Hearing aid with improved charge contact

Abstract

The present application discloses a hearing aid with an improved charge contact wherein the hearing aid comprises a hearing aid housing comprising a processing unit, a battery unit, and a charge contact within the hearing aid housing. Wherein the charge contact comprises: a metal element configured to provide electrical conduction; and a coating at least partially covering the metal element. The coating comprises: a first layer at least partially on the metal element, wherein the first layer comprises gold; a second layer at least partially on the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises palladium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hearing aids, and in particular to a charge contact in a hearing aid. Background Art

[0002] Many hearing aids and other electronic devices rely on charge contacts (e.g., electrical contacts, power contacts, conductive contacts, e.g., highly conductive contacts) to provide adequate charging and / or communication. Charging contacts in hearing aids will typically be used daily, e.g., with a very high number of wear cycles during the life of the device.

[0003] Furthermore, the charge contacts, due to the nature of their application, are exposed to voltages, such as voltages in the range of 4-6 V, which can accelerate corrosion of the charge contacts. Furthermore, the use of charge contacts in hearing instruments and / or other wearable devices increases the exposure rate to environments that exhibit severe corrosion, including acids, salts, etc.

[0004] Most contacts for charge charging / communication systems for consumer electronic devices and hearing devices use copper alloys as the base material and gold plating as the upper plating. This combination was chosen because copper alloys are fairly easy to form and the resistance of the gold on the top layer is very low. However, if wear and corrosion applications are involved, this system is prone to failure, resulting in either a lower life or a very thick gold layer, which in turn increases costs due to the use of too much precious material. For example, depending on the base material and surface finish of the connector, a 2.5μm or thicker gold plating is required in current electronic devices to develop a completely non-porous layer that will provide the best barrier protection against corrosion of the base material. The heavier gold deposits of this range provide enough material to allow very high, for example 10,000 cycle applications when properly designed with an appropriate base plate.

[0005] Thus, typical charge contacts for hearing aids have a high probability of failure. In addition, they require large amounts of gold, which significantly increases costs.

[0006] Furthermore, it is known in the art that applying a thicker gold layer complicates the soldering process, resulting in fragile solder joints and higher assembly tolerances. The high surface tension of the gold top layer results in a high wetting surface with tin, which makes the process difficult to control.

[0007] In addition, many known charge contacts use nickel as part of the coating. However, the use of nickel will increase the risk of nickel release in electrical applications. The risk is higher in medical devices and wearables due to prolonged contact with the skin. According to entry 27 of Annex XVII of REACH, the release threshold should be below 0.5 μg Ni / cm during the life of the hearing aid. 2 / week. Summary of the invention

[0008] Hearing aids

[0009] The present invention relates to electrical connectors, and more particularly to charge contacts in hearing instruments and consumer electronic devices that remain intact in harsh abrasive and corrosive environments.

[0010] In one aspect of the present application, a hearing aid is disclosed. The hearing aid includes a processing unit, a battery unit, and a charge contact. The charge contact includes a metal element. The metal element may be configured to provide electrical conduction. The charge contact also includes a coating. The coating may at least partially cover the metal element. The coating includes a first layer. The first layer is at least partially located on the metal element. The first layer includes gold. The coating includes a second layer. The second layer is at least partially located on the first layer. The second layer includes palladium.

[0011] Embodiments of a charge contact are also disclosed herein. The charge contact includes a metal element. The metal element may be configured to provide electrical conduction. The metal element is at least partially covered by a coating. The coating includes a first layer. The first layer is at least partially located on the metal element. The first layer includes gold. The coating includes a second layer. The second layer is at least partially located on the first layer. The second layer includes palladium.

[0012] Advantageously, the hearing aids disclosed herein with charge contacts can significantly increase the life of the charge contacts, and thus the life of the hearing aids themselves. Specifically, embodiments of the hearing aids disclosed herein can have improved corrosion performance and wear performance, both of which are known problems in the art. Furthermore, no thick gold layer is required to achieve these performances, thereby reducing the cost and size of the hearing aid.

[0013] Advantageously, the hearing aid embodiments disclosed herein allow for a simple soldering process. For example, the use of palladium stabilizes the tin travel in the soldering furnace, thereby increasing solder joint strength.

[0014] Advantageously, the hearing aid embodiments disclosed herein avoid the use of nickel, thereby improving the health of those using the hearing aids.

[0015] A hearing aid may include a charge contact. A hearing aid may include multiple charge contacts. Charge contacts may also be referred to as electrical contacts, electrical contacts, etc. The charge contacts may be configured to provide electrical conduction. For example, the charge contacts may enable electricity (current) (e.g., electrical energy, energy) to pass through the charge contacts. The charge contacts may be conductive contacts. The charge contacts may be used in one or more components of a hearing aid, for example, to supply power and / or provide electrical energy to these components.

[0016] The charge contacts may be configured to be exposed to a voltage of 4-6 V. The charge contacts may be configured to be continuously exposed to a voltage of 4-6 V. The charge contacts may be configured to be exposed to a voltage for a USB-C connection.

[0017] The charge contact may be an inwardly facing charge contact of the hearing aid. The charge contact may be an outwardly facing charge contact of the hearing aid.

[0018] The charge contact may comprise a metal element (eg a metal piece, a metal layer, a metal unit), which may be configured to provide electrical conduction. The charge contact may be any element of the hearing aid configured to provide electrical conduction.

[0019] In one or more example hearing aids, the metal element comprises a charging interface. In one or more example hearing aids, the metal element comprises a welding interface. In one or more example hearing aids, the metal element may be a charging interface and a welding interface.

[0020] A charging interface may be understood as being configured to contact a charging device. A soldering interface may be understood as being configured to contact a substrate, such as a circuit board, such as a printed circuit board.

[0021] The metal element may be a metal interface. The metal element may be a metal protrusion.

[0022] The metal element may be steel. In one or more example hearing aids, the metal element may be stainless steel. In one or more example hearing aids, the stainless steel is type 316 stainless steel (e.g., A4 stainless steel, marine grade stainless steel). Type 316 stainless steel may include iron, chromium (16–18%), nickel (10–12%), molybdenum (2–3%), up to 2% manganese, and may also contain small amounts (<1%) of silicon, phosphorus, and sulfur. The metal element may be titanium and / or a titanium alloy. The metal element may be copper and / or a copper alloy. The metal element may be brass.

[0023] Advantageously, the metal element can provide a rigid element that is resistant to deformation. For example, the metal element can be a cold-formed part such as cold-formed stainless steel. In some embodiments, the metal element can reduce the risk of any loosening due to local deformation of the metal element.

[0024] The charge contact may also include a coating. The coating may at least partially cover (e.g., coat, overlay, or be located on) the metal element. The coating may completely cover the metal element. The coating may completely cover an exposed surface (e.g., an outer surface) of the metal element. For example, the metal element may be connected to a substrate, and the coating may cover portions of the metal element that are not in contact with the substrate. In some examples, the coating may not contain nickel.

[0025] In one or more example hearing aids, the coating may at least partially cover the charging interface and / or the welding interface.

[0026] In one or more example hearing aids, the coating may be formed of two layers (e.g., a second layer and a first layer). The first layer may also be referred to as a corrosion-resistant layer. The second layer may also be referred to as a hard layer. The two layers of the coating may contact each other at an interface between the two layers. The coating may be formed of multiple layers. In one or more example hearing aids, the coating may be formed of only two layers (e.g., a first layer and a second layer).

[0027] The coating may include a first layer. The first layer may be at least partially located on the metal element (e.g., coated on the metal element, draped over the metal element, covering the metal element). The first layer may be in contact with the metal element (e.g., in direct contact). For example, there may be no additional material between the first layer and the metal element.

[0028] In one or more example hearing aids, the first layer completely covers the metal element. In other words, the first layer can completely cover the exposed outer surface of the metal element.

[0029] The first layer may include gold. The first layer may be a gold layer. The first layer may be a gold alloy layer. The first layer may be an acid etched gold layer. The first layer may have a hardness of HV 180-220 MPa. The first layer may be a pure gold layer with few impurities. The first layer may be 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99% gold. The first layer may be greater than 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99% gold. The first layer may be greater than 99.0, 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4, 99.5, 99.6, 99.7, 99.8 or 99.9% gold. The first layer may include another metal, for example, to harden. For example, the first layer may be gold with one or more of cobalt, silver and cadmium.

[0030] The coating may include a second layer. The second layer may be at least partially located on the first layer (e.g., coated on the first layer, overlaid on the first layer, covering the first layer). The second layer may be in contact with the first layer (e.g., in direct contact). For example, there is no additional material between the second layer and the first layer. The second layer may be considered an outer layer of a charge contact. For example, no additional layers are located on the second layer.

[0031] In one or more example hearing aids, the second layer completely covers the first layer. In other words, the second layer completely covers the exposed outer surface of the first layer.

[0032] The second layer may include palladium. The second layer may be a palladium layer. In one or more example hearing aids, the second layer may be pure palladium. The second layer may be pure palladium with few impurities. The second layer may be 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% palladium. The second layer may be greater than 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% palladium. The second layer may have a hardness of HV 400-600 MPa.

[0033] In one or more examples, the hardness of the second layer is at least twice the hardness of the first layer. This is in contrast to many applications where gold (e.g., of the first layer) is placed as an outer layer to provide low resistance, but increases the risk of removal and / or damage to the plating during application. The hearing aid disclosed herein uses a second layer comprising palladium as an outer layer.

[0034] The second layer may have a greater hardness than the first layer. The second layer may have a greater hardness than the metal element. Advantageously, the second layer ensures high wear resistance while leaving the first layer intact.

[0035] Having the first layer reduces and / or eliminates the risk of cracking typical in palladium plating, since the underlying layer is more noble than the upper layer and thus drives corrosion behavior. Furthermore, the second layer mechanically and electrochemically protects the first layer. The second layer reduces and / or eliminates the risk of scratches and / or damage to the first layer. Furthermore, the only slight difference in electrical potential between the first and second layers means that the first layer will not be affected in harsh environments.

[0036] Galvanic corrosion (dissimilar metal corrosion) is an electrochemical process in which one metal corrodes preferentially when in electrical contact with a different type of metal and both metals are immersed in an electrolyte such as water.

[0037] The first layer can be chemically protected by the second layer. However, both have similar reduction potentials (Au 0.926 volts - Pd. 0.915 volts). This means that if sacrifice is sometimes necessary, the second layer is sacrificed. However, due to the similar potential difference, the rate is significantly lower compared to other combinations such as brass-nickel-Au.

[0038] In one or more example hearing aids, the coating does not include nickel. For example, the coating does not include nickel and / or any nickel alloy. In other words, the second layer does not include nickel and the first layer does not include nickel. The coating may be a nickel-free coating.

[0039] In one or more example hearing aids, the thickness of the second layer is greater than the thickness of the first layer. For example, the second layer may be twice as thick as the first layer. Thickness may be understood as the average thickness of a particular layer (e.g., the second layer or the first layer). Thickness may be understood as the distance between the outer surface and the inner surface of a particular layer (e.g., the second layer or the first layer).

[0040] For example, the thickness of the first layer can be understood as the average distance between where the first layer contacts the metal element and where the first layer contacts the second layer. For example, the thickness of the second layer can be understood as the average distance between where the second layer contacts the first layer and the outer surface of the second layer.

[0041] In one or more example hearing aids, the first layer has a thickness of 0.1-0.5 μm. In one or more example hearing aids, the first layer has a thickness between 0.14 and 0.26 μm. The first layer may have a thickness of 0.2+ / -0.06 μm.

[0042] In one or more example hearing aids, the second layer has a thickness of 0.5-1.0 μm. In one or more example hearing aids, the second layer has a thickness of 0.5-0.8 μm. The second layer may have a thickness of 0.65+ / -0.15 μm.

[0043] In one or more example hearing aids, the coating has a thickness of 0.8-0.9 μm. The coating may have a thickness of 0.75-1.5 μm. The coating may have a thickness of 0.85 μm.

[0044] As described above, thicknesses between two values ​​include the endpoints. For example, a thickness of 0.5-0.8 μm includes 0.5 μm and 0.8 μm. In addition, the thickness of the corresponding layer and / or coating may vary.

[0045] In some examples, the first layer may be an intermediate layer. In other words, the first layer is located between the metal element and the second layer. The first layer provides low electrical resistance while maintaining high corrosion resistance.

[0046] A charge contact of a hearing aid may have improved corrosion resistance. In one or more example hearing aids, the charge contact has at least 6 years of corrosion performance under ASTM B799-95 without degradation. In one or more example hearing aids, the charge contact has 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 years of corrosion performance under ASTM B799-95 without degradation. The charge contact may have corrosion performance equivalent to a 4.0 μm thick standard gold plating.

[0047] In one or more example hearing aids, the first layer is plated on the metal element. In one or more example hearing aids, the second layer is plated on the first layer. In one or more example hearing aids, the first layer is plated on the metal element and / or the second layer is plated on the first layer. The first layer and / or the second layer may be electroplated. Other methods of applying the first layer and / or the second layer may also be used. The first layer and / or the second layer are configured to be plated. The first layer and / or the second layer are configured to be electroplated.

[0048] The hearing aid disclosed herein can facilitate soldering. Gold (found in the first layer) is very good at wetting during soldering, for example, tin can be easily tinned. In addition, gold reacts violently, which is a positive aspect when manually soldering. However, in the surface mount technology (SMT) process, the furnace needs to last longer, causing the tin to travel beyond the soldering interface. This will result in weaker solder joints because the tin percentage at the joint is reduced. This will also increase tolerances due to tin travel variations. In contrast, the second layer including palladium provides good wetting, resulting in a stable tin travel in the soldering furnace, which in turn leads to higher solder joint strength. This can be attributed to the much lower dissolution rate of palladium (e.g. in the second layer) in lead-free soldering compared to gold (e.g. in the corrosion-resistant layer).

[0049] The hearing aid may comprise a processing unit.The processing unit may be configured to process a signal, eg a signal received via the input unit, thereby providing a signal to be output via the output unit.

[0050] The hearing aid may include a battery unit (eg, a battery). The battery unit may be configured to provide power to one or more components of the hearing aid.

[0051] The hearing aid may comprise a hearing aid housing.The hearing aid housing may be configured to hold a processing unit, a battery unit, and one or more charge contacts according to the invention.

[0052] Also disclosed herein is an electronic device comprising a charge contact according to the present invention.

[0053] The hearing aid may be adapted to provide frequency dependent gain and / or level dependent compression and / or frequency transposition of one or more frequency ranges to one or more other frequency ranges (with or without frequency compression) to compensate for the hearing impairment of the user. The hearing aid may comprise a processing unit for enhancing an input signal and providing a processed output signal.

[0054] The hearing aid may comprise an output unit for providing a stimulus perceived by the user as an acoustic signal based on the processed electrical signal. The output unit may comprise a plurality of electrodes of a cochlear implant (for a CI type hearing aid) or a vibrator of a bone conduction hearing aid. The output unit may comprise an output transducer. The output transducer may comprise a receiver (speaker) for providing the stimulus as an acoustic signal to the user (e.g. in an acoustic (air conduction based) hearing aid). The output transducer may comprise a vibrator for providing the stimulus as a mechanical vibration of the skull to the user (e.g. in a bone attached or bone anchored hearing aid). The output unit may (in addition or as an alternative) comprise a (e.g. wireless) transmitter for transmitting the sound picked up by the hearing aid (e.g. via a network, e.g. in a telephone operating mode, or in a headset configuration) to another device such as a remote communication partner.

[0055] The hearing aid may comprise an input unit for providing an electrical input signal representing a sound. The input unit may comprise an input transducer such as a microphone for converting the input sound into the electrical input signal. The input unit may comprise a wireless receiver for receiving a wireless signal comprising or representing a sound and providing the electrical input signal representing the sound.

[0056] The hearing aid may comprise an antenna and a transceiver circuit which enables a wireless link to be established to an entertainment device (e.g. a television), a communication device (e.g. a telephone), a wireless microphone, a separate (external) processing device, or another hearing aid, etc. The hearing aid may thus be configured to wirelessly receive a direct electrical input signal from another device. Similarly, the hearing aid may be configured to wirelessly transmit a direct electrical output signal to another device. The direct electrical input or output signal may represent or comprise an audio signal and / or a control signal and / or an information signal.

[0057] The hearing aid may consist of or may form part of a portable (i.e. configured to be wearable) device, e.g. a device comprising a local energy source such as a battery cell, a battery, a rechargeable battery. The hearing aid may for example be a low weight, easily wearable device, e.g. having a total weight of less than 100 g, such as less than 20 g, e.g. less than 5 g.

[0058] The hearing aid may include a plurality of detectors configured to provide status signals related to the current network environment of the hearing aid (e.g., the current acoustic environment), and / or to the current state of a user wearing the hearing aid, and / or to the current state or operating mode of the hearing aid. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the detectors may form part of an external device that communicates with the hearing aid (e.g., wirelessly). The external device may, for example, include another hearing aid, a remote control, an audio transmission device, a phone (e.g., a smartphone), an external sensor, etc.

[0059] The hearing aid may also include other appropriate functions for the application in question, such as compression, noise reduction, etc.

[0060] A hearing aid may comprise a hearing instrument, such as a hearing instrument adapted to be located at the user's ear or fully or partially in the ear canal, such as a headset, an earphone, an ear protection device or a combination thereof. A hearing system may comprise a loudspeaker amplifier (comprising a plurality of input transducers (such as a microphone array) and a plurality of output transducers, such as one or more loudspeakers, and one or more audio (and possibly video) transmitters, such as for use in an audio conferencing situation), such as comprising a beamformer filter unit, such as providing a plurality of beamforming capabilities.

[0061] method

[0062] In one aspect, a method of manufacturing a hearing aid including a charge contact is disclosed. The method may include forming a metal element configured to provide electrical conduction. The method may include applying a first layer at least partially on the metal element, wherein the first layer includes gold. The method includes applying a second layer at least partially on the first layer, wherein the second layer includes palladium.

[0063] In one or more example methods, applying the first layer includes plating the first layer. In one or more example methods, applying the second layer includes plating the second layer.

[0064] In one or more example methods, applying the first layer includes electroplating the first layer. In one or more example methods, applying the second layer includes electroplating the second layer.

[0065] When appropriately replaced by corresponding processes, some or all structural features of the hearing aid and / or charge contact described above, described in detail in the "Detailed Description of the Invention" or defined in the claims may be combined with the implementation of the method, and vice versa. The implementation of the method has the same advantages as the corresponding hearing aid and / or charge contact.

[0066] definition

[0067] In this specification, a hearing aid, such as a hearing instrument, refers to a device suitable for improving, enhancing and / or protecting the hearing ability of a user by receiving an acoustic signal from the user's environment, generating a corresponding audio signal, possibly modifying the audio signal, and providing the possibly modified audio signal as an audible signal to at least one ear of the user. The audible signal may be provided, for example, in the form of an acoustic signal radiated into the user's outer ear, an acoustic signal transmitted to the user's inner ear as mechanical vibrations through the bone structure of the user's head and / or through parts of the middle ear, and an electrical signal transmitted directly or indirectly to the user's cochlear nerve.

[0068] The hearing aid may be configured to be worn in any known manner, such as as a unit worn behind the ear (with a tube directing the radiated acoustic signal into the ear canal or with an output transducer such as a loudspeaker arranged close to or in the ear canal), as a unit arranged wholly or partly in the auricle and / or ear canal, as a unit connected to a fixed structure implanted in the skull, such as a vibrator, or as a connectable or wholly or partly implanted unit, etc. The hearing aid may comprise a single unit or several units that communicate with each other (e.g. acoustically, electrically or optically). The loudspeaker may be arranged in a housing together with the other components of the hearing aid, or it may itself be an external unit (possibly in combination with a flexible guiding element such as a dome-shaped element).

[0069] The hearing aid may be adapted to the needs of a specific user, such as hearing loss. The configurable signal processing circuit of the hearing aid may be adapted to apply frequency- and level-dependent compression amplification of the input signal. The customized frequency- and level-dependent gain (amplification or compression) may be determined during the fitting process by the fitting system based on the user's hearing data, such as an audiogram, using the basic principles of fitting (e.g. adaptation to speech). The frequency- and level-dependent gain may, for example, be embodied in a processing parameter, uploaded to the hearing aid, for example, via an interface to a programming device (fitting system), and used by a processing algorithm executed by the configurable signal processing circuit of the hearing aid. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] Various aspects of the present invention will be best understood from the detailed description below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the drawings are schematic and simplified, and only the details necessary for understanding the present invention are given, while other details are omitted. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals are used for the same 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 illustrated in conjunction with the following figures, in which:

[0071] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an example of a hearing aid having a charge contact according to the invention;

[0072] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a hearing aid having a charge contact according to the invention;

[0073] Figure 3 A graph showing the travel of tin in a gold plated part during soldering and the effect on solder joint strength;

[0074] Figure 4 Shown are the corrosion performance of gold (left), nickel / gold (center), and gold / palladium according to the present invention;

[0075] Figure 5 The complete progress of the coating under the sulfur test is shown;

[0076] Figure 6 A method for manufacturing a hearing aid according to the present invention is shown;

[0077] Figure 7 An example of a hearing aid according to the invention is shown.

[0078] By the detailed description given below, the further scope of application of the present invention will be apparent. However, it should be understood that while the detailed description and specific examples show the preferred embodiments of the present invention, they are only provided for illustrative purposes. For those skilled in the art, based on the following detailed description, other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0079] The detailed description proposed below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings serves as a description of a variety of different configurations. The detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of a number of different concepts. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be implemented without these specific details. Several aspects of the apparatus and method are described by a number of different blocks, functional units, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). Depending on the specific application, design limitations or other reasons, these elements can be implemented using electronic hardware, computer programs or any combination thereof.

[0080] The electronic hardware may include microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), (e.g., application specific) integrated circuits, microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), gating logic, discrete hardware circuits, printed circuit boards (PCBs) (e.g., flexible PCBs), and other appropriate hardware configured to perform a number of different functions described in this specification, such as sensors for sensing and / or recording physical properties of the environment, equipment, users, etc. Computer programs shall be broadly construed as instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0081] The present application relates to the field of hearing aids.

[0082] Figure 1 A hearing aid (eg Figure 7 Specifically, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a charge contact 100 included in a hearing aid is shown. The charge contact 100 may be used for any number of components that use electrical signals.

[0083] The charge contact 100 may include a metal element 102 configured to provide electrical conduction. In addition, the charge contact 100 may include a coating 104 at least partially covering the metal element 102. The coating 104 includes a first layer 106 at least partially located on the metal element 102, wherein the first layer 106 includes gold. The first layer 106 may be understood as a gold layer. The coating also includes a second layer 108 at least partially located on the first layer 106, wherein the second layer 108 includes palladium. The second layer 108 may be understood as a palladium layer. The second layer 108 may be pure palladium.

[0084] like Figure 1As shown in FIG. 1 , first layer 106 is located between metal element 102 and second layer 108. Corrosion layer 106 may be used as an intermediate layer, with second layer 108 being a top layer.

[0085] like Figure 1 As shown in , the second layer 108 may have a thickness greater than that of the first layer 106. The first layer 106 may have a thickness of 0.1-0.5 μm, preferably 0.14 to 0.26 μm. The second layer 108 may have a thickness of 0.5-1.0 μm, preferably 0.5-0.8 μm. The coating 104 may have a thickness of 0.8-0.9 μm.

[0086] Advantageously, the coating 104 may not include nickel so that nickel release is not a concern.

[0087] The first layer 106 may be electroplated on the metal element 102 and / or the second layer 108 may be electroplated on the first layer 106 .

[0088] Figure 1 Also shown is a thickness 110 of the first layer 106 and a thickness 112 of the second layer.

[0089] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a hearing aid having a charge contact according to the present invention is shown. The charge contact 200 may include Figure 1 Any and / or all features of the charge contact 100. The charge contact 200 may be covered with a coating 206, which may include Figure 1 Any and / or all features of the coating 104. The metal element 201 may include Figure 1 Any and / or all features of the metal element 102.

[0090] The metal element 201 may be stainless steel, such as type 316 stainless steel. The metal element 201 may include a charging interface 204. The metal element 201 may include a welding interface 202.

[0091] As shown, the coating 206 completely covers the metal component 201 (eg, the charging interface 204 and the welding interface 202). In other words, the first layer of the coating 206 completely covers the metal component 201. In addition, the second layer of the coating 206 completely covers the first layer.

[0092] Figure 3 Graphs showing the travel of tin in the gold plated portion during soldering and the effect on solder joint strength. Bar graph 301 shows Au 0.45-solder paste 80% reflow. Bar graph 302 shows Au 0.45-solder paste 125% reflow. Bar graph 303 shows Pd 0.45-solder paste 80% reflow. Bar graph 304 shows Pd 0.45-solder paste 125% reflow. As shown in the graphs, the use of palladium greatly increases the shear strength of the solder joint.

[0093] Figure 4 The corrosion performance of gold (left), nickel / gold (middle), and gold / palladium according to the present invention is shown. As shown, the gold / palladium metal component has much less corrosion than the other coated metal components.

[0094] Figure 5 The progress of coating integrity under sulfur testing is shown. Specifically, the samples shown were tested continuously for 4 hours and 9 hours under the conditions of ASTM B799-95. The results show that the Ni / Au and Ni / Pd coatings disintegrated, while the Au / Pd remained highly intact.

[0095] Figure 6 A method 600 of manufacturing a hearing aid including a charge contact according to the present invention is shown. The method 600 includes step 602 of forming a metal element configured to provide electrical conduction. The method 600 includes step 604 of applying a first layer at least partially on the metal element, wherein the first layer includes gold. The method 600 includes step 606 of applying a second layer at least partially on the gold layer, wherein the second layer includes palladium.

[0096] As used herein, the step 602 of forming a metal element may include connecting / attaching the metal element, for example, connecting / attaching the metal element to a substrate of a hearing aid. The step 602 of forming may include welding the metal element.

[0097] Applying the first layer 604 may include plating. Applying the first layer 604 may include electroplating.

[0098] Applying the second layer 606 may include plating. Applying the second layer 606 may include electroplating.

[0099] Figure 7 An example of a hearing aid according to the present invention is shown. As shown, the hearing aid 700 includes a hearing aid housing 714. The hearing aid 700 is configured to be worn behind the ear of a user and includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) portion 702 and an in-the-ear portion 704. The behind-the-ear portion 702 is connected to the in-the-ear portion 704 via a connecting element 706. However, the hearing aid 700 can be configured in other ways, such as as a completely in-the-ear hearing aid.

[0100] exist Figure 7 In the hearing aid embodiment of the present invention, the behind-the-ear portion 702 includes an input unit 710, which includes an input transducer (e.g., a microphone) for providing an electrical input audio signal representing an input sound. The input unit also includes a wireless receiver 712 (or transceiver) for providing directly received auxiliary audio and / or control input signals (and / or enabling the transmission of audio and / or control signals to other devices such as another hearing aid, or a remote control, or a processing device, or a telephone).

[0101] The hearing aid 700 comprises a number of electronic components, such as a memory 714 which stores, for example, different hearing aid programs (e.g. defining parameter settings of these programs, or parameters of algorithms) and / or hearing aid configurations such as input source combinations, which are optimized for a number of different listening situations.

[0102] The hearing aid 700 further comprises a processing unit 716, such as a configurable signal processor (DSP, e.g. a digital (audio) signal processor), e.g. comprising a processor for applying frequency and level dependent gain, e.g. to provide hearing loss compensation, beamforming, noise reduction, filter bank functionality, and other digital functions of the hearing device. The processing unit 716 is adapted to access the memory 714. The processing unit 716 is further configured to process one or more electrical input audio signals and / or one or more directly received auxiliary audio input signals based on a currently selected (activated) hearing aid program / parameter setting (e.g. either automatically selected, or selected based on one or more sensors, or based on input from a user interface).

[0103] The hearing aid 700 further comprises an output unit 718 (eg an output transducer) which provides stimuli perceivable as sounds by the user based on the processed audio signal from the processor or a signal derived therefrom.

[0104] The hearing aid 700 may further include a battery unit 720 , for example for providing electrical energy to one or more components of the hearing aid 700 .

[0105] The above description is provided for only some specific elements of the hearing aid 700. One or more of the elements 710, 712, 714, 716, 718, 720 and / or other elements may include a charge contact as disclosed herein.

[0106] The structural features of the apparatus described above, described in detail in the “Detailed Description of the Invention” and defined in the claims may be combined with the steps of the method of the present invention when appropriately replaced by corresponding processes.

[0107] Unless expressly stated, the singular forms "one", "the" used herein include the plural form (i.e., have the meaning of "at least one"). It should be further understood that the terms "having", "including" and / or "comprising" used in the specification indicate the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or combinations thereof. It should be understood that, unless expressly stated, when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be an intermediate intervening element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more listed related items. Unless expressly stated, the steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed.

[0108] It should be appreciated that reference to "an embodiment" or "embodiment" or "aspect" or features that "may" include in this specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the specific features, structures or characteristics may be appropriately combined in one or more embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement the various aspects described herein. Various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0109] The claims are not limited to the various aspects shown herein, but rather have the full scope consistent with the claim language wherein, unless expressly stated otherwise, elements referred to in the singular do not mean "one and only one" but rather "one or more." Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term "some" means one or more.

Claims

1. A hearing aid comprising a hearing aid housing, the hearing aid housing comprising a processing unit, a battery unit, and a charge contact, wherein the charge contact comprises: a metallic element configured to provide electrical conduction; and A coating at least partially covering a metal element, the coating comprising - a first layer at least partially located on the metal element, wherein the first layer comprises gold; - a second layer at least partially located on the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises palladium.

2. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein: The metal element is stainless steel.

3. The hearing aid according to claim 2, wherein: The stainless steel is 316 type stainless steel.

4. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein: The thickness of the second layer is greater than the thickness of the first layer.

5. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein: The first layer has a thickness of 0.1-0.5 μm.

6. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein: The second layer has a thickness of 0.5-1.0 μm.

7. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein: The coating had a thickness of 0.8-0.9 μm.

8. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein: The second layer is pure palladium.

9. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein: The coating does not include nickel.

10. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein: The first layer completely covers the metal element.

11. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein: The second layer completely covers the first layer.

12. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein: The metal components include the charging port.

13. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein: The charge contacts have corrosion performance to ASTM B799-95 for at least 6 years without degradation.

14. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein: The first layer is plated on the metal element, and / or the second layer is plated on the first layer.

15. A method of manufacturing a hearing aid comprising a charge contact, the method comprising: forming a metallic element configured to provide electrical conduction; applying a first layer at least partially over the metal element, wherein the first layer comprises gold; and A second layer is applied at least partially over the first layer, wherein the second layer comprises palladium.

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