EP3439329B1 - In-the-ear hearing aid - Google Patents

In-the-ear hearing aid Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3439329B1
EP3439329B1 EP18186745.8A EP18186745A EP3439329B1 EP 3439329 B1 EP3439329 B1 EP 3439329B1 EP 18186745 A EP18186745 A EP 18186745A EP 3439329 B1 EP3439329 B1 EP 3439329B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hearing aid
recess
ite
wall
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.)
Active
Application number
EP18186745.8A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3439329A1 (en
Inventor
David Brosig
Christian Schmitt
Benjamin Schmidt
Roland Weigert
Erwin Singer
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.)
Sivantos Pte Ltd
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Sivantos Pte Ltd
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Publication date
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Publication of EP3439329A1 publication Critical patent/EP3439329A1/en
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Publication of EP3439329B1 publication Critical patent/EP3439329B1/en
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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
    • H04R25/60—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
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/20—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics
    • H04R1/22—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired frequency characteristic only 
    • H04R1/222—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired frequency characteristic only  for microphones
    • 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
    • H04R25/48—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using constructional means for obtaining a desired frequency response
    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/20—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics
    • H04R1/22—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired frequency characteristic only 
    • H04R1/28—Transducer mountings or enclosures modified by provision of mechanical or acoustic impedances, e.g. resonator, damping means
    • 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
    • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
    • H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
    • H04R25/654—Ear wax retarders

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an in-the-ear hearing aid (ITE hearing aid) for insertion into an auditory canal with the features of the preamble of claim 1.
  • ITE hearing aid in-the-ear hearing aid
  • Such a hearing aid is for example from the DE 39 08 673 A1 refer to.
  • Hearing aids are portable hearing devices which are generally designed to emit sound. Sound is generally understood to mean an acoustic signal, for example music and / or speech.
  • a hearing device is generally understood to mean any device which can be worn in or on the ear and produces a sound stimulus, for example a headset, headphones and the like. Hearing aids are also specially designed as hearing aids.
  • a hearing aid device is understood to mean a device for the care of a hearing-impaired or hearing-impaired person, which in particular wears the hearing aid device continuously or most of the time in order to compensate for a hearing deficit. According to general usage, hearing aids are also referred to as hearing aids.
  • hearing aids such as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE), hearing aids with external earphones (RIC: receiver in the canal) and in-the-ear hearing aids (ITE),
  • BTE behind-the-ear hearing aids
  • RIC hearing aids with external earphones
  • ITE in-the-ear hearing aids
  • concha hearing aids or channel hearing aids ITE, CIC
  • the hearing aids listed by way of example are worn on the outer ear or in the auditory canal.
  • implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are available. The damaged hearing is stimulated either mechanically or electrically.
  • An ITE hearing aid and a method for producing such an ITE hearing aid are known from US Pat US 6 473 512 B1 refer to.
  • the described ITE hearing aid has a particularly elastic housing in order to improve wearing comfort.
  • the ITE hearing aid has a ventilation channel and a microphone arranged on an end wall (also called a faceplate).
  • ITE hearing aids are from the DE 39 08 673 A1 , the EP 2 986 032 A1 as well as the DE 202 08 601 U1 refer to.
  • a ventilation channel is formed between an outer wall and an inner wall.
  • the ventilation duct is also used as a sound duct.
  • a breakthrough to a microphone is formed in the inner wall.
  • a housing of a hearing aid in particular an ITE hearing aid, is adapted to an auditory canal of a user.
  • the object of the invention is to provide an ITE hearing aid with a large recording space.
  • the ITE hearing aid hereinafter referred to briefly as a hearing aid, is designed to be inserted into an auditory canal of a user.
  • the hearing aid has a housing which has an end wall and a side wall.
  • the inserted side wall is oriented towards an inner wall of the auditory canal of the user.
  • the side wall of the hearing device is usually adapted to the auditory canal of the user, in particular in such a way that the side wall lies at least partially against the inner wall of the auditory canal of the user.
  • the housing of the hearing aid is preferably adapted in a user-specific manner.
  • the front wall When inserted, the front wall is oriented towards the front, ie it runs across the ear canal. The end wall completely or at least largely covers the opening to the auditory canal.
  • the hearing aid has at least one microphone for recording sound, for example speech and / or music.
  • the microphone is designed, for example, in the known manner of a sound transducer.
  • the hearing aid also has a sound opening arranged on an end wall of the housing for transmitting sound to the at least one microphone.
  • the sound opening is connected to the microphone via a sound channel, the sound channel being at least partially formed by a lateral recess in the side wall of the housing.
  • a wall thickness of the side wall at the location of the sound channel is at least reduced, so that the sound channel is integrated into the side wall.
  • the sound channel therefore runs at least partially within the side wall adapted to the auditory canal of the user.
  • the recess generally reduces the wall thickness of the side wall in the region of the sound channel from the inside of the side wall. The sound channel therefore runs along the side wall.
  • an interior is enlarged to accommodate the individual hearing aid components.
  • the microphone preferably has a sound inlet which is oriented in the direction of the recess.
  • sound entry is understood to mean a part of the at least one microphone which, for example, has a membrane for receiving the sound.
  • the microphone is generally positioned on the side next to the sound channel and delimits the recess on the side. Ie the microphone forms a boundary of the sound channel.
  • the microphone here is general understood a component which has a microphone housing with the sound inlet opening and a sound transducer lying inside the microphone housing. The sound channel therefore extends from the front wall within the side wall (in the direction of the side wall and thus in the direction of the ear canal).
  • the length of the sound channel preferably corresponds to the length of the microphone, which delimits the sound channel to an interior of the housing.
  • a holder which is connected to the side wall and on which the at least one microphone is arranged.
  • the microphone is thus arranged laterally in the housing, so that a sufficient pick-up of the incoming sound is ensured.
  • the recess is open towards the end wall, i.e. the recess has no frontal boundary in the area of the side wall. This allows the recess to be produced easily.
  • the wall thickness of the side wall is reduced to form the recess, in particular only at the location of the recess.
  • the side wall has a larger wall thickness.
  • the sound channel thus runs, in particular, on the inside of the housing.
  • the wall thickness is reduced by a third, in particular by half, at the location of the recess, for example in the manner of a groove.
  • the advantage is that the sound channel can be easily integrated laterally into the side wall of the housing.
  • the recess is preferably designed as a wall opening.
  • a wall opening is understood to mean that the side wall is completely removed at the point of the cutout, so that the sound channel is open laterally towards the auditory canal.
  • the lateral recess of the sound canal is therefore only made in the inserted state through an inner wall of the auditory canal of the user.
  • the wall opening is at least and preferably only limited on three sides by a material of the side wall.
  • the three sides are preferably understood to mean all sides of the, in particular, rectangular recess, with the exception of the side which faces the end wall of the housing.
  • the sound channel is therefore formed by a slot-like opening in the side wall, which is open towards the front wall.
  • the at least three sides of the recess therefore only form an approximately U-shaped boundary. At least one, preferably both, of the intermediate surfaces spanned by this U-shaped boundary is / are open.
  • the recess is bounded on the outside by a material film.
  • “outward” is understood in the direction of the inner wall of the auditory canal of the user.
  • material film is specifically understood to cover the recess, for example in the manner of a film, in particular a water-repellent film.
  • the housing is generally manufactured, for example, by (injection) casting.
  • the material film is an integral, one-piece area of the housing.
  • the housing preferably has a battery flap on its end wall.
  • the battery flap is arranged on a pivot axis and is designed to be pivotable about this. It serves to make the battery arranged inside the housing accessible, for example to change it.
  • the sound opening is also integrated in the battery flap.
  • the battery flap For this purpose, the battery flap For example, a material projection that has a bore as a sound opening, for example. The material projection covers an entrance to the sound channel. This in particular prevents, for example, dirt and / or cerumen from penetrating into the sound channel. At the same time, a "penetration" of the sound through the bore is ensured.
  • the battery flap has a protective element extending into the recess.
  • the protective element is preferably angled on the battery flap in the direction of the sound channel. It is used in particular to remove dirt, for example cerumen, that has penetrated into the recess.
  • the protective element is arranged on the battery flap in such a way that when the battery flap is opened, the protective element is pulled out of the recess and thus carries the dirt out of the recess.
  • the protective element is at least partially in contact with wall areas that delimit the recess.
  • the protective element bears in a form-fitting manner on the wall areas in the recess.
  • the protective element is expediently designed as a frame, which in particular lies positively in the recess.
  • this embodiment has the further advantage that the protective element does not cover the sound entry of the microphone and thus an undisturbed and undamped pickup of the sound from the microphone is ensured.
  • the ITE hearing aid described is designed as a channel hearing aid, preferably as a completely-in-the-canal hearing aid (CIC hearing aid).
  • CIC hearing aids of this type the end wall of the housing is arranged, for example, inclined in the direction of the auditory canal, as a result of which CIC hearing aids are optically inconspicuous.
  • CIC hearing aids - in the area of ITE devices - have an advantageous one Compromise in terms of inconspicuousness, technical equipment and battery life.
  • a sketched cross-sectional representation of an ITE hearing aid H is shown.
  • the ITE hearing aid H hereinafter referred to as hearing aid H
  • hearing aid H is designed in the exemplary embodiment as a completely-in-the-canal hearing aid H (CIC hearing aid).
  • the hearing aid H is inserted into an auditory canal 6 of a user in a longitudinal direction L.
  • the hearing aid H has a housing 1 which is adapted to the auditory canal 6 of the user and has an end wall 12 and a side wall 14. In the inserted state, the side wall 14 is oriented towards an inner wall 15 of the auditory canal 6 of the user.
  • the end wall 12 is oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction L and is arranged against the longitudinal direction L at one end of the housing 1.
  • the end wall 12 usually also has operating elements, for example a volume control for regulating the volume of the amplified signal and / or a selection button for selecting different operating modes of the hearing aid H.
  • the hearing device H also has hearing device-specific components, such as a microphone 2, a signal processing unit 3, a receiver 4 and a battery 5 for the electrical supply of the hearing device H, in particular the signal processing unit 3.
  • the receiver 4 transmits an acoustic output signal through a housing outlet 8 to the eardrum 10 (in Fig. 2 not shown) of the user.
  • a sound opening 16 for transmitting sound to the microphone 2 is arranged on the end wall 12 of the housing 1.
  • the sound opening 16 is connected to the microphone 2 via a sound channel 18.
  • the sound channel 18 is integrated in the side wall 14.
  • the side wall 14 has a lateral recess 20.
  • a wall thickness W of the side wall 14 is reduced in an area B to form the recess 20.
  • Area B is understood here to mean a part of the side wall 14 of the housing 1 oriented in the direction of the end wall 12.
  • area B has a wall opening, as a result of which the sound channel 18 is only formed on the outside by the inner wall 15 of the auditory canal 6 of the user when the hearing device H is in use.
  • the cutout has a material film 22 which delimits the cutout 20 towards the outside towards the inner wall 15 of the auditory canal 6 and thus forms the sound channel 18.
  • material film 22 is preferably understood to mean a cover in the manner of a film which has a thickness D which corresponds, for example, to a tenth of the wall thickness W of the side wall.
  • the material film 22 is, in particular, hydrophobic in order, for example, to prevent liquids, e.g. Prevent sweat and / or water in the microphone 2.
  • the microphone 2 of the hearing device H is arranged on an inside of the side wall 14 by means of a holder 24 such that a sound inlet 26 of the microphone 2 is oriented towards the recess 20. This ensures optimal absorption of the sound.
  • the microphone 2 is preferably designed as a structural unit with a microphone housing and the sound inlet 26 and has a sound transducer, not shown here.
  • the sound channel 18 is through the lateral recess 20 and the microphone 2, in particular the sound inlet 26 and wall areas 34 of the housing 1 surrounded by the recess 20 (cf. Fig. 2 ) educated.
  • the hearing aid H has a battery flap 28 which is arranged on the housing 1, in particular on the end wall 12, so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis Z.
  • the battery flap 28 serves to hold the battery 5 and, in particular, can be swung open to replace the battery 5.
  • the sound opening 16 is integrated in the battery flap 28.
  • the battery flap 28 in the exemplary embodiment has a hole in the manner of a bore 30 through which the sound reaches the sound channel 18.
  • FIG. 2 a perspective view of an ITE hearing aid H is shown in the non-inserted state.
  • the hearing device H shown is in particular identical in construction to that in FIG Fig. 1 Hearing aid described H. Thus, it also all in Fig. 1 mentioned components, some of which are not visible.
  • the hearing aid H additionally has, on a battery flap 28, an optional protective element 32 which is angled in the direction of a sound channel 18.
  • the protective element 32 is arranged on the battery flap 28, for example glued.
  • the battery flap 28 and the protective element 32 are manufactured as a one-piece, in particular monolithic, workpiece, for example as an injection molded part.
  • the sound channel 18 is formed by a cutout 20 in the form of a wall opening in a side wall 14 of a housing 1.
  • the protective element 32 is designed in the manner of a frame and is in particular in contact with the wall regions 34 which delimit the cutout 20.
  • the protective element 32 is in a form-fitting manner against the wall regions 34.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)
  • Details Of Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein In-dem-Ohr-Hörgerät (IdO-Hörgerät) zum Einsetzen in einen Gehörgang mit den Merkmalen des Oberbegriffs des Anspruchs 1.The invention relates to an in-the-ear hearing aid (ITE hearing aid) for insertion into an auditory canal with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Ein derartiges Hörgerät ist beispielsweise aus der DE 39 08 673 A1 zu entnehmen.Such a hearing aid is for example from the DE 39 08 673 A1 refer to.

Hörgeräte sind tragbare Hörvorrichtungen, welche allgemein zur Ausgabe von Schall ausgebildet sind. Hierbei wird unter Schall allgemein ein akustisches Signal, beispielsweise Musik und / oder Sprache verstanden.Hearing aids are portable hearing devices which are generally designed to emit sound. Sound is generally understood to mean an acoustic signal, for example music and / or speech.

Unter einer Hörvorrichtung wird allgemein jedes im oder am Ohr tragbare, einen Schallreiz produzierende Gerät, beispielweise ein Headset, Kopfhörer und dergleichen verstanden. Hörgeräte sind speziell auch als Hörhilfegeräte ausgebildet. Unter Hörhilfegerät wird ein Gerät zur Versorgung einer hörgeschädigten oder hörbeeinträchtigten Person verstanden, welche das Hörhilfegerät insbesondere durchgängig oder die meiste Zeit trägt, um ein Hördefizit auszugleichen. Gemäß dem allgemeinen Sprachgebrauch werden Hörhilfegeräte auch kurz als Hörgeräte bezeichnet.A hearing device is generally understood to mean any device which can be worn in or on the ear and produces a sound stimulus, for example a headset, headphones and the like. Hearing aids are also specially designed as hearing aids. A hearing aid device is understood to mean a device for the care of a hearing-impaired or hearing-impaired person, which in particular wears the hearing aid device continuously or most of the time in order to compensate for a hearing deficit. According to general usage, hearing aids are also referred to as hearing aids.

Um den zahlreichen individuellen Bedürfnissen entgegenzukommen, werden unterschiedliche Bauformen von Hörgeräten, wie z.B. Hinter-dem-Ohr-Hörgeräte (HdO), Hörgerät mit externem Hörer (RIC: receiver in the canal) und In-dem-Ohr-Hörgeräte (IdO), z.B. auch Concha-Hörgeräte oder Kanal-Hörgeräte (ITE, CIC), bereitgestellt. Die beispielhaft aufgeführten Hörgeräte werden am Außenohr oder im Gehörgang getragen. Darüber hinaus stehen auf dem Markt aber auch Knochenleitungshörhilfen, implantierbare oder vibrotaktile Hörhilfen zur Verfügung. Dabei erfolgt die Stimulation des geschädigten Gehörs entweder mechanisch oder elektrisch.In order to meet the numerous individual needs, different types of hearing aids, such as behind-the-ear hearing aids (BTE), hearing aids with external earphones (RIC: receiver in the canal) and in-the-ear hearing aids (ITE), For example, concha hearing aids or channel hearing aids (ITE, CIC) are also provided. The hearing aids listed by way of example are worn on the outer ear or in the auditory canal. There are also bone conduction hearing aids on the market, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are available. The damaged hearing is stimulated either mechanically or electrically.

Ein IdO-Hörgerät sowie ein Verfahren zur Herstellung eines derartigen IdO-Hörgerätes sind aus der US 6 473 512 B1 zu entnehmen. Das beschriebene IdO-Hör-gerät weist ein insbesondere elastisches Gehäuse auf, um den Tragekomfort zu verbessern. Weiterhin weist das IdO-Hörgerät einen Belüftungskanal, sowie ein an einer Stirnwand (auch Faceplate genannt) angeordnetes Mikrofon auf.An ITE hearing aid and a method for producing such an ITE hearing aid are known from US Pat US 6 473 512 B1 refer to. The described ITE hearing aid has a particularly elastic housing in order to improve wearing comfort. Furthermore, the ITE hearing aid has a ventilation channel and a microphone arranged on an end wall (also called a faceplate).

Weitere Beispiele für IdO-Hörgeräte sind aus der DE 39 08 673 A1 , der EP 2 986 032 A1 sowie der DE 202 08 601 U1 zu entnehmen. Bei dem in der DE 39 08 673 A1 beschriebenen Hörgerät ist ein Belüftungskanal zwischen einer Außenwand und einer Innenwand ausgebildet. Der Belüftungskanal wird zugleich als Schallkanal herangezogen. In der Innenwand ist ein Durchbruch zu einem Mikrofon ausgebildet.Further examples of ITE hearing aids are from the DE 39 08 673 A1 , the EP 2 986 032 A1 as well as the DE 202 08 601 U1 refer to. The one in the DE 39 08 673 A1 described hearing aid, a ventilation channel is formed between an outer wall and an inner wall. The ventilation duct is also used as a sound duct. A breakthrough to a microphone is formed in the inner wall.

Üblicherweise ist ein Gehäuse eines Hörgerätes, insbesondere eines IdO-Hörgerätes auf einen Gehörgang eines Nutzers angepasst. Hierdurch beschränkt sich ein Innenraum, auch als Aufnahmeraum bezeichnet, zur Anordnung der einzelnen Hörgerätekomponenten, wie beispielsweise ein Mikrofon, eine Signalverarbeitungseinheit und ein Hörer.Usually, a housing of a hearing aid, in particular an ITE hearing aid, is adapted to an auditory canal of a user. This limits an interior space, also referred to as a receiving space, for the arrangement of the individual hearing aid components, such as a microphone, a signal processing unit and a receiver.

Ausgehend hiervon liegt der Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein IdO-Hörgerät mit einem großen Aufnahmeraum bereitzustellen.Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to provide an ITE hearing aid with a large recording space.

Die Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß gelöst durch ein IdO-Hörgerät mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1.The object is achieved according to the invention by an ITE hearing aid with the features of claim 1.

Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen, Weiterbildungen und Varianten sind Gegenstand der Unteransprüche.Advantageous refinements, developments and variants are the subject of the dependent claims.

Das IdO-Hörgerät, im Folgenden kurz als Hörgerät bezeichnet, ist zum Einsetzen in einen Gehörgang eines Nutzers ausgebildet. Das Hörgerät weist ein Gehäuse auf, das eine Stirnwand sowie eine Seitenwand aufweist. Die Seitenwand ist im eingesetzten Zustand zu einer Innenwand des Gehörgangs des Nutzers orientiert. Üblicherweise ist die Seitenwand des Hörgeräts an den Gehörgang des Nutzers angepasst, insbesondere derart, dass die Seitenwand zumindest teilweise an der Innenwand des Gehörgangs des Nutzers anliegt. Hierzu ist das Gehäuse des Hörgeräts vorzugsweise nutzerspezifisch angepasst. D.h. beispielsweise wird im Rahmen einer Pre-Fitting-Session beim Akustiker vor der Fertigung des Hörgeräts ein Abdruck des Gehörgangs des Nutzers angefertigt, an den das Gehäuse bei der Fertigung angepasst wird. Hierdurch ist insbesondere ein passender Sitz des Hörgerätes und somit ein hoher Tragekomfort sichergestellt. Im eingesetzten Zustand ist die Stirnwand ist nach vorne orientiert, d.h. verläuft quer zum Gehörgang. Die Stirnwand verschließt oder überdeckt die Öffnung zum Gehörgang vollständig oder zumindest weitgehend.The ITE hearing aid, hereinafter referred to briefly as a hearing aid, is designed to be inserted into an auditory canal of a user. The hearing aid has a housing which has an end wall and a side wall. The inserted side wall is oriented towards an inner wall of the auditory canal of the user. The side wall of the hearing device is usually adapted to the auditory canal of the user, in particular in such a way that the side wall lies at least partially against the inner wall of the auditory canal of the user. For this purpose, the housing of the hearing aid is preferably adapted in a user-specific manner. That is to say, for example, as part of a pre-fitting session with the acoustician before the hearing device is manufactured, an impression of the auditory canal of the user is made, to which the housing is adapted during production. As a result, a suitable seat of the Hearing aid and thus a high level of comfort ensured. When inserted, the front wall is oriented towards the front, ie it runs across the ear canal. The end wall completely or at least largely covers the opening to the auditory canal.

Weiterhin weist das Hörgerät zumindest ein Mikrofon zur Aufnahme von Schall, beispielsweise Sprache und / oder Musik, auf. Das Mikrofon ist beispielsweise nach bekannter Weise eines Schallwandlers ausgebildet.Furthermore, the hearing aid has at least one microphone for recording sound, for example speech and / or music. The microphone is designed, for example, in the known manner of a sound transducer.

Das Hörgerät weist zudem eine an einer Stirnwand des Gehäuses angeordnete Schallöffnung zur Übertragung von Schall zu dem zumindest einen Mikrofon auf. Die Schallöffnung ist über einen Schallkanal mit dem Mikrofon verbunden, wobei der Schallkanal zumindest teilweise durch eine seitliche Aussparung in der Seitenwand des Gehäuses gebildet ist. Zur Ausbildung der Aussparung ist eine Wandstärke der Seitenwand an der Stelle des Schallkanals zumindest reduziert, sodass der Schallkanal in die Seitenwand integriert ist. Der Schallkanal verläuft daher zumindest teilweise innerhalb der an den Gehörgang des Nutzers angepassten Seitenwand. Durch die Aussparung ist allgemein die Wandstärke der Seitenwand im Bereich des Schallkanals von einer Innenseite der Seitenwand her zumindest reduziert. Der Schallkanal verläuft daher entlang der Seitenwand.The hearing aid also has a sound opening arranged on an end wall of the housing for transmitting sound to the at least one microphone. The sound opening is connected to the microphone via a sound channel, the sound channel being at least partially formed by a lateral recess in the side wall of the housing. To form the recess, a wall thickness of the side wall at the location of the sound channel is at least reduced, so that the sound channel is integrated into the side wall. The sound channel therefore runs at least partially within the side wall adapted to the auditory canal of the user. The recess generally reduces the wall thickness of the side wall in the region of the sound channel from the inside of the side wall. The sound channel therefore runs along the side wall.

Durch die Integrierung des Schallkanals in die Seitenwand ist eine Vergrößerung eines Innenraumes zur Aufnahme der einzelnen Hörgerätekomponenten erreicht.By integrating the sound channel in the side wall, an interior is enlarged to accommodate the individual hearing aid components.

Bevorzugt weist das Mikrofon einen Schalleintritt auf, der in Richtung zur Aussparung orientiert ist. Unter Schalleintritt wird vorliegend ein Teil des zumindest einen Mikrofons verstanden, der beispielsweise eine Membran zur Aufnahme des Schalls aufweist. Der Vorteil ist, dass hierdurch eine unbeeinflusste Aufnahme des durch den Schallkanal geleiteten Schalls ermöglicht ist.The microphone preferably has a sound inlet which is oriented in the direction of the recess. In the present case, sound entry is understood to mean a part of the at least one microphone which, for example, has a membrane for receiving the sound. The advantage is that this enables an uninfluenced recording of the sound conducted through the sound channel.

Allgemein ist das Mikrofon in bevorzugter Ausgestaltung seitlich neben dem Schallkanal positioniert und begrenzt die Aussparung seitlich. D.h. das Mikrofon bildet eine Begrenzung des Schallkanals. Unter Mikrofon wird hierbei allgemein ein Bauteil verstanden, welches ein Mikrofongehäuse mit der Schalleintrittsöffnung und einem innen im Mikrofongehäuse einliegenden Schallwandler aufweist. Der Schallkanal erstreckt sich also von der Stirnwand innerhalb der Seitenwand (in Richtung der Seitenwand und damit in Richtung des Gehörgangs). Die Länge des Schallkanals entspricht dabei vorzugsweise der Länge des Mikrofons, welches den Schallkanal zu einem Innenraum des Gehäuses begrenzt.In a preferred embodiment, the microphone is generally positioned on the side next to the sound channel and delimits the recess on the side. Ie the microphone forms a boundary of the sound channel. Under microphone here is general understood a component which has a microphone housing with the sound inlet opening and a sound transducer lying inside the microphone housing. The sound channel therefore extends from the front wall within the side wall (in the direction of the side wall and thus in the direction of the ear canal). The length of the sound channel preferably corresponds to the length of the microphone, which delimits the sound channel to an interior of the housing.

Um eine derartige Anordnung des zumindest einen Mikrofons zu gewährleisten, ist gemäß einer zweckdienlichen Ausgestaltung eine Halterung vorgesehen, die mit der Seitenwand verbunden ist und an der das zumindest eine Mikrofon angeordnet ist. Das Mikrofon ist somit seitlich im Gehäuse angeordnet, sodass eine hinreichende Aufnahme des eintreffenden Schalls sichergestellt ist.In order to ensure such an arrangement of the at least one microphone, according to an expedient embodiment, a holder is provided which is connected to the side wall and on which the at least one microphone is arranged. The microphone is thus arranged laterally in the housing, so that a sufficient pick-up of the incoming sound is ensured.

Bevorzugt ist die Aussparung in Richtung zur Stirnwand offen, d.h. die Aussparung weist keine stirnseitige Begrenzung im Bereich der Seitenwand auf. Dies erlaubt eine einfache Herstellung der Aussparung.Preferably, the recess is open towards the end wall, i.e. the recess has no frontal boundary in the area of the side wall. This allows the recess to be produced easily.

Gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausgestaltung ist, wie bereits erwähnt, zur Ausbildung der Aussparung die Wandstärke der Seitenwand, insbesondere lediglich an der Stelle der Aussparung, reduziert. In den übrigen Bereichen weist die Seitenwand eine größere Wandstärke auf. Somit verläuft der Schallkanal insbesondere gehäuseinnenseitig. Zur Ausbildung der Aussparung ist an der Stelle der Aussparung die Wandstärke beispielsweise nach Art einer Nut um ein Drittel, insbesondere um die Hälfte reduziert.According to a preferred embodiment, as already mentioned, the wall thickness of the side wall is reduced to form the recess, in particular only at the location of the recess. In the remaining areas, the side wall has a larger wall thickness. The sound channel thus runs, in particular, on the inside of the housing. To form the recess, the wall thickness is reduced by a third, in particular by half, at the location of the recess, for example in the manner of a groove.

Der Vorteil ist, dass der Schallkanal auf eine einfache Weise seitlich in die Seitenwand des Gehäuses integrierbar ist.The advantage is that the sound channel can be easily integrated laterally into the side wall of the housing.

Bevorzugt ist die Aussparung als ein Wanddurchbruch ausgebildet. Unter Wanddurchbruch wird vorliegend verstanden, dass die Seitenwand an der Stelle der Aussparung vollständig entfernt ist, sodass der Schallkanal seitlich zum Gehörgang hin offen ist. Die seitliche Aussparung des Schallkanals erfolgt daher erst im eingesetzten Zustand durch eine Innenwand des Gehörganges des Nutzers. Hierdurch ist weiterhin eine Einsparung von Material und somit eine Vergrößerung des Innenraums erreicht.The recess is preferably designed as a wall opening. In the present case, a wall opening is understood to mean that the side wall is completely removed at the point of the cutout, so that the sound channel is open laterally towards the auditory canal. The lateral recess of the sound canal is therefore only made in the inserted state through an inner wall of the auditory canal of the user. Hereby further savings in material and thus an increase in the interior space are achieved.

Zur Begrenzung der Aussparung und somit zur Begrenzung des Schallkanals ist der Wanddurchbruch zumindest und vorzugsweise lediglich an drei Seiten durch ein Material der Seitenwand begrenzt. Vorzugsweise wird unter den drei Seiten alle Seiten der insbesondere rechteckig ausgeformten Aussparung verstanden mit Ausnahme der Seite, die der Stirnwand des Gehäuses zugewandt ist. Der Schallkanal ist in dieser Variante daher durch eine insbesondere schlitzartige Öffnung in der Seitenwandung gebildet, die nach oben zur Stirnwand offen ist. Die zumindest drei Seiten der Aussparung bilden daher lediglich in etwa eine U-förmige Begrenzung. Zumindest eine, vorzugsweise beide der von dieser U-förmigen Begrenzung aufgespannten Zwischenflächen ist / sind offen.To limit the recess and thus to limit the sound channel, the wall opening is at least and preferably only limited on three sides by a material of the side wall. The three sides are preferably understood to mean all sides of the, in particular, rectangular recess, with the exception of the side which faces the end wall of the housing. In this variant, the sound channel is therefore formed by a slot-like opening in the side wall, which is open towards the front wall. The at least three sides of the recess therefore only form an approximately U-shaped boundary. At least one, preferably both, of the intermediate surfaces spanned by this U-shaped boundary is / are open.

Die Aussparung ist gemäß einer zweckdienlichen Weiterbildung nach außen hin von einem Materialfilm begrenzt. Unter "nach außen" wird vorliegend in Richtung der Innenwand des Gehörgangs des Nutzers verstanden. Unter Materialfilm wird vorliegend speziell eine Abdeckung der Aussparung beispielsweise nach Art einer Folie, insbesondere einer wasserabweisenden Folie verstanden.According to an expedient further development, the recess is bounded on the outside by a material film. In the present case, “outward” is understood in the direction of the inner wall of the auditory canal of the user. In the present case, material film is specifically understood to cover the recess, for example in the manner of a film, in particular a water-repellent film.

Hierdurch ist insbesondere einer Verschmutzung des Schallkanals und / oder des zumindest einen Mikrofons beispielsweise durch Schweiß und / oder Zerumen vorgebeugt.This prevents contamination of the sound channel and / or the at least one microphone, for example by sweat and / or cerumen.

Allgemein erfolgt eine Herstellung des Gehäuses beispielsweise durch ein (Spritz -) Gießen. Der Materialfilm ist hierbei ein integraler, einteiliger Bereich des Gehäuses.The housing is generally manufactured, for example, by (injection) casting. The material film is an integral, one-piece area of the housing.

Vorzugsweise weist das Gehäuse an seiner Stirnwand eine Batterieklappe auf. Die Batterieklappe ist an einer Schwenkachse angeordnet und um diese schwenkbar ausgebildet. Sie dient einer Zugänglichkeit der innerhalb des Gehäuses angeordneten Batterie, beispielsweise um diese zu wechseln. Weiterhin ist in die Batterieklappe die Schallöffnung integriert. Hierzu weist die Batterieklappe beispielsweise einen Materialvorsprung auf, der als Schallöffnung beispielsweise eine Bohrung aufweist. Der Materialvorsprung deckt einen Eingang des Schallkanals ab. Hierdurch ist insbesondere ein Eindringen von beispielsweise Schmutz und / oder Zerumen in den Schallkanal verhindert. Zugleich ist ein "Hindurchdringen" des Schalls durch die Bohrung sichergestellt.The housing preferably has a battery flap on its end wall. The battery flap is arranged on a pivot axis and is designed to be pivotable about this. It serves to make the battery arranged inside the housing accessible, for example to change it. The sound opening is also integrated in the battery flap. For this purpose, the battery flap For example, a material projection that has a bore as a sound opening, for example. The material projection covers an entrance to the sound channel. This in particular prevents, for example, dirt and / or cerumen from penetrating into the sound channel. At the same time, a "penetration" of the sound through the bore is ensured.

In zweckdienlicher Ergänzung weist die Batterieklappe ein sich in die Aussparung erstreckendes Schutzelement auf. Bevorzugt ist das Schutzelement in Richtung des Schallkanals abgewinkelt an der Batterieklappe angeordnet. Es dient insbesondere zum Entfernen von in die Aussparung eingedrungenem Schmutz, beispielsweise Zerumen. Hierzu ist das Schutzelement derart an der Batterieklappe angeordnet, dass bei einem Öffnen der Batterieklappe das Schutzelement aus der Aussparung gezogen wird und somit den Schmutz aus der Aussparung mitführt.In an expedient addition, the battery flap has a protective element extending into the recess. The protective element is preferably angled on the battery flap in the direction of the sound channel. It is used in particular to remove dirt, for example cerumen, that has penetrated into the recess. For this purpose, the protective element is arranged on the battery flap in such a way that when the battery flap is opened, the protective element is pulled out of the recess and thus carries the dirt out of the recess.

Gemäß einer bevorzugten Weiterbildung liegt das Schutzelement zumindest teilweise an Wandungsbereichen an, die die Aussparung begrenzen. Insbesondere liegt das Schutzelement formschlüssig an den Wandungsbereichen in der Aussparung an. Der Vorteil dieser Ausgestaltung ist, dass somit ein Entfernen von Schmutz aus der gesamten Aussparung ermöglicht ist.According to a preferred development, the protective element is at least partially in contact with wall areas that delimit the recess. In particular, the protective element bears in a form-fitting manner on the wall areas in the recess. The advantage of this configuration is that it enables dirt to be removed from the entire recess.

Zweckdienlicherweise ist das Schutzelement als ein Rahmen ausgebildet, welcher insbesondere formschlüssig in der Aussparung einliegt. Zu dem bereits genannten Vorteil der vollständigen Entfernung von Schmutz aus der gesamten Aussparung, hat diese Ausgestaltung den weiteren Vorteil, dass das Schutzelement den Schalleintritt des Mikrofons nicht bedeckt und somit eine ungestörte und ungedämpfte Aufnahme des Schalls von dem Mikrofon gewährleistet ist.The protective element is expediently designed as a frame, which in particular lies positively in the recess. In addition to the already mentioned advantage of completely removing dirt from the entire recess, this embodiment has the further advantage that the protective element does not cover the sound entry of the microphone and thus an undisturbed and undamped pickup of the sound from the microphone is ensured.

Insbesondere ist das beschriebene IdO-Hörgerät als ein Kanalhörgerät, vorzugsweise als ein Completely-In-The-Canal-Hörgerät (CIC-Hörgerät) ausgebildet. Bei derartigen Hörgeräten ist die Stirnwand des Gehäuses beispielsweise in Richtung des Gehörgangs geneigt angeordnet, wodurch CIC-Hörgeräte optisch unauffällig sind. Weiterhin weisen CIC-Hörgeräte - im Bereich der IdO-Geräte - einen vorteilhaften Kompromiss in Bezug auf Unauffälligkeit, technischer Ausstattung und Batterielebensdauer auf.In particular, the ITE hearing aid described is designed as a channel hearing aid, preferably as a completely-in-the-canal hearing aid (CIC hearing aid). In hearing aids of this type, the end wall of the housing is arranged, for example, inclined in the direction of the auditory canal, as a result of which CIC hearing aids are optically inconspicuous. Furthermore, CIC hearing aids - in the area of ITE devices - have an advantageous one Compromise in terms of inconspicuousness, technical equipment and battery life.

Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung werden nachfolgend anhand der Figuren näher erläutert. Diese zeigen teilweise in stark vereinfachten Darstellungen:

Fig. 1
eine skizzierte Querschnittsdarstellung eines eingesetzten IdO-Hörgerätes sowie
Fig. 2
eine perspektivische Darstellung eines IdO-Hörgerätes mit einem angeordneten Schutzelement.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. These show partly in very simplified representations:
Fig. 1
a sketched cross-sectional representation of an ITE hearing aid used and
Fig. 2
a perspective view of an ITE hearing aid with an arranged protective element.

In den Figuren sind gleichwirkende Teile mit den gleichen Bezugszeichen dargestellt.Parts with the same function are shown in the figures with the same reference symbols.

In Fig. 1 ist eine skizzierte Querschnittsdarstellung eines IdO-Hörgerätes H gezeigt. Das IdO-Hörgerät H, im Folgenden als Hörgerät H bezeichnet, ist im Ausführungsbeispiel als ein Completely-In-The-Canal-Hörgerät H (CIC-Hörgerät) ausgebildet. Das Hörgerät H ist in einen Gehörgang 6 eines Nutzers in eine Längsrichtung L eingesetzt. Weiterhin weist das Hörgerät H ein an den Gehörgang 6 des Nutzers angepasstes Gehäuse 1 mit einer Stirnwand 12 und einer Seitenwand 14 auf. Die Seitenwand 14 ist im eingesetzten Zustand zu einer Innenwand 15 des Gehörganges 6 des Nutzers orientiert. Die Stirnwand 12 ist quer zur Längsrichtung L orientiert und entgegen der Längsrichtung L an einem Ende des Gehäuses 1 angeordnet. Üblicherweise weist die Stirnwand 12 auch Bedienelemente auf, beispielsweise einen Lautstärkeregler zur Regelung der Lautstärke des verstärkten Signals und / oder einen Auswahlknopf zur Auswahl verschiedener Betriebsmodi des Hörgerätes H.In Fig. 1 a sketched cross-sectional representation of an ITE hearing aid H is shown. The ITE hearing aid H, hereinafter referred to as hearing aid H, is designed in the exemplary embodiment as a completely-in-the-canal hearing aid H (CIC hearing aid). The hearing aid H is inserted into an auditory canal 6 of a user in a longitudinal direction L. Furthermore, the hearing aid H has a housing 1 which is adapted to the auditory canal 6 of the user and has an end wall 12 and a side wall 14. In the inserted state, the side wall 14 is oriented towards an inner wall 15 of the auditory canal 6 of the user. The end wall 12 is oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction L and is arranged against the longitudinal direction L at one end of the housing 1. The end wall 12 usually also has operating elements, for example a volume control for regulating the volume of the amplified signal and / or a selection button for selecting different operating modes of the hearing aid H.

Das Hörgerät H weist zudem hörgerätespezifische Komponenten auf, wie beispielsweise ein Mikrofon 2, eine Signalverarbeitungseinheit 3, einen Hörer 4 sowie eine Batterie 5 zur elektrischen Versorgung des Hörgerätes H, insbesondere der Signalverarbeitungseinheit 3. Der Hörer 4 überträgt ein akustisches Ausgangssignal durch einen Gehäuseausgang 8 an das Trommelfell 10 (in Fig. 2 nicht dargestellt) des Nutzers.The hearing device H also has hearing device-specific components, such as a microphone 2, a signal processing unit 3, a receiver 4 and a battery 5 for the electrical supply of the hearing device H, in particular the signal processing unit 3. The receiver 4 transmits an acoustic output signal through a housing outlet 8 to the eardrum 10 (in Fig. 2 not shown) of the user.

Weiterhin ist an der Stirnwand 12 des Gehäuses 1 eine Schallöffnung 16 zur Übertragung von Schall zum Mikrofon 2 angeordnet. Die Schallöffnung 16 ist über einen Schallkanal 18 mit dem Mikrofon 2 verbunden. D.h. gemäß der ersten Ausgestaltungsvariante ist der Schallkanal 18 in die Seitenwand 14 integriert. Hierzu weist die Seitenwand 14 eine seitliche Aussparung 20 auf. Mit anderen Worten: Eine Wandstärke W der Seitenwand 14 ist gemäß einer ersten Ausgestaltungsvariante in einem Bereich B zur Ausbildung der Aussparung 20 reduziert. Unter dem Bereich B wird vorliegend ein in Richtung der Stirnwand 12 orientierter Teil der Seitenwand 14 des Gehäuses 1 verstanden.Furthermore, a sound opening 16 for transmitting sound to the microphone 2 is arranged on the end wall 12 of the housing 1. The sound opening 16 is connected to the microphone 2 via a sound channel 18. I.e. According to the first embodiment variant, the sound channel 18 is integrated in the side wall 14. For this purpose, the side wall 14 has a lateral recess 20. In other words: According to a first embodiment variant, a wall thickness W of the side wall 14 is reduced in an area B to form the recess 20. Area B is understood here to mean a part of the side wall 14 of the housing 1 oriented in the direction of the end wall 12.

Alternativ weist der Bereich B einen Wanddurchbruch auf, wodurch der Schallkanal 18 erst im eingesetzten Zustand des Hörgeräts H außenseitig von der Innenwand 15 des Gehörgangs 6 des Nutzers gebildet ist. Alternativ oder ergänzend zu der letztgenannten Variante weist die Aussparung einen Materialfilm 22 auf, der die Aussparung 20 nach außen zur Innenwand 15 des Gehörgangs 6 hin begrenzt und somit den Schallkanal 18 ausbildet. Unter Materialfilm 22 wird vorliegend vorzugsweise eine Abdeckung nach Art einer Folie verstanden, welche eine Dicke D aufweist, welche beispielsweise einem Zehntel der Wandstärke W der Seitenwand entspricht.Alternatively, area B has a wall opening, as a result of which the sound channel 18 is only formed on the outside by the inner wall 15 of the auditory canal 6 of the user when the hearing device H is in use. As an alternative or in addition to the last-mentioned variant, the cutout has a material film 22 which delimits the cutout 20 towards the outside towards the inner wall 15 of the auditory canal 6 and thus forms the sound channel 18. In the present case, material film 22 is preferably understood to mean a cover in the manner of a film which has a thickness D which corresponds, for example, to a tenth of the wall thickness W of the side wall.

Beispielsweise ist der Materialfilm 22 insbesondere hydrophob ausgebildet, um beispielsweise ein Eindringen von Flüssigkeiten, z.B. Schweiß und / oder Wasser in das Mikrofon 2 zu verhindern.For example, the material film 22 is, in particular, hydrophobic in order, for example, to prevent liquids, e.g. Prevent sweat and / or water in the microphone 2.

Das Mikrofon 2 des Hörgeräts H ist mittels einer Halterung 24 derart an einer Innenseite der Seitenwand 14 angeordnet, dass ein Schalleintritt 26 des Mikrofons 2 zur Aussparung 20 orientiert ist. Hierdurch ist eine optimale Aufnahme des Schalls sichergestellt. Das Mikrofon 2 ist dabei bevorzugt als eine Baueinheit mit einem Mikrofongehäuse und dem Schalleintritt 26 ausgebildet und weist einen hier nicht näher dargestellten Schallwandler auf.The microphone 2 of the hearing device H is arranged on an inside of the side wall 14 by means of a holder 24 such that a sound inlet 26 of the microphone 2 is oriented towards the recess 20. This ensures optimal absorption of the sound. The microphone 2 is preferably designed as a structural unit with a microphone housing and the sound inlet 26 and has a sound transducer, not shown here.

Somit ist der Schallkanal 18 durch die seitliche Aussparung 20 sowie das Mikrofon 2, insbesondere dem Schalleintritt 26 sowie durch die Aussparung 20 umgebene Wandungsbereiche 34 des Gehäuses 1 (vgl. Fig. 2) gebildet. Das Mikrofon 2, also insbesondere das Mikrofongehäuse erstreckt sich daher entlang der Aussparung 20 und schließt diese zur Innenseite hin ab.Thus, the sound channel 18 is through the lateral recess 20 and the microphone 2, in particular the sound inlet 26 and wall areas 34 of the housing 1 surrounded by the recess 20 (cf. Fig. 2 ) educated. The microphone 2, that is to say in particular the microphone housing, therefore extends along the recess 20 and closes it off from the inside.

Weiterhin weist das Hörgerät H eine Batterieklappe 28 auf, die um eine Schwenkachse Z schwenkbar an dem Gehäuse 1, insbesondere an der Stirnwand 12, angeordnet ist. Die Batterieklappe 28 dient im Ausführungsbeispiel einer Aufnahme der Batterie 5 und ist insbesondere zum Wechseln der Batterie 5 aufschwenkbar.Furthermore, the hearing aid H has a battery flap 28 which is arranged on the housing 1, in particular on the end wall 12, so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis Z. In the exemplary embodiment, the battery flap 28 serves to hold the battery 5 and, in particular, can be swung open to replace the battery 5.

Zudem ist in die Batterieklappe 28 die Schallöffnung 16 integriert. Hierzu weist die Batterieklappe 28 im Ausführungsbeispiel ein Loch nach Art einer Bohrung 30 auf, durch das der Schall in den Schallkanal 18 gelangt.In addition, the sound opening 16 is integrated in the battery flap 28. For this purpose, the battery flap 28 in the exemplary embodiment has a hole in the manner of a bore 30 through which the sound reaches the sound channel 18.

In Fig. 2 ist eine perspektivische Ansicht eines IdO-Hörgerätes H im nicht eingesetzten Zustand gezeigt. Das dargestellte Hörgerät H ist insbesondere baugleich zu dem in Fig. 1 beschriebenen Hörgerät H. Somit weist es zugleich alle in Fig. 1 genannten Komponenten auf, welche teilweise nicht sichtbar sind. Das Hörgerät H weist zusätzlich an einer Batterieklappe 28 ein in Richtung eines Schallkanals 18 abgewinkeltes optionales Schutzelement 32 auf. Das Schutzelement 32 ist hierzu an der Batterieklappe 28 angeordnet, beispielsweise geklebt. Alternativ sind die Batterieklappe 28 und das Schutzelement 32 als ein einstückiges, insbesondere monolithisches, Werkstück gefertigt, beispielsweise als ein Spritzgussteil.In Fig. 2 a perspective view of an ITE hearing aid H is shown in the non-inserted state. The hearing device H shown is in particular identical in construction to that in FIG Fig. 1 Hearing aid described H. Thus, it also all in Fig. 1 mentioned components, some of which are not visible. The hearing aid H additionally has, on a battery flap 28, an optional protective element 32 which is angled in the direction of a sound channel 18. For this purpose, the protective element 32 is arranged on the battery flap 28, for example glued. Alternatively, the battery flap 28 and the protective element 32 are manufactured as a one-piece, in particular monolithic, workpiece, for example as an injection molded part.

Der Schallkanal 18 wird im eingesetzten Zustand durch eine Aussparung 20 in Form eines Wanddurchbruchs in einer Seitenwand 14 eines Gehäuses 1 ausgebildet. Das Schutzelement 32 ist im Ausführungsbeispiel nach Art eines Rahmens ausgebildet und liegt insbesondere an den Wandungsbereichen 34 an, die die Aussparung 20 begrenzen. Im Ausführungsbeispiel liegt das Schutzelement 32 formschlüssig an den Wandungsbereichen 34 an.In the inserted state, the sound channel 18 is formed by a cutout 20 in the form of a wall opening in a side wall 14 of a housing 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the protective element 32 is designed in the manner of a frame and is in particular in contact with the wall regions 34 which delimit the cutout 20. In the exemplary embodiment, the protective element 32 is in a form-fitting manner against the wall regions 34.

Hierdurch ist ein Entfernen von Schmutz, beispielsweise Zerumen innerhalb des Schallkanals 18 sichergestellt, da bei einem Öffnen der Batterieklappe 28 das Schutzelement 32 entgegen der Längsrichtung L aus dem Schallkanal 28 gezogen wird und somit darin angesammelten Schmutz mitführt.This ensures removal of dirt, for example, cerumen within the sound channel 18, since when the battery flap 28 is opened, the protective element 32 is pulled out of the sound channel 28 against the longitudinal direction L and thus carries dirt accumulated therein.

BezugszeichenlisteReference symbol list

11
Gehäusecasing
22nd
Mikrofonmicrophone
33rd
SignalverarbeitungseinheitSignal processing unit
44th
HörerListener
55
Batteriebattery
66
Gehörgang des NutzersEar canal of the user
88th
GehäuseausgangHousing outlet
1212
StirnwandFront wall
1414
SeitenwandSide wall
1515
Innenwand des GehörgangsInner wall of the ear canal
1616
SchallöffnungSound opening
1818th
SchallkanalSound channel
2020th
seitliche Aussparungside recess
2222
MaterialfilmMaterial film
2424th
Halterungbracket
2626
SchalleintrittSound entry
2828
BatterieklappeBattery door
3030th
Bohrung zur Ausbildung der SchallöffnungHole to form the sound opening
3232
SchutzelementProtective element
3434
WandungsbereicheWall areas
BB
Bereich der SeitenwandArea of the sidewall
DD
Dicke des MaterialfilmsMaterial film thickness
HH
HörvorrichtungHearing aid
SS
akustisches Signalacoustic signal
LL
LängsrichtungLongitudinal direction
WW
Wandstärke der SeitenwandWall thickness of the side wall
ZZ
SchwenkachseSwivel axis

Claims (14)

  1. ITE-hearing aid (H) for insertion into an auditory canal (6) of a user with
    - a housing (1) which has an end wall (12) and a side wall (14), said side wall in the inserted state being oriented towards an inner wall (15) of the auditory canal (6) and in the inserted state at least partially resting against the inner wall of the auditory canal of the user,
    - a microphone (2) arranged in the housing (1),
    - a sound opening (16) arranged on the end wall (12) of the housing (1) for transmitting sound to the microphone (2), wherein
    - the sound opening (16) is connected to the microphone (2) via a sound channel (18),
    characterized in
    that the sound channel (18) is formed at least partially by a lateral recess (20) in the side wall (14) of the housing (1).
  2. ITE-hearing aid (H) according to the preceding claim,
    characterized in
    that the microphone (2) has a sound inlet (26) which is oriented towards the recess (20).
  3. ITE-hearing aid (H) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in
    that the microphone (2) is positioned laterally next to the sound channel.
  4. ITE-hearing aid (H) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in
    that the microphone (2) is held by a holder (24) which is connected to the side wall (14).
  5. ITE-hearing aid (H) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in
    that the recess (20) in the side wall (14) is open in the direction of the end wall (12).
  6. ITE-hearing aid (H) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in
    that to form the recess (20) a wall thickness (W) of the side wall (14) is reduced
  7. ITE-hearing aid (H) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in
    that the recess (20) is formed as a wall opening.
  8. ITE-hearing aid according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in
    that the recess (20) is limited on at least three sides by material of the side wall (14).
  9. ITE-hearing aid (H) according to one of Claims 1 to 5 or 6,
    characterized in
    that the recess (20) is limited on the outside towards the auditory canal (6) by a material film (22).
  10. ITE-hearing aid (H) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in
    in that the housing (1) has a battery flap (28) on its end wall (12), in which the sound opening (16) is integrated.
  11. ITE-hearing aid (H) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in
    that the recess (20) is open in the direction of the battery flap (28).
  12. ITE-hearing aid (H) according to one of the two preceding claims,
    characterized in
    that the battery flap (28) has a protective element (32) extending into the recess (20).
  13. ITE-hearing aid (H) according to one of the two preceding claims,
    characterized in
    in that the protective element (32) rests at least partially against wall regions (34) of the side wall (14), said wall regions limiting the recess (20), and that in particular it lies in the recess (20) in a form-fitting manner.
  14. ITE-hearing aid (H) according to the preceding claim,
    characterized in
    that the protective element (32) is formed as a frame.
EP18186745.8A 2017-08-02 2018-08-01 In-the-ear hearing aid Active EP3439329B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102017213440.2A DE102017213440A1 (en) 2017-08-02 2017-08-02 In-the-ear hearing aid

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3439329A1 EP3439329A1 (en) 2019-02-06
EP3439329B1 true EP3439329B1 (en) 2020-06-17

Family

ID=63113415

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18186745.8A Active EP3439329B1 (en) 2017-08-02 2018-08-01 In-the-ear hearing aid

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20190045310A1 (en)
EP (1) EP3439329B1 (en)
CN (1) CN209002221U (en)
DE (1) DE102017213440A1 (en)
DK (1) DK3439329T3 (en)

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK159357C (en) * 1988-03-18 1991-03-04 Oticon As HEARING EQUIPMENT, NECESSARY FOR EQUIPMENT
US6473512B1 (en) 1997-12-18 2002-10-29 Softear Technologies, L.L.C. Apparatus and method for a custom soft-solid hearing aid
US6816601B2 (en) * 2002-03-07 2004-11-09 Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. Microphone and battery configuration for hearing instruments
DE20208601U1 (en) * 2002-06-03 2003-10-09 Audio Service Gmbh As In ear hearing aid has wax and dirt plastic gauze filter in hooked or clamped circular frame in face plate.
EP1733594A1 (en) * 2004-03-25 2006-12-20 Oticon A/S Microphone with inlet structure
EP1867209A2 (en) * 2005-04-06 2007-12-19 Knowles Electronics, LLC Transducer assembly and method of making same
DE102007059723A1 (en) * 2007-12-12 2009-06-18 Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. Hearing device with battery flap module
DE102011083209B3 (en) * 2011-09-22 2013-01-17 Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. IDO hearing instrument with programming socket
EP2680612A1 (en) * 2012-06-27 2014-01-01 Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. Housing for a hearing instrument and hearing instrument
DE102014216086A1 (en) * 2014-08-13 2016-02-18 Sivantos Pte. Ltd. Device and method for integrating hearing device components
DK3065418T3 (en) * 2015-03-05 2020-07-06 Oticon As MICROPHONE INPUT FOR HEARING AID

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN209002221U (en) 2019-06-18
EP3439329A1 (en) 2019-02-06
DK3439329T3 (en) 2020-09-14
US20190045310A1 (en) 2019-02-07
DE102017213440A1 (en) 2019-02-07

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