GB2211694A

GB2211694A - Hearing aid

Info

Publication number: GB2211694A
Application number: GB8824731A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oded Peri
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-10-23
Filing date: 1988-10-21
Publication date: 1989-07-05
Anticipated expiration: 2008-10-21
Also published as: IL84263A0; FR2622334B3; GB2211694B; IL84263A; FR2622334A1; JPH01146500A; GB8824731D0; DE3835977A1

Description

i 2211604 HEARING AID 2 The present invention relates to a hearing aid,

more particularly it concerns a device designed to amplify sound waves heard by a person with normal or impaired hearing.

Many different sound-amp] ifi cation devices are known, and U.S. Patent Nos. 261,822, 345.025. 438.369 are examples of the same. These devices all fall within one of two types:

1. Sound is c aptured externally to the ear, and is funneled into the auditory canal by means of an earpiece, for example the device illustrated in U.S. Patent 1,252,039.

2. Sound is captured at the entrance to the auditory canal and amplifi.ed there by some type of resonant device, for example U.S. Patent 78,493.

Neither of the above-described types can be used by persons suffering from an ear infection, or persons recovering from an operation on the ear, or persons having a wound in the ear. Nor can such persons use the electronic type of hearing aid, or any other type of hearing aid making physical contact with the auditory canal.

It is. therefore, a major objective of the present invention to provide a hearing aid device adapted to be worn by a person which will amplify sound waves.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a hearing aid adapted for use in proximity and external.to the auricle of the human ear, comprising a sound reflector configured to collect sound waves from a forward and sideward direction, the sound reflector being shaped to intercept sound waves from a space beyond that available to the natural ear, and to reflect said sound waves into the auricle and auditory canal, said reflected sound waves constituting an addition to the sound waves naturally collected by the ear.

While in general this invention is intended for persons having normal hearing, it is equally suitable for enhancing hearing for people suffering from impaired hearing. It is envisioned that this invention will find wide use among people attending concerts, theaters and public meetings in and outdoors for enhancing acoustic reception.

The invention will now be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments with reference to the following illustrative figures so that it may be more fully understood.

With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description -of the principles and conceptual aspects of the

4 invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more- detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, there is seen in Fig. 1 a pair of shaped sound reflectors 8, comprising a face 10 configured to contact the side of the human head, face 10 having an edge 12 defining an opening configured to correspond, in general, to the outer edge of the auricle. Extending perpendicularly from face 10 is a wall member 14, generally of the form of a 900 sector of a hollow truncated inverted cone, contiguous with a roof member 16. As seen in Fig. 1, the general form of sound reflector resembles a human auricle.

Attached to the reflectors 8 on wall member 14 is a flexible headband 18. which my comprise two identical ring segments 20. The headband 18 may be adjustable in length, ring segments 20 overlapping each other and being held together by two clips 22. At the attaching end portions, ring segments 20 are bent to conform to the outer shape of wall member 14 and roof member 16.

The material of which the sound reflector 8 is constructed may be rigid or semi-rigid plastic such as polycarbonate polypropylene, ABS acrylic, PVC or polystyrene. These materials may be molded in a flesh coloured hue, or a pale pastel shade. or even be made of transparent material for minimum visual impact. Ring segments 20 may be made of flexible stainless steel, or plastic material.

It should be noted that an important feature of the present invention is the directional effect of the sound reflectors. As the open side of the reflector faces forward, and the rear side of the ear is covered by the device, the hearing aid is particularly effective for conversation or listening to sounds emanating from the direction faced by the wearer of the hearing aid, and is also of utility for persons who cannot concentrate on a desired sound when a distracting sound is heard from one side of the listener.

Fig. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention, wherein each sound-wave reflector 8 is provided with a small loudspeaker 24 having connections 26 to a radio or tape recorder (not shown). Loudspeakers 24 do not touch the ear of the listener, but use the space 28 formed inside the surfaces of sound-wave reflectors 8 for acoustic 6 amplification. In all other respects this second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment.

It should be noted that as opposed to the conventional radio-tape headband, the loudspeakers as seen in Fig. 2 do not directly contact the ear. This has the advantage of not isolating the listener from extraneous sounds, and is of particular advantage for use by pedestrians on the street in preventing road accidents by enabling the user to hear oncoming traffic, and not to be completely isolated from the surrounding.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrative embodiments and that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

7

Claims

1 A hearing aid adapted for use in proximity and external to the auricle of the human ear, comprising a sound reflector configured to collect sound waves from a forward and sideward direction, the sound reflector being shaped to intercept sound waves from a space beyond that available to the natural ear, and to reflect said sound waves into the auricle auditory canal, said reflected sound waves constituting an addition to the sound waves naturally collected by the ear.

2. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sound reflector is made of a plastic.

3. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sound reflector is provided for each ear, said sound reflectors being connected and retained in position by a flexible headband.

4. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 3, wherein each sound reflector is provided with a loudspeaker for connection to a radio or taperecorder.

5. A hearing aid substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1989 at The Patent Office, State House. 66.71 High Holburn, Lor. dcr.11IC1R4TP. Further copies maybe obtained from The Patent Office. Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Mary Cray, Kent, Con. 1187