Earmuff for hearing device

Abstract

A system comprising a hearing device and an earmuff, and an earmuff configured to seal an ear canal of a user, the earmuff configured to be attached to the hearing device worn by the user, the earmuff comprising: a hollow central tubular portion configured to provide a fluid connection between the hearing device and the ear canal; wherein a first opening is provided in the tubular portion, the first opening being configured to be directed towards a hearing device when the earmuff is worn in an intended position in a user's ear; a first circumferential flange connected to the tubular portion, wherein the first circumferential flange extends radially outward from the tubular portion; wherein the first circumferential flange bends away from the first opening and forms a concave surface to the tympanic membrane when the earmuff is worn in a desired position in the user's ear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to earmuffs. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an earmuff configured to seal an ear canal of a user. The earmuff is configured to be attached to a hearing device worn by the user. The earmuff includes a hollow central tubular portion configured to provide a fluid connection between the hearing device and the ear canal. Background Art

[0002] The occlusion effect is an uncomfortable experience for the user and may occur when the ear canal is blocked, eg plugged, eg by the hearing device. The occlusion effect may be mitigated in different ways.

[0003] In the prior art, the occlusion effect can be mitigated by providing a vent in the hearing device, or by performing active occlusion cancellation. However, the use of a vent comes at a cost, as the directivity and noise reduction effect is reduced, and therefore the user may experience reduced speech intelligibility in noisy conditions. With respect to active occlusion cancellation, a disadvantage of this is that active occlusion cancellation uses battery power, as active occlusion cancellation requires signal processing in the hearing device.

[0004] The earmuffs in hearing devices may play a role in the occlusion effect.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for improved earmuffs for hearing devices. Summary of the invention

[0006] An earmuff is disclosed, which is configured to seal an ear canal of a user. The earmuff is configured to be attached to a hearing device worn by the user. The earmuff includes a hollow central tubular portion, which is configured to provide a fluid connection between the hearing device and the ear canal. A first opening is provided in the tubular portion. When the earmuff is worn in an intended position in the user's ear, the first opening is configured to point toward the hearing device. The earmuff includes a first circumferential flange connected to the tubular portion. The first circumferential flange extends radially outward from the tubular portion. When the earmuff is worn in an intended position in the user's ear, the first circumferential flange bends away from the first opening and forms a concave surface to the eardrum.

[0007] Earmuffs may also be referred to as ear gels or earplugs. Earmuffs are configured to be attached to and detached from a hearing device. The user of the hearing device may replace the earmuffs when the earmuffs are broken, dirty, etc. The earmuffs may be made of a soft elastic material, such as soft plastic, rubber, silicone, etc. The earmuffs are configured to be worn at least partially in the ear canal so that the user feels comfortable. If the earmuffs are too hard, the user may feel uncomfortable when wearing the earmuffs. If the earmuffs are too soft, the earmuffs may not provide sufficient sealing for the ear canal. The earmuffs are configured to seal the ear canal of the user wearing the earmuffs and the hearing device. Ear canal sealing is related to the fact that if the earmuffs are worn in the intended position in the user's ear, the occlusion effect in the user's ear can be reduced. When the earmuffs are worn in the intended position in the user's ear, the occlusion effect can be reduced because the first sound pressure provided by the earmuffs is in antiphase with the second sound pressure provided by the ear canal wall of the user's ear.

[0008] The occlusion effect is an uncomfortable experience for the user and may occur when the ear canal is blocked, eg plugged, eg by the hearing device. The occlusion effect may be mitigated in different ways.

[0009] In the prior art, the occlusion effect is mitigated by providing a vent in the hearing device, or by performing active occlusion cancellation. However, the use of a vent comes at a cost, as the directivity and noise reduction effect is reduced, and therefore the user may experience reduced speech intelligibility in noisy conditions. With respect to active occlusion cancellation, a disadvantage of this is that active occlusion cancellation uses battery power, as active occlusion cancellation requires signal processing in the hearing device.

[0010] The earmuffs of the present disclosure are configured to be acoustically sealed. The earmuffs of the present disclosure are configured to avoid air / sound leakage. The earmuffs of the present disclosure may not include any vents or any ventilation openings, i.e. the earmuffs may not have vents or ventilation openings. Therefore, the earmuffs of the present disclosure are configured to reduce the occlusion effect without providing a vent in the hearing device. Therefore, no vent is required in the earmuffs of the present disclosure, because when the earmuffs are worn in the intended position in the user's ear, the occlusion effect is reduced due to the acoustic seal and because the earmuffs provide a first sound pressure that is in antiphase with a second sound pressure provided by the ear canal wall of the user's ear.

[0011] The inventors invented the earmuffs of the present disclosure because the inventors have realized that the closed earmuffs in hearing devices play a significant role in the occlusion effect. The inventors have realized that changing the cap design to reduce the occlusion effect will provide a positive impact on people's wearing comfort.

[0012] The earmuff of the present disclosure is configured to be placed in the outer half of the external auditory canal, i.e., the portion that points toward the surroundings. The earmuff is configured to be placed in the cartilaginous portion of the external auditory canal. Thus, the earmuff is not configured for deep placement, i.e., not configured to be placed in the bony portion of the external auditory canal, because there may be no vibration of the ear canal wall in this bony region.

[0013] For the earmuff of the present disclosure, when the earmuff is worn at the intended position in the ear of the user, the earmuff provides a first sound pressure and a second sound pressure that are in antiphase with the ear canal wall of the user's ear, so the occlusion effect can be reduced. Therefore, the earmuff is configured to be arranged in the outer half of the external auditory canal, such as in the cartilage part of the external auditory canal, to ensure that the ear canal vibrates to reduce the occlusion effect.

[0014] An advantage of the earmuff of the present disclosure is that it reduces the occlusion effect. The earmuff reduces the occlusion effect by providing a volume velocity and sound pressure to the ear canal that are in antiphase with the volume velocity contributed by the ear canal wall. Therefore, when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the user's ear, the occlusion effect can be reduced because the earmuff provides a first sound pressure that is in antiphase with a second sound pressure provided by the ear canal wall of the user's ear.

[0015] When a user wears the earmuff in the ear canal, the bone conduction vibrations can stimulate the ear canal wall and therefore can compress the earmuff because the bone conduction vibrations cause the ear canal wall to expand and contract in the radial direction, which in turn causes the ear canal wall to change the force it applies to the earmuff, causing the earmuff to deform or extend in the axial direction.

[0016] The bone-conducted sound pressure in the blocked ear canal can be calculated as:

[0017]

[0018] Among them C Air is the compliance of blocking the air in the ear canal, C TM is the compliance of the eardrum, is the volume velocity of the ear canal wall vibration, and is the volume velocity of the earmuff surface vibration. It can be obtained as follows:

[0019]

[0020] Where v is the vibration velocity, and A is the area.

[0021] To explain the mitigation, we rewrite formula (1) as:

[0022]

[0023] in is the sound contributed by the ear canal, and is the sound contributed by the earmuffs. The goal is to As close as possible To minimize

[0024] The advantage of the earmuff of the present disclosure is that it provides a sound pressure in the ear canal in anti-phase with the sound caused by the ear canal wall. When the vibration from the ear canal wall compresses the earmuff, the inner surface of the main earmuff vibrates in the z-axis direction and thus provides a volume velocity and a sound pressure in anti-phase with the sound contributed by the ear canal wall. The z-axis direction is a horizontal direction toward the outside of the ear. The z-axis direction is parallel to the interaural axis.

[0025] The earmuff comprises a hollow central tubular portion configured to provide a fluid connection between the hearing device and the ear canal. The fluid connection is used to allow sound to pass through the earmuff between the hearing device placed in the external surroundings of the ear and the interior (if it is the ear canal). The hollow central tubular portion may be a hollow tubular portion. The hollow central tubular portion may be arranged along a first direction of the earmuff.

[0026] A first opening is provided in the tubular portion and is configured to point toward the hearing device when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user.

[0027] The earmuff includes a first circumferential flange connected to the tubular portion. The first circumferential flange extends radially outward from the tubular portion.

[0028] When the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the ear of a user, the first circumferential flange bends away from the first opening and forms a concave surface to the eardrum.

[0029] Thus, the first circumferential flange of the earmuff of the present invention is bent in the opposite direction relative to the flange of the prior art earmuff.

[0030] An advantage of the earmuff is that, due to the direction of curvature of the earmuff flange, the occlusion effect is reduced.

[0031] The hollow central tubular portion may include a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end of the tubular portion are arranged opposite to each other. The first opening may be provided in the first end of the tubular portion.

[0032] The first circumferential flange may be a protruding rim, a collar or a portion on the tubular portion. The first circumferential flange may enable the earmuff to maintain its position in the ear canal when inserted into the ear canal.

[0033] The tubular portion may extend in a first direction between the first end and the second end. The first circumferential flange may be bent away from the first opening in a second direction. The second direction may be approximately between 45 and 90 degrees relative to the first direction, such as approximately between 55 and 90 degrees, such as approximately between 65 and 90 degrees, such as approximately between 75 and 90 degrees, such as approximately between 85 and 90 degrees, such as approximately 90 degrees. Therefore, the second direction may be perpendicular to the first direction.

[0034] The earmuffs may be made of a material. The thickness of the material may be between about 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, such as 0.1 mm and 0.4 mm. The thickness of the material may be a maximum of 0.4 mm. The thickness of the material may be between about 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm. The earmuffs may be reinforced by reinforcing ribs to avoid resonances below 1 kHz. From 100-1 kHz, the reduction in the occlusion effect may be about 9-14 dB.

[0035] The material of the earmuff may be a soft elastic material, such as soft plastic, rubber, silicone, etc. The material may be, for example, a silicone material having a hardness property in the range of Shore A 20 to Shore A 60, such as Shore A 30 to Shore A 50, such as Shore A 40.

[0036] Due to the thickness and / or hardness of the earmuff material, vibrations from the ear canal may be transmitted to the earmuff and thus the earmuff may provide a reduced occlusion effect.

[0037] In the prior art earmuffs, the material of the earmuffs may be thicker and / or harder than the earmuffs of the present disclosure. Therefore, the prior art earmuffs may not absorb vibrations from the ear canal and convert the vibrations into anti-phase sound to the ear canal, and thus the prior art earmuffs may not reduce the occlusion effect.

[0038] The curvature of the earmuffs can be optimized to provide efficient sound radiation.The shapes of prior art earmuffs are not optimized and they either increase the occlusion effect or fail to reduce the occlusion effect.

[0039] According to an aspect, a system is disclosed, comprising an earmuff according to claim 1 and a hearing device. The hearing device may comprise an output transducer, such as a receiver or a loudspeaker, and the earmuff may be attached to a protrusion of the output transducer.

[0040] In some embodiments, the earmuff includes a reinforcement portion configured to ensure that the earmuff keeps the first circumferential flange bent away from the first opening and forms a concave surface to the eardrum. In particular, when the earmuff is inserted into the ear canal by the user and / or retracted from the ear canal, and / or when the earmuff is arranged in the ear canal, the earmuff should keep the first circumferential flange bent away from the first opening and form a concave surface to the eardrum. If the earmuff does not have a reinforcement portion, when the earmuff is inserted into the ear canal, there is a risk that the first circumferential flange will flip backwards because the flange points in the insertion direction in the ear canal. In this case, the flange will not form a concave surface to the eardrum.

[0041] In some embodiments, the reinforcing portion includes a second circumferential flange connected to the first circumferential flange, and wherein the second circumferential flange extends radially outward from the first circumferential flange. Thus, the second circumferential flange may be arranged at the circumference of the first circumferential flange. The diameter of the second circumferential flange may be smaller than the diameter of the first circumferential flange. The diameter of the second circumferential flange may be as small as possible. The diameter of the second circumferential flange may be approximately less than 10% of the diameter of the first circumferential flange.

[0042] An advantage is that the second circumferential flange is as small as possible, since this minimizes the reduction in vibrations of the first circumferential flange, i.e., minimizes the reduction in vibrations that are used to absorb vibrations from the ear canal and / or mitigate the occlusion effect. For example, if the effective area of ​​the second circumferential flange is equal to or larger than the effective area of ​​the first circumferential flange (assuming that the first circumferential flange and the second circumferential flange have the same material properties, etc.), then vibrations of the second circumferential flange may cancel vibrations of the first circumferential flange. The effective area may be the vibrating surface of the earmuff.

[0043] In some embodiments, when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the user's ear, the second circumferential flange bends toward the first opening and forms a convex surface to the eardrum. Thus, the second circumferential flange bends in the opposite direction relative to the first circumferential flange. An advantage of the second circumferential flange is that it prevents the first circumferential flange from flipping back when the earmuff is inserted into the ear canal, because the curvature of the second circumferential flange is opposite to the insertion direction of the earmuff in the ear canal.

[0044] In some embodiments, the reinforcing portion includes a rib disposed in the inner surface of the first circumferential flange. The rib may include one or more ribs. The one or more ribs may be a straight piece of material extending through the interior space defined by the first circumferential flange, and each end of the rib may be connected to the inner surface of the first circumferential flange. The outer surface of the first circumferential flange may point toward the ear canal wall.

[0045] In some embodiments, the rib is disposed in a concave surface formed by the first circumferential flange. The rib may include one or more ribs. The one or more ribs may be a straight piece of material extending through the concave surface defined by the first circumferential flange, and each end of the rib may be connected in the concave surface of the first circumferential flange.

[0046] In some embodiments, the reinforcement portion includes foam disposed in the inner surface of the first circumferential flange. The foam may have material properties such that the foam has a hardness value and / or a stiffness value, for example, the hardness value and / or the stiffness value is high enough so that the earmuff can maintain its shape when inserted into the ear canal and / or retracted from the ear canal. The foam material may have properties that have no effect or only a limited effect on the acoustic effect of the earmuff. The foam may fill the entire space defined by the inner surface of the first circumferential flange, or the foam may fill a portion of the space defined by the inner surface of the first circumferential flange.

[0047] In some embodiments, the foam is disposed in the concave surface formed by the first circumferential flange. The foam may fill the entire space defined by the concave surface of the first circumferential flange, or the foam may fill a portion of the space defined by the concave surface of the first circumferential flange.

[0048] In some embodiments, the second opening is disposed in the tubular portion, the second opening being configured to point toward the eardrum when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the user's ear; and wherein the second opening is disposed in the concave surface formed by the first circumferential flange. The second opening may be disposed in the second end of the tubular portion.

[0049] In some embodiments, the first circumferential flange is connected at the tubular portion between the first opening and the second opening.The first circumferential flange may be connected, attached, disposed, molded, etc. at the tubular portion.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first circumferential flange is connected at the first opening of the tubular portion.The first circumferential flange may be connected, attached, disposed, molded, etc. at the first opening of the tubular portion.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first circumferential flange is connected at the second opening of the tubular portion.The first circumferential flange may be connected, attached, disposed, molded, etc. at the second opening of the tubular portion.

[0052] In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange is between approximately 1 mm and 4 mm, and wherein the outer diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange is between approximately 6 mm and 12 mm.

[0053] The inner diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange may be between about 1 mm and 4 mm, such as 1 mm and 3 mm, such as 1 mm and 2 mm, such as about 1.5 mm to about 1.6 mm, such as 1.54 mm.

[0054] The outer diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange may be of different sizes depending on whether the earmuff is a so-called small, medium or large earmuff. Users have different ear sizes, and therefore earmuffs of different sizes may be provided to fit the ears of all users. Therefore, the outer diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange of the earmuff may be between about 4 mm and 13 mm, such as 5 mm and 12 mm, such as about 5 mm for a small earmuff, such as about 7.6 mm for a medium earmuff, such as about 10 mm for a first type of large earmuff, such as about 11.5 mm for a second type of large earmuff.

[0055] An advantage is that the outer diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange of the earmuff is large compared to the inner diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange, because the greater the difference between these two diameters, the better the vibration of the earmuff, which will reduce the blocking effect.

[0056] The inner diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange may correspond to or be the same as the outer diameter of the first opening of the tubular portion.

[0057] The diameter of the first opening of the tubular portion may be the same for all types of receivers. Thus, the diameter of the first opening of the tubular portion may be the same for low power, medium power and high power receivers. Alternatively, the diameter of the first opening of the tubular portion may be different for different types of receivers.

[0058] The inner diameter of the first opening of the tubular portion may be about 1.5 mm to about 1.6 mm, such as 1.54 mm.

[0059] The outer diameter of the first opening of the tubular portion may be about 1.75 mm to about 1.95 mm, such as 1.85 mm.

[0060] Thus, for large ear cups, the ratio between the outer diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange and the inner diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange may be approximately 11.5 mm / 1.85 mm=6.2.

[0061] For a small earmuff, the ratio between the outer diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange and the inner diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange may be about 5 mm / 1.85 mm=2.7.

[0062] Therefore, the ratio between the outer diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange and the inner diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange may preferably be greater than 2.7 for ensuring high vibration of the earmuff, which will reduce the blocking effect.

[0063] In some embodiments, the ear cups are configured to be acoustically sealed to prevent air / sound leakage, and / or wherein the ear cups lack ventilation holes or vents.

[0064] In some embodiments, the earmuff is configured to be placed in the outer half of the external auditory canal that points toward the surrounding environment, and / or wherein the earmuff is configured to be placed in the cartilaginous portion of the external auditory canal, and / or wherein the earmuff is not configured to be placed in the bony portion of the external auditory canal.

[0065] In some embodiments, the earmuff is configured to reduce the occlusion effect in the user's ear when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the user's ear.

[0066] In some embodiments, when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the user's ear, the occlusion effect is mitigated because the earmuff provides a first sound pressure that is in anti-phase with a second sound pressure provided by the ear canal wall of the user's ear.

[0067] In an embodiment, the hearing device is configured to be worn by a user. The hearing device may be arranged at the user's ear, on the user's ear, above the user's ear, in the user's ear, in the user's ear canal, behind the user's ear and / or in the user's auricle, that is, the hearing device is configured to be worn in the user's ear, on the ear, above the ear and / or at the ear. The user may wear two hearing devices, one in each ear. The two hearing devices may be connected, such as wirelessly and / or by wire, such as a binaural hearing aid system.

[0068] The hearing device may be hearable, such as earphones, headphones, earplugs, hearing aids, personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), over-the-counter (OTC) hearing devices, hearing protection devices, universal hearing devices, custom hearing devices, or another head-wearable hearing device. The hearing device may include both prescription devices and over-the-counter devices.

[0069] Hearing devices may be embodied in a variety of housing styles or form factors. Some of these form factors are behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing devices, receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing devices, receiver-in-the-ear (RIE) hearing devices, or microphone-in-the-ear (MaRIE) hearing devices. These devices may include a BTE unit configured to be worn behind the ear of a user and an in-the-ear (ITE) unit configured to be partially or fully inserted into the ear canal of a user. In general, a BTE unit may include at least one input transducer, a power supply, and a processing unit. The term BTE hearing device refers to a hearing device in which a receiver, i.e., an output transducer, is included in the BTE unit and sound is directed to the ITE unit via an acoustic tube connecting the BTE and ITE units, while the terms RIE, RIC, and MaRIE hearing devices refer to hearing devices in which a receiver may be included in an ITE unit, which is coupled to the BTE unit via a connector cable or wire configured to transfer electrical signals between the BTE and ITE units.

[0070] Some of these form factors are in-the-ear (ITE) hearing devices, complete-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing devices, or invisible-in-the-ear (IIC) hearing devices. These hearing devices may include an ITE unit, wherein the ITE unit may include at least one input transducer, a power supply, a processing unit, and an output transducer. These form factors may be custom devices, meaning that the ITE unit may include a housing made of a hard material (such as a hard polymer or metal) or a soft material (such as a rubber-like polymer), molded to have an outer shape that conforms to the shape of a specific user's ear canal.

[0071] Some of these form factors are earplugs, on-ear headphones or over-ear headphones. Those skilled in the art are aware of different kinds of hearing devices and different options for arranging the hearing device in, on, over and / or at the ear of a hearing device wearer. A hearing device (or a pair of hearing devices) may be custom fit, standard fit, open fit and / or blocked fit.

[0072] In an embodiment, the hearing device may include one or more input transducers. The one or more input transducers may include one or more microphones. The one or more input transducers may include one or more vibration sensors configured to detect bone vibrations. The one or more input transducers may be configured to convert the acoustic signal into a first electrical input signal. The first electrical input signal may be an analog signal. The first electrical input signal may be a digital signal. The one or more input transducers may be coupled to one or more analog-to-digital converters configured to convert the analog first input signal into a digital first input signal.

[0073] In an embodiment, the hearing device may comprise one or more antennas configured for wireless communication. The one or more antennas may comprise an electrical antenna. The electrical antenna may be configured for wireless communication at a first frequency. The first frequency may be above 800 MHz, preferably a wavelength between 900 MHz and 6 GHz. The first frequency may be between 902 MHz and 928 MHz. The first frequency may be between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz. The first frequency may be between 5.725 GHz and 5.875 GHz. The one or more antennas may comprise a magnetic antenna. The magnetic antenna may comprise a magnetic core. The magnetic antenna may comprise a coil. The coil may be coiled around the magnetic core. The magnetic antenna may be configured for wireless communication at a second frequency. The second frequency may be below 100 MHz. The second frequency may be between 9 MHz and 15 MHz.

[0074] In an embodiment, the hearing device may include one or more wireless communication units. The one or more wireless communication units may include one or more wireless receivers, one or more wireless transmitters, one or more transmitter-receiver pairs and / or one or more transceivers. At least one of the one or more wireless communication units may be coupled to one or more antennas. The wireless communication unit may be configured to convert a wireless signal received by at least one of the one or more antennas into a second electrical input signal. The hearing device may be configured for wired / wireless audio communication, for example, enabling a user to listen to media, such as music or radio, and / or enabling a user to conduct a telephone conversation.

[0075] In an embodiment, the wireless signal may originate from one or more external sources and / or external devices, such as a spouse's microphone device, a wireless audio transmitter, a smart computer, and / or a distributed microphone array associated with a wireless transmitter. The wireless input signal may originate from another hearing device, for example, as part of a binaural hearing system, and / or from one or more accessory devices, such as a smartphone and / or a smartwatch.

[0076] In an embodiment, the hearing device may include a processing unit. The processing unit may be configured to process the first electrical input signal and / or the second electrical input signal. The processing may include compensating for the user's hearing loss, i.e. applying a frequency-dependent gain to the input signal according to the user's frequency-dependent hearing impairment. The processing may include performing feedback cancellation, beamforming, tinnitus reduction / shielding, noise reduction, noise cancellation, speech recognition, bass adjustment, treble adjustment and / or processing of user input. The processing unit may be a processor, an integrated circuit, an application, a functional module, etc. The processing unit may be implemented in a single signal processing chip or a printed circuit board (PCB). The processing unit may be configured to provide a first electrical output signal based on processing of the first electrical input signal and / or the second electrical input signal. The processing unit may be configured to provide a second electrical output signal. The second electrical output signal may be based on processing of the first electrical input signal and / or the second electrical input signal.

[0077] In an embodiment, the hearing device may include an output transducer. The output transducer may be coupled to a processing unit. The output transducer may be a receiver. Note that in this context, the receiver may be a loudspeaker, and the wireless receiver may be a device configured to process wireless signals. The receiver may be configured to convert the first electrical output signal into an acoustic output signal. The output transducer may be coupled to the processing unit via a magnetic antenna. The output transducer may be included in an ITE unit or earpiece of the hearing device, such as a receiver in the ear (RIE) unit or a microphone and receiver in the ear (MaRIE) unit. One or more of the input transducers may be included in the ITE unit or the earpiece.

[0078] In an embodiment, the wireless communication unit may be configured to convert the second electrical output signal into a wireless output signal. The wireless output signal may include synchronization data. The wireless communication unit may be configured to transmit the wireless output signal via at least one of the one or more antennas.

[0079] In an embodiment, the hearing device may comprise a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the first electrical output signal, the second electrical output signal and / or the wireless output signal into an analog signal.

[0080] In an embodiment, the hearing device may include a power supply. The power supply may include a battery providing a first voltage. The battery may be a rechargeable battery. The battery may be a replaceable battery. The power supply may include a power management unit. The power management unit may be configured to convert the first voltage to a second voltage. The power supply may include a charging coil. The charging coil may be provided by a magnetic antenna.

[0081] In an embodiment, the hearing device may comprise memory including both volatile and non-volatile forms of memory.

[0082] The present invention relates to different aspects, including earmuffs, hearing devices and systems described above and below, and corresponding device parts, each part producing one or more of the benefits and advantages described in conjunction with the first-mentioned aspect, and each part having one or more embodiments corresponding to the embodiments described in conjunction with the first-mentioned aspect and / or disclosed in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] The above and other features and advantages will be easily understood by those skilled in the art through the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0084] Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 1c An exemplary prior art earmuff 100 attached to a hearing device 200 is schematically shown.

[0085] Figure 2a An exemplary prior art earmuff 100 attached to a hearing device 200 is schematically shown.

[0086] Figure 2b An exemplary earmuff 2 according to the invention is schematically shown.

[0087] Figure 3 An exemplary earmuff 2 attached to a hearing device 6 is schematically shown, together with the occlusion effect reduction.

[0088] Figure 4a and Figure 4b Exemplary earmuffs 2 are schematically shown, each comprising a reinforcement portion 18 .

[0089] Figure 5 Examples of various diameters of earmuffs 2 are schematically shown.

[0090] Reference numerals list

[0091] 2 earmuffs

[0092] 4 Ear canal

[0093] 6 Hearing devices

[0094] 8 Hollow central tubular section

[0095] 10 First Opening

[0096] 12 first circumferential flange

[0097] 14 Concave surface

[0098] 16 Tympanic membrane

[0099] 18 Strengthening

[0100] 20 second circumferential flange

[0101] 22 Convex surface

[0102] 24 Second opening

[0103] 26 The ear canal wall of the user's ear

[0104] 30 output transducer

[0105] 32 Output transducer protrusion

[0106] 34 ribs

[0107] 36 Bubbles

[0108] 38 Cartilaginous part of the external auditory canal

[0109] 40 Bony part of the external auditory canal

[0110] 42Inner diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange

[0111] 44 The outer diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange

[0112] 46 Inner diameter of the first opening of the tubular portion

[0113] 48 Outer diameter of the first opening of the tubular portion

[0114] 100 Prior Art Earmuffs

[0115] 200 Hearing devices for use with prior art earmuffs

[0116] 300 Prior Art Earmuff flange

[0117] 400 Prior Art First Opening of Earmuffs

[0118] -P ep First sound pressure

[0119] +P wall Second sound pressure DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0120] Various embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Similar reference numerals refer to similar elements throughout. Therefore, similar elements will not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that these figures are intended only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended to serve as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, the illustrated embodiments do not need to have all the aspects or advantages shown. The aspects or advantages described in conjunction with a particular embodiment are not necessarily limited to that embodiment, and may be practiced in any other embodiment, even if not so shown, or if not so explicitly described.

[0121] Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 1c An exemplary prior art earmuff 100 is schematically shown attached to a hearing device 200. The earmuff 100 has a flange 300 which curves towards a first opening 400 and forms a convex surface to the eardrum when the earmuff 100 is worn in the intended position in the ear of a user.

[0122] Figure 2a An exemplary prior art earmuff 100 is schematically shown attached to a hearing device (not shown). The earmuff 100 has a flange 300 which curves towards a first opening 400 and forms a convex surface to the eardrum (TM) when the earmuff 100 is worn in the intended position in the ear of a user.

[0123] Figure 2b An exemplary earmuff 2 according to the present invention is schematically shown. The earmuff 2 is configured to seal an ear canal 4 of a user. The earmuff 2 is configured to be attached to a hearing device (not shown) worn by the user. The earmuff 2 includes a hollow central tubular portion 8, which is configured to provide a fluid connection between the hearing device and the ear canal 4. A first opening 10 is provided in the tubular portion 8. When the earmuff 2 is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user, the first opening 10 is configured to point toward the hearing device. The earmuff 2 includes a first circumferential flange 12 connected to the tubular portion 8. The first circumferential flange 12 extends radially outward from the tubular portion 8. When the earmuff 2 is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user, the first circumferential flange 12 bends away from the first opening 10 and forms a concave surface 14 to the eardrum 16.

[0124] Therefore, the first circumferential flange 12 of the earmuff 2 of the present invention is bent in the opposite direction relative to the flange 300 of the prior art earmuff 100 .

[0125] A second opening 24 is provided in the tubular portion 8 , the second opening 24 being configured to be directed toward the eardrum when the earmuff 2 is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user; and wherein the second opening 24 is provided in the concave surface 14 formed by the first circumferential flange 12 .

[0126] The first circumferential flange 12 is connected at the second opening 24 of the tubular portion 8 .

[0127] The earmuff 2 is configured to be placed in the outer half of the external auditory canal, i.e., the portion pointing toward the surroundings, which is the right portion of the ear canal as shown. The earmuff 2 is configured to be placed in the cartilaginous portion 38 of the external auditory canal, which is the right portion of the ear canal as shown. Thus, the earmuff 2 is not configured for deep placement, i.e., is not configured to be placed in the bony portion 40 of the external auditory canal, which is the left portion of the ear canal as shown, i.e., pointing toward the tympanic membrane 16.

[0128] Figure 3 An exemplary earmuff 2 is schematically shown. The earmuff 2 is configured to seal an ear canal 4 of a user. The earmuff 2 is configured to be attached to a hearing device 6 worn by the user. The earmuff 2 includes a hollow central tubular portion 8, which is configured to provide a fluid connection between the hearing device 6 and the ear canal 4. A first opening 10 is provided in the tubular portion 8. When the earmuff 2 is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user, the first opening 10 is configured to point toward the hearing device 6. The earmuff 2 includes a first circumferential flange 12 connected to the tubular portion 8. The first circumferential flange 12 extends radially outward from the tubular portion 8. When the earmuff 2 is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user, the first circumferential flange 12 bends away from the first opening 10 and forms a concave surface 14 to the eardrum 16.

[0129] The earmuff 2 comprises a reinforcement portion 18 which is configured to ensure that the earmuff 2 maintains the first circumferential flange 12 bent away from the first opening 10 and formed into a concave surface 14 to the eardrum 16 .

[0130] The reinforcement portion 18 includes a second circumferential flange 20 connected to the first circumferential flange 12 , and wherein the second circumferential flange 20 extends radially outward from the first circumferential flange 12 .

[0131] When the earmuff 2 is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user, the second circumferential flange 20 is bent towards the first opening 10 and forms a convex surface 22 to the eardrum 16 .

[0132] A second opening 24 is provided in the tubular portion 8 , which is configured to be directed towards the eardrum 16 when the earmuff 2 is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user.

[0133] A first circumferential flange 12 is connected at the first opening 10 of the tubular portion 8 .

[0134] The inner diameter of the concave surface 14 of the first circumferential flange 12 may be between about 1 mm and 4 mm. The outer diameter of the concave surface 14 of the first circumferential flange 12 may be between about 6 mm and 12 mm.

[0135] When the user wears the earmuff 2 in the ear canal 4, the bone conduction vibrations may excite the ear canal wall 26 and may thus compress the earmuff 2 because the bone conduction vibrations cause the ear canal wall 26 to expand and contract in the radial direction, which in turn causes the ear canal wall 26 to change the force it exerts on the earmuff 2, causing the earmuff to deform or extend in the axial direction. Figure 3 The vertical direction is indicated in the y direction. Figure 3 The horizontal direction is indicated in the middle, that is, the z direction.

[0136] The advantage of the earmuff 2 of the present disclosure is that it provides a sound pressure in the ear canal 4 in anti-phase with the sound caused by the ear canal wall 26. When the vibration from the ear canal wall 26 compresses the earmuff 2, the main earmuff inner surface vibrates in the z-axis direction, and thus, provides a volume velocity and a sound pressure in anti-phase with the sound contributed by the ear canal wall 26. The z-axis direction is a horizontal direction toward the outside of the ear. The z-axis direction is parallel to the interaural axis.

[0137] The earmuff 2 is configured to reduce the occlusion effect in the ear of a user when the earmuff 2 is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user.

[0138] When the earmuff 2 is worn at the intended position in the user's ear, the earmuff 2 provides a second sound pressure +p provided by the ear canal wall 26 of the user's ear. wall The first sound pressure of the opposite phase -p ep , thus alleviating the blocking effect.

[0139] Figure 3 Also schematically shown is a system comprising an earmuff 2 according to claim 1 and a hearing device 6. The hearing device 6 comprises an output transducer 30, such as a receiver or a loudspeaker, to whose protrusion 32 the earmuff 2 can be attached.

[0140] The earmuff 2 is configured to be placed in the outer half of the external auditory canal, i.e., the portion pointing toward the surroundings, which is the right side portion of the ear canal 26. The earmuff 2 is configured to be placed in the cartilaginous portion 38 of the external auditory canal, which is the right side portion of the ear canal 26. Thus, the earmuff 2 is not configured for deep placement, i.e., is not configured to be placed in the bony portion 40 of the external auditory canal, which is the left side portion of the ear canal 26, i.e., pointing toward the tympanic membrane 16.

[0141] Figure 4a and Figure 4bAn exemplary earmuff 2 is schematically shown. The earmuff 2 is configured to seal an ear canal of a user (not shown). The earmuff 2 is configured to be attached to a hearing device (not shown) worn by the user. The earmuff 2 includes a hollow central tubular portion 8, which is configured to provide a fluid connection between the hearing device and the ear canal. A first opening 10 is provided in the tubular portion 8. The first opening 10 is configured to point toward the hearing device when the earmuff 2 is worn in an intended position in the ear of the user. The earmuff 2 includes a first circumferential flange 12 connected to the tubular portion 8. The first circumferential flange 12 extends radially outward from the tubular portion 8. When the earmuff 2 is worn in an intended position in the ear of the user, the first circumferential flange 12 bends away from the first opening 10 and forms a concave surface 14 to the eardrum.

[0142] The earmuff 2 comprises a reinforcement portion 18 which is configured to ensure that the earmuff 2 keeps the first circumferential flange 12 bent away from the first opening 10 and forms a concave surface 14 to the eardrum.

[0143] exist Figure 4a In the embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing portion 18 includes a rib 34 disposed in a concave surface 14 (e.g., an inner surface) formed by the first circumferential flange 12. The rib 34 may include one or more ribs 34. The one or more ribs 34 may be a straight piece of material extending through the concave surface (e.g., defining the interior space of the first circumferential flange 12), and each end of the rib 34 may be connected in the concave surface, e.g., the inner surface of the first circumferential flange 12.

[0144] The first circumferential flange 12 is connected at the tubular portion 8 between the first opening 10 and the second opening 24 .

[0145] exist Figure 4b , the reinforcement portion includes a foam 36 disposed in the concave surface 14 (e.g., the inner surface) formed by the first circumferential flange 12. The foam 36 may fill the entire space defined by the concave surface (e.g., the inner surface of the first circumferential flange 12), or the foam may fill a portion of the space defined by the convex surface (e.g., the outer surface of the first circumferential flange 12).

[0146] The first circumferential flange 12 is connected at the second opening 24 of the tubular portion 8 .

[0147] Figure 5Examples of various diameters of the earmuff 2 are schematically shown. The earmuff 2 is configured to seal an ear canal of a user (not shown). The earmuff 2 is configured to be attached to a hearing device (not shown) worn by the user. The earmuff 2 includes a hollow central tubular portion 8, which is configured to provide a fluid connection between the hearing device and the ear canal. A first opening 10 is provided in the tubular portion 8. When the earmuff 2 is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user, the first opening 10 is configured to point toward the hearing device. The earmuff 2 includes a first circumferential flange 12 connected to the tubular portion 8. The first circumferential flange 12 extends radially outward from the tubular portion 8. When the earmuff 2 is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user, the first circumferential flange 12 bends away from the first opening 10 and forms a concave surface 14 to the eardrum.

[0148] The inner diameter 42 of the concave surface 14 of the first circumferential flange 12 may be between about 1 mm and 4 mm, such as 1 mm and 3 mm, such as 1 mm and 2 mm, such as about 1.5 mm to about 1.6 mm, such as 1.54 mm.

[0149] The outer diameter 44 of the concave surface 14 of the first circumferential flange 12 is between about 6 mm and about 12 mm.

[0150] The inner diameter 42 of the concave surface 14 of the first circumferential flange 12 may correspond to, or be the same as, the outer diameter 48 of the first opening 10 of the tubular portion 8 .

[0151] The inner diameter 46 of the first opening 10 of the tubular portion 8 may be about 1.5 mm to about 1.6 mm, such as 1.54 mm.

[0152] The outer diameter 48 of the first opening 10 of the tubular portion 8 may be about 1.75 mm to about 1.95 mm, such as 1.85 mm.

[0153] Although specific features have been shown and described, it should be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and that it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, the description and drawings should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

[0154] project:

[0155] 1. An earmuff configured to seal an ear canal of a user, the earmuff being configured to be attached to a hearing device worn by the user, the earmuff comprising:

[0156] - a hollow central tubular portion configured for providing a fluid connection between the hearing device and the ear canal;

[0157] wherein a first opening is provided in the tubular portion, the first opening being configured to point toward the hearing device when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user;

[0158] - a first circumferential flange connected to the tubular portion, wherein the first circumferential flange extends radially outwardly from the tubular portion;

[0159] Wherein when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the user's ear, the first circumferential flange curves away from the first opening and forms a concave surface to the eardrum.

[0160] 2. An earmuff according to any of the preceding items, wherein the earmuff comprises a reinforcement portion configured to ensure that the earmuff maintains the first circumferential flange bent away from the first opening and forming the concave surface to the eardrum.

[0161] 3. The earmuff according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the reinforcement portion comprises a second circumferential flange connected to the first circumferential flange, and wherein the second circumferential flange extends radially outwards from the first circumferential flange.

[0162] 4. The earmuff according to the preceding clause, wherein the second circumferential flange curves towards the first opening and forms a convex surface to the eardrum when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the user's ear.

[0163] 5. The earmuff according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the reinforcement portion comprises ribs provided in an inner surface of the first circumferential flange.

[0164] 6. The earmuff according to the preceding clause, wherein the rib is arranged in the concave surface formed by the first circumferential flange.

[0165] 7. The earmuff according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the reinforcement portion comprises foam provided in an inner surface of the first circumferential flange.

[0166] 8. The earmuff according to the preceding clause, wherein the foam is arranged in the concave surface formed by the first circumferential flange.

[0167] 9. An earmuff according to any of the preceding items, wherein a second opening is arranged in the tubular portion, and when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the user's ear, the second opening is configured to point to the eardrum; and wherein the second opening is arranged in the concave surface formed by the first circumferential flange.

[0168] 10. The earmuff according to any of the preceding items, wherein the first circumferential flange is connected at the tubular portion between the first opening and the second opening.

[0169] 11. The earmuff according to any of the preceding items, wherein the first circumferential flange is connected at the first opening of the tubular portion.

[0170] 12. The earmuff according to any of the preceding items, wherein the first circumferential flange is connected at the second opening of the tubular portion.

[0171] 13. The earmuff according to any of the preceding items, wherein the inner diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange is between approximately 1 mm and 4 mm, and wherein the outer diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange is between approximately 6 mm and 12 mm.

[0172] 14. An earmuff according to any of the preceding items, wherein the earmuff is configured to be acoustically sealed for avoiding air / sound leakage, and / or wherein the earmuff is free of ventilation holes or vents.

[0173] 15. An earmuff according to any of the preceding items, wherein the earmuff is configured to be placed in an outer half of the external auditory canal pointing toward the surrounding environment, and / or wherein the earmuff is configured to be placed in a cartilaginous part of the external auditory canal, and / or wherein the earmuff is not configured to be placed in a bony part of the external auditory canal.

[0174] 16. An earmuff according to any of the preceding items, wherein the earmuff is configured to reduce an occlusion effect in the ear of the user when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user.

[0175] 17. An earmuff according to any of the preceding items, wherein when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the user's ear, the blocking effect is mitigated because the earmuff provides a first sound pressure that is in antiphase with a second sound pressure provided by the ear canal wall of the user's ear.

[0176] 18. A system comprising the earmuff according to item 1 and a hearing device.

Claims

1. An earmuff configured to seal an ear canal of a user, the earmuff being configured to be attached to a hearing device worn by the user, the earmuff comprising: - a hollow central tubular portion configured for providing a fluid connection between the hearing device and the ear canal; wherein a first opening is provided in the tubular portion, and when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user, the first opening is configured to point toward the hearing device; - a first circumferential flange connected to the tubular portion, wherein the first circumferential flange extends radially outwards from the tubular portion; Wherein when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the user's ear, the first circumferential flange curves away from the first opening and forms a concave surface to the eardrum.

2. The earmuff according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the earmuff comprises a reinforcement portion configured to ensure that the earmuff maintains the first circumferential flange curved away from the first opening and forming a concave surface to the eardrum.

3. The earmuff according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcement portion comprises a second circumferential flange connected to the first circumferential flange, and wherein the second circumferential flange extends radially outwards from the first circumferential flange.

4. The earmuff according to the preceding claim, wherein the second circumferential flange is curved towards the first opening and forms a convex surface to the eardrum when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user.

5. An earmuff as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the reinforcement portion comprises ribs provided in an inner surface of the first circumferential flange.

6. Earmuff according to the preceding claim, wherein the rib is provided in the concave surface formed by the first circumferential flange.

7. An earmuff as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the reinforcement portion comprises foam provided in an inner surface of the first circumferential flange.

8. The earmuff according to the preceding claim, wherein the foam is arranged in the concave surface formed by the first circumferential flange.

9. The earmuff according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a second opening is provided in the tubular portion, the second opening being configured to point toward the eardrum when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the ear of the user; and wherein the second opening is provided in the concave surface formed by the first circumferential flange.

10. The earmuff according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first circumferential flange is connected at a tubular portion between the first opening and the second opening.

11. The earmuff according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first circumferential flange is connected at a first opening of the tubular portion.

12. An earmuff as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first circumferential flange is connected at the second opening of the tubular portion.

13. The earmuff according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange is between approximately 1 mm and 4 mm, and wherein the outer diameter of the concave surface of the first circumferential flange is between approximately 6 mm and 12 mm.

14. An earmuff according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the earmuff is worn in the intended position in the user's ear, an occlusion effect is mitigated due to a first sound pressure provided by the earmuff being in anti-phase with a second sound pressure provided by the ear canal wall of the user's ear.

15. A system comprising an earmuff and a hearing device, wherein the earmuff is the earmuff according to claim 1.

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