Ear level component for a hearing device

Abstract

The invention relates to an ear-level component (2) for a hearing device (1), comprising a body (3) configured for wearing in the concha (21) of an ear (20) of a user and a holding element (8) arranged on the body (3) and configured for resting against the antihelix (26) of the ear (20) of the user, wherein a cable (10) is arranged for electrically connecting the ear-level component (2) with a behind-the-ear component (15) of the hearing device (1), wherein the cable (10) extends within the holding element (8) and protrudes from an end portion (9) thereof.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an ear level part for a hearing device. Background Technology

[0002] Hearing devices, particularly those for people with hearing loss, are known in the art. In so-called intracanal receiver (RIC) hearing devices, a speaker is placed inside the ear canal and connected to an over-ear or behind-ear component via a cable. In the field of hearing devices, the speaker is referred to as a receiver.

[0003] Hearing devices with robust and stable active noise cancellation (ANC) technology require a certain speaker size within the earpiece. Such earpieces are typically much larger than the speaker / receiver of traditional hearing devices. If the hearing device is designed for all-day use, the resulting requirements for wearing comfort and battery life necessitate a design that is not entirely within the outer ear, but rather partially within the outer ear (e.g., speaker, microphone) and partially behind the ear (e.g., digital sound processor, battery, antenna). Similar to traditional so-called RIC (in-the-ear) hearing devices, a cable is needed to connect the outer ear / ITE (in-the-ear) portion and the BTE (behind the ear). The speaker / receiver of ANC hearing devices is significantly larger than that of traditional RIC devices, making it difficult to position the earpiece deep within the ear canal. The typical final earpiece design places less within the ear canal and more within the outer ear. Such designs typically require so-called holding elements to keep the earpiece in place, ensuring a good seal / coupling between the earpiece and the ear canal and preventing it from falling out of the ear.

[0004] An improved hearing device is still needed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide an improved ear-level component for a hearing device and an improved hearing device.

[0006] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0007] The ear-level component for a hearing device according to the invention includes a body configured to be worn in the outer ear of a user's ear and a retaining element disposed on the body and configured to abut against the user's ear, wherein a cable is configured to electrically connect the ear-level component to a postauricular component of the hearing device, wherein the cable extends within the retaining element and extends from its end portion.

[0008] In one exemplary embodiment, the retaining element has an arcuate shape that extends around a portion of the circumference of the body.

[0009] In one exemplary embodiment, the retaining element extends from the body tangentially or nearly tangentially, for example, extending from the body at an angle less than 10°, 15°, or 20° off the circumference of the body from an imaginary tangent.

[0010] In one exemplary embodiment, the distance between the body and the retaining element increases along at least a portion of the path of the retaining element.

[0011] In one exemplary embodiment, the retaining element has a generally oval cross-section in the lateral direction of its path, at least on a portion of its path.

[0012] In one exemplary embodiment, when the body of the ear-level component is disposed in the outer ear, the route of the retaining element is adapted to at least partially conform to the route ( / profile) of the antihelix.

[0013] In one exemplary embodiment, when the body of the ear-level component is disposed in its outer ear, the end portion of the retaining element opposite to the end extending from the body is configured to at least generally point towards the preauricular notch of the ear.

[0014] In one exemplary embodiment, the component is integrally formed with the body.

[0015] In one exemplary embodiment, the retaining element and / or body is made of die-cast silicone resin having a Shore A hardness of less than 50.

[0016] In one exemplary embodiment, a groove is configured in the retaining element, the groove conforming to the route of the retaining element and constructed for receiving a cable.

[0017] In one exemplary embodiment, the width of the groove and the diameter of the cable are selected to provide a tight fit.

[0018] In one exemplary embodiment, the groove is configured on the inner side of the retaining element.

[0019] In one exemplary embodiment, the cable is a flexible cable.

[0020] In one exemplary embodiment, at least one of the two ends of the cable is equipped with a plug.

[0021] In one exemplary embodiment, a dome is disposed at an inner end of the body, the dome including a sleeve and a collar, the collar being disposed at the inner end of the sleeve and generally extending rearward in a distal direction, thus at least partially surrounding the sleeve, wherein the collar is configured to open in a distal direction.

[0022] In one exemplary embodiment, the ear-level component is part of a hearing device, further including a behind-the-ear component electrically connected to the ear-level component via a cable.

[0023] This invention addresses the problem that both the cable and the retaining element increase the size of the headphones, making them appear more complex, incomplete, and therefore less attractive. Furthermore, if the cable and retaining element are separate, the two elements may interfere with each other, potentially leading to an anatomically suboptimal position / orientation of one of these elements in the design.

[0024] The further scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below. However, it should be understood that while the detailed description and specific examples indicate preferred embodiments of the invention, they are given by way of illustration only, as various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and therefore do not limit the invention, and wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a hearing device, which includes the ear-level component and the postauricular component.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the ear-level components.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a diagram of an ear with a hearing aid installed.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cable.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating crosstalk for different conductor / signal assignments, and

[0031] Figure 6 It has a converter module and according to Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a hearing device made of cable.

[0032] In all the accompanying drawings, the corresponding parts are labeled with the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a hearing device 1, which includes an ear-level component 2 and a postauricular component 15. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of ear-level component 2.

[0034] The ear-level component 2 is configured to be at least partially inserted into the user's ear canal or the entrance to the ear canal, and includes a body 3 configured to receive electronic components, particularly one or more microphones and a speaker also referred to as a receiver. Furthermore, the electronic components may include circuitry configured for active noise cancellation. The body 3 may typically have an oval cross-section, such as a circular or elliptical cross-section.

[0035] At the proximal end of the body 3, i.e., the end pointing proximally when the earpiece 2 is in place within the user's ear 20, a dome 16 may be configured, particularly releasable and / or replaceable, on the flange of the body 3. The dome 16 may include a sleeve 6 and a collar 7, the collar 7 being configured at the proximal end of the sleeve 6 and generally extending rearward in a distal direction, thus at least partially surrounding the sleeve 6, wherein the collar 7 may be configured to open in a distal direction, wherein the sleeve 6 is releasably connected to the flange of the body 3, thereby connecting the dome 16 to the body 3. The sleeve 6 may have an oval cross-section, such as a circular or elliptical cross-section. The oval cross-section may be inherent to the sleeve 6 or a result of the sleeve 6 being configured on the oval collar portion of the flange of the body 3. The flange may hold the receiver, or, if the receiver is configured within the body 3, is configured as an acoustic channel for propagating sound emitted by the receiver.

[0036] The dome 16 or the collar 7 can be made of a flexible material such as soft silicone rubber, allowing the collar 7 to adapt to the shape of the ear canal or its entrance. The fact that the collar 7 opens when in a relaxed state helps to hold the ear-level component 2 in the user's ear 20. The body 3 can be made of the same material as the dome 16 or a different material.

[0037] A retaining element 8 is arranged on the body 3, wherein the retaining element 8 has an arcuate shape, which is not necessarily circular. The retaining element 8 may be integrally formed with the body 3 and extend from the body 3 tangentially or nearly tangentially, wherein the retaining element 8 then extends around a portion of the circumference of the body 3, for example, extending about 90° to 200° of the circumference, and the distance between the body 3 and the retaining element 8 may increase at least partially along this route. The retaining element 8 may have a generally oval cross-section in the transverse direction of its route, such as a circular, elliptical, or other circular cross-section, starting at least at the point where the retaining element 8 begins to maintain a certain distance from the body 3. In particular, when the body 3 of the ear-level component 2 is disposed in its outer ear 21, the route of the retaining element 8 may be selected to at least partially conform to the route of the antihelix 26 of the user's ear 20. The end portion 9 of the retaining element 8 opposite to the end extending from the body 3 may have a higher curvature than the portion conforming to the antihelix 26, thus approaching the body 3 further so as to at least generally point towards the preauricular notch 27 of the ear 20.

[0038] In the ear-level component 2 for the left ear, the retaining element 8 can start from the body 3 and extend counterclockwise when viewed inward. In the ear-level component 2 for the right ear, the retaining element 8 can start from the body 3 and extend clockwise when viewed inward.

[0039] Furthermore, the cable 10 is configured to electrically connect the ear-level component 2 to the postauricular component 15. The cable 10 extends within the retaining element 8 and protrudes from its end portion 9, for example, toward the preauricular notch 27.

[0040] Cable 10 may be a flexible cable, such as a plastically deformable cable, particularly constructed as described in EP 3 758 393 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0041] Extending the cable 10 within the retaining element 8 results in a more integrated design, where the cable 10 is partially concealed within the functional elements of the ear-level component 2.

[0042] The cable 10 may be equipped with a plug 11 at one end or at both ends to releasably connect the cable 10 to the ear-level component 2 and / or the behind-the-ear component 15. Having a plug 11 at both ends allows the cable 10 to be replaced without replacing the entire ear-level component 2.

[0043] In one exemplary embodiment, a recess 12 is configured in the retaining element 8, the recess conforming to the path of the retaining element 8 and constructed to receive the cable 10. The width of the recess 12 may be selected to provide a tight fit so that the cable 10 will not accidentally fall out of the recess 8. In one exemplary embodiment, the recess 8 is configured on the inner side of the retaining element 8 such that it is concealed when the earpiece 2 is installed in the user's ear 20.

[0044] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an ear 20 with a hearing device 1 installed. The ear stage component 2 is configured as a dome 16, i.e., the tube sleeve 6 and the collar 7 are inside the ear canal or its entrance, and the body 3 is inside the outer ear 21, such that the retaining element 8 is supported by the antihelix 26. The end portion 9 of the retaining element 8 and the cable 10 extending therefrom point at least generally towards the preauricular notch 27. Before reaching the preauricular notch 27, the cable 10 may bend upward and extend around a portion of the antihelix 25 to the postauricular component 15 located behind the ear 20.

[0045] Positioning the dome 16 at the entrance of the ear canal can reduce the level of irritation that typically occurs when using a standard RIC dome, which is located deeper inside the ear canal.

[0046] In one exemplary embodiment, cable 10 may also be configured as follows:

[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of cable 10, particularly a cable for hearing device 1, for example for connecting a converter module 30 comprising multiple converters, such as one or more microphones and / or one or more receivers.

[0048] A specific physical configuration of the conductors in cable 10 is proposed to minimize the effects of crosstalk / cross-contamination and noise pickup. In the example given here, it is assumed that there are a total of eight conductors, configured as follows:

[0049] • As two input lines TP1 of a twisted pair cable, for example, two microphone signal lines,

[0050] • As two power lines TP2 in a twisted pair cable, for example, the positive voltage power line and the negative voltage power line used in a microphone.

[0051] • The two grounding wires TP3 of the twisted pair, for example, are double redundant grounding wires used for shielding.

[0052] • The two output lines TP4 of the twisted pair are, for example, two receiver driver lines.

[0053] In other embodiments, the signal can be distributed across twisted pairs TP1 through TP4 in different ways. For example, twisted pair TP1 can carry one signal line and one power line, while twisted pair TP2 can carry another signal line and another power line.

[0054] The eight wires TP1 to TP4 are wound around the center core wire FW, which can be made of a malleable material, such as stainless steel forming wire, which allows the cable 10 to be shaped to fit a given physical application, allowing flexibility and shaping by the user.

[0055] To minimize crosstalk and noise, eight wires are arranged in twisted pairs TP1 to TP4 around the core wire FW, with filler wires FS between the wire pairs. The filler wires FS can be made of non-conductive materials, such as transparent polyamide (nylon) filler wires, to reduce coupling and create a smoother finished surface around the entire cable assembly.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, one filler wire FS is disposed between twisted pair TP1 and twisted pair TP2, one filler wire FS is disposed between twisted pair TP2 and twisted pair TP3, one filler wire FS is disposed between twisted pair TP3 and twisted pair TP4, and two filler wires FS are disposed between twisted pair TP4 and twisted pair TP1. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that different configurations are possible in which different numbers of filler wires FS are disposed between twisted pairs TP1 to TP4.

[0057] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will readily understand that although four twisted pairs TP1 to TP4 or eight conductors are used in the illustrated embodiment, this solution is applicable to any configuration where an even number of conductors are present. If the number of conductors is odd, the solution can be applied to an even subset of conductors.

[0058] To demonstrate the effectiveness of the twisted-pair solution and as an example, Figure 5 The schematic diagram shows some crosstalk measurements for different conductor / signal assignments. Figure 5 The electrical crosstalk at 0 dB FS is shown, with the equivalent acoustic input EAI (Electronic Input Audio Index) in dB SPL at frequency f illustrated. In this example, these measurements were obtained by driving a nominal 200 Ohm receiver with a 900 mV RMS signal at the indicated frequency. The microphone (sensitivity -37.0 dB re1V / 1Pa) had its output, power, and ground lines connected in parallel with the receiver signal via cable 10. The crosstalk amplitude was taken as the microphone output voltage with no audio signal present; only the signal caused by crosstalk (and inherent electrical noise) was present. This voltage was then converted to dB SPL to generate the resulting graph.

[0059] The equivalent acoustic input (EAI) measured by the microphone input stage shows a decrease of approximately 15 dB over most of the measured frequency range, with curve C1 referring to the receiver driver line configured as a twisted pair TP4 and curve C2 referring to the receiver driver line configured as a non-twisted pair.

[0060] Depending on which conductors around the core wire carry which signals, there can be some variations, and this is especially noticeable in non-twisted pair cables. Separating the microphone and receiver wires further apart in the cable cross-section appears to reduce crosstalk. Nevertheless, twisted pair configurations generally produce significantly less crosstalk.

[0061] It should also be noted that crosstalk increases with frequency, so any harmonics of the drive signal will couple to the microphone more strongly than the fundamental frequency. Reducing crosstalk also has the added benefit of reducing distortion coupled back to the microphone output.

[0062] In one exemplary embodiment, the core wire FW can be grounded to improve noise reduction.

[0063] In one exemplary embodiment, the shielding wrapping W can be configured around the interfering signal, such as around TP1 and / or TP4, to improve noise reduction.

[0064] In one exemplary embodiment, at least one end of the cable 10 may include a connector comprising a plurality of pins electrically connected to at least one conductor of the cable 10, respectively. In one exemplary embodiment, both ends of the cable 10 may include connectors.

[0065] In one exemplary embodiment, the core wire FW can be mechanically secured to the connector.

[0066] In one exemplary embodiment, a kit may be provided comprising two, three, or more cables 10 as described above, the cables 10 having different lengths. This facilitates hearing aid professionals in customizing hearing aids according to the geometry of the user's ear 20.

[0067] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a hearing device 1, which has a converter module 30 or another electronic component or module (e.g., a sensor or sensor module) and a connection to the converter module 30. Figure 4 Cable 10.

[0068] List of reference markers:

[0069] 1. Hearing device

[0070] 2. Ear-level components

[0071] 3 body

[0072] 6 pipe sleeves

[0073] 7 rings

[0074] 8. Holding element

[0075] 9. End portion

[0076] 10 Cables

[0077] 11 plugs

[0078] 15. Behind-the-ear components

[0079] 16 Domes

[0080] 20 Ears

[0081] 21. External ear

[0082] 25 Helix

[0083] 26 Antihelix

[0084] 27. Anterior incisura

[0085] 30 Converter Module

[0086] C1 to C10 curve

[0087] EAI Equivalent Acoustic Input

[0088] f frequency

[0089] FS fill line

[0090] FW core wire

[0091] TP1 twisted pair cable, input line

[0092] TP2 twisted pair cable, power cord

[0093] TP3 twisted pair cable, grounding wire

[0094] TP4 twisted pair cable, output cable

[0095] W: Shielding package.

Claims

1. A hearing device (1) comprising: - an ear level part (2); - an ear behind part (15); and - an electrical cable (10) electrically connecting the ear level part (2) and the ear behind part (15), wherein: - the ear level part (2) comprises a body (3) configured for wearing within the concha (21) of a user's ear (20) and a retention element (8) arranged on the body (3) and configured for resting against the antihelix (26) of the user's ear (20), the retention element (8) having an arcuate shape extending around a part of the circumference of the body (3) and an end portion (9) of the retention element (8) opposite to an end portion extending from the body (3) being configured for at least substantially pointing towards the preauricular notch (27) of the ear (20); and - the electrical cable (10) extends within the retention element (8) and from the end portion (9) and at least one of the two ends of the electrical cable (10) is arranged with a plug (11).

2. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the body (3) and the retention element (8) increases at least along a part of the way of the retention element (8).

3. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retention element (8) has a substantially oval cross section at least along a part of its way in a lateral direction of its way.

4. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the way of the retention element (8) is adapted to at least partly follow the way of the antihelix (26) when the body (3) of the ear level part (2) is arranged in the concha (21).

5. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retention element (8) is integrally formed with the body (3).

6. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retention element (8) and / or the body (3) is made of an injection moulded silicone having a Shore A hardness of less than 50. - a recess (12) is arranged in the retention element (8), the recess following the way of the retention element (8) and being configured for receiving the electrical cable (10).

7. A hearing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 8. The hearing device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the width of the recess (12) and the diameter of the electrical cable (10) are chosen to provide a tight fit.

9. The hearing device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the recess (12) is arranged in the inner side of the retention element (8).

10. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrical cable (10) is a flexible cable.

11. The hearing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a dome (16) is arranged at the inner end of the body (3), the dome (16) comprising a sleeve (6) and a collar (7) arranged at the inner end of the sleeve (6) extending generally in a distal direction back so as to at least partly enclose the sleeve (6), wherein the collar (7) is configured to flare in the distal direction. ​

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