Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices – Hearing aids – electrical – Specified casing or housing
Patent
1998-05-22
2000-07-25
Kuntz, Curtis A.
Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices
Hearing aids, electrical
Specified casing or housing
381330, 381322, H04R 2500
Patent
active
060944935
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a hearing aid according to the preamble of the main claim.
Behind-the-ear hearing aids, in particular, in which the sound is transmitted to the eardrum via the outer auditory canal are very widely used. In the case of behind-the-ear hearing aids, the sound is picked up by the microphone of the hearing aid, is amplified in accordance with audiological requirements and is passed on via the conductively coupled receiver. At the outlet of the receiver there is generally a hearing angle above the pinna for receiving a sound tube which leads into the outer auditory canal by means of an ear mold. The sound amplified by the hearing aid is thus passed via the sound tube and the sound channel above and then in front of the pinna via the ear mold directly into the auditory canal and thus to the eardrum.
However, it has been experienced as a disadvantage in these known hearing aids that the guiding of the sound, that is to say the sound tube, runs from the behind-the-ear hearing aid in front of the pinna into the outer auditory canal and is thus always visible.
So-called in-the-ear hearing aids have also already been proposed, which do not have this disadvantage, in particular when the visible surface of the in-the-ear hearing aid is adapted to the skin color of the respective patient. The disadvantage in these arrangements, however, is the fact that the auditory canal is closed, that is to say is no longer open, which is experienced as unpleasant by many patients.
The invention is based on the object of improving the known hearing aids to the effect that a hearing aid can be supplied which is invisible as far as possible, but the sound transmission is also improved at the same time and the auditory canal is not completely closed.
This object on which the invention is based is achieved by the proposal to provide a tubular body which leads to the outside behind the ear between the temporal bone in the region of the petrous bone and the pinna at one end and through an opening in the outer ear, opens out in the auditory canal at the other end, receives the sound in the region of the free end, e.g. behind the ear, and passes sound waves to the eardrum at the auditory canal end.
Advantageous refinements are explained in the subclaims.
It is thus proposed that the tubular body can be connected at its free end to the sound outlet opening of a behind-the-ear hearing aid, and it is proposed on the other hand that the tubular body itself is designed as a hearing aid and bears the microphone in the region of the free end and the receiver at the auditory canal end. In this case, it is possible for the tubular body to be extended up to the top join of the pinna and to open toward the front and to bear the microphone here. It is also possible to connect the tubular body to an earring which is then provided with the microphone.
If the tubular body is connected to a behind-the-ear hearing aid, it is important to provide a simple, but tight connection, and it is thus proposed to use a sealing cuff which is provided between the sound outlet connector of the hearing aid and a sound line and permits a connection of the wall of the sound outlet connector to the wall of the sound line, e.g. the retroauricular tubular body, which connection is virtually without stress, but is impervious to sound waves.
The tubular body may be made of a plastic material, but according to the invention is preferably produced from titanium, as a result of which it has the necessary strength and tissue compatibility. If the tubular body is produced from titanium, it is preferably of a three-part design and comprises an ear-piece, an outer piece and a connecting body, in which case it is possible for the ear-piece and the outer piece to be screwed into the connecting body so that longitudinal adjustments of the actual tubular body are thus also possible at the same time.
In particular when the tubular body consists of titanium, it appears to be advantageous to take care that a secure position of the tubular body in the body orifice is en
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Borowsky Hans-Dieter
Jandaurek Roman
Lobbers Edmund
Wesendahl Theo
Dabney Phylesha
Kuntz Curtis A.
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