Modular hearing device with holding hook

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a modular hearing device (1) comprising a holding-hook module (2) with a hook element (2a) for holding the modular hearing device (1) at the ear of a user; and a sound-processing module (3) with a microphone element (3b') for recording environmental sounds, and with a core unit (3a) comprising a processor element (3a') for processing the recorded sounds, and with an ear-canal unit (3b) for outputting the sounds processed by the processor element (3a') to the user, where the microphone element (3b') is part of the core unit (3a) or part of the ear-canal unit (3b); wherein the holding-hook module (2) has a receiving portion (2b) for the sound-processing module (3) in which at least the core unit (3a) of the sound-processing module (3) is held without play, wherein the receiving portion (2b) is configured for non-destructive insertion and removal of the core unit (3a) of the sound-processing module (3); and the holding-hook module (2) is configured to hold at least the core unit (3a) of the sound-processing module (3) in front of the ear of the user.

Description

[0001] Title

[0002] Modular hearing device with holding hook

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004] The disclosure relates to a modular hearing device comprising a holding-hook module and sound-processing module, the holding-hook module with a hook element for holding the hearing device at the ear of a user and the sound-processing module with a microphone element for recording environmental sounds, as well as with a core unit comprising a processor element for processing the recorded sounds, and with an ear-canal unit for outputting the sounds processed by the processor element to the user, where the microphone element is part of the core unit or part of the ear-canal unit.

[0005] Background

[0006] The most commonly used designs for hearing devices that are not worn in the ear canal are behind-the-ear devices (BTE hearing aids) and receiver-in-ear devices (RIE hearing aids). For both wearing options, the user of a hearing aid is often faced with the question of the cosmetic effect of the hearing aid, whereby there is often a tendency to design and position the hearing aids as small and as invisible as possible. While earlier hearing devices were used exclusively for better hearing, current hearing devices can be coupled with external audio playback devices, such as cell phones or others, so that the use of the hearing device as hearing aid does not interfere with that of headphones or telephones.

[0007] In BTE hearing devices, a housing containing the main device is placed outside the ear canal and behind the ear, while a custom-made earmold placed in the ear canal is connected to the main or core unit outside the ear canal via a signal conductor. The core unit houses the microphone, electronics and batteries. The sound transducer can be integrated into the core unit so that acoustic signals are transmitted into the ear canal via the sound conductor. Alternatively, it can be placed in the ear canal, with audio signals being transmitted via the signal conductor from the signal processing unit of the electronics to the transducer.

[0008] RIE hearing devices have a similar structure to BTE hearing aids, whereby the sound transducer is removed from the housing and thus arranged externally in the ear canal, where it is held in place by an earmold. The sound transducer is connected to the main device behind the ear via a signal conductor, in this case an electrical signal conductor. By placing the sound transducer in the ear canal, it is possible to make the housing located behind the ear significantly smaller.

[0009] BTE and RIE devices can be attached to the ear either solely by means of a clamping effect above the pinna, which is visually prominent and can prove disadvantageous for spectacle wearers, as the spectacle temples and the housing of the hearing aid can interfere with each other. Alternatively, hearing systems are also known in which the core unit is integrated into ear jewelry and is therefore worn visibly on the ear. Even if the core unit is not worn behind the ear in this variant, the basic structure of this hearing device with core unit and signal conductor in the ear canal corresponds to that of BTE devices, so that this design is counted as a BTE device.

[0010] In-the-ear (ITE) hearing devices worn in the ear or the increasingly smaller variant of these, the Invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing devices, are integrally designed so that they can be worn completely in the ear canal, whereby the housing is individually adapted to the anatomy of the ear canal. With these devices, all components of the hearing device, i.e. including the sound-receiving microphone element, are positioned in the ear canal so that the pinna actively participates in hearing and the individual spatial hearing impression can be utilized. The disadvantage of ITE hearing devices is that although the hearing devices, especially the IIC hearing device, is less visible due to its positioning in the ear, this can lead to undesirable occlusion effects, i.e. the closure of the ear canal and distorted acoustics. A lack of ventilation options has a detrimental effect on both the technique and the ear canal.

[0011] Both alternative ways of attaching hearing aids to the ear and decorative elements for making the hearing aids more appealing are known in the prior art, see for instance DE 20 2023 100 591 U1 for a magnetic holder or EP 2 713 799 Bl for stud or clamp holders.

[0012] The technical task, therefore, is to overcome disadvantages of the known approaches and provide a flexible and reliable hearing device that can be adapted to different every-day situations efficiently.

[0013] Overview

[0014] This task is solved by the objects of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0015] One aspect relates to a modular hearing device with a holding-hook module and a soundprocessing module. The holding-hook module provides for attachment of the hearing device to the user. It has a hook element to hold the hearing device at the ear of the user by mechanical means. Thus, preferably, the holding-hook module provides only a mechanical function (i.e. no processing function). As magnetism is one of two aspects of electromagnetism, mechanical functions may be considered as not comprising magnetic functions. Thus preferably, the hook element does not hold the hearing device relying a magnet. In particular, at least part of the hearing device is held in physical contact with the head below the temple, i.e. the part of the head in front of the auricle / outer ear, by the hook element. The front direction is defined by the viewing direction of the user, i.e. may be referred to as dorsal / anterior direction. In particular, at least the core element of the soundprocessing module introduced below may be held anterior to the ear canal in its entirety and / or with its geometrical center.

[0016] The sound-processing module provides for hearing support / enhancement the hearing device is designed for. To this end, the sound-processing module comprises a microphone element for recording environmental sounds, a processor element for processing the recorded sounds, and an ear-canal unit for outputting the sounds processed by the processor element to the user. The processor element may comprise not only one or more processors such as a digital signal processor, Bluetooth chip and the like, but also a power source like a battery and other components. While the processor element is part of a core unit different from the ear-canal unit (which is configured to be at least in part placed in the ear canal of the user during intended use), the microphone element may be part of the core unit or part of the ear-canal unit. In the latter case, the setup may be referred to as "receiver-in-ear" setup, where the environmental sound is recorded in the ear canal. Thereby, directional information as imprinted onto the environmental sound by the outer ear can be maintained in the processed sounds that are to be output by the ear-canal unit. The microphone element may comprise more than one microphone. This is particularly advantageous if it is not located in the ear canal, since directional information of the environmental sound can then nevertheless be maintained in the processed sounds that are to be output by the ear-canal unit. Thus, preferably, the sound-processing module provides only a processing function in that it does not provide a mechanical function that goes beyond the mechanical attachment to the holding-hook module. The holding-hook module may thus be regarded as a carrier for the (exchangeable) sound-processing module, as also apparent from the following:

[0017] Therein, the holding-hook module has a receiving portion for the sound-processing module in which at least the core element of the sound-processing module is held without play via a (preferably purely) mechanical interaction. Thus preferably, the hook element does not hold the core element and / or the sound-processing module relying a magnet. The holding-hook module may be magnet-free (i.e. without any holding magnet, referring to any magnet configured for holding different parts, in particular modules, of the hearing device attached to each other). Holding without play may be considered the opposite to a loose insertion. In particular, the receiving portion may be or comprise a recess in which the core element fits into. The recess may comprise a bottom and one or more sidewalls, in particular a round sidewall. The side wall(s) may be concave. At least a majority of a surface area of a housing element of the core unit may thus be covered by the receiving portion, i.e. be invisible. Alternatively to a design of the recess with bottom and side wall(s), and one open side, the recess may have side wall(s) only, i.e. essentially be a through-hole with two open sides (no bottom) and concave side wall(s) - similar to eyeglass frames. Consequently, the egde(s) of the open side(s), which are defined by the side wall(s) may run in respective planes. The insertion / removal direction of the core unit then runs transverse to one or both such plane(s).

[0018] The core unit itself may be hidden by means of a cap element or the like that closes an open side of the recess via which open side the core unit can be inserted / removed, or by the recess being orientated towards the user, i.e. the bottom of the recess being more distant from the users' head or temple than the open side. Then, the open side is oriented towards the head of the user. In particular, the cap element may cover only one side of the core element, where other sides are covered by the bottom and side wall(s) of the recess (or of the cage, see below). Alternatively, the core unit may be visibly arranged, for instance by the recess being orientated away from the user. Also the receiving portion may not only be or comprises a recess, but also be or comprises a cage which lets parts of the core unit uncovered while holding it in place without play. The cage may, similar to the recess, comprise bottom and / or side wall (s). Holding the core unit in place without play by the receiving portion, in particular without play in three dimensions, is important for flexible allday use allowing different activities of the user, such as phases of much movement (e.g. sports, physical work) and phases of little movement (e.g. commuting). The receiving portion is configured for non-destructive insertion and removal (i.e. nondestructive, repeated exchange) of the sound-processing unit. This allows the combination of one type of sound-processing unit, in particular one single specimen of sound-processing unit, with different holding-hook modules. This is advantageous since the sound-processing unit is a complicated (and expensive) high-tech part which is invisible or at least very discrete, shaping the processing function, while the holding-hook module is a simple (a cheap) low-tech part which is prominently visible and shapes the appearance of the hearing device (since most if not all that can be seen of the hearing device when worn is the holdinghook module) and its mechanical function. This since the holding-hook module is configured to hold at least the core unit of the sound-processing module close to or even against the skin, in particular the temple of the user, in front of the ear of the user. Thus, the receiving portion is not covered by the (anatomy of the) outer ear, thus generally arranged visibly in the field of view of other people (depending on hair / hat / or alike of the user, obviously).

[0019] This combination gives the advantage of an easy combination of a differently configurable mechanical functions and / or appearance (as provided by the holding-hook module) and an individualized sound-processing function (as provided by the sound-processing module). The setup may be compared with the setup of eye-glasses, where the frame provides mechanical functions and appearance and the lenses provide the "light-processing" optical function. Since the sound-processing module is held in place without play by the receiving portion, the core element cannot be dislocated unintentionally, as opposed to approaches where the (outer) ear is actually used to close a cavity in which a hearing aid is loosely inserted to. The non-destructive insertion and removal is advantageous for production, repair, and replacement and can even lead to an end-user changing holding-hook module and thus appearance of the hearing device himself on a frequent basis, for example daily. This will be explained in more detail below.

[0020] In one embodiment, it is provided that the core element of the sound-processing module is held by the receiving portion by a form-fit and / or a force-fit connection. Both form-fit and force-fit connection implement said mechanical interaction. Alternatively or in addition, the sound-processing module may be glued (in)to the receiving portion. The form-fit connection may be realized with one or more screws holding the core element in place, either with or without some additional parts as said cap element. The cap element itself may also be screwable. The form-fit connection may be also be realized with elastic properties of the receiving portion, where the receiving portion is deformed to some extent during insertion and removal, as known from snap-in connections. A force-fit connection may be realized by using a material for the holding-hook module with a specified temperature-dependent expansion such that the core element easily fits into the receiving portion e.g. when the receiving portion reaches a preset higher temperature and is held by force-fit in the receiving portion when a preset lower temperature is reached by the receiving portion. Alternatively, the cap element may be less rigid than the receiving portion and thus be configured as a plug for the receiving portion. This gives the advantage that non-destructive insertion and removal can be achieved in a reliable and flexible way.

[0021] In a further embodiment, it is provided that the receiving portion is configured for repeated non-destructive insertion and removal without tool. For instance, the above mentioned snap-in or click-in connection may be used to allow an end-user to use the sound-processing module, in particular an individually configured sound-processing module, with different holding-hook modules. This fosters every-day flexibility in a reliable and effective way.

[0022] In another embodiment, it is provided that the ear-canal unit is a plug-in ear-canal unit connected to the core unit by a plug connection configured for repeated non-destructive releasing and restoring without tool. For example, the ear-canal unit may be provided as tube-shaped plug-in ear-canal unit, with one end of the tube comprising a plug of the plug connection and the other end of the tube comprising an ear tip to be inserted into the ear canal, e.g. with microphone element and / or speaker element. This is particularly useful for reliable and flexible applications since it fosters ease-of-removal and ease-of-insertion also for the whole sound-processing module.

[0023] In particular, it may be provided that the holding-hook module has, in the receiving portion, in particular a side wall of the receiving portion, a through-hole through which the plug-in ear-canal unit extends while plugged into the core unit via the plug connection. The through- hole preferably is separate (and / or independent) from a plug and / or a socket of the plug connection provided by the (exchangeable) core unit. This gives the advantage of an additional locking mechanism holding the core unit in place and hinders unintended dislocation of the sound-processing module, in particular in spite of the sound-processing module being replaceable easily and / or without tools.

[0024] As an alternative to the through-hole of the last paragraph, the receiving portion may comprise a cutout for (the tube of) the ear-canal unit in the inserted state. The cutout is configured to allow the core unit to be inserted into the receiving portion while the earcanal unit is connected to the core unit. Thus, the cutout may be adapted in its width in a circumferential direction (transverse to the insertion / removal direction) to fit the width of a tube of the ear-canal unit to prevent unintended rotation of the core unit. Along the insertion / removal direction, the cutout connects to the edge of the open side of the receiving portion through which the core unit is inserted / removed. This gives the advantage that the ear-canal unit is not required to be a plug-in ear-canal unit.

[0025] In particular, the through-hole may even provide a water-proof or water-resistant plug connection, e.g. via a force-fit between the (plug of the) plug-in ear-canal unit and the receiving portion. In such an embodiment, it can be advantageous if the receiving portion is providing not only a water-proof / water-resistant plug connection but also a water- proof / water-resistant overall design that protects the core unit from water and alike. This may be achieved by refraining from any further through-holes in the receiving portion that are left open during intended use. In the state of the art, through-holes are commonly used to let the environmental sounds reach one or more microphone elements in the core unit. Thus, it is particularly beneficial to implement the microphone element as part of the earcanal unit here.

[0026] In one embodiment, it is provided that the core unit has a housing element with an at least essentially ellipsoid shape, in particular rotational ellipsoid shape, or with an at least essentially cylindrical shape. This optimizes the possibilities for a form-fit and / or force-fit connection between core unit and receiving portion, hence contributes to reliable and flexible connecting / disconnecting of holding-hook module and sound-processing module. However, also other shapes like angular shapes, in particular cylindrical shapes with a base of angular or irregular shape. The bottom and / or side wall(s) of the above mentioned recess preferably are adapted to the shape of the housing element in order to provide the form-fit and / or force-fit connection. Those shapes might offer a bit less mechanical stability, but provide the feature of reducing a rotational degree of freedom of the core unit in the receiving portion.

[0027] In a further embodiment, it is provided that the receiving portion at least partially embraces the core unit, in particular circumferentially embraces the core unit, preferably radially circumferentially embraces the core unit. Thus, the receiving portion may be in mechanical contact with the core unit in more than 50%, preferably in more than 60%, more preferably in more than 70%, of the surface area of the housing element. This is particularly advantageous if the core unit has a housing element with an at least essentially ellipsoid / cylindrical shape and the receiving portion embracing the core unit circumferentially in a main extension plane of the ellipsoid shape / a plane perpendicular to the height of the cylindrical shape.

[0028] In another embodiment, it is provided that at least a major part of (preferably only) one side, preferably a round or elliptic side, of the core unit, in particular of the housing element of the core unit, is covered by said cap element of the receiving portion of the holding-hook module. The cap element when mounted covers the orifice / recess in which core unit can be placed. The cap element can but need not contribute to holding the core unit in place without play. The cap element may, during intended use, be a visible or covered cap element: If the recess has its open side (which is closed by the cap element) towards of the user, the cap element is considered covered. If the recess has its open side (which is closed by the cap element) away from the user, the cap element is considered visible. A major part may relate to at least 50%, preferably at least 70% and even more preferably at least 85% of the total entity, here the respective side.

[0029] Another aspect relates to a holding-hook module or sound-processing module for a modular hearing device according to any one of the described embodiments. In particular the soundprocessing module has an outer geometry of at least the core unit and the holding-hook module an inner geometry of the receiving portion being adapted to one another. Thus, albeit possibly being sold independently as separate units (to be assembled at a later stage / another place), the respective modules are designed to specifically fit (in)to one another.

[0030] A further aspect relates to a set of holding-hook modules for the modular hearing device according to any one of the described embodiments, with hook elements of different geometry and / or of different materials and respective receiving portions for identically- shaped core units with the identical or different characteristics / features regarding the processing of environmental sounds. The different hook elements may be adapted to different scenarios for the user, such as wearing a helmet or not, and / or may be adapted to different requirements of the user, such as wearing glasses or not, and / or may be adapted to differently-shaped or -sized outer ears of the user. The individualization of the hearing device rendered possible by the described modular approach contributes to flexible and reliable hearing improvement. Advantages and advantageous embodiments of the latter aspects correspond to the advantages and advantageous embodiments described for the former aspect, and vice versa.

[0031] The features and combinations of features described, including those of the general introduction, as well as the features and combinations of features disclosed in the figure description or in the figures alone, may be used not only alone or in the combination described, but also with other features or without some of the features disclosed, without departing from the scope of the invention. Consequently, embodiments are also part of the invention which are not explicitly shown and described in the figures, but which can be produced by separately combining the individual features disclosed in the figures. Therefore, embodiments and combinations of features which do not comprise all features of an originally formulated independent claim are also to be considered disclosed. Furthermore, embodiments and combinations of features are to be regarded as disclosed which deviate from or go beyond the combinations of features described in the dependencies of the claims.

[0032] In the context of the present disclosure, "transverse / along" may be understood as "at least substantially vertical / parallel", i.e. "vertical / parallel" or "substantially vertical / parallel", i.e. vertica l / pa ra I lei except for a predetermined deviation. The predetermined deviation can, for example, be at most 15°, preferably at most 5°, particularly preferably at most 3°. Accordingly, "oppositely oriented" may be understood in the context of the present disclosure as "at least substantially oppositely oriented" i.e. "at least substantially antiparallel oriented". The limitation "substantially" may also refer to a percentage predetermined maximum permissible deviation, for example at most 15%, preferably at most 5%, particularly preferably at most 3%.

[0033] Detailed description

[0034] Exemplary embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Therein,

[0035] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a modular hearing device in an exploded view;

[0036] Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of Fig. 1 in a side view;

[0037] Fig. 3 shows an exemplary holding-hook module for a modular hearing device in different views;

[0038] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary sound-processing module for a modular hearing device in different views; and

[0039] Fig. 5 shows the exemplary modular hearing device of Fig. 1 attached at an ear.

[0040] In the figures, the same or functionally identical features are provided with the same reference signs. The modular hearing device 1 of Fig. 1 comprises a holding-hook module 2 and a soundprocessing module 3. The holding-hook module 2 has a hook-element 2a and a receiving portion 2b. The hook element 2a is configured for holding the hearing device at the ear 5 (Fig. 5) of a user. The receiving portion 2b in configured for receiving the sound-processing module 3.

[0041] The sound-processing module 3 has a core unit 3a with a processor element 3a' for processing recorded environmental sounds and an ear-canal unit 3b for outputting the sounds processed by the processor element 3a' to the user. A microphone element 3b' for recording environmental sounds may also be part of the core unit 3a, but is part of the earcanal unit 3b in the present example.

[0042] At least the core element 3a of the sound-processing module 3 is held by the receiving portion 2b without play, i.e. without play in any one of three dimensions here. The receiving portion 2b has both a side wall 2b' and a bottom 2b'' here. The side wall 2b'' is of essentially round cylindrical shape here (height of the cylinder runs along z-direction) and matches the outer shape of the core unit 3a here, as shown in more detail in Fig. 2. The bottom 2b'' forms a closed side of the receiving portion 2b, i.e. delimits the receiving portion 2b'' towards the user (in -z-direction here). Correspondingly, an open side of the receiving portion 2b is oriented away from the user (in +z-direction here). In the present example, a cap element 2c is used to close the receiving portion 2b.

[0043] In the shown example, the ear-canal unit 3b is shown as a plug-in ear-canal unit 3b connected to the core unit 3a by a plug connection 4 configured for repeated nondestructive releasing and restoring without tool. Presently, the ear-canal unit 3b is provided as tube-shaped plug-in ear-canal unit, with one end 3b* of the tube comprising a plug 4a of the plug connection 4 and the other end comprises an end-housing 3b** to which an ear tip plug 3b# is attached in the present example. The ear tip plug 3b# is configured to be inserted into the ear canal and hold the ear-canal unit, in particular the end-housing 3b** in place via an ear tip that is plugged onto the ear-tip plug 3b#. The ear tip usually is replaceable and can be adapted to the individual user. Such an ear tip preferably is made with silicone and / or a cushion and / or a custom ear mold to hold the ear-canal unit 3b in the ear canal firmly. The custom earmold may be an otoplastic earmold and / or a metallic earmold such as a titanium earmold. Thus, in comparison to the e.g. end-housing 3b**, the ear tip is soft. In addition to the microphone element 3b', the ear-canal unit 3b, here the end-housing 3b**, may comprise a speaker element (not shown) for outputting the processed sounds.

[0044] Therein, as shown here, the holding-hook module 2 may have a through-hole 2b* through which the plug-in ear-canal unit 3b extends while plugged into the core unit 3a via the plug connection 4.

[0045] As apparent from Fig. 2, the sound-processing module may have an outer geometry of at least the core unit 3a and the holding-hook module may have an inner geometry of the receiving portion 2b being adapted to one another so as to enable the play-free reception of the core unit 3a in the receiving section 2b. In the present example, the core unit 3a is of essentially cylindrical shape with a varying radius along the height (in the z-direction). So essentially cylindrical shape comprises a rotational body shape here. In the present case, the receiving portion 2b has a protrusion 2b# running circumferentially around the cavity where the core unit 3a is to be held at the open side of the receiving portion 2b. At this protrusion 2b#, as an optional / additional means for fixing the core unit 3a in the receiving portion in the present embodiment, an inner diameter of the receiving portion 2b is smaller than a maximal outer diameter r of (a housing 3c of) the core unit 3a and the side oriented / closer to the cap element 2c. Thus, by (slightly) deforming the receiving portion 2b during insertion and removal of the core unit 3a, a form-fit connection between core unit 3a and receiving portion 2b can be established. The protrusion 2b# then radially circumferentially embraces the core unit 3a after insertion. As consequence, the cap element 2c may not be required any more for a reliable holding of the core unit 3a in the receiving portion 2b. Then, the housing 3c would not be covered and be visible.

[0046] The connection 4, in conjunction with the through-hole 2b* further fixes the core unit 3a in place. In particular, it hinders (long-term) rotation of the core unit 3a around the z-axis. This is particularly useful if the receiving portion has one or more additional openings that correspond to respective microphones as part of the core unit 3a. Namely, when the core unit 3a comprises also the microphone element 3b', sound recording may be improved by additional through-holes of the receiving portion 2b which are arranged precisely at the location(s) of said microphones. So the connection 4 in conjunction with the through-hole 2b* makes sure a relative position of such additional through-holes and the respective microphones. This also could be achieved by different shape of core element 3a or its housing 3c, respectively: For instance, by core unit 3a / housing 3c being of cylindrical shape with a non-round shape such as a rectangular shape. Receiving portion 2b and core element 3a / housing 3c could also have irregular shapes that are adapted to each other in the sense of a form-fit connection: For instance with a male geometry like ridges in the receiving portion 2b and corresponding a female geometry like grooves in the core unit 3a / housing 3c or vice-versa.

[0047] As the receiving portion 2b has only two openings in the example here, the through-hole 2b* and the open side which is to be closed by the cap element 2c, a water-proof or water- resistant design is easy to achieve. Namely, the open side is closed by cap element 2c, and the through-hole 2b* by the plug 4a when plugged into a socket 4b of the connection 4. However, if e.g. a microphone element is (in addition or alternatively) part of the core unit 3a, additional perforation / openings for improved sound transmission from the environment to the microphone element may be provided in the receiving portion 2b. Even with such additional openings, water-proofness may be achieved, e.g. via the use of a so-called acoustic mesh. An acoustic mesh is acoustically transparent while acting as a barrier to dust and moisture.

[0048] Figure 3 provides additional views on a holding-hook module. It is easy to imagine that a geometry of the hook element 2a may be subject to change or adaptation to specific use cases while the geometry of the receiving portion 2b remains identical. This allows one type of sound-processing module 3, such as shown in Fig. 4 to be used with different holdinghook modules 2, implementing a reliable and flexible hearing device that can be adapted to different every-day situations efficiently.

[0049] In Fig. 5, a modular hearing device 1 is shown during intended use, i.e. attached at an ear 5 of the user. The core unit 3a is held in front of the ear 5 by the holding-hook module 2, with the ear-canal unit 3b inserted into the ear canal. A large part of the hook element 2a (the part drawn with a dashed line) on the contrary, may be considered as arranged behind the ear 5. The ear-canal unit 3b may also be considered as arranged in front of the ear 5 as it is placed in front (i.e. in the -x-direction) of a major part of the auricle / pinnae of the ear 5.

Claims

Claims1. Modular hearing device (1) comprising- a holding-hook module (2) with a hook element (2a) for holding the modular hearing device (1) at the ear of a user; and- a sound-processing module (3) with a microphone element (3b') for recording environmental sounds, and with a core unit (3a) comprising a processor element (3a') for processing the recorded sounds, and with an ear-canal unit (3b) for outputting the sounds processed by the processor element (3a') to the user, where the microphone element (3b') is part of the core unit (3a) or part of the ear-canal unit (3b); characterized in that- the holding-hook module (2) has a receiving portion (2b) for the sound-processing module (3) in which at least the core unit (3a) of the sound-processing module (3) is held without play by a mechanical interaction of the holding-hook module (2) with at least the core unit (3a), wherein- the receiving portion (2b) is configured for non-destructive insertion and removal of the core unit (3a) of the sound-processing module (3); and- the holding-hook module (2) is configured to hold at least the core unit (3a) of the sound-processing module (3) in front of the ear of the user.

2. Modular hearing device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the core unit (3a) of the sound-processing module (3) is held by the receiving portion (2b) by a form-fit and / or a force-fit connection.

3. Modular hearing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving portion (2b) comprises a recess with an open side oriented towards the head of the user, where the open side is configured such at least the core unit (3a) can be inserted into and removed from the recess via the open side.

4. Modular hearing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving portion (2b) is configured for repeated non-destructive insertion and removal without tool.

5. Modular hearing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that holding-hook module (2) and / or sound-processing module (3) are magnet-free or at least free of any holding magnet.

6. Modular hearing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding-hook module (2) has a through-hole (2b*) through which the plug-in earcanal unit (3b) extends while plugged into the core unit (3a) via the plug connection (4) or a cutout through which the ear-canal unit (3b) extends when the core unit (3a) is inserted into the receiving portion (2b), which cutout is configured to allow thecore unit (3a) to be inserted into the receiving portion (2b) while the ear-canal unit (3b) is connected to the core unit (3a).

7. Modular hearing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core unit (3a) has a housing element (3c) with an at least essentially ellipsoid shape, in particular rotational ellipsoid shape, or with an at least essentially cylindrical shape.

8. Modular hearing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the core unit (3a) of the sound-processing module (3) is held by the receiving portion (2b), in particular by the form-fit connection, without play in three dimensions.

9. Modular hearing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving portion (2b) at least partially embraces the core unit (3a), in particular circumferentially embraces the core unit (3a), preferably radially circumferentially embraces the core unit (3a).

10. Modular hearing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a major part of one side, preferably a round or elliptic side, of the core unit (3a), in particular of the housing element (3c) of the core unit (3a), is covered by a cap element (2c) of the holding-hook module (2).

11. Holding-hook module (2) or sound-processing module (3) for a modular hearing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in particular with an outer geometry of at least the core unit (3a) and an inner geometry of the receiving portion (2b) being adapted to one another.

12. A set of holding-hook modules (2) for the modular hearing device (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, with respective hook elements (2a) of different geometry and / or of different materials and respective receiving portions (2b) for identically-shaped core units (3a).