Acoustics – Anatomic or prosthetic relation – Ear and mouth
Patent
1985-12-05
1987-07-14
Fuller, Benjamin R.
Acoustics
Anatomic or prosthetic relation
Ear and mouth
181135, A61B 702
Patent
active
046796509
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to hearing aids, and in particular, to hearing aid ear mold end pieces for use in the auditory canal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The ear mold of a hearing aid is usually cast in plastic after taking an impression of the ear and comprises an outer segment which rests in the outer ear and an adjacent part which is termed the auditory canal olive and projects into the auditory canal, the latter segment extending into the auditory canal for approximately one-third of its length. The auditory canal olive of the ear mold that projects into the auditory canal is provided with a sound channel and serves to conduct the amplified sound generated by the hearing aid into the auditory canal, while simultaneously sealing off the auditory canal from the outside.
In the conventionally employed behind-the-ear hearing aids, the sound channel formed in the ear mold is connected by means of a small plastic tube inserted into this sound channel with the loudspeaker capsule which is located in the hearing aid, in order to conduct the sound generated by the hearing aid from the loudspeaker capsule through the plastic tube into the sound channel of the ear mold and thus into the auditory canal. At the same time, this tube, which is bent into a curve as it passes between the hearing aid and the ear mold, serves to fasten the hearing aid mechanically behind the ear.
One of the problems that arises with hearing aids is the blockage of the outlet opening of the sound channel formed in the ear mold by ear wax. Ear wax has extraordinary creeping ability and therefore readily moves over the dome-shaped convexly curved end face of the ear mold end piece in the auditory canal up to the outlet opening of the sound channel, located approximately at its center, and into the latter as well. This can lead relatively rapidly to blockage of the sound channel in the ear mold, said channel being relatively thin with a conventional diameter in the vicinity of 2 mm. This blockage of the sound channel, which can result in a considerable reduction of the amount of sound coming from the hearintg aid into the auditory canal, cannot be eliminated by cleaning off the ear mold with a handkerchief, which creates the danger that, in attempting to clean it, the blockage can be made even more severe by forcing the ear wax into the sound channel.
Therefore, the goal of the invention is to remedy the problem of blockage by ear wax of the sound outlet opening of the ear mold end piece on the auditory canal side.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This goal is achieved according to the invention by the special design of the ear mold end piece on the auditory canal side.
The design of the end piece according to the invention makes it possible effectively to prevent blockage of the sound outlet opening by ear wax. The concave curvature of the end piece end face and the sharp edge, especially at the circumference of the sound outlet opening, produce the effect that the ear wax, like a chip produced by a hollow knife, encircles the sharp edge surrounding the sound outlet opening instead of creeping around this edge, as is the case in the conventional convexly curved end segments of ordinary ear molds.
Advantageous improvements and embodiments to the invention are the subject of the subclaims.
Thus, for example, the ear mold end piece according to the invention, like conventional ear molds, can be made integral with the remainder of the ear mold (claim 2) or alternatively, as an independent component to be fastened to the remainder of the ear mold (claim 3). The latter possibility makes it possible on the one hand to make the end piece out of a different material than the remainder of the ear mold and also offers the opportunity of inexpensive mass production of ear mold end pieces, which can then be used in manufacturing individual ear molds after the conventional ear impression of the patient has been taken.
In the case of fabrication of the end piece according to the invention, the latter can be made round or preferably eve
REFERENCES:
patent: 1830198 (1931-11-01), French
patent: 2188591 (1940-01-01), Carlson
patent: 2430229 (1947-11-01), Kelsey
patent: 3169600 (1965-02-01), Thomas
patent: 3852540 (1974-12-01), Dietheim
patent: 3890474 (1975-06-01), Glicksberg
patent: 4532649 (1985-07-01), Bellafiore
Kammermeier Anton
Moser Ludwig M.
Fuller Benjamin R.
Westra Electronic GmbH
LandOfFree
Hearing aid ear mold end piece for the auditory canal and hearin does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Hearing aid ear mold end piece for the auditory canal and hearin, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hearing aid ear mold end piece for the auditory canal and hearin will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1422829