges, new potential sources of noise are generated at the edges of the cover element itself. The source of noise has only been moved.

Der Vollständigkeit halber wird auf die Druckschrift EP-0 310 866 verwiesen, in der offenbart wird, dass die Schallaustrittsöffnung zur Verhinderung des Eintritts von Ohrenschmalz (Cerumen) in das Hörgerät mit einem Deckelement abzudecken, wobei die Verwendung eines mikroporösen Materials vorgeschlagen wird. Darüber hinaus kann dieser Druckschrift entnommen werden, dass die Schalleintritts ffnung dann mit einem Deckelement abgedeckt werden soll, sofern es sich um ein In-dem-Ohr-Hörgerät (IdO-Hörgerät) handelt, denn offensichtlich besteht nur dann eine Gefahr, dass Ohrenschmalz in das Hörgerät gelangt, wenn dieses im Ohr plaziert ist. Massnahmen zur Reduktion von störenden Geräuschen sind aus dieserFor the sake of completeness, reference is made to the document EP-0 310 866, in which it is disclosed that the sound outlet opening to prevent the entry of earwax (cerumen) into the hearing aid is covered with a cover element, the use of a microporous material being proposed. In addition, it can be seen from this document that the sound inlet opening is then to be covered with a cover element, provided that it is an in-the-ear hearing aid (ITE hearing aid), because there is obviously only a risk of ear wax in the hearing aid arrives when it is placed in the ear. Measures to reduce annoying noises are from this

Druckschrift nicht entnehmbar. Es handelt sich hier allein darum, die Verschmutzung von Hörgeräten zu vermeiden.Document cannot be removed. The sole purpose here is to avoid contamination of hearing aids.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt daher die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Hörgerät anzugeben, bei dem die Störgeräuschbildung vermindert ist .The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a hearing aid in which the Noise is reduced.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch die im kennzeichnenden Teil des Patentanspruchs 1 angegebenen Massnahmen gelöst . Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung sind in weiteren Ansprüchen angegeben .This object is achieved by the measures specified in the characterizing part of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in further claims.

Die Erfindung weist folgende Vorteile auf: Durch die Integration mindestens eines Deckelementes in das Hörgerät selbst und die oberflächenbündige Anordnung desThe invention has the following advantages: by integrating at least one cover element into the hearing aid itself and the surface-flush arrangement of the

Deckelementes im Hörgerätgehäuse werden Kanten vermieden, die ansonsten Quelle von Störgeräuschen sind, womit der Abriss-Problematik Rechnung getragen ist. Gleichzeitig wird aber auch der Gradienten-Problematik Rechnung getragen, indem das Deckelement aus einem porösen, vorzugsweise aus einem offenporösen Material gefertigt ist und eine gewisse Dicke aufweist.Cover element in the hearing aid housing edges are avoided, which are otherwise a source of noise, which takes into account the demolition problem. At the same time, however, the gradient problem is also taken into account by the cover element being made of a porous, preferably an open-porous material and having a certain thickness.

Es hat sich gezeigt, dass sich als Material für die Deckelemente ein offenporöses Polyäthylen besonders eignet. Die Eigenschaften des Materials können dabei einerseits durch die Filterfeinheit, die der minimalen Teilchengrösse der gefilterten Teilchen entspricht, und anderseits durch die Offenporigkeit , die dem Verhältnis zwischen Porenöffnung und Restfläche entspricht, charakterisiert werden. Die Filterfeinheit wird auch etwa mit d50-Werten angegeben, wobei beim angegebenen d50-Wert 50% der Partikel den Filter passieren und 50% der Partikel zurückbehalten werden. Es hat sich herausgestellt, dass die d50-Werte für die Filterfeinheit zwischen lOμm und 200μm und die Offenporigkeit zwischen 70 und nahezu 100% liegen.It has been shown that an open-pored polyethylene is particularly suitable as the material for the cover elements. The properties of the material can be characterized on the one hand by the filter fineness, which corresponds to the minimum particle size of the filtered particles, and on the other hand, by the open porosity, which corresponds to the ratio between the pore opening and the remaining area. The filter fineness is also given approximately with d50 values, with 50% of the particles passing through the filter at the specified d50 value and 50% of the particles being retained. It has been found that the d50 values for the filter fineness between lOμm and 200μm and the Open porosity is between 70 and almost 100%.

Durch die Verwendung eines homogenen Materials für die Deckelemente wird eine hohe Reproduzierbarkeit derselben erreicht, da keine Materialübergänge vorgesehen sind, welche die akustischen Eigenschaften des Gesamtsystems nachhaltig beeinflussen können, denn Materialübergänge beinhalten das Risiko, dass Abweichungen vom akustischen Normverhalten entstehen. Ferner ist sowohl die Fertigung als auch die Montage der erfindungsgemässen Deckelemente in Hörgeräten wesentlich einfacher und damit auch kostengünstiger .The use of a homogeneous material for the cover elements achieves a high level of reproducibility since there are no material transitions that can have a lasting effect on the acoustic properties of the overall system, because material transitions involve the risk that deviations from the acoustic standard behavior occur. Furthermore, both the manufacture and the assembly of the cover elements according to the invention in hearing aids is considerably simpler and therefore also more cost-effective.

Auf der anderen Seite besteht eine Ausführungsvariante der Erfindung darin, dass die aus einem homogenen Material gefertigten Deckelemente mit einer dünnen durchlässigen Schicht, beispielsweise Teflon, überzogen sind. Dies ergibt eine höhere Beständigkeit, was insbesondere bei äusseren chemischen Einflüssen von grosser Bedeutung ist . Darüber hinaus wird aber der Abriss-Problematik weiter Rechnung getragen, denn durch das Beschichten erhält das Deckelement eine feinere Oberfläche. Damit werden Abriss-Störgeräusche, die aufgrund von Unebenheiten in der Oberfläche der Deckelemente erzeugt werden, weiter vermindert.On the other hand, an embodiment variant of the invention consists in that the cover elements made of a homogeneous material are covered with a thin permeable layer, for example Teflon. This results in a higher resistance, which is particularly important in the case of external chemical influences. In addition, however, the demolition problem is taken into account, because the coating gives the cover element a finer surface. This further reduces tearing noise caused by unevenness in the surface of the cover elements.

Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend anhand von Zeichnungen beispielsweise näher erläutert . Dabei zeigenThe invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings, for example. Show

Fig. 1 einen Längsschnitt durch Teile eines erfindungsgemässen Hörgerätes mit eingesetztem - 5 -Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through parts of a hearing aid according to the invention with inserted - 5 -

Deckelement ,Cover element,

Fig. 2 das Deckelement gemäss Fig. 1 in perspektivischerFig. 2, the cover element according to FIG. 1 in perspective

Darstellung,Presentation,

Fig. 3 eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemässen Hörgerätes mit eingesetztem Deckelement,3 shows a side view of a further embodiment of a hearing device according to the invention with an inserted cover element,

Fig. 4 das Deckelement gemäss Fig. 3 in perspektivischer Darstellung,4 is a perspective view of the cover element according to FIG. 3,

Fig. 5 einen Längsschnitt durch eine weitereFig. 5 shows a longitudinal section through another

Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemässen Hörgerätes mit mehreren Mikrophonen undEmbodiment of a hearing aid according to the invention with several microphones and

Fig. 6A und 6B einen Schnitt durch bzw. eine Draufsicht auf ein In-dem-Ohr-Hörgerät mit einem erfindungsgemässen Deckelement.6A and 6B show a section through or a plan view of an in-the-ear hearing device with a cover element according to the invention.

Fig. 1 zeigt einen Längsschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemässes Hörgerät bestehend aus einem Verstärkungselement VE und einem Hakenelement HE. Das Hakenelement HE ist dabei lösbar mit dem1 shows a longitudinal section through a hearing aid according to the invention consisting of a reinforcing element VE and a hook element HE. The hook element HE is detachable with the

Verstärkungselement VE verbunden, d.h. das Hakenelement HE bzw. das Verstärkungselement VE können beliebig ausgetauscht bzw. ersetzt werden. Im Verstärkungselement VE wird im wesentlichen die elektronische Bearbeitung der akustischen Signale (siehe Pfeil ES) vorgenommen, die - nach der Verarbeitung - an das Hakenelement HE (siehe Pfeil SS) bzw. in einen darin enthaltenen Schallübertragungskanal UEK übergeben werden. Auf das Verstärkungselement VE des Hörgerätes ist an dieser Stelle nicht weiter einzugehen, da die Erfindung insbesondere auf die Ausstattung des Hakenelementes HE gerichtet ist.Reinforcing element VE connected, ie the hook element HE or the reinforcing element VE can be exchanged or replaced as desired. In the reinforcing element VE, essentially the electronic processing of the acoustic signals (see arrow ES) is carried out, which - after processing - is transferred to the hook element HE (see arrow SS) or into a sound transmission channel UEK contained therein. The reinforcing element VE of the hearing aid should not be discussed further at this point, since the invention is particularly directed to the equipment of the hook element HE.

Es wird jedoch ausdrücklich darauf hingewiesen, dass die Erfindung nicht auf Hörgeräte beschränkt ist, die aus zwei Teilen, nämlich Verstärkungselement VE und Hakenelement HE, bestehen. Vielmehr eignet sich die Erfindung insbesondere auch für Hörgeräte, die nur aus einem Gehäuseteil bestehen. Darüber hinaus kann die Erfindung sowohl bei IdO- (In-dem- Ohr) -Hörgeräten als auch bei HdO- (Hinter-dem-Ohr) - Hörgeräten angewendet werden.However, it is expressly pointed out that the invention is not limited to hearing aids which consist of two parts, namely reinforcing element VE and hook element HE. Rather, the invention is particularly suitable for hearing aids that consist of only one housing part. In addition, the invention can be used both in ITE (in-the-ear) hearing aids and in BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing aids.

Im Hinblick auf die vorliegende Erfindung ist die äussere Form des Verstärkungselementes VE von Bedeutung: Insbesondere im Übergangsbereich zwischen Verstärkungselement VE und Hakenelement HE - wiederum in bezug auf die Ausführungsform gemäss Fig. 1 - weisen diese identische - zumindest jedoch ähnliche - Konturen und Oberflächenbeschaffenheiten auf. Insgesamt weist das ganze erfindungsgemässe Hörgerät keine scharfen Kanten auf, damit keine störenden Geräusche erzeugt werden. - 7 -With regard to the present invention, the outer shape of the reinforcing element VE is important: in particular in the transition area between the reinforcing element VE and the hook element HE - again in relation to the embodiment according to FIG. 1 - they have identical - but at least similar - contours and surface properties. Overall, the entire hearing aid according to the invention has no sharp edges so that no disturbing noises are generated. - 7 -

Das Hakenelement HE enthält vorzugsweise keine elektronischen Komponenten, sondern ist insbesondere dazu da, Umgebungslaute möglichst störungsfrei aufzunehmen und - in Richtung Pfeil ES - in die Verstärkungseinheit VE zu übertragen. Anderseits werden die verarbeiteten akustischen Signale - in Richtung Pfeil SS - durch den Schallübertragungskanal UEK im Hakenelement HE zu einer Schallaustrittsöffnung SA übertragen, wo die akustischen Signale in den eigentlichen Gehörgang des Hörgeräteträgers gelangen.The hook element HE preferably does not contain any electronic components, but is there in particular to record ambient sounds as free of interference as possible and to transmit them in the direction of the arrow ES to the reinforcement unit VE. On the other hand, the processed acoustic signals - in the direction of arrow SS - are transmitted through the sound transmission channel UEK in the hook element HE to a sound exit opening SA, where the acoustic signals enter the actual auditory canal of the hearing aid wearer.

Erfindungsgemäss ist im Hakenelement HE ein Deckelement DE vorgesehen, der den Bereich der Schalleintrittsoffnung SE gegenüber der Aussenumgebung abdeckt, wobei das Deckelement DE in das Hakenelement HE derart integriert ist, dass keine Kanten an den Übergangsstellen zwischen dem Hakenelement HE und dem Deckelement DE vorhanden sind, d.h. das Deckelement DE ist oberflächenbündig in das Hakenelement HE integriert . Darüber hinaus ist das Deckelement DE gegen Aussen kugelförmig, zumindest aber kugelsektorförmig ausgebildet. Damit sind von Seiten Hörgerät keine Kanten vorhanden, die Quellen von Störgeräuschen sein können.According to the invention, a cover element DE is provided in the hook element HE, which covers the area of the sound entry opening SE from the outside environment, the cover element DE being integrated into the hook element HE such that there are no edges at the transition points between the hook element HE and the cover element DE, ie the cover element DE is integrated flush with the hook element HE. In addition, the cover element DE is spherical towards the outside, but at least spherical sector-shaped. This means that there are no edges on the hearing aid side that can be sources of noise.

Wie erwähnt weisen die für die Deckelemente DE verwendeten Materialien eine gewisse Porosität, vorzugsweise eine gewisse Offenporosität auf, die durch die beiden Parameter Filterfeinheit und Offenporigkeit definiert werden kann. Im übrigen weist das verwendete Material gemäss einer erfindungsgemässen Ausführungsform eine homogene Struktur - 8 -As mentioned, the materials used for the cover elements DE have a certain porosity, preferably a certain open porosity, which can be defined by the two parameters filter fineness and open porosity. Otherwise, the material used has a homogeneous structure according to an embodiment of the invention - 8th -

aufon

Es hat sich gezeigt, dass, wenn das verwendete Material eine zwischen lOμm und 200μm (Angaben in d50-Werten) liegende Filterfeinheit und eine zwischen 70% und nahezu 100% liegende Offenporigkeit aufweist, besonders gute Ergebnisse erzielt werden können. Allerdings hängt die Wahl dieser Parameter, insbesondere die Filterfeinheit, erheblich von der Dicke des Deckelementes bzw. von dessen Volumen ab. So hat sich herausgestellt, dass zur Reduktion des Gradienten-Effektes ein möglichst grosses Volumen für das Deckelement von Vorteil ist. Allerdings bewirkt eine Vergrösserung des Volumens gleichzeitig eine ungewollte Veränderung der akustischen Impedanz. Damit muss ein Kompromiss zwischen diesen beiden Optimierungsbedingungen gefunden werden, was anhand Fig. 2 weiter erläutert wird.It has been shown that if the material used has a filter fineness between 10 μm and 200 μm (data in d50 values) and an open porosity between 70% and almost 100%, particularly good results can be achieved. However, the choice of these parameters, in particular the filter fineness, depends considerably on the thickness of the cover element or on its volume. It has been found that the largest possible volume for the cover element is advantageous for reducing the gradient effect. However, increasing the volume also causes an unwanted change in the acoustic impedance. A compromise between these two optimization conditions must therefore be found, which is explained further with reference to FIG. 2.

Die folgenden Materialien eignen sich besonders im Zusammenhang mit dieser Erfindung: gesintertes Polymer, Polyäthylen, Schaumkeramik (auch etwa als keramischerThe following materials are particularly useful in connection with this invention: sintered polymer, polyethylene, ceramic foam (also as a ceramic

Schaum bezeichnet) , geschäumtes Polyurethan, gesintertes Glas oder gesintertes Metall .Called foam), foamed polyurethane, sintered glass or sintered metal.

Es wurde bereits darauf hingewiesen, dass das Deckelement aus einem homogenen Material gefertigt ist. In einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung wird vorgeschlagen, die Aussenseite des Deckelementes mit einer dünnen, feinporigen Schicht zu überziehen. Diese Schicht besteht vorzugsweise aus Teflon. Die Vorteile einer solchen Schicht bestehen darin, dass die chemische Beständigkeit erhöht - 9 -It has already been pointed out that the cover element is made of a homogeneous material. In a further embodiment of the invention it is proposed to cover the outside of the cover element with a thin, fine-pored layer. This layer is preferably made of Teflon. The advantages of such a layer are that the chemical resistance increases - 9 -

ist, was den Einsatz der erfindungsgemässen Hörgeräte bei starken äusseren Einflüssen ermöglicht . Während beim normalen alltäglichen Einsatz ein Abstossen von Wasser, Körperschweiss und Körperfett notwendig und gefordert ist, ist in speziell gelagerten Fällen auch ein Abstossen von anderen chemischen Substanzen denkbar und auch wünschenswert .is what enables the use of the hearing aids according to the invention in the event of strong external influences. While in normal everyday use repelling water, body sweat and body fat is necessary and required, in specially stored cases, repelling other chemical substances is also conceivable and desirable.

Von grösster Bedeutung für den täglichen Einsatz von Hörgeräten ist deren Wetterbeständigkeit, die dadurch erreicht wird, dass ein hydrophobes Material für das Deckelement zum Einsatz kommt oder dass zumindest die Oberfläche mit einem hydrophoben Material behandelt bzw. beschichtet ist.Of great importance for the daily use of hearing aids is their weather resistance, which is achieved by using a hydrophobic material for the cover element or by at least treating or coating the surface with a hydrophobic material.

Fig. 2 zeigt, in perspektivischer Darstellung, das erfindungsgemässe Deckelement DE für das Hörgerät gemäss Fig. 1. Ersichtlich sind eine nach Aussen gerichtete Fläche AF und nach Innen gerichtete Flächen IF. Die Unterteilung der Fläche AF in drei Teilflächen ist lediglich für eine deutliche Darstellung der Oberflächenkrümmungen vorgenommen worden und hat ansonsten keine Bedeutung. Das gleiche trifft zu für die vier Teilflächen der nach Innen gerichteten Fläche IF.FIG. 2 shows, in perspective representation, the cover element DE according to the invention for the hearing aid according to FIG. 1. An outward-facing surface AF and inward-facing surfaces IF can be seen. The subdivision of the area AF into three partial areas has only been carried out for a clear representation of the surface curvatures and is otherwise of no significance. The same applies to the four partial areas of the inward area IF.

Das in Fig. 2 dargestellte Deckelement DE weist aufgrund der Grossvolumigkeit ein gutes Verhalten in bezug auf den Gradienten-Effekt auf. Allerdings bestehen aufgrund dieser Grossvolumigkeit Einschränkungen in bezug auf die akustische Impedanz und in bezug auf die - 10 -The cover element DE shown in FIG. 2 has good behavior in relation to the gradient effect due to the large volume. However, due to this large volume, there are restrictions with regard to the acoustic impedance and with respect to the - 10 -

Körperschalleigenschaften des Hörgerätes . Dem kann dadurch entgegengesteuert werden, indem die Feinporigkeit vorzugsweise bei 80 bis lOOμm (d50-Werte) gewählt wird.Structure-borne noise properties of the hearing aid. This can be counteracted by selecting the fine porosity preferably at 80 to 100 μm (d50 values).

Fig. 3 zeigt - wie Fig. 1 - ein erfindungsgemässes Hörgerät im Längsschnitt, wobei für die einzelnen Teile die gleichen Bezugszeichen verwendet wurden, wie sie bereits beim Hörgerät gemäss Fig. 1 eingesetzt wurden.3 shows - like FIG. 1 - a hearing aid according to the invention in longitudinal section, the same reference numerals being used for the individual parts as were already used for the hearing aid according to FIG. 1.

Wie aus Fig. 3 ersichtlich ist, ist das Deckelement DE bei dieser Ausführungsform im Randbereich abgerundet. Entsprechend ist die Ausnehmung im Hakenelement HE zur Aufnahme des Deckelementes DE der äusseren Form desselben angepasst worden. Diese Ausführungsform der Erfindung hat den zusätzlichen Vorteil, dass eine kompaktere und somit stabilere Bauweise erreicht wird als bei der AusführungsVariante gemäss Fig. 1. Das Deckelement DE wird nämlich nunmehr vom Hakenelement HE derart umfasst, dass die Bewegungs reiheit des Deckelementes DE in radialer Richtung eingeschränkt wird. Für die Montage und Demontage kann das Deckelement DE senkrecht zur Schnittebene gemäss Fig. 3 bewegt werden.As can be seen from FIG. 3, the cover element DE is rounded off in the edge region in this embodiment. Correspondingly, the recess in the hook element HE for receiving the cover element DE has been adapted to its outer shape. This embodiment of the invention has the additional advantage that a more compact and thus more stable construction is achieved than in the embodiment variant according to FIG. 1. The cover element DE is now embraced by the hook element HE such that the freedom of movement of the cover element DE is restricted in the radial direction becomes. For assembly and disassembly, the cover element DE can be moved perpendicular to the cutting plane according to FIG. 3.

In Fig. 4 ist das Deckelement DE, das in das Hörgerät gemäss Fig. 3 einsetzbar ist, dargestellt. Neben den bereits anhand Fig. 3 erläuterten Unterschieden gegenüber der Ausführungsform gemäss Fig. 1 bzw. 2 ist das Deckelement DE gemäss Fig. 4 als Schale ausgebildet, d.h. die nach aussen gerichteten Flächen bleiben unverändert, jedoch das Volumen aus porösem Material wird reduziert. Bei - 11 -FIG. 4 shows the cover element DE, which can be inserted into the hearing aid according to FIG. 3. In addition to the differences already explained with reference to FIG. 3, compared to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover element DE according to FIG. 4 is designed as a shell, ie the outward-facing surfaces remain unchanged, but the volume made of porous material is reduced. at - 11 -

einer solchen Schalenform wird die Filterfeinheit vorzugsweise zwischen 10 bis 40μm gewählt, wobei die Dicke der Schale dabei mindestens 0,5mm beträgt.In such a bowl shape, the filter fineness is preferably chosen between 10 to 40 μm, the thickness of the bowl being at least 0.5 mm.

Schliesslich ist in Fig. 5 eine Ausführungsform einesFinally, in Fig. 5 is an embodiment of a

Hörgerätes dargestellt, bei der zwei Mikrophone Ml und M2 zur Veränderung der Richtcharakteristik zum Einsatz kommen. Erfindungsgemäss werden hierbei die beiden Mikrophone Ml und M2 unter dem selben Deckelement DE angeordnet . Das Deckelement DE ist als Schale ausgebildet und begrenzt einen Raum V, der Schalleintrittsöffnungen SEI und SE2 aufweist, in deren Umgebung je eines der Mikrophone Ml und M2 angeordnet sind.Hearing aid shown, in which two microphones Ml and M2 are used to change the directional characteristic. According to the invention, the two microphones M1 and M2 are arranged under the same cover element DE. The cover element DE is designed as a shell and delimits a space V which has sound entry openings SEI and SE2, in the vicinity of which one of the microphones M1 and M2 are arranged.

Bekanntlich ist es bei der Verwendung von mehrerenAs is well known, it is when using several

Mikrophonen zur Veränderung der Richtcharakteristik von grösster Bedeutung, dass die Charakteristiken der Mikrophone identisch sind. Dies wird im höchsten Masse dadurch erreicht, dass beide Mikrophone Ml und M2 unter dem selben Deckelement DE angeordnet sind, womit auch dieMicrophones for changing the directional characteristic of the greatest importance that the characteristics of the microphones are identical. This is achieved to the greatest extent that both microphones M1 and M2 are arranged under the same cover element DE, which also means that

Volumen V vor den Mikrophonen Ml und M2 identisch sind. Unvermeidbare Verschmutzungen auf der nach aussen gerichteten Oberfläche des Deckelementes DE haben gleiche Einflüsse auf beide Mikrophone Ml und M2.Volume V in front of the microphones Ml and M2 are identical. Unavoidable contamination on the outward surface of the cover element DE has the same effects on both microphones Ml and M2.

In Fig. 6 ist ein In-dem-Ohr- (IdO) -Hörgerät dargestellt, wobei in Fig. 6A ein Querschnitt und in Fig. 6B eine Draufsicht dargestellt ist. In Fig. 6A ist mit DE wiederum das Deckelement bezeichnet, mit Hilfe dessen eine Schalleintrittsoffnung SE abgedeckt ist. Des weiteren ist - 12 -FIG. 6 shows an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid, a cross section being shown in FIG. 6A and a top view in FIG. 6B. In FIG. 6A, DE again designates the cover element, by means of which a sound entry opening SE is covered. Furthermore is - 12 -

ein Schallkanal UEK ersichtlich, durch den die Schallwellen zu einem Mikrophon M geleitet werden. Der Vollständigkeit halber ist in Fig. 6A auch eine Batterie BT und ein die Elektronik enthaltendes Gehäuse E eingezeichnet .a sound channel UEK can be seen through which the sound waves are conducted to a microphone M. For the sake of completeness, a battery BT and a housing E containing the electronics are also shown in FIG. 6A.

In der Draufsicht gemäss Fig. 6B ist das Deckelement DE erkennbar, das in dieser Ausführungsform vorzugsweise als Kugelsektor ausgebildet ist .6B shows the cover element DE, which in this embodiment is preferably designed as a spherical sector.

Gegenüber den Hörgeräten gemäss Fig. 1 bis 5 unterscheidet sich die IdO-Ausführungsform gemäss Fig. 6 vor allem durch eine andere Anordnung der einzelnen Hörgerätkomponenten. Dadurch wird jedoch vom erfindungsgemässen Prinzip nicht abgewichen.Compared to the hearing aids according to FIGS. 1 to 5, the ITE embodiment according to FIG. 6 differs primarily by a different arrangement of the individual hearing aid components. However, this does not deviate from the principle according to the invention.

Die vorstehenden Ausführungen beziehen sich auf Hörgeräte, deren Schalleintrittsöffnungen mit einem entsprechenden Deckelement versehen sind. Gemäss einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung wird zusätzlich die Schallaustrittsöffnung mit einem Deckelement versehen. Damit wird ein Hörgerät geschaffen, das nicht nur in bezug auf das akustische Verhalten optimal ist, sondere insbesondere auch gegen jegliche äussere Einflüsse gewappnet ist.The above statements relate to hearing aids whose sound inlet openings are provided with a corresponding cover element. According to a development of the invention, the sound outlet opening is additionally provided with a cover element. This creates a hearing aid that is not only optimal in terms of acoustic behavior, but in particular is also armed against any external influences.

Denkbar in diesem Zusammenhang sind auch Deckelemente, die zum Abdecken von anderen Lüftungsöffnungen verwendet werden. So ist beispielsweise beim Einsatz von Zink-Luft Batterien zu beachten, dass der Luftzutritt gewährleistet ist. Auch hier eignen sich die vorstehend erläuterten - 13 -Also conceivable in this context are cover elements that are used to cover other ventilation openings. For example, when using zinc-air batteries, it must be ensured that air access is guaranteed. The ones explained above are also suitable here - 13 -

Deckelemente vorzüglich, wobei das Deckelement vorzugsweise oberflächenbündig in das Hörgerätgehäuse integriert ist . Excellent cover elements, wherein the cover element is preferably integrated flush with the surface of the hearing aid housing.

Claims

- 14 -Patentansprüche : - 14 patent claims: 1. Hörgerät mit einer Schalleintrittsoffnung (SE) und einer Schallaustrittsöffnung (SA) , wobei ein Deckelement (DE) zur Abdeckung der Schalleintrittsoffnung (SE) vorgesehen ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Deckelement (DE) oberflächenbündig in das Hörgerätgehäuse integriert ist .1. Hearing aid with a sound entry opening (SE) and a sound exit opening (SA), wherein a cover element (DE) is provided to cover the sound entry opening (SE), characterized in that the cover element (DE) is integrated flush with the surface of the hearing aid housing. 2. Hörgerät nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein weiteres Deckelement (DE) vorgesehen ist, das die Schallaustrittsöffnung (SA) abdeckt, wobei das weitere Deckelement (DE) oberflächenbündig in das Hörgerätgehäuse integriert ist.2. Hearing aid according to claim 1, characterized in that a further cover element (DE) is provided which covers the sound outlet opening (SA), the further cover element (DE) being integrated flush with the surface in the hearing aid housing. 3. Hörgerät nach Anspruch 1 oder 2 , dadurch gekennzeichnet , dass mindestens ein Deckelement (DE) aus gesintertem Polymer, Schaumkeramik, gesintertem Glas oder gesintertem Metall besteht .3. Hearing aid according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one cover element (DE) consists of sintered polymer, foam ceramic, sintered glass or sintered metal. 4. Hörgerät nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Deckelemente (DE) aus einem hydrophoben und/oder oliophoben Material bestehen.4. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover elements (DE) consist of a hydrophobic and / or oliophobic material. 5. Hörgerät nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein Deckelement (DE) eine Filterfeinheit von lOμm bis 200μm und eine Offenporigkeit von 70 bis nahezu 100% aufweist. - 15 -5. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one cover element (DE) has a filter fineness of 10 microns to 200 microns and an open porosity of 70 to almost 100%. - 15 - 6. Hörgerät nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein Deckelement (DE) gegen aussen mit einer Schicht, vorzugsweise aus Teflon, überzogen ist .6. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one cover element (DE) is coated on the outside with a layer, preferably made of Teflon. 7. Hörgerät nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Struktur mindestens eines Deckelementes (DE) homogen ist.7. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure of at least one cover element (DE) is homogeneous. 8. Hörgerät nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Deckelement (DE) als Schale ausgebildet ist, die aus einem Material hergestellt ist, das vorzugsweise eine Filterfeinheit zwischen 10 und 40μm aufweist .8. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (DE) is designed as a shell, which is made of a material that preferably has a filter fineness between 10 and 40 microns. 9. Hörgerät nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schale mindestens 0,5 mm dick ist.9. Hearing aid according to claim 8, characterized in that the shell is at least 0.5 mm thick. 10. Hörgerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Deckelement (DE) vollvolumig ausgestaltet ist, wobei das Material vorzugsweise eine Filterfeinheit zwischen 80 und lOOμm aufweist.10. Hearing aid according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cover element (DE) is designed to be of full volume, the material preferably having a filter fineness between 80 and 100 μm. 11. Hörgerät nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schalleintrittsoffnung (SE) und das Deckelement (DE) in einem Hakenelement (HE) enthalten sind, das mit einem Verstärkungselement (VE) lösbar gekoppelt ist . - 16 -11. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sound inlet opening (SE) and the cover element (DE) are contained in a hook element (HE) which is detachably coupled to a reinforcing element (VE). - 16 - 12. Hörgerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schallaustrittsöffnung (SE) und das Deckelement (DE) in einem Hakenelement (HE) enthalten sind, das mit einem Verstärkungselement (VE) lösbar gekoppelt ist .12. Hearing aid according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sound outlet opening (SE) and the cover element (DE) are contained in a hook element (HE) which is detachably coupled to a reinforcing element (VE). 13. Hörgerät nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens eines der Deckelemente (DE) lösbar mit dem Hörgerätgehäuse gekoppelt ist.13. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the cover elements (DE) is detachably coupled to the hearing aid housing. 14. Hörgerät nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass unter dem Deckelement (DE) zur Abdeckung der Schalleintrittsoffnung (SE) mindestens zwei Mikrophone (Ml, M2) angeordnet sind.14. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two microphones (M1, M2) are arranged under the cover element (DE) to cover the sound entry opening (SE). 15. Hörgerät nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Horgeratgehause eine Lüftungsδffnung aufweist, die den Luftzutritt zu einer Zink-Luft Batterie gewährleistet, wobei die15. Hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hearing aid housing has a ventilation opening which ensures air access to a zinc-air battery, the Luftzutrittsöffnung mit einem weiteren Deckelement abgedeckt ist, das oberflächenbündig in das Hörgerätgehäuse integriert ist. Air access opening is covered with a further cover element which is integrated flush with the surface of the hearing aid housing.
EP99904679A 1998-03-02 1999-03-01 Hearing aid Expired - Lifetime EP1060640B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99904679A EP1060640B2 (en) 1998-03-02 1999-03-01 Hearing aid

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98103587 1998-03-02
EP98103587A EP0847227B1 (en) 1998-03-02 1998-03-02 Hearing aid
EP99904679A EP1060640B2 (en) 1998-03-02 1999-03-01 Hearing aid
PCT/CH1999/000093 WO1999045744A1 (en) 1998-03-02 1999-03-01 Hearing aid

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1060640A1 true EP1060640A1 (en) 2000-12-20
EP1060640B1 EP1060640B1 (en) 2003-01-22
EP1060640B2 EP1060640B2 (en) 2007-03-14

Family

ID=8231507

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98103587A Revoked EP0847227B1 (en) 1998-03-02 1998-03-02 Hearing aid
EP99904679A Expired - Lifetime EP1060640B2 (en) 1998-03-02 1999-03-01 Hearing aid

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98103587A Revoked EP0847227B1 (en) 1998-03-02 1998-03-02 Hearing aid

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (2) US6574343B1 (en)
EP (2) EP0847227B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4608095B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE231678T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2508999A (en)
DE (2) DE59809366D1 (en)
DK (2) DK0847227T3 (en)
WO (1) WO1999045744A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9132270B2 (en) 2011-01-18 2015-09-15 Advanced Bionics Ag Moisture resistant headpieces and implantable cochlear stimulation systems including the same

Families Citing this family (56)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE59809366D1 (en) * 1998-03-02 2003-10-02 Phonak Ag Staefa hearing Aid
AU2793700A (en) * 1999-01-27 2000-08-18 Auric Horsysteme Gmbh & Co. Kg Hearing aid
NL1011778C1 (en) 1999-04-13 2000-10-16 Microtronic Nederland Bv Microphone for a hearing aid and a hearing aid provided with such a microphone.
WO2000079835A1 (en) 1999-06-16 2000-12-28 Phonak Ag Hearing-aid, worn behind the ear
DK1254587T3 (en) * 2000-02-09 2003-09-29 Phonak Ag Hearing aid
US6741716B2 (en) 2002-02-19 2004-05-25 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Affixed behind-the-ear child resistant volume control cover
DE10260307B4 (en) * 2002-12-20 2007-02-22 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Electroacoustic miniature transducer for a hearing aid
DE10260303B3 (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-06-17 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Microphone module for hearing aid, has several microphones attached to common carrier and electrically connected via 3-dimensional conductor paths
US20040196996A1 (en) * 2003-04-02 2004-10-07 Feitel Mark A. Hearing aid and hearing aid accessory cosmetic and functional cover
US7267847B2 (en) 2003-12-30 2007-09-11 Phonak Ag Hydrophobic coating of individual components of hearing aid devices
US20050249369A1 (en) * 2004-05-05 2005-11-10 Phonak Ag Flexible frequency response shaping
US7873058B2 (en) * 2004-11-08 2011-01-18 Mosaid Technologies Incorporated Outlet with analog signal adapter, a method for use thereof and a network using said outlet
DE102004062279A1 (en) * 2004-12-23 2006-05-11 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Hearing aid earwax protection unit has contamination repellent coating on non skin contacting surface
DE102005012149B3 (en) 2005-03-16 2006-09-21 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Covering device for at least one microphone input of a hearing device and hearing aid with a cover device
US7991174B2 (en) * 2005-06-30 2011-08-02 Insound Medical, Inc. Hearing aid battery barrier
EP1578168B1 (en) 2005-07-01 2010-12-22 Phonak Ag In-ear device
US7804975B2 (en) 2005-07-01 2010-09-28 Phonak Ag In-ear device
US20070127757A2 (en) * 2005-07-18 2007-06-07 Soundquest, Inc. Behind-The-Ear-Auditory Device
US20080205679A1 (en) * 2005-07-18 2008-08-28 Darbut Alexander L In-Ear Auditory Device and Methods of Using Same
EP3223533B1 (en) 2005-09-08 2021-05-26 Oticon A/s Audio device comprising a microphone
US7756285B2 (en) * 2006-01-30 2010-07-13 Songbird Hearing, Inc. Hearing aid with tuned microphone cavity
US7756284B2 (en) * 2006-01-30 2010-07-13 Songbird Hearing, Inc. Hearing aid circuit with integrated switch and battery
DE102006026785A1 (en) * 2006-06-07 2007-12-13 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Cover device for hearing aid housing arrangement
US7889880B1 (en) * 2006-08-08 2011-02-15 Robert George Coffey Hearing aid wind-vortex noise preventer blanket accessories
AU2007303131A1 (en) * 2006-10-03 2008-04-10 Sonic Innovations, Inc. Hydrophobic and oleophobic coating and method for preparing the same
US8846161B2 (en) * 2006-10-03 2014-09-30 Brigham Young University Hydrophobic coating and method
DE102007010602A1 (en) * 2007-03-05 2008-09-11 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Voltage source with a coated housing
US20100202648A1 (en) * 2007-06-18 2010-08-12 Phonak Ag Cover for apertures of an electric micro-device housing
DE102007034230A1 (en) * 2007-07-23 2009-01-29 Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. Hearing device e.g. behind-the-ear hearing aid, has microphone cover to protect microphone and with opening, where plane defines two region halves through microphone opening, and opening of cover is arranged in one region half
KR200448686Y1 (en) * 2008-02-04 2010-05-07 (주)머티리얼솔루션테크놀로지 hearing aid
WO2009138524A2 (en) * 2009-09-07 2009-11-19 Phonak Ag Advanced microphone protection
DK2348757T3 (en) * 2009-12-31 2016-02-01 Starkey Lab Inc REDUCTION OF ALIEN COMPONENTS TO HEARING DEVICES
US9369816B2 (en) 2009-12-31 2016-06-14 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Omniphobic perforated barrier for hearing aid transducers
WO2011098153A1 (en) * 2010-02-11 2011-08-18 Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. Behind-the-ear hearing aid having a plug-in connector
EP2548383B1 (en) 2010-03-19 2014-04-16 Advanced Bionics AG Waterproof acoustic element enclosure and apparatus including the same.
US9161131B2 (en) * 2010-03-25 2015-10-13 K&E Holdings, LLC Stereo audio headphone apparatus for a user having a hearing loss and related methods
DE102010043413A1 (en) * 2010-11-04 2012-05-10 Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. Method and hearing aid for detecting wetness
WO2012108433A1 (en) 2011-02-07 2012-08-16 京セラ株式会社 Accessory member and accessory comprising same
US9071918B2 (en) 2011-03-18 2015-06-30 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Ball and socket connection with an acoustic seal and mounting interface for a hearing assistance device
US9386384B2 (en) * 2012-01-03 2016-07-05 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Hearing instrument transduction apparatus using ferroelectret polymer foam
US10284974B2 (en) 2013-07-10 2019-05-07 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Acoustically transparent barrier layer to seal audio transducers
JP2015073167A (en) 2013-10-02 2015-04-16 日東電工株式会社 Hearing aid and hearing aid charging system
JP6604708B2 (en) 2013-10-02 2019-11-13 日東電工株式会社 hearing aid
USD838688S1 (en) * 2017-05-07 2019-01-22 Xiaoliang Liu Wireless headset
USD825764S1 (en) * 2017-07-03 2018-08-14 Enrique Gajstut Sound amplifier
DE102017219470A1 (en) * 2017-11-02 2019-05-02 Sivantos Pte. Ltd. hearing Aid
USD861634S1 (en) * 2017-12-18 2019-10-01 Wen-Tse HUANG Bluetooth headset
USD903634S1 (en) * 2019-04-29 2020-12-01 Shenzhen Quanmeng Technology Co., Ltd. Wireless headset
USD939476S1 (en) * 2019-12-23 2021-12-28 Bose Corporation Audio headset
USD945401S1 (en) * 2019-12-23 2022-03-08 Bose Corporation Audio headset
USD903635S1 (en) * 2020-07-09 2020-12-01 Shenzhen Link Dream Electronics Co., Ltd Earphone
US11638107B2 (en) 2020-11-11 2023-04-25 Gn Hearing A/S Hearing device with two microphone filters
USD944228S1 (en) * 2021-03-16 2022-02-22 Shenzhen Quanmeng Technology Co., Ltd. Earphone
USD947812S1 (en) * 2021-04-26 2022-04-05 Shenzhenshi Annso Technology Co., Ltd Wireless earphone
USD1025953S1 (en) * 2022-06-08 2024-05-07 Yealink (Xiamen) Network Technology Co., Ltd. Audio headset
USD1051093S1 (en) * 2023-01-16 2024-11-12 Shenzhen Fushike Electronic Co., Ltd Wireless earphone

Family Cites Families (33)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1153797B (en) 1961-12-02 1963-09-05 Robert Bosch Elektronik Ges Mi Device for the hearing impaired to be worn behind the ear
US3265153A (en) * 1962-06-27 1966-08-09 Electro Voice Acoustical device with protective screen
AT265384B (en) 1966-06-17 1968-10-10 Akg Akustische Kino Geraete Sound receiver with one or more individual microphones
US3770911A (en) * 1972-07-21 1973-11-06 Industrial Research Prod Inc Hearing aid system
NL7306005A (en) * 1973-05-01 1974-11-05
CA1029668A (en) * 1975-06-23 1978-04-18 Unitron Industries Limited Hearing aid having adjustable directivity
US3976848A (en) † 1975-08-21 1976-08-24 Estes Roger Q Disposable noise reducing hearing aid attachment
US4073366A (en) † 1976-07-26 1978-02-14 Estes Roger Q Disposable noise reducing hearing aid attachment
US4122015A (en) * 1977-06-06 1978-10-24 Nippon Seisen Co., Ltd. Fortified metal filter and its preparative procedure
US4600077A (en) * 1985-01-25 1986-07-15 Drever Leslie C Microphone wind shroud
DE8713369U1 (en) * 1987-10-05 1989-02-09 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Device for closing openings on hearing aids or earpieces for hearing aids
NL8802516A (en) * 1988-10-13 1990-05-01 Philips Nv HEARING AID WITH CIRCULAR SUPPRESSION.
DE3928680A1 (en) 1989-08-30 1991-03-07 Systec Rationalisierungstechni INSERTING AND REMOVING DEVICE FOR A PROCESSING MACHINE
CA2014960C (en) * 1990-04-19 1995-07-25 Horst Arndt Modular hearing aid
AT407815B (en) 1990-07-13 2001-06-25 Viennatone Gmbh HEARING AID
JPH089891Y2 (en) * 1990-11-27 1996-03-21 リオン株式会社 Hearing aid battery storage
CH681411A5 (en) * 1991-02-20 1993-03-15 Phonak Ag
US5133016A (en) * 1991-03-15 1992-07-21 Wallace Clark Hearing aid with replaceable drying agent
US5249234A (en) * 1991-10-11 1993-09-28 Butler Michael J Cover for behind-the-ear type hearing aids and methods of making and using the same
DE4205376C1 (en) * 1992-02-21 1993-09-16 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh, 91058 Erlangen, De Housing for hearing aid worn on head - has visible section of transparent material and inside section of opaque material
CH683263A5 (en) 1992-02-25 1994-02-15 Weidmann H Ag Porous dimensionally stable body.
US5524056A (en) * 1993-04-13 1996-06-04 Etymotic Research, Inc. Hearing aid having plural microphones and a microphone switching system
DE59409849D1 (en) † 1993-06-11 2001-10-11 Ascom Audiosys Ag Flamatt Hearing aid to be worn in the ear and process for its manufacture
JP2837638B2 (en) * 1995-03-07 1998-12-16 リオン株式会社 Ear-hearing hearing aid
DE19603806A1 (en) 1996-02-02 1997-08-07 Resound Gmbh Modular kit for electric hearing aid worn in ear
US5724431A (en) * 1996-02-26 1998-03-03 Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. Zinc-air dry cell holder and hearing aid that uses it
US5828012A (en) † 1996-05-31 1998-10-27 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Protective cover assembly having enhanced acoustical characteristics
DE19635229C2 (en) 1996-08-30 2001-04-26 Siemens Audiologische Technik Direction sensitive hearing aid
DE19636800A1 (en) * 1996-09-11 1998-03-12 Audio Service Gmbh As In-ear hearing aid
DE29623264U1 (en) * 1996-10-11 1998-02-05 Otto Bock Orthopädische Industrie Besitz- und Verwaltungs-Kommanditgesellschaft, 37115 Duderstadt Heating device for plastic sheets
DE19706306C1 (en) * 1997-02-18 1998-10-08 Siemens Audiologische Technik In-ear hearing aid
DE59809366D1 (en) * 1998-03-02 2003-10-02 Phonak Ag Staefa hearing Aid
DE19810043A1 (en) * 1998-03-09 1999-09-23 Siemens Audiologische Technik Hearing aid with a directional microphone system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9945744A1 *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9132270B2 (en) 2011-01-18 2015-09-15 Advanced Bionics Ag Moisture resistant headpieces and implantable cochlear stimulation systems including the same
US9973867B2 (en) 2011-01-18 2018-05-15 Advanced Bionics Ag Moisture resistant headpieces and implantable cochlear stimulation systems including the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US7372973B2 (en) 2008-05-13
DK1060640T4 (en) 2007-05-29
WO1999045744A1 (en) 1999-09-10
DE59809366D1 (en) 2003-10-02
US20030142843A1 (en) 2003-07-31
AU2508999A (en) 1999-09-20
DK0847227T3 (en) 2003-12-22
DK1060640T3 (en) 2003-04-22
EP1060640B1 (en) 2003-01-22
ATE231678T1 (en) 2003-02-15
JP2002506335A (en) 2002-02-26
EP1060640B2 (en) 2007-03-14
US6574343B1 (en) 2003-06-03
EP0847227A2 (en) 1998-06-10
JP4608095B2 (en) 2011-01-05
EP0847227A3 (en) 1998-10-21
DE59904091D1 (en) 2003-02-27
EP0847227B1 (en) 2003-08-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1060640B2 (en) Hearing aid
DE102006008044B3 (en) In-the-ear hearing aid, has ventilation channel with openings in first- and second-housing zones
DE3736591C3 (en) Hearing aid with ear wax protection
DE60318912T2 (en) A HEARING DEVICE
DE4139015C2 (en) Battery storage chamber
EP0310866A1 (en) Device for closing the apertures of hearing aids or earpieces for hearing aids
DE60303561T2 (en) Hearing aid with directional microphones
DE69111388T2 (en) Electrical device for a programmable miniature hearing aid, in particular of the intraauricular type.
EP0835042A2 (en) Protection device for in and out sound apertures of housings or earpieces of hearing aids
DE69535611T2 (en) Bass reflex speaker system and method with reduced air turbulence
DE10331956C5 (en) Hearing aid and method for operating a hearing aid with a microphone system, in which different Richtcharaktistiken are adjustable
DE3504891C2 (en)
DE102009040050B4 (en) Ohrkanalhörer
EP0755168A2 (en) Hearing aid with electrodynamic acoustic transducer
DE3336266A1 (en) HOERGERAET
DE102004023306B3 (en) Hearing aid with wax guard
DE19715365C2 (en) Condenser microphone
DE69915518T2 (en) IM EAR CHANNEL TONE DEVICE WITH TWO ENTRY MICROPHONE
DE102007034230A1 (en) Hearing device e.g. behind-the-ear hearing aid, has microphone cover to protect microphone and with opening, where plane defines two region halves through microphone opening, and opening of cover is arranged in one region half
DE60037982T2 (en) Silencer for hearing protectors
EP0489023B1 (en) Intra-aural hearing aid with sound balancing channel
EP0540862A2 (en) Cap for sealing openings of ear fitments
DE102014200605A1 (en) Dome with cerumen protection
DE69935057T2 (en) EQUIPMENT FOR USE AT THE EAR OR REMOVED FROM THE EAR
DE3428166A1 (en) Hearing aid to be worn in the auditory canal for persons with impaired or severely impaired hearing

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20000711

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB IE IT LI NL PT SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20010423

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB IE IT LI NL PT SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20030122

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20030122

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20030122

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: GERMAN

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 59904091

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20030227

Kind code of ref document: P

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030301

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: A. BRAUN, BRAUN, HERITIER, ESCHMANN AG PATENTANWAE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030331

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20030422

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20030422

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: T3

GBT Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977)

Effective date: 20030507

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: TROESCH SCHEIDEGGER WERNER AG

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20030730

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

Ref document number: 1060640E

Country of ref document: IE

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *PHONAK A.G.

Effective date: 20030331

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

PLAX Notice of opposition and request to file observation + time limit sent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS2

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: SIEMENS AG

Effective date: 20031022

PLAX Notice of opposition and request to file observation + time limit sent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS2

PLBB Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition received

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS3

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20060331

Year of fee payment: 8

PUAH Patent maintained in amended form

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009272

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: PATENT MAINTAINED AS AMENDED

27A Patent maintained in amended form

Effective date: 20070314

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB IE IT LI NL PT SE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: AEN

Free format text: AUFRECHTERHALTUNG DES PATENTES IN GEAENDERTER FORM

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20030303

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: T4

GBTA Gb: translation of amended ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(b)/1977)
ET3 Fr: translation filed ** decision concerning opposition
PLAB Opposition data, opponent's data or that of the opponent's representative modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009299OPPO

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070301

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Payment date: 20110310

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20110314

Year of fee payment: 13

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20110317

Year of fee payment: 13

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20110223

Year of fee payment: 13

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: EBP

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20120301

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20121130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120331

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120301

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120402

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120331

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120331

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20170329

Year of fee payment: 19

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 59904091

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20181002