NL2025969B1 - Attachment for a hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

An attachment for a hearing aid that comprises a housing With a sound inlet formed therein. The attachment comprises an at least partially substantially rigid shielding cover configured for covering at least a portion of the hearing aid housing so as to shield the sound inlet, and an attachment organ for releasably attaching the cover to the hearing aid housing.

Description

P127431NL00 Title: Attachment for a hearing aid

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an attachment for a hearing aid, in particular for a behind-the-ear type hearing aid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION People with hearing loss often benefit from hearing aids. A common type of hearing aid has a housing which is worn on and/or behind the ear, which housing typically holds most electronic parts, including a microphone for registering sound. The microphone is in communication with the environment of the hearing aid through a sound inlet that is formed in the hearing aid housing. From the microphone, the sound signal is often filtered and amplified, and transmitted to the ear canal.

A problem that is associated with such type of hearing aids is that user can experience noise caused by air flowing across the sound inlet, such as wind. The sound inlet is furthermore prone to collect moisture and dust particles that could clog the sound inlet, thereby disturbing the registering of the microphone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It 1s an object to mitigate the above-mentioned problems. It is in particular an aim to effectively reduce noise in hearing aids in an economically efficient way.

Accordingly, in a first aspect there is provided an attachment for a hearing aid, such as a behind-the-ear hearing aid, that comprises a housing with a sound inlet formed therein. The attachment comprises an at least partially substantially rigid shielding cover configured for covering at least a portion of the hearing aid housing so as to shield the sound inlet, and an attachment organ for releasably attaching the cover to the hearing aid housing. A user of the hearing aid can attach the shielding cover to the hearing aid housing, without the need for any adhesive, when experiencing or anticipating noise, for instance when going outdoors or in a dusty or wet environment. The attachment can also easily be removed when shielding is no longer required, and can be reused multiple times. The shielding cover is preferably substantially rigid particularly at or near the attachment organ for providing a secure coupling between the attachment and the hearing aid housing. The shielding cover may include a substantially rigid framework, that is partly open, wherein the openings in the substantially rigid framework may be covered with a relatively flexible material. More preferably, the entire shielding cover is substantially rigid. The at least partially substantially rigid covering sheet provides a protective covering of at least a portion of the hearing aid and the sound inlet in particular, thereby shielding the sound inlet from wind, moisture and particles.

Apart from noise reduction, and protection of the hearing aid, the shielding cover may be customizable to serve as personalized add-on decorative accessory of the hearing aid. For example, the shielding cover may be manufactured in various colors, prints, and structures to reflect a user’s personal style and preference.

The shielding cover can be adapted to a particular model of a hearing aid housing. Accordingly, the attachment may be manufactured in various forms and sizes adapted to respective housing models. Alternatively, the attachment may be arranged to be compatible with plurality of hearing aid models.

The sound inlet of the hearing aid is often located at a top portion of the hearing aid housing for optimally receiving sound from the environment. However, this exposed position also makes the sound inlet susceptible to wind noise, as air can easily flow across the sound inlet.

Optionally, the shielding cover is arranged for covering at least a top portion of the hearing aid housing. This shields the hearing aid from a top side such that precipitation, in particular rain, or dust particles falling onto the hearing aid housing are prevented from clogging the sound inlet. It also shields the sound inlet from air blowing across the sound inlet. The hearing aid housing may include one or more additional sound inlets, for instance located at a bottom side of the hearing aid housing, which may be shielded or unshielded by the shielding cover.

Optionally, the attachment organ comprises a gripping member for gripping the hearing aid housing. The gripping member is particularly arranged for establishing a snap-coupling between the shielding cover and the hearing aid housing. The gripping member can for instance be formed by opposing edges of the shielding cover such that the shielding cover “embraces” the hearing aid housing, for instance the ear hook section.

The gripping member may include an anti-slip internal surface for coupling the shielding cover to the hearing aid housing by friction. The gripping member can be integrally formed with the shielding cover.

Optionally, the attachment organ is arranged for releasably attaching the cover at or near an ear hook section of the hearing aid housing. The ear hook section, also known as the tone bend or elbow, curves over a top of a user’s ear and forms a particular suitable section of the hearing aid housing to connect the shielding cover to, since it is easy to access.

Optionally, the shielding cover is arranged such that, when attached to the hearing aid housing, a spacing is defined between the shielding cover and the hearing aid housing for, in use, providing a sound communication channel between the hearing aid sound inlet and an environment of the hearing aid. The attachment may for example be provided with one or more spacers for spacing the shielding cover and the hearing aid housing apart. The communication channel can be formed between an outer edge of the shielding cover and the sound inlet.

Optionally, the shielding cover comprises a sound absorbing structure. The sound absorbing structure is for example provided at an inside of the shielding cover facing the hearing aid housing, for preventing whistling and acoustic feedback, and could for instance include a sound absorbing coating or embossing structure. Extremes of the embossing pattern could for example abut the hearing aid housing such that communication channel between the sound inlet of the hearing aid and the environment is defined in a cavity formed by the embossing structure.

Optionally, the shielding cover comprises an aperture, in particular only one aperture, for, in use, providing communication between the hearing aid sound inlet and an environment of the hearing aid. The aperture may be offset from the sound inlet, when the shielding cover is attached to the hearing aid housing. This way the shielding cover shields the sound inlet such that any debris or moist from the environment is prevented from reaching into the sound inlet via the aperture. Optionally, a sound permeable membrane is provided over the aperture for transmitting sound therethrough from the environment, yet providing a substantial barrier for moist and dust. The sound permeable membrane can be a fabric, e.g. a woven or nonwoven fabric, a grating structure or a foam, such as an open cell foam. The sound permeable membrane could for example be adhered to the shielding cover. Optionally, the sound inlet 1s provided between the hearing aid housing and the shielding cover. Also a closure element may be provided for manually opening and closing the aperture, and/or varying a size of the aperture.

Optionally, the aperture is positioned on a head-facing side of the shielding cover. This side of the shielding cover is particularly protected from wind. The shielding cover may cover at least part of a head-facing side of the hearing aid housing.

Optionally, the attachment comprises a deflector for deflecting a fluid flow away from the aperture. The deflector may comprise a projection from the shielding cover at the aperture. The projection can for example extend around the aperture, or around multiple apertures.

Optionally, the deflector is integrally formed with the shielding cover.

5 Optionally, the shielding cover covers an auricle-facing side of the hearing aid housing. This way, moist, e.g. rain, can be drained from the shielding cover.

Optionally, the shielding cover is substantially water impermeable. The shielding cover may be formed from substantially rigid plastics such as PP, PE, ABS, PC, PMMA, PLA, ete. The shielding cover could comprise a water-repellent exterior surface. Optionally, the material forming the shielding cover is biocompatible. For example, the shielding cover may be manufactured from materials that minimally elicits skin or other tissues of the user.

In a second aspect is provided a hearing aid, such as a behind-the- ear hearing aid, comprising a housing with a sound inlet formed therein wherein an attachment 1s releasably attached to the hearing aid housing, the attachment comprising a substantially rigid shielding cover covering at least a portion of the hearing aid housing so as to shield the sound inlet, and an attachment organ attaching the shielding cover to the hearing aid housing. The attachment is in particular an attachment in accordance with the first aspect as described herein.

It will be appreciated that other hearing aids than behind-the-ear hearing aids could be provided, such as Bone Anchor Hearing Aids (BAHA) and cochlear implants.

In a third aspect there is provided a method for shielding a sound inlet of a hearing aid, such as a behind-the-ear hearing aid, comprising providing a hearing aid, and attaching thereto an attachment in accordance with the first aspect as described herein.

In a fourth aspect there is provided a set comprising a plurality of attachments in accordance with the first aspect as described herein, wherein the attachments have mutually differently sized shielding covers. It will be appreciated that any one or more of the above aspects, features and options can be combined. It will be appreciated that any one of the options described in view of one of the aspects can be applied equally to any of the other aspects. It will also be clear that all aspects, features and options described in view of the attachment apply equally to the hearing aid, the method, and the set.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will further be elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments which are represented in a drawing. The exemplary embodiments are given by way of non-limitative illustration. It is noted that the figures are only schematic representations of embodiments of the invention that are given by way of non-limiting example. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a hearing aid provided with an attachment; Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of a hearing aid provided with an attachment and Figures 3A and 3B each show a respective cross-sectional view of a hearing aid provided with an attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic side view of a hearing aid 1, here a behind-the ear hearing aid, comprising a housing 2. The housing 2 has a an ear hook section 3 which is arranged for curving over a top of an ear of a user of the hearing aid. The housing 2 holds most of the electronics of the hearing aid 1, such as a battery and a microphone. The microphone is in communication with an exterior of the hearing aid through a sound inlet 4, which is formed as an aperture in the housing 2 at a top side thereof. The housing 2 of the hearing aid 1 is connected to ear plug, which ear plug is to be provided in an ear canal of a user. The ear plug can include a speaker or sound tube. For clarity and conciseness, the ear plug is omitted from the Figures 1 and 2.

Attached to the hearing aid housing 2 is an attachment 5. The attachment 5 here comprises a substantially rigid shielding cover 6, which here covers a top portion 7 of the hearing aid housing 2. The shielding cover 6 particularly shields the sound inlet 4 so as to avoid air flow across the sound inlet, and prevent rain and airborne particles from collecting in the sound inlet. The shielding cover 6 in this example substantially follows the contours of the hearing aid housing 2, forming a closed shell over the housing 2, and covers at least a portion of the lateral sides of the hearing aid housing, i.e. the head-facing side and the auricle-facing side of the hearing aid housing. It will be appreciated that the shielding cover 6 need not be entirely substantially rigid, but may comprise relatively flexible portions. For example, the shielding cover 6 could alternatively comprise a substantially rigid skeleton and a relatively flexible covering material.

The shielding cover 6 is releasably coupled to the hearing aid housing 2, in such a way that the shielding cover 6 can be coupled and decoupled easily by the user of the hearing aid 1. In this example the shielding cover 6 can be coupled to the housing without the need for any adhesive, such as glue. For this, the attachment 5 comprises an attachment organ 9, here a gripping member 10 for gripping the hearing aid housing 2. The gripping member 10 is in this example particularly arranged for gripping the ear hook 3 of the hearing aid housing 2, so that a user can easily attach the shielding cover 6 to the hearing aid housing 2, wherein the shielding cover 6 snaps into place onto the hearing aid housing 2. The gripping member 10 can for instance be formed by opposing outer edges 12a,

12b of the shielding cover 6, that are arranged to “embrace” the hearing aid housing 2, particularly the ear hook 3. Here, the gripping member 10 is formed in that when the shielding cover 6 is detached from the housing 2 a distance between the opposing outer edges 12a, 12b is smaller than a corresponding dimension of the housing 2 at the corresponding location. Hence, here the gripping member 10 is resiliently forced apart (the opposing outer edges 12a, 12b being moved away from each other) when attaching the shielding cover 6 to the housing. The distance between the opposing outer edges 12a, 12b when the shielding cover 6 is detached from the housing 2 may be chosen such that the outer edges 12a, 12b remain resiliently forced apart when the shielding cover 6 1s attached to the housing 2. Hence, the gripping member 10 resiliently grips the housing 2. The gripping member 10 may include a frictional inner surface structure, e.g. using rubber or similar, for even more effectively gripping the hearing aid housing 2.

A sound communication channel is formed between the environment and the sound inlet 4. This communication channel can be formed by a spacing between the shielding cover 6 and the hearing aid housing 2. In the particular examples of Figure 1 and Figure 2, an aperture 8 1s formed in the shielding cover 6 so as to form a sound communication channel between the environment and the sound inlet 4 through the aperture 8. In the example of Figure 1 and Figure 2, only one aperture is provided in the shielding cover 6, but it will be appreciated that multiple apertures can formed, at various locations in the shielding cover 6 as well. It will also be appreciated that shielding cover 6 may be free of an aperture. A cover element may be provided for manually covering the aperture. In the examples of Figure 1 and Figure 2, the aperture 8 is located at a head-facing side of the hearing aid housing 2, which is relatively protected from the wind, dust and rain, yet sufficiently exposed for effectively receiving sounds from the environment. As such, the shielding cover 6 shown in Figure 1 is intended for attachment to a right ear hearing aid.

For a left ear hearing aid, the shielding cover 6 may be a mirrored.

The aperture as shown in Figure 1 is smaller than the aperture as shown in Figure 2. The aperture 8 as shown in Figure 2 is formed by a substantially rigid framework of the shielding cover 6, wherein a muffler 13 is provided over the aperture 8. The muffler 13 here includes an acoustically (semi)transparent membrane such as an (non)woven fabric, foam or grating.

As depicted in Figure 1, the attachment 5 can comprise a deflector 11 which is preferably arranged near the aperture 8, for deflecting an air flow away from the aperture 8. In this example, the deflector 11 comprises a projection from a face of the shielding cover 6. In the example of Figure 1, the projection extends substantially around the aperture 8. A dedicated provision for operating controls on the hearing aid housing, such as an on/off switch or volume control button, may be provided on the shielding cover 6. The shielding cover can e.g. include a window through which a control of the hearing aid can be accessed.

Figures 3A and 3B show a schematic view of two respective cross sections of a hearing aid housing 2 that is provided with a shielding cover 6. Figure 3A shows a cross sectional view of a frontal portion of the housing 2, i.e. at the ear hook section 3 of the hearing aid housing 2. As can be seen in Figure 3A, the shielding cover 6 embraces, with the gripping member 10, the ear hook 3 to couple the shielding cover 6 to the hearing aid housing 2. The gripping member 10 is formed here by opposite edges 13A, 12b of the shielding cover.

Here, the shielding cover 6 and the gripping member 10 are integrally formed.

Due to the substantial rigidity of the shielding cover 6 and the gripping member 10, the shielding cover 6 will diverge when providing the shielding cover 6 over the hearing aid housing 2, and will snap in position onto the hearing aid housing 2. The gripping member 10 embraces the hearing aid housing 2, particularly at or near the ear hook 3. It will be understood that there may be additional gripping members provided for additionally gripping other portions of the hearing aid housing. Figure 3B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a rearward portion of the hearing aid housing 2, in particular at the location of the sound inlet 4. The shielding cover 6 covers a top portion for shielding the sound inlet, as well as the side portions of the hearing aid housing 2, i.e. the head-facing side and auricle-facing side of the housing 2, and closely resembles the shape of the hearing aid housing 2. In this example, a spacing is defined between the hearing aid housing 2 and the shielding cover 6 to form a sound communication channel from the environment to the sound inlet 4. As such sound from the environment can reach the sound inlet, and hence the microphone of the hearing aid, from an edge 12a or 12b of the shielding cover 6, between the shielding cover and the housing 2. The sound communication channel could optionally be formed by grooves in an inner surface of the shielding cover. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more apertures may be provided in the shielding cover 6. The edges 12a, 12b of the shielding cover 6 may diverge from the hearing aid housing 2 to create an overhang.

The shielding cover 6 may manufactured from substantially rigid plastics such as PP, PE, ABS, PC, PMMA, PLA, etc. The shielding cover could be provided with a water-repellent exterior surface for draining moist therefrom. A housing-facing surface of the shielding cover 2 may be provided with a friction surface to prevent sliding of the shielding cover 6 relative to the hearing aid.

In the figures one attachment is shown. It will be appreciated that it 1s possible to design the attachment to fit a particular type of hearing aid, such as a particular type of a particular brand. It is also possible to design the attachment such that it can be attached to a plurality of types of hearing aids. It is possible to design the attachment in a plurality of shapes and/or sizes, e.g. small, medium and large, such that a suitable attachment of the plurality of attachments can be chosen for a particular hearing aid. A selection table can be provided allowing a user to look up which attachment of the plurality of attachments is suitable for his or her hearing aid. Herein, the invention is described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications, variations, alternatives and changes may be made therein, without departing from the essence of the invention. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, alternative embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described in these separate embodiments are also envisaged and understood to fall within the framework of the invention as outlined by the claims. The specifications, figures and examples are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than in a restrictive sense. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Further, many of the elements that are described are functional entities that may be implemented as discrete or distributed components or in conjunction with other components, in any suitable combination and location.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other features or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words ‘a’ and ‘an’ shall not be construed as limited to ‘only one’, but instead are used to mean ‘at least one’, and do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to an advantage.

Claims (15)

ConclusiesConclusions 1. Aankoppelstuk voor een gehoorapparaat, zoals een achter-het-oor gehoorapparaat, dat een behuizing omvat met daarin gevormd een geluidinlaat, het aankoppelstuk omvattende een ten minste deels in hoofdzaak rigide afschermkap ingericht voor het afdekken van ten minste een deel van de gehoorapparaatbehuizing om de geluidinlaat af te schermen, en een aankoppelorgaan voor het losneembaar aan de gehoorapparaatbehuizing koppelen van de kap.A hearing aid connector, such as a behind-the-ear hearing aid, comprising a housing having a sound inlet formed therein, the connector comprising an at least partially substantially rigid shielding cap adapted to cover at least a portion of the hearing aid housing to shielding the sound inlet, and coupling means for releasably coupling the hood to the hearing aid housing. 2. Aankoppelstuk volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de afschermkap is ingericht voor het afdekken van ten minste een bovenste gedeelte van de gehoorapparaatbehuizing.The coupler of claim 1, wherein the shielding cap is adapted to cover at least an upper portion of the hearing aid housing. 3. Aankoppelstuk volgens conclusie 1 of 2, waarbij het aankoppelorgaan een grijpdeel omvat voor het vastgrijpen van de gehoorapparaatbehuizing.The coupler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupler comprises a gripping part for gripping the hearing aid housing. 4. Aankoppelstuk volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het aankoppelorgaan is ingericht voor het losneembaar aankoppelen van de kap aan of nabij een oorhaakgedeelte van de gehoorapparaatbehuizing.A coupling piece according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling member is adapted for releasably coupling the hood to or near an earhook portion of the hearing aid housing. 5. Aankoppelstuk volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de afschermkap zodanig ingericht is dat, wanneer aan de gehoorapparaatbehuizing gekoppeld, een afstand wordt gedefinieerd tussen de afschermkap en de gehoorapparaatbehuizing voor het, in gebruik, voorzien van een geluidscommunicatiekanaal tussen de gehoorapparaatgeluidinlaat en een omgeving van het gehoorapparaat.A coupler according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shielding cap is arranged such that, when coupled to the hearing aid housing, a distance is defined between the shielding cap and the hearing aid housing for providing, in use, a sound communication channel between the hearing aid sound inlet and an environment of the hearing aid. 6. Aankoppelstuk volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de afschermkap een opening omvat, in het bijzonder slechts één opening, voor het, in gebruik, voorzien van een communicatie tussen de gehoorapparaatgeluidinlaat en een omgeving van het gehoorapparaat.A coupling piece according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shielding cap comprises an opening, in particular only one opening, for providing, in use, a communication between the hearing aid sound inlet and an environment of the hearing aid. 7. Aankoppelstuk volgens conclusie 6, waarbij de opening aan een naar een hoofd gekeerde zijde van de afschermkap is gepositioneerd.A coupling piece according to claim 6, wherein the opening is positioned on a head-facing side of the shielding cap. 8. Aankoppelstuk volgens conclusie 6 of 7, omvattende een deflector voor het van de opening af deflecteren van een fluidumstroom.A coupling piece according to claim 6 or 7, comprising a deflector for deflecting a fluid flow away from the opening. 9. Aankoppelstuk volgens conclusie 8, waarbij de deflector integraal met de afschermkap is gevormd.The coupler of claim 8, wherein the deflector is formed integrally with the shield. 10. Aankoppelstuk volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de afschermkap een naar de oorschelp gerichte zijde van de gehoorapparaatbehuizing afdekt.A coupling piece according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shielding cap covers a side of the hearing aid housing facing the pinna. 11. Aankoppelstuk volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de afschermkap in hoofdzaak ondoorlaatbaar is voor water.A coupling piece according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shielding cap is substantially impermeable to water. 12. Gehoorapparaat, zoals een achter-het-oor gehoorapparaat, omvattende een behuizing met daarin gevormd een geluidinlaat waarbij een aankoppelstuk losneembaar aan de gehoorapparaatbehuizing gekoppeld is, het aankoppelstuk omvattende een ten minste deels in hoofdzaak rigide afschermkap die ten minste een deel van de gehoorapparaatbehuizing afdekt om de geluidinlaat af te schermen, en een aankoppelorgaan voor het aan de gehoorapparaatbehuizing koppelen van de afschermkap.A hearing aid, such as a behind-the-ear hearing aid, comprising a housing having a sound inlet formed therein, wherein a coupling piece is releasably coupled to the hearing aid housing, the coupling piece comprising an at least partially substantially rigid shield cap covering at least a part of the hearing aid housing cover to shield the sound inlet, and coupling means for coupling the shield cap to the hearing aid housing. 13. Gehoorapparaat volgens conclusie 12, waarbij het aankoppelstuk een aankoppelstuk is in overeenstemming met één of meer der conclusies 1-11.The hearing aid of claim 12, wherein the coupler is a coupler according to one or more of claims 1-11. 14. Werkwijze voor het afschermen van een geluidinlaat van een gehoorapparaat, zoals een achter-het-oor gehoorapparaat, omvattende het voorzien van een gehoorapparaat, en het koppelen daaraan van een aankoppelstuk in overeenstemming met één of meer der conclusies 1-11.A method of shielding a sound inlet of a hearing aid, such as a behind-the-ear hearing aid, comprising providing a hearing aid, and coupling thereto a coupling piece according to one or more of claims 1-11. 15. Set omvattende een veelvoud van aankoppelstukken volgens één of meer der conclusies 1-11, waarbij de aankoppelstukken onderling verschillend maatgegeven afschermkappen hebben.15. Set comprising a plurality of coupling pieces according to one or more of the claims 1-11, wherein the coupling pieces have different sized protective caps.