Protective covers for hearing aid devices

Abstract

The present application discloses a protective cover for a hearing aid device, wherein the protective cover includes a hearing aid device configured to be worn on and behind a user's ear, the protective cover comprising: a cover formed of a substantially soft material, wherein the cover has a first region and a second region, the first region having a first hardness and the second region having a second hardness, the cover having a main opening configured to receive the hearing aid device, the main opening being provided in the second region of the cover; a plurality of lips formed on a surface of the second region of the cover; and a closure device configured to be applied to the cover so as to at least enclose the plurality of lips to seal the hearing aid device in the cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to hearing aid devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to protective covers for hearing aid systems. Background Art

[0002] Individuals who suffer from hearing loss due to sensorineural hearing loss can be fitted with an implantable prosthesis that stimulates auditory nerve cells, producing sound perception. This system consists of an external device that collects and processes sound. The acoustic input is captured by a microphone and converted into an electronic output, which is then transmitted via a cable to a coil placed on the skin. The coil transmits the output through the skin to the implanted device. The implanted device transmits the signal to the auditory nerve, which is stimulated and provides sound perception. Such systems are often given to individuals with no or very little hearing due to the absence or destruction of cochlear hair cells. This necessitates that the system function in all situations and environments.

[0003] Current systems are designed for use in most environments. However, during active lifestyles, such as swimming, kayaking, or ocean swimming, external hearing prosthesis sound processors are particularly susceptible to damage in very challenging environments. These devices are relatively expensive, which for some users may lead to avoiding these situations by limiting their lifestyle choices. In other cases, individuals with implantable prostheses will be without their external devices, thereby limiting their ability to hear and placing them at unnecessary risk.

[0004] Designing a device to handle all situations beyond typical use would affect aesthetics and acoustic performance, which is undesirable during normal use. Therefore, a protective cover that covers a portion of the hearing aid system would be desirable to provide additional protection against water, dust, and other contaminants. This would ensure that an active lifestyle can be pursued without worrying about additional costs or the risk of hearing loss. The protective cover would need to be easy to apply, water-repellent, and strong enough to handle the varying environments.

[0005] US Pat. No. 9,398,384 B2 discloses a protective cover for an external component of a hearing prosthesis. The protective cover includes a shell formed of a substantially flexible material, a plug port in the shell surrounded by a portion of the substantially flexible material, and a substantially rigid port ring disposed around the substantially flexible material portion surrounding the plug port. When a plug is inserted into the plug port, the port ring acts in conjunction with the plug to deform the substantially flexible material portion surrounding the plug port, thereby sealing the plug in the shell. Figure 1 The protective cover is shown. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a protective cover for a hearing aid device with an improved seal to prevent water and dust from entering the protective cover and damaging the hearing aid device.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a protective cover for a hearing aid device configured to be worn on or behind a user's ear, wherein the protective cover includes a hearing aid device configured to be worn on or behind a user's ear. The protective cover includes a cover formed of a substantially soft material, wherein the cover has a first region and a second region, the first region having a first hardness and the second region having a second hardness. The second hardness may be harder than the first hardness.

[0008] A hearing aid device is configured to improve a user's hearing ability by modifying the acoustic signal received by a microphone of the hearing aid device. Modification may include amplification, preserving spatial cues in the modified acoustic signal, noise cancellation, and the like. To achieve optimal modification of the acoustic signal, the placement of the hearing aid device's microphone relative to the ear and head should be fixed and predetermined during the process of providing the acoustic signal modification. Therefore, it is advantageous for a hearing aid device configured to be worn on or behind the user's ear to be positioned in the same position as when placed in a protective case. Thus, the optimal enhancement of the user's hearing ability is achieved regardless of whether the hearing aid device is placed in or outside of the protective case.

[0009] The cover can be made of a soft silicone material with an ear surface having a friction coefficient of 1 or greater. The advantage of having an ear surface having a friction coefficient of 1 or greater is that it prevents the cover from slipping off the ear, thereby further improving the placement of the cover.

[0010] A subsection of the first region of the cover, which faces the ear when the cover is intended to be worn by a user, can have a harder durometer than the rest of the first region. Having this subsection be harder than the rest of the first region makes it easier for the user to insert the hearing aid device into the cover. This is because the risk of the cover collapsing when inserting the hearing aid device into the cover is significantly reduced.

[0011] The cover may comprise an ear surface facing the ear when the cover is intended to be worn by a user, the ear surface extending at least in the first region, the ear surface being harder than the remaining surface of the cover at least in the first region.

[0012] The cover can be made of a substantially soft material having different hardnesses. The hardness of a particular area of ​​the cover depends on the function of that area of ​​the cover. The difference in hardness of the cover can be achieved by using different types of substantially soft materials, by molding a track into the cover, wherein the track is configured to stiffen the substantially soft material in the area including the track, or by applying a rigid support to the cover, which is configured to stiffen the cover where the rigid support is placed. The rigid support can be molded into the cover or applied to the surface of the cover.

[0013] The rigid support can be molded into the sleeve. The rigid support can be made of plastic or hard silicone.

[0014] To improve the bond between the cover and the rigid support, the rigid support may include a plurality of holes configured to receive the substantially soft material of the cover during integration of the rigid support. Integration of the rigid support may be performed during molding of the cover, ie, protective sleeve.

[0015] The cover may have a main opening configured to receive a hearing aid device, the main opening being disposed in the second region of the cover. Furthermore, the cover includes a plurality of lips formed on a surface of the second region of the cover, and a closure device configured to be applied to the cover and to at least enclose the plurality of lips to seal the hearing aid device within the cover. The closure device may be disposed around a portion of the cover including the plurality of lips, such that the main opening is enclosed and at least a portion of the hearing aid device is sealed within the cover. When the closure device is disposed around the portion, the closure device acts on and deforms the plurality of lips to achieve a seal between the closure device and the cover. In other examples, the hearing aid device may be part of the seal.

[0016] Compared to the prior art, applying multiple lips to the cover and applying a closure device to the cover to enclose or surround the multiple lips has the advantage of improving the seal of at least a portion of the hearing aid device. This improvement is due to the fact that when the hearing aid device is applied to the cover and the closure device is applied to the cover to enclose or surround the multiple lips, a sealing effect is achieved between the hearing aid device and the second area of ​​the cover, and between the closure device and the second area of ​​the cover. In this example, the hearing aid device should be large enough to at least partially overlap the second area of ​​the cover. If the hearing aid device is not large enough to at least partially overlap the second area, the base plug can be inserted into the cover through the main opening, occupying space within the cover below the hearing aid device, thereby partially or completely overlapping the second area. In the prior art, when the hearing aid device is placed in the cover, a sealing effect is only achieved between the closure device and the cover.

[0017] The sleeve does not serve as a closure device. The closure device does not include a plurality of lips.

[0018] A plurality of lips may be provided around the main opening or around the circumference of the main opening.

[0019] When the closure is in the open position, the main opening is not closed, and when the closure is in the closed position, the main opening is closed. When the closure is in the closed position, the plurality of lips contact the closure, thereby providing an improved seal between the closure and the sleeve.

[0020] The second hardness being harder than the first hardness improves the seal of the main opening when the closure device is applied to the closed position. In addition, the hardness difference makes it easier for the user to apply the hearing aid device to the protective cover.

[0021] The cover may have an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein when the protective cover comprises a hearing aid device, the outer surface faces away from the hearing aid device and the inner surface faces towards the hearing aid device.

[0022] The plurality of lips may comprise a plurality of protrusions applied to a surface of the cover. More specifically, the plurality of lips may be formed on an outer surface of the protective cover. The closure device may be a cap, and when the closure device is applied to a closed position, a portion of the closure device covers the primary opening and another portion of the closure device applies pressure to the plurality of lips, causing the primary opening to seal. The closure device may apply a clamping force to the plurality of lips, causing the plurality of lips to deform. The deformation of the plurality of lips results in an improved seal.

[0023] Another portion of the closure device may be formed as a loop having a certain height, configured to surround the plurality of lips.

[0024] The protective cover may include a hinge system configured to receive a closure device, and the closure device may be movable between an open position and a closed position. When the closure device is in the closed position, the plurality of lips contact the closure device, thereby improving the seal between the closure device and the cover. When the closure device is in the open position, the hearing aid device may be inserted into the protective cover.

[0025] The plurality of lips may be formed on an inner surface of the cover, and the closure device may be an annular body formed of a substantially soft material and configured to provide pressure on at least a portion of the cover including the plurality of lips, the pressure causing a seal between the plurality of lips and the hearing aid device when the hearing aid device is inserted into the main opening.

[0026] Parts of the hearing aid device that are not sealed and come into contact with, for example, water are waterproof.

[0027] The soft material can be silicone or any kind of waterproof material in nature.

[0028] The protective cover accommodates hearing aid devices of varying sizes. When the hearing aid device is so large that it does not fill the cover when inserted, the protective cover can include a base plug configured to be inserted into the main opening and positioned at the second region of the cover, i.e., the base plug is positioned below the hearing aid device. This achieves a sealing effect between the base plug and the second region of the cover, and between the closure device and the second region of the cover. Furthermore, achieving an optimal position of the hearing aid device within the protective cover further improves wearing comfort when the protective cover includes the hearing aid device, as the hearing aid device is held in a more secure position as the user moves around. Without the base plug, the hearing aid device would shift within the cover as the user moves, resulting in reduced wearing comfort.

[0029] The base plug may be part of the closure or a separate unit from the protective cover.The base plug is connectable to and detachable from the closure.

[0030] The hearing aid device may not occupy all of the space within the protective cover. In this case, the base plug can be inserted into the main opening to fully or partially occupy the available space within the protective cover, i.e., at the second region of the cover, where the available space is not occupied by the hearing aid device. Thereafter, an annular body is applied around the protective cover, the annular body being configured to provide pressure on at least the portion of the cover comprising the plurality of lips. The pressure results in a seal between the plurality of lips and the hearing aid device when the hearing aid device is inserted into the main opening.

[0031] A portion of the closure device may be connected to or integral with the sleeve. An advantage of having a portion of the closure device connected to or integral with the sleeve is that the user will not be able to separate the closure device from the protective sleeve and there is no risk of losing the closure device.

[0032] The protective cover may include at least one guiding device formed on at least a first outer surface of the second region of the cover, the at least one guiding device being configured to guide the closure device when the guiding device surrounds at least the plurality of lips.

[0033] When the closure device is an annular body and the annular body is applied around the protective sleeve, the guide device prevents the annular body from slipping off the first outer surface of the sleeve, which would otherwise result in a lack of pressure. Thus, the advantage of having the guide device is that the main opening is more securely closed, i.e. an improved seal is obtained.

[0034] The guide means may comprise one or more elements protruding from the outer surface of the sleeve. The one or more elements may comprise at least a first element and a second element, and the first and second elements may be arranged such that a space is created between the two elements, and the annular body is configured to be applied to the outer surface of the sleeve and into the space between the two elements.

[0035] By having two elements, the annular body cannot slide in any direction, so having two elements has the advantage of more securely closing the main opening.

[0036] The protective cover may include at least a first guide and at least a second guide formed on a first outer surface and a second outer surface of the cover, respectively. In another example, the at least second guide may be provided on the same surface as the first guide. In this example, the first guide may be separate from the second guide. This solution provides a more secure closure of the main opening when at least a portion of the annular body is not integral with the cover or is molded onto the cover.

[0037] When the hearing aid device is placed in the protective cover, the cover acts as a damper for sound waves entering the microphone of the hearing aid device. To reduce damping, at least one microphone window may be formed in the cover. When the hearing aid device is placed in the cover, the at least one microphone window is aligned with one or more microphone inlets of the hearing aid device. The at least one microphone window is aligned with the one or more microphone inlets so that sound waves pass through the at least one microphone window and directly enter the one or more microphone inlets.

[0038] The at least one microphone window will also prevent water from approaching the hearing aid device.Therefore, the at least one microphone window can be formed by reducing the thickness of the soft material of the cover at the at least one microphone window, or by applying a different material at the at least one microphone window of the cover.

[0039] The thickness of the substantially flexible material of at least one microphone window is thinner than that of the remainder of the cover.

[0040] When a user wears a protective cover that includes a hearing aid device, the user may experience acoustic artifacts, such as scratching sounds, caused by contact between the cover and the microphone inlet. To address this issue, the cover may include one or more protrusions extending outward from an inner surface of the cover to secure an air gap between the microphone window and the microphone inlet. The one or more protrusions may be positioned adjacent to the microphone window, the one or more protrusions providing an air gap between the inner surface of the microphone window and the one or more microphone inlets.

[0041] The one or more protrusions prevent the cover from contacting the microphone inlet when the hearing aid device is positioned within the cover.

[0042] The one or more protrusions may be formed such that they are arranged in a circumferential direction of the microphone window.

[0043] The one or more protrusions may be formed such that they are arranged around the microphone window.

[0044] The one or more protrusions may be a single circular protrusion, or the plurality of protrusions may include a plurality of square or circular protrusions.

[0045] The protective cover may include a rigid ear hook formed within the substantially soft material of the cover, and the rigid ear hook includes one or more holes configured to receive the substantially soft material of the cover. The one or more holes improve the integrity of the rigid ear hook and the cover. For example, during molding of the rigid ear hook into or onto the cover, the substantially soft material may enter the holes of the rigid ear hook, resulting in an improved bond between the rigid ear hook and the cover.

[0046] The hearing aid device may be part of a cochlear hearing aid system, wherein the cochlear hearing aid system further comprises an external sound processor, a sound implant, and an electrode array or a vibrator implant, and wherein the connection from the hearing aid device to the external sound processor comprises a plug and a wire, wherein the plug is connected to the wire. The external sound processor may be connected to the sound implant via an inductive link, and the sound implant is wired to the electrode array or the vibrator implant. The sound implant, the electrode array, and / or the vibrator implant are positioned beneath the skin of a user of the cochlear hearing aid system.

[0047] The electrode array and vibrator implant are configured to stimulate the auditory nerve of the user's cochlea via electrical stimulation or mechanical stimulation, respectively.

[0048] The protective cover may include a rigid locking device, wherein the rigid locking device includes a receiving portion and a locking portion. The receiving portion may be configured to receive the plug, and the locking portion may be configured to lock the plug and seal the plug with the cover.

[0049] The receiving portion may be a hole formed in the sleeve, and when the plug is inserted into the hole and rotated, the locking portion is configured to catch the plug so that a user cannot pull the plug out of the receiving portion.

[0050] The receiving portion may have an opening including a first longitudinal axis, and the plug may have the locking mechanism disposed along a second longitudinal axis. When the locking mechanism is in a first position, the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are parallel, such that the locking mechanism fits within the opening, enabling the plug to be received by the receiving portion. When the plug is rotated to a second position, the first and second longitudinal axes are no longer parallel, and the opening functions as a lock, as the locking mechanism can no longer be withdrawn from the receiving portion.

[0051] The lock may include a mechanism configured to secure the locking mechanism in the second position. The mechanism is configured to release the locking mechanism when a user applies a force on the plug in a direction orthogonal to the first or second longitudinal axis and rotates the plug so that the first longitudinal axis is parallel to the second longitudinal axis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Various aspects of the present invention will be best understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the drawings are schematic and simplified, showing only the details necessary for understanding the present invention and omitting other details. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts. The various features of each aspect may be combined with any or all features of the other aspects. These and other aspects, features, and / or technical effects will be apparent from and elucidated in conjunction with the following figures, in which:

[0053] Figure 1 A prior art protective cover is shown;

[0054] Figure 2A and 2BDifferent examples of protective covers are shown;

[0055] Figure 3 An example of a protective cover is shown;

[0056] Figure 4 An example of a protective cover is shown;

[0057] Figures 5A-5E Different examples of protective covers are shown;

[0058] Figure 6 An example of a protective cover is shown;

[0059] Figure 7 An example of a protective cover is shown;

[0060] Figure 8A and 8B An example of a protective cover is shown; and

[0061] Figure 9A and 9B An example of a protective cover is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] The detailed description provided below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings serves as a description of a variety of different configurations. The detailed description includes specific details used to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be implemented without these specific details.

[0063] A hearing aid device, such as an implant unit and / or a sound processor, may include a hearing aid adapted to improve or enhance a user's hearing ability by receiving acoustic signals from the user's environment, generating corresponding audio signals, possibly modifying the audio signals, and providing the possibly modified audio signals as audible signals to at least one ear of the user. The audible signals may be provided in the form of acoustic signals transmitted as mechanical vibrations through bony structures of the user's head and / or through portions of the middle ear to the user's inner ear, and electrical signals transmitted directly or indirectly to the user's cochlear nerve and / or auditory cortex.

[0064] The hearing device is adapted to be worn on, inside or around the head of a user in any known manner. This may include: i) arranging the hearing device unit behind the ear (with a tube directing airborne acoustic signals into the ear canal or with a receiver / speaker arranged close to or in the ear canal), such as a behind-the-ear hearing aid; and / or ii) arranging the hearing device wholly or partially in the pinna and / or ear canal of the user, such as an in-the-ear hearing aid or an in-the-canal / deep-in-the-canal hearing aid; or iii) arranging the hearing device unit to be connected to a fixture implanted in the skull, such as a bone-anchored hearing aid or a cochlear implant; or iv) arranging the hearing device unit as a wholly or partially implanted unit, such as a bone-anchored hearing aid or a cochlear implant.

[0065] Generally, a hearing device, such as an implant unit and / or a sound processor unit, includes i) an input unit, such as a microphone, for receiving acoustic signals from the user's surroundings and providing a corresponding input audio signal; and / or ii) a receiving unit for electronically receiving the input audio signal. The hearing device also includes a signal processing unit for processing the input audio signal and an output unit for providing an audible signal to the user based on the processed audio signal.

[0066] The input unit may comprise a plurality of input microphones, for example for providing direction-dependent audio signal processing. The aforementioned directional microphone system is suitable for enhancing a target sound source among a plurality of sound sources in the user's environment. In one aspect, the directional system is suitable for detecting (such as adaptively detecting) from which direction a particular portion of the microphone signal originates. This can be achieved using conventionally known methods. The signal processing unit may comprise an amplifier adapted to apply a frequency-dependent gain to the input audio signal. The signal processing unit may also be adapted to provide other suitable functions such as compression, noise reduction, etc. The output unit may comprise an output transducer such as a speaker / receiver for providing an air-borne sound signal to the skull percutaneously, or a vibrator for providing a structure-borne or liquid-borne sound signal. In some hearing devices, the output unit may comprise one or more output electrodes for providing an electrical signal, such as in a cochlear implant.

[0067] Figure 2A and 2B Different examples of protective covers for hearing aid devices on closure devices are shown. In both figures, the protective cover 1 includes a cover 3 formed of a substantially soft material, wherein a first region 2 of the cover 3 has a first hardness and a second region 4 has a second hardness. The cover 3 has a main opening 6 configured to receive a hearing aid device 5, the main opening 6 being disposed in the second region 4 of the cover 3. A plurality of lips 8 are formed on a surface of the second region 4 of the cover. The closure device 10 is configured to be applied to the cover 3 to at least enclose the plurality of lips 8, thereby sealing the hearing aid device 5 in the cover 3.

[0068] More specifically, in Figure 2A In the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of lips 8 are formed on the outer surface of the sleeve 3, and the closure device 10 is a cover, wherein a portion of the cover covers the main opening 6, and another portion of the closure device 10 applies pressure to the plurality of lips, causing the main opening to be sealed. Arrow 50 indicates the direction in which the closure device is applied to the sleeve 3.

[0069] exist Figure 2BIn the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of lips are formed on the inner surface of the cover 3, and the closure device 10 is an annular body formed of a substantially soft material, which is configured to provide pressure between the plurality of lips 8 and the hearing aid device 5 when inserted into the main opening. Arrow 51 indicates that the closure device is at least soft or elastic in the direction of arrow 51. The softness improves the seal between the closure device 10 and the cover 3 and between the hearing aid device 5 and the cover 3.

[0070] Figure 3 A protective cover having a hinge system 14 is shown, wherein the hinge system 14 is fixedly secured to the outer surface of the cover 3 and connects the closure device 10 to the cover 3 so that the closure device 10 can be closed or opened without removing the closure device from the protective cover 1. The hinge system 14 can be designed differently. Figure 3 shown.

[0071] Figure 4 The protective cover 1 is shown in which the hearing aid device 5 within the cover 3 is not sized to cover the second area 4 of the cover 3. In this example, the protective cover 1 includes a base plug 18 that is configured to be inserted into the main opening and disposed at the second area 4 of the cover 3. The closure device 10 may be of any type, including the examples described herein; however, the closure device 10 must provide a clamping force on the second area 4 of the cover 3, which will cause the plurality of lips 8 to deform.

[0072] Figure 5A A protective cover 1 is shown, wherein a portion of the closure device 10 is integral with the cover 3 . Figure 5B The protective cover 1 is shown, which includes at least one guide device 22 formed on at least the first outer surface 4a of the second region 4 of the cover 3, wherein the at least one guide device 22 is configured to guide the closure device 10 when the closure device 10 encloses at least the plurality of lips 8. In this example, the closure device 10 can be integral with the cover 3 or fixedly secured to the cover 3, and the guide device 22 prevents the closure device 10 from slipping off the cover 3 when the closure device 10 is applied to the cover 3 so as to enclose the plurality of lips 8. Figure 5C An example is shown in which two guiding means, a first and a second guiding means, are applied to the first outer surface 4a. In this example, the closure device 10 is prevented from sliding out of an ideal position of the closure device when it is desired to best seal at least a portion of the hearing aid device 5. Figure 5D An example is shown in which a guide device 22 is provided on the first outer surface 4a and the second outer surface 4b. In this example, the closure device 10 is not integral with the sleeve 3 or fixedly secured to the sleeve 3. Figure 5E An example is shown in which at least two guiding means are provided on the first outer surface 4a and the second outer surface 4b. In this example, the closing means 10 is not integral with the sleeve 3 or fixedly secured thereto.

[0073] Figure 6 The protective cover 1 is shown, which includes a rigid bracket 26 integrally formed or molded with the cover at the second region 4 of the cover 3. In this example, a plurality of lips 8 are formed on the outer surface of the cover 3, but the rigid bracket 26 is also applicable when a plurality of lips 8 are formed on the inner surface of the cover 3. To improve the integration of the rigid bracket 26, the rigid bracket includes a plurality of holes 28.

[0074] Figure 7 The protective cover 1 is shown in which a sub-portion 2a of the first region 2 of the cover 3 has a harder hardness than the remaining portion 2b of the first region 2, and the sub-portion 2a faces the ear when the protective cover 1 is intentionally worn by the user. This sub-portion is also applicable when a plurality of lip portions 8 are formed on the inner surface of the cover 3.

[0075] Figure 8A and 8B The protective cover 1 is shown to include at least one microphone window 34 formed in the cover 3, which is aligned with one or more microphone inlets 37 of the hearing aid device 5 when the hearing aid device 5 is arranged in the cover. The thickness of the substantially soft material of the at least one microphone window 34 may be thinner than the rest of the cover 3. Figure 8B The protective cover 1 is shown to include one or more protrusions 38 extending outwardly from the inner surface of the case 3, the one or more protrusions 38 being disposed adjacent to the microphone window 34, and the one or more protrusions 38 providing an air gap 39 between the inner surface of the microphone window 34 and the one or more microphone inlets 37.

[0076] Figure 9A and 9B The protective cover 1 is shown to include a rigid locking device 40. The rigid locking device 40 includes a receiving portion 41 and a locking portion 43, wherein the receiving portion 41 is configured to receive a plug 45 and the locking portion 43 is configured to lock and seal the plug 45 to the cover 3. Figure 9A In the embodiment, rigid locking device 40 includes a sealing member 40A, such as a sealing ring, and a portion 40B including a receiving portion 41 and a locking portion 43. Furthermore, plug 45 includes at least two posts 45A radially extending from an elongated plug 45B, which is configured to connect to a hearing aid device disposed within sleeve 3. The at least two posts 45A are configured to be inserted into receiving portion 41 and rotated so that the locking portion receives the at least two posts 45A, locking plug 45 and sealing it to the protective sleeve. The elongated plug 45B is configured to transmit audio and power to the implant. Plug 45 includes a sealing member 45C for further enhancing the seal between plug 45 and rigid locking device 40.

[0077] exist Figure 9BIn the embodiment, the receiving portion 41 can be an opening formed in the sleeve, and when the plug 45 is inserted into the opening and rotated, the locking portion 42 is configured to grip the plug 45 so that the user cannot pull the plug 45 out of the receiving portion 41. The opening is arranged along a first longitudinal axis 42, and the plug can be arranged so that the locking device is arranged along a second longitudinal axis 44. When the locking device is in a first position, the first longitudinal axis 42 and the second longitudinal axis 44 are parallel, so that the locking device fits into the opening, allowing the plug 45 to be received by the receiving portion 41. When the plug 45 is rotated to a second position, the first and second longitudinal axes are no longer parallel, and the opening becomes the locking portion 43, because the locking device can no longer be pulled out of the receiving portion 41.

Claims

1. A protective cover for a hearing aid device configured to be worn on and behind an ear of a user, the protective cover being used to enclose the hearing aid device, the protective cover comprising: a cover formed of a substantially soft material, wherein the cover has a first region and a second region, the first region being configured to receive at least a portion of the hearing aid device, the second region defining a main opening for insertion of the hearing aid device, the first region having a first hardness and the second region having a second hardness, the second hardness being harder than the first hardness; a plurality of lips formed on a surface of the second region of the sleeve; a closure device configured to be applied to the cover to apply a clamping force or pressure on the plurality of lips to seal the hearing aid device within the cover; a rigid ear hook formed in or on the sleeve; and a rigid bracket integral with the second region of the sleeve; wherein the sub-portion of the first region of the cover has a harder hardness than the rest of the first region, and the sub-portion is located on a side of the first region that faces the ear when the protective cover is worn by the user, and the height of the sub-portion accounts for more than half of the height of the cover; The rigid support includes a plurality of holes configured to receive material forming the sleeve during integration of the rigid support.

2. The protective cover of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of lips are formed on an outer surface of the cover, and the closure device is a cover, wherein a portion of the cover covers the main opening and another portion of the closure device applies pressure to the plurality of lips, causing the main opening to be sealed.

3. The protective cover of claim 2, wherein the protective cover comprises a hinge system configured to connect the closure device to the outer surface of the cover.

4. The protective cover according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lips are formed on an inner surface of the cover, and the closure device is an annular body formed of a substantially soft material configured to provide pressure between the plurality of lips and the hearing aid device when the hearing aid device is inserted into the main opening.

5. The protective cover of claim 1, comprising a base plug configured to be inserted into the main opening and disposed at the second region of the cover.

6. A protective cover according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a portion of the closure means is integral with the cover.

7. The protective cover according to claim 4 or 5, comprising at least one guiding device formed on at least the first outer surface of the second region of the cover, wherein the at least one guiding device is configured to guide the closure device when the guiding device surrounds at least the plurality of lips.

8. The protective cover according to claim 4 or 5, comprising at least first and at least second guiding means formed on the first and second outer surfaces, respectively, of the cover in the second region.

9. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein at least one microphone window is formed in the cover, the at least one microphone window being aligned with one or more microphone inlets of the hearing aid device when the hearing aid device is positioned in the cover.

10. The protective cover according to claim 9, wherein the material thickness of at least one microphone window portion is thinner than the material thickness of the remaining portion of the cover.

11. The protective cover according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the cover comprises one or more protrusions extending outwardly from an inner surface of the cover, the one or more protrusions being disposed adjacent to the microphone window, and the one or more protrusions providing an air gap between the inner surface of the microphone window and the one or more microphone inlets.

12. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a rigid locking device, and the rigid locking device comprises a receiving portion and a locking portion, wherein the receiving portion is configured to receive the plug, and the locking portion is configured to lock the plug and seal the plug with the cover.

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