Hearing device with receiver shock protection

Abstract

The present invention provides a hearing device with receiver shock protection, the hearing device comprising: a housing comprising a frame and a housing; and a receiver disposed within the housing, where the housing and the receiver form at least part of a first mass spring system having a first resonant frequency, and where the housing and the receiver form at least part of a second mass spring system having a second resonant frequency greater than 10 kHz.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to shock protection for a hearing device, in particular to a hearing device comprising a housing having a frame and a shell, and a receiver arranged in the housing. Background Art

[0002] Protecting the components of hearing devices, such as behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing devices, from impact damage is a challenge. For example, a user of a hearing device may drop the hearing device when removing or putting it on. Alternatively, the hearing device may fall out of the ear or even be impacted while the user is wearing it. These situations may expose the hearing device to force peaks, which may cause potential damage to the external and / or internal components of the hearing aid.

[0003] Many hearing devices include a receiver as an internal component that may become damaged when the hearing device strikes and / or is struck by objects and / or surfaces.

[0004] The condition of the receiver is critical to the quality of the audio output of the hearing device, so the receiver needs to be protected from shock. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, there exists a need for a hearing device and method having improved shock protection for the hearing device and its components.

[0006] The present invention discloses a hearing device. The hearing device comprises a housing, the housing comprising a frame and a shell, and the hearing device comprises a receiver arranged in the housing. The housing and the receiver optionally form at least a part of a first mass-spring system having a first resonant frequency. The housing and the receiver optionally form at least a part of a second mass-spring system having a second resonant frequency (e.g., greater than 10 kHz).

[0007] The invention has the advantage that the hearing device reduces the risk of damage to the receiver due to impact and enables the receiver to be mounted in other ways, for example, while providing shock protection. That is, the invention provides a hearing device that is reliable, robust and equipped with shock protection (e.g., able to withstand impact).

[0008] That is, the disclosed hearing device includes one or more components, such as a frame, a housing, a damping element and / or a foam pad, which are configured, for example by geometry and / or material, to extend the impact period so that the receiver can be shock-protected from forces generated, such as when the hearing device impacts a surface when dropped.

[0009] In addition, the present invention can protect the receiver of the hearing device from damage caused by impact while maintaining an acceptable resonance level in the hearing device. That is, the hearing device can improve the shock protection of the receiver without sacrificing the quality of the audio signal provided by the audio device.

[0010] In addition, the hearing device can achieve shock protection without increasing the size of the hearing device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art through the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 An exemplary hearing device according to the present invention is shown;

[0013] Figure 2A-2B showing one or more damping elements of an exemplary hearing device according to the present invention;

[0014] Figure 3A-3B One or more foam pads of an exemplary hearing device are shown;

[0015] Figure 4 showing an exemplary hearing device of a first user;

[0016] Figure 5A showing a portion of an exemplary first mass-spring system and a corresponding hearing device;

[0017] Figure 5B An exemplary second mass-spring system is shown;

[0018] Figure 6A-6B a graph showing the velocity and associated acceleration measured from drop tests on six hearing devices; and

[0019] Figure 7 Shown is a hearing device with a receiver in an ITE housing.

[0020] List of reference numerals:

[0021] 1-4: Hearing equipment

[0022] 1A: Hearing Devices

[0023] 6: Shell

[0024] 8: Tube or wire

[0025] 10: Receiver

[0026] 11: Direction

[0027] 12: Microphone

[0028] 13: Region

[0029] 16: Surface

[0030] 19: Human skin surface

[0031] 20: Framework

[0032] 30: Shell

[0033] 31: Attachment point

[0034] 32: One or more damping elements

[0035] 34: One or more foam pads

[0036] 36: One or more damping elements

[0037] 45: Battery

[0038] 60: Mass block

[0039] 62: Spring

[0040] 63: Spring

[0041] 64: Spring

[0042] 65: Mass

[0043] 70: Graph

[0044] 80: Graph. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Various exemplary embodiments and details will be described below with reference to the relevant drawings. It should be noted that these drawings may not be drawn to scale, and that elements with similar structures or functions are represented by similar reference numerals throughout the drawings. It should also be noted that the drawings are intended only to facilitate the description of the embodiments and are not intended to be an exhaustive description of the invention or to limit the scope of the invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment does not necessarily have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage associated with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment, and may be implemented in any other embodiment even if not shown or explicitly described in other embodiments.

[0046] The present invention discloses a hearing device. The hearing device may be configured to be worn on an ear of a user and may be a hearable device or a hearing aid, wherein a processor may be configured to compensate for a hearing loss of the user. For example, the hearing device may be a hearing device comprising a hard-mounted receiver. For example, a hard-mounted receiver may be considered as a receiver fixed to a frame of the hearing device. For example, a hard-mounted receiver may be configured to be not easily removed and / or disassembled from the frame of the hearing device. A hard-mounted receiver may be considered as a receiver having no or minimal mechanical decoupling when the receiver is attached to or mounted to the frame.

[0047] That is, the hard mount receiver can be considered to be firmly attached to the frame of the hearing device. Such a hard mount receiver can be mounted on the frame by reliable mechanical means, such as by any one or a combination of snap connections, crimping, 2k molding and adhesives.

[0048] In some embodiments, the hearing device may be an earplug, a headset, a hearing aid, or the like.

[0049] The hearing device may be a behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), receiver-in-the-canal (RIC), receiver-in-the-ear (RITE), or microphone-and-receiver-in-the-ear (MaRIE) hearing aid. The hearing device may be a binaural hearing aid in a binaural hearing system. The binaural hearing system may include a first hearing aid and a second hearing aid, wherein the first hearing aid and / or the second hearing aid may be the hearing device disclosed in the present invention.

[0050] The hearing device can be configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more devices, such as another hearing device (e.g., as part of a binaural hearing system) and / or with one or more accessory devices (e.g., a smartphone and / or a smartwatch). The hearing device optionally includes an antenna for converting one or more wireless input signals (e.g., a first wireless input signal and / or a second wireless input signal) into an antenna output signal. The wireless input signal can come from an external source, such as a spouse microphone device, a wireless television audio transmitter, and / or a distributed microphone array associated with a wireless transmitter. The wireless input signal can come from another hearing device (e.g., as part of a binaural hearing system) and / or from one or more accessory devices.

[0051] The hearing device optionally comprises a radio transceiver coupled to the antenna for converting the antenna output signal into a transceiver input signal. Wireless signals from different external sources may be multiplexed in the radio transceiver into one transceiver input signal or provided as separate transceiver input signals at different transceiver outputs of the radio transceiver. The hearing device may comprise a plurality of antennas and / or an antenna which may be configured to operate in one or more antenna modes. The transceiver input signal optionally comprises a first transceiver input signal representing a first wireless signal from a first external source.

[0052] The hearing device includes a group of microphones. The microphone group may include one or more microphones. The microphone group includes a first microphone for providing a first microphone input signal and / or a second microphone for providing a second microphone input signal. The microphone group may include N microphones to provide N microphone signals, where N is an integer between 1 and 10. In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the number of microphones N is two, three, four, five or more. The microphone group may include a third microphone for providing a third microphone input signal.

[0053] The hearing device comprises a processor for processing an input signal, for example, a preprocessed transceiver input signal and / or a preprocessed microphone input signal. The processor provides an electrical output signal to the processor based on the input signal. The input of the processor is optionally connected to a corresponding output of the preprocessing unit. For example, the transceiver input of the processor can be connected to the transceiver output of the preprocessing unit. One or more microphone inputs of the processor can be connected to one or more microphone outputs of the preprocessing unit.

[0054] It is important to note that descriptions and features of a hearing device functionality, such as a hearing device configured for a certain purpose, also apply to a method and vice versa. For example, a description of a hearing device configured to perform a determination also applies to a method, such as a method of operating a hearing device, wherein the method includes performing a determination, and vice versa.

[0055] The hearing device comprises a housing, which consists of a frame and a shell. The shell may be a behind-the-ear shell or an in-the-ear shell. The shell may be a multi-part shell. At least part of the shell part may be attached to the frame by, for example, snap connection, crimping, 2k molding or glue / adhesive or a combination thereof.

[0056] The housing of a hearing device may be considered as an outer shell of the hearing device. That is, the housing may be at least a portion of a shell (eg a protective shell) which partially and / or completely encloses internal components of the hearing device, such as a receiver and / or a frame.

[0057] The frame may be considered as at least a part or chassis of the hearing device, which is configured for attaching and / or fixing components of the hearing device. The components of the hearing device may optionally include one or more of a receiver, a microphone, a battery, a battery door, a processor, a printed circuit board (PCB), etc., and may be mounted on the frame, for example.

[0058] The hearing device comprises a receiver arranged in a housing. The receiver may be attached to the frame. The housing and the receiver optionally form at least part of a first mass-spring system having a first resonant frequency.

[0059] The housing may be deformable, such as elastically deformable.For example, the housing and / or the frame of the hearing device may be deformable, such as compressible and / or elastically deformable.

[0060] In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the housing (e.g., shell and / or frame) comprises a material having a Young's modulus of less than 500 MPa. The housing of the hearing device may comprise or be made of a plastic having a Young's modulus of, for example, less than 500 MPa. In some embodiments, the housing of the hearing device comprises an elastomer, such as a thermoplastic elastomer. The housing may comprise an elastomer having a Young's modulus of less than 500 MPa. For example, the housing (e.g., frame and / or shell) may comprise or be made of Pebax 5533. Using a deformable material in the housing of a hearing device may improve shock protection of a hearing device receiver.

[0061] The shell material can achieve an increase in compression time when the hearing device impacts a surface (e.g., in a first user scenario). Therefore, the disclosed shell can correspondingly reduce the acceleration of the hearing device when it impacts a surface, thereby reducing the force (e.g., impact) experienced by the receiver.

[0062] The shell may include or be made of a material having a Young's modulus of less than 500 MPa (e.g., less than 300 MPa). In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the shell includes or is made of a material such as an elastomer having a Young's modulus in the range of 120 MPa to 180 MPa. The shell, e.g., the first shell part and / or the second shell part, has an outer surface forming at least a part of an outer surface of the hearing device.

[0063] The receiver can be attached to a frame of the hearing device. In one or more exemplary hearing devices, a receiver housing of the receiver is hard mounted to the frame. For example, the receiver includes a receiver housing. For example, the receiver housing of the receiver can be considered as an outer shell of the receiver. That is, the receiver can be fixed to the frame by the receiver housing. The frame can include or be made of a material having a Young's modulus of less than 500 MPa (for example, less than 300 MPa). In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the frame includes or is made of a material such as an elastomer having a Young's modulus in the range of 120 MPa to 180 MPa. The frame can have an outer surface that forms at least a portion of an outer surface of the hearing device.

[0064] In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the hearing device may be configured to provide shock protection from any angle. That is, when an external force is applied to any point on the outer surface of the hearing device, such as when the hearing device is dropped onto a surface, the hearing device may be configured to provide shock protection at that point, such as the top, bottom, side, etc. For example, Figure 4 and Figure 5A As shown in area 13 of , when the hearing device is dropped so that one side of the hearing device hits a surface, the housing may deform, for example, elastically deform, to reduce the impact force on the components attached to the frame of the hearing device. In some embodiments, the housing (e.g., shell and / or frame) can be considered to absorb the impact force by deformation of the housing (e.g., by deformation of the shell and / or frame).

[0065] The first mass-spring system may be modeled for and / or associated with a first user scenario. The first mass-spring system may be considered as a model indicating characteristics and / or properties of a hearing device in a first user scenario, such as characteristics and / or properties of a hearing device when the hearing device (e.g., a housing) impacts a surface. The first mass-spring system, for example, comprises a mass and a spring. For example, the mass corresponds to a mass of the receiver. For example, the spring corresponds to an effective deformable portion of the housing (e.g., one or more of the housing, the frame, and the one or more damping elements). For example, the effective deformable portion of the housing may be considered to have a spring stiffness, such as related to the Young's modulus of the housing material.

[0066] The first user scenario may be considered as a scenario where the hearing device hits a surface, such as in an impact cycle. For example, the first user scenario may be a scenario where the hearing device is dropped onto a surface by a user of the hearing device.

[0067] The impact period of a hearing device may be considered as the time period during which the hearing device is in contact with the impact surface, e.g. from first contact until the hearing device is no longer in contact, i.e. bounces off the impact surface. An exemplary impact period for shock protection of a receiver of a hearing device is e.g. 0.1 ms, corresponding to a compression time of 0.05 ms.

[0068] The housing of the hearing device may be configured such that the impact period of the hearing device is longer than 0.1 ms. That is, the housing of the hearing device may be configured such that the compression time (e.g., the deceleration period of the hearing device) is longer than 0.05 ms. For example, a deceleration period of the hearing device greater than 0.05 ms can provide shock protection for a hard mounted receiver.

[0069] The fundamental frequency can be considered as the fundamental resonant frequency of the hearing device. For example, the fundamental frequency can be calculated using Formula 1:

[0070]

[0071] where f n is the base frequency, and the deceleration period (DP), also known as the compression time, may be 0.05 ms. For a deceleration period of 0.05 ms, the base frequency may be calculated to be 10 kHz using Formula 1. That is, Formula 1 may calculate the base frequency based on the deceleration period (e.g., a deceleration period of 0.05 ms).

[0072] The first resonant frequency can be regarded as a fundamental frequency of the first mass-spring system. That is, the first resonant frequency can be regarded as a first resonant frequency of the first mass-spring system, for example. The first resonant frequency is, for example, a natural frequency at which the first mass-spring system oscillates with the highest amplitude. That is, the first resonant frequency can be regarded as a resonant frequency of the housing and the receiver in the first user scenario.

[0073] In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the first resonant frequency is less than 10 kHz. For example, a first resonant frequency less than 10 kHz can provide shock protection for the receiver. The value of 10 kHz is based on the assumption that the surface that the hearing device impacts is fixed, i.e., does not move. In other words, the surface that the hearing device impacts can be considered to include a fixed boundary condition, i.e., the surface does not move when the hearing device impacts the surface.

[0074] In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the first resonant frequency is in the range of 1 kHz to 9.5 kHz.

[0075] For example, the first resonant frequency can be calculated using Equation 2:

[0076]

[0077] Among them, f n1is the first resonant frequency, m is the mass of the receiver, and s is the spring stiffness of the first spring-mass system.

[0078] To reduce the first resonant frequency, e.g. below 10 kHz, m may be increased and / or s may be decreased, as shown in equation 2. The hearing device of the present invention may be considered to have a reduced spring stiffness, e.g. by a deformable housing, one or more foam pads and / or a modified housing geometry (e.g. one or more damping elements).

[0079] In some embodiments, the housing (eg, frame and / or shell) comprises a material having a Young's modulus of less than 500 MPa, such as Pebax 5533. Using such a deformable (eg, compressible) material in the housing can provide better shock protection for the receiver of the hearing device.

[0080] In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the housing has a spring stiffness of less than 790 kN / m. In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the first spring-mass system has a spring stiffness of less than 790 kN / m. For example, the frame and / or the housing of the hearing device may each have a spring stiffness of less than 790 kN / m.

[0081] The housing and receiver optionally form at least part of a second mass-spring system having a second resonant frequency, for example greater than 10 kHz.

[0082] The second mass-spring system may be associated with a second user scenario. The second user scenario may be considered a scenario in which the user wears the hearing device (e.g., behind the ear). The second mass-spring system may be considered a model that indicates features and / or properties of the hearing device in the second user scenario, e.g., features and / or properties when the hearing device worn by the user provides audio and / or hearing compensation.

[0083] For example, the second mass-spring system includes a free boundary condition or a soft suspension boundary condition, such as human skin. That is, the outer surface of the BTE contacts the skin of the human ear providing a free / soft boundary condition, so that the hearing device is considered to operate under free and / or soft boundary conditions. This is in contrast to the first user scenario, in which the device surface contacts the hard ground during the drop test, and the ground provides a hard / fixed boundary for the device.

[0084] The second resonant frequency can be considered as a fundamental frequency of the second mass-spring system. For example, the second resonant frequency can be considered as a second resonant frequency of the second mass-spring system. For example, the second resonant frequency is a natural frequency at which the second mass-spring system oscillates with the highest amplitude. That is, the second resonant frequency can be considered as a resonant frequency of the housing and the receiver in the second user scenario.

[0085] For example, the second resonant frequency, which is greater than 10 kHz, minimizes undesirable resonances in a receiver of the hearing device (e.g., a hard-mounted receiver) that might otherwise degrade the quality of an output audio signal provided by the receiver. For example, the receiver can be hard-mounted to the frame using a crimping technique. In some embodiments, the receiver can be hard-mounted to the frame using glue. In some embodiments, the receiver can be hard-mounted to the frame using a snap-fit ​​mechanism.

[0086] In the following formula 3, f n2 is the second resonant frequency, m is the mass of the receiver, M is the mass of the rest of the hearing device, e.g. the frame, housing, battery, microphone, etc., and s1 is the spring stiffness between the receiver and the housing. Figure 5B As shown in the middle spring 64, the stiffness of the human ear skin can be close to zero, can be ignored, for example, close to zero. Therefore, the stiffness of the human ear skin is not included in Formula 3. Therefore, the second resonant frequency of the second mass-spring system can be calculated using Formula 3:

[0087]

[0088] Since the boundary conditions of the second mass-spring system are different from those of the first mass-spring system, the housing of the hearing device of the present invention, for example, enables the second resonance frequency to be greater than 10 kHz, while the first resonance frequency may be less than 10 kHz.

[0089] The hearing device of the present invention may be configured, for example, such that a first resonance frequency determined, for example, using Formula 1, is less than 10 kHz, and / or a second resonance frequency calculated, for example, using Formula 2, is greater than 10 kHz. When the hearing device has a first resonance frequency less than 10 kHz and / or a second resonance frequency greater than 10 kHz, the hearing device may advantageously achieve shock protection for the receiver while minimizing the generation of undesirable audio distortion, such as distortion caused by resonance-related feedback.

[0090] In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the housing is a multi-part housing comprising a first housing part and a second housing part, respectively mounted on the frame. For example, the first housing part and / or the second housing part may be mounted on the frame or attached to the frame.

[0091] In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the frame forms part of an outer surface of the hearing device. For example, a part of the frame may be externally visible. That is, a part of the frame may not be covered by the housing.

[0092] In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the hearing device includes a printed circuit board mounted on a frame. The printed circuit board may have one or more components mounted thereon, such as a processor, a transceiver, a microphone, which are optionally configured to perform one or more operations of the hearing device.

[0093] In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the housing is made of a silicon-free material. A silicon-free material of the present invention is understood to be a material containing less than 1% silicon.

[0094] In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the frame is made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 1 GPa and comprises one or more damping elements. In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the one or more damping elements are in contact with the housing. In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the housing is made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 1 GPa and comprises one or more damping elements. In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the one or more damping elements are in contact with the frame.

[0095] One or more damping elements may be considered as elements configured to reduce, delay and / or modify the peak impact force of the hearing device upon impact with a surface (e.g. in a first user scenario), thereby reducing, delaying or modifying the transfer of the impact force from the housing to the frame of the hearing device. That is, one or more damping elements may be configured to deform to increase the time period of acceleration associated with the impact. One or more damping elements may, for example, be configured to deform plastically and / or elastically. For example, one or more damping elements may be considered to reduce the stiffness of the housing. For example, one or more damping elements are located between the frame of the housing and the housing. One or more damping elements may, for example, be part of the frame and / or the housing.

[0096] In some embodiments, one or more damping elements include a curved element (that is, a curved edge). The curved element may, for example, include a material having a similar and / or the same stiffness as the housing and / or frame of the hearing device. In some embodiments, the curved element may be configured to deform in a direction that is angled to the direction of the impact force when the hearing device impacts the surface. That is, when an impact force is applied to the housing of the hearing device, for example when the hearing device falls on a surface, the curved element may deform (e.g., plastically and / or elastically) such that its curvature increases. This may advantageously extend the impact period, thereby reducing the total force applied to the receiver by the impact. This may advantageously reduce damage to the receiver caused by the impact.

[0097] For example, in a hearing device with a frame and / or housing made of a material with a Young's modulus greater than 1 GPa, the one or more damping elements may bring the first resonance frequency below 10 kHz and / or bring the second resonance frequency above 10 kHz.

[0098] In one or more exemplary hearing devices, the housing includes one or more foam pads arranged between the frame and the casing.

[0099] For example, one or more foam pads can be considered as damping elements. For example, one or more foam pads can be considered as foam blocks. In some embodiments, the foam pads are made of foam materials. For example, the foam pads are made of polyurethane open-cell foams such as Poron foam 79-09021P. The pore size of the foam pads can be in the range of xx to yy.

[0100] For example, in a hearing device where the frame and / or housing is made of a material with a Young's modulus greater than 1 GPa, the one or more foam pads may bring the first resonance frequency below 10 kHz and / or bring the second resonance frequency above 10 kHz.

[0101] In some embodiments, the one or more foam pads comprise a material having a Young's modulus less than the Young's modulus of the hearing device housing. For example, the Young's modulus of the foam pads of the one or more foam pads may be less than 500 MPa.

[0102] In some embodiments, a foam pad in the one or more foam pads may be located between the receiver and the frame. For example, a foam pad in the one or more foam pads may contact the frame and the receiver.

[0103] When the housing (e.g., frame and / or shell) is made of a deformable material (e.g., Pebax 5533) with a Young's modulus of less than 500 MPa, for example, the deformation of the housing when impacted can provide shock protection for the receiver without the need for additional deformation elements, such as energy absorbing elements, such as foam pads and / or damping elements. In some embodiments, the foam pads and / or damping elements may need to take up additional space in the hearing device, such as between the frame and the housing. When the housing is made of a deformable material, this can enable the hearing device to provide shock protection for the receiver while maintaining the same size.

[0104] In some embodiments, the hearing device may include one or more foam pads and / or one or more damping elements without increasing the size of the hearing device.

[0105] Figure 1An exemplary hearing device 1 according to the present invention is shown. The hearing device 1 comprises a housing 6 comprising a frame 20 and a shell 30. The hearing device 1 comprises a receiver 10 arranged in the housing 6. The housing 6 and the receiver 10 form at least part of a first mass-spring system having a first resonance frequency. The receiver 10 forms at least part of the first mass-spring system with the frame 20 and / or the shell 30. The housing 6 and the receiver 10 of the hearing device 1 form at least part of a second mass-spring system having a second resonance frequency greater than 10 kHz. The hearing device 1 further comprises a battery 45.

[0106] The receiver 10 comprises, for example, a receiver housing. The receiver housing of the receiver 10 can be regarded, for example, as an outer shell of the receiver. The receiver housing of the receiver 10 is, for example, hard mounted to the frame 20. That is, the receiver 10 can be fixed to the frame 20 directly via the receiver housing, for example, by gluing or crimping.

[0107] The receiver 10 can be hard mounted to the frame 20 using, for example, a crimping technique. In some embodiments, the receiver 10 can be hard mounted to the frame 20 using glue. In some embodiments, the receiver 10 can be hard mounted to the frame 20 using a snap mechanism.

[0108] The housing 6 (eg frame 20 and / or shell 30) of the hearing device 1 may comprise an elastomer, eg a thermoplastic elastomer. The housing 6 (eg frame 20 and / or shell 30) of the hearing device 1 comprises an elastomer having a Young's modulus of less than 500 MPa, for example.

[0109] Figure 2A-2B One or more damping elements of an exemplary hearing device according to the invention are shown.

[0110] Figure 2A A hearing device 2 is shown. The hearing device 2 comprises a housing 6, the housing 6 comprising a frame 20 and a shell 30. The hearing device 2 comprises a receiver 10 arranged in the housing 6. The housing 6 and the receiver 10 of the hearing device 2 form at least part of a first mass-spring system having a first resonance frequency. The receiver 10 forms at least part of the first mass-spring system with the frame 20 and / or the shell 30. The housing 6 and the receiver 10 of the hearing device 2 form at least part of a second mass-spring system having a second resonance frequency greater than 10 kHz. The hearing device 2 further comprises a battery 45.

[0111] The hearing device 2, e.g. the housing 6, comprises one or more damping elements 32. The one or more damping elements 32 are attached to the frame 20 at an attachment point 31. The one or more damping elements 32 are in contact with the frame 20 and / or the housing 30. The housing 30 may be considered to comprise an inner surface (e.g. a face inside the hearing device 2) and an outer surface (e.g. a face outside the hearing device 2). The one or more damping elements 32 may be considered to be in contact with the inner surface of the housing 30. The frame 20 and / or the housing 30 may, for example, be made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 1 GPa.

[0112] For example, one or more damping elements 32 are configured to deform when an external force is applied. One or more damping elements 32 can be in contact with the receiver. One or more damping elements 32 can be considered as bending elements and / or bending edges. One or more damping elements 32 are, for example, made of a material with a Young's modulus greater than 1 GPa.

[0113] Figure 2B An exemplary part of a hearing device of the invention is shown. Figure 2B The receiver 10 , the frame 20 , the housing 30 , and one or more damping elements 36 are shown.

[0114] The frame 20 of the hearing device 2 for example comprises one or more damping elements 36. For example, the one or more damping elements 36 may be attached to the frame 20. The one or more damping elements 36 are for example configured to deform when an external force is applied, for example when the hearing device 2 hits a surface (for example in a first user scenario).

[0115] The housing 30 of the hearing device 2 comprises, for example, one or more damping elements 36. The one or more damping elements 36 may be attached to the housing 30, for example.

[0116] Figure 3A-3B One or more foam pads of an exemplary hearing device according to the invention are shown.

[0117] Figure 3A A hearing device 3 is shown. The hearing device 3 comprises a housing 6, which comprises a frame 20 and a shell 30. The hearing device 3 comprises a receiver 10 arranged in the housing 6. The housing 6 and the receiver 10 of the hearing device 3 form at least a part of a first mass-spring system having a first resonance frequency. The receiver 10 forms at least a part of the first mass-spring system with the frame and / or the shell. The housing 6 and the receiver 10 of the hearing device 3 form at least a part of a second mass-spring system having a second resonance frequency greater than 10 kHz. The hearing device 3 further comprises a battery 45.

[0118] The hearing device 3, such as the housing 6, comprises one or more foam pads 34 arranged between the frame and the shell. The one or more foam pads 34 may, for example, be attached to the frame 20 and / or the shell 30. The one or more foam pads 34 may, for example, be in contact with the frame 20 and / or the shell 30. The shell 30 may be considered to include an inner surface and an outer surface. The one or more foam pads 34 may be considered to be in contact with the inner surface of the shell 30. The frame 20 and / or the shell 30 may, for example, be made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 1 GPa.

[0119] The one or more foam pads 34 are for example configured to deform when an external force is applied, for example when the hearing device 2 impacts a surface (eg in a first user scenario). The one or more foam pads 34 are for example made of a material having a Young's modulus of less than 1 GPa.

[0120] Figure 3B An exemplary part of a hearing device of the invention is shown. Figure 3B The receiver 10 , frame 20 , housing 30 , and one or more foam pads 34 are shown.

[0121] The frame 20 of the hearing device 2 comprises, for example, one or more foam pads 34. For example, the one or more foam pads 34 may be attached to the frame 20. The one or more foam pads 34 are, for example, configured to deform when an external force is applied. The housing 30 is, for example, made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 1 GPa.

[0122] The housing 30 of the hearing device 3 comprises, for example, one or more foam pads 34. For example, the one or more foam pads 34 may be attached to the housing 30.

[0123] Figure 4 An exemplary hearing device 4 according to the invention is shown in a first user scenario. The hearing device 4 comprises a receiver 10 , a frame 20 and / or a housing 30 . Figure 4 The hearing device 4 is shown dropped onto the surface 16 .

[0124] Arrow 11 indicates the falling direction of the hearing device 4 . Figure 4 The two hearing devices shown are the same hearing device 4 at different moments during its fall toward the surface 16 .

[0125] In some embodiments, when the hearing device 4 is dropped from an operating height of, for example, 1 m onto a surface 16 (e.g., the ground), the impact period required for sufficient shock protection of the receiver 10 may be greater than or equal to 0.1 ms to provide shock protection to the receiver. In some embodiments, an impact period greater than or equal to 0.1 ms may prevent damage to the receiver.

[0126] For example, when the hearing device 4 is dropped, all components of the hearing device, such as the receiver 10, the frame 20, and the housing 30, fall at the same rate toward the surface 16. When the hearing device 4 hits the surface 16, the housing 30, the one or more damping elements, and / or the one or more foam pads can absorb the energy of the impact, for example, by deforming. That is, the housing 30, the one or more damping elements, and / or the one or more foam pads can cause the acceleration of the receiver 10 to change more slowly, thereby causing a smaller force (e.g., peak force) applied to the receiver during the impact.

[0127] The area 13 of the hearing device 4 may, for example, be considered as an area of ​​the hearing device 4 that is configured to deform and / or compress. That is, the area 13 may be considered as an effective deformable area of ​​the hearing device (e.g., the housing 30). The area 13 may, for example, include the housing 30, one or more damping elements, and / or one or more foam pads. During an impact, the area 13 may deform and / or compress, thereby slowing down the rate of the receiver. That is, the reaction force of the compression may slow down the rate of the receiver. The deformation and / or compression of the area 13 may, for example, provide shock protection for the receiver.

[0128] Figure 5A An exemplary first mass-spring system and a part of a corresponding hearing device according to the invention are shown. Figure 5A A receiver 10 , a frame 20 and a housing 30 are shown. Figure 5A Region 13 and surface 16 are further shown. Figure 5A A first mass-spring system is shown, which comprises a mass 60 and a spring 62. The mass 60 corresponds to the receiver 10, for example, and the spring 62 corresponds to the region 13, for example.

[0129] Figure 5B An exemplary second mass-spring system according to the present invention is shown. Figure 5B A mass 60 and a mass 65 are shown. Figure 5B Spring 63 and spring 64 are shown.

[0130] The mass 60 corresponds to the receiver, for example Figure 1-5A Receiver 10 is shown. Mass 65 corresponds to the rest of the housing (e.g., frame and / or shell). Spring 63 corresponds to the area between the receiver and the housing (e.g., frame and / or shell) of the hearing device. Spring 64 corresponds to the stiffness of the human ear skin. For example, spring 64 has a negligible stiffness, such as a stiffness close to zero. Figure 5B A human skin surface 19 is shown, for example the skin of a human ear.

[0131] Figure 6A-6B Shown is a graph indicating the velocities and associated accelerations measured when drop testing 6 hearing devices was performed.

[0132] Fig. 6A A graph 70 showing the impact velocity measured during impact of a hearing device with a surface. Figure 6B A graph 80 showing the acceleration calculated from the impact velocity measured during impact of a hearing device with a surface is shown. The drop test was performed on a pendulum device, the pendulum was released from a height of 1 m and the velocity on the receiver was measured by a laser Doppler vibrometer directing a laser beam through a hole in the BTE device to the receiver surface.

[0133] At the beginning of the impact period (about -0.15ms), the hearing device (e.g. Figure 1-4 The hearing devices 1-4 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 impact the impact surface at a velocity of −4.4 m / s, where a negative velocity indicates a velocity toward the impact surface, such as a downward velocity. At the same time, the receivers in the hearing devices (e.g., Figure 1-5A The receiver 10 in the hearing device moves toward the impact surface at the same speed. Components of the hearing device, such as the housing, frame, printed circuit board and other parts, are deformed (e.g. compressed) between the receiver and the impact surface, and the reaction force from the deformation (e.g. compression) slows down the speed of the receiver.

[0134] When the velocity of the receiver becomes zero, the receiver begins to move away from the ground. This occurs at the point in the graph 80 where the slope of the line is equal to 0. The receiver is typically subjected to the greatest acceleration at this moment. At the same time, the components of the hearing device begin to return to their original shape, i.e., decompress.

[0135] Figure 7 An exemplary hearing device 1A according to the present invention is shown. The hearing device 1A comprises a housing 6, which is an in-the-ear (ITE) housing configured to be arranged at least partially in the ear canal. The housing 6 is optionally connected to a BTE part (not shown) of the hearing device via a tube or wire 8. The housing 6 comprises a frame (not shown) and a shell 30, the hearing device 1A comprising a receiver 10 and a microphone 12 optionally arranged in the housing 6. The housing 6 and the receiver 10 form at least a part of a first mass-spring system having a first resonant frequency. The receiver 10 forms at least a part of the first mass-spring system with the frame and / or the shell 30. The housing 6 and the receiver 10 of the hearing device 1A form at least a part of a second mass-spring system having a second resonant frequency greater than 10 kHz.

[0136] The use of the terms "first", "second", "third" and "fourth", "primary", "secondary", "tertiary", etc. does not imply any particular order, but rather is used to identify individual elements. Furthermore, the use of the terms "first", "second", "third" and "fourth", "primary", "secondary", "tertiary", etc. does not indicate any order or importance, but rather the terms "first", "second", "third" and "fourth", "primary", "secondary", "tertiary", etc. are used to distinguish between different elements. Please note that the terms "first", "second", "third" and "fourth", "primary", "secondary", "tertiary", etc., here and elsewhere, are used for labeling purposes only and are not intended to indicate any particular spatial or temporal order.

[0137] Furthermore, the marking of a first element does not imply the presence of a second element, and vice versa.

[0138] It is understood that the drawings include some modules or operations shown in solid lines and some modules or operations shown in dashed lines. The modules or operations included in the solid lines are the modules or operations included in the broadest exemplary embodiment. The modules or operations included in the dashed lines are exemplary embodiments that may be included or as part of them, or are additional modules or operations that may be taken in addition to the modules or operations of the solid line exemplary embodiments. It is understood that these operations do not need to be performed in order.

[0139] Furthermore, it should be understood that not all operations need to be performed. The exemplary operations may be performed in any order and in any combination.

[0140] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed.

[0141] It should be noted that the word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0142] It should also be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that exemplary embodiments may be implemented at least partially by hardware and software, and that several "means," "units," or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

[0143] Various exemplary methods, devices and systems described herein are described in the general context of method steps, which can be implemented in one aspect by a computer program product embodied in a computer-readable medium, including computer executable instructions, such as program code executed by a computer in a networked environment. Computer-readable media may include removable and non-removable storage devices, including but not limited to read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), etc. In general, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. Computer executable instructions, related data structures, and program modules represent embodiments of program codes for performing the steps of the methods of the present invention. A specific sequence of such executable instructions or related data structures represents an embodiment of corresponding actions for implementing the functions described in these steps or processes.

[0144] Although features have been shown and described, it should be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Therefore, the description and drawings should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

Claims

1. A hearing device comprising: Housing, including a frame and a shell; as well as a receiver disposed within the housing, wherein the housing and the receiver form at least part of a first mass-spring system having a first resonant frequency, and Therein, the housing and the receiver form at least part of a second mass-spring system having a second resonant frequency greater than 10 kHz.

2. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein The housing comprises a material having a Young's modulus of less than 500 MPa.

3. The hearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The shell includes a material having a Young's modulus in a range of 120 MPa to 180 MPa.

4. The hearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The frame comprises a material having a Young's modulus in the range of 120 MPa to 180 MPa.

5. The hearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The first resonant frequency is less than 10 kHz.

6. The hearing device according to claim 5, wherein: The first resonance frequency is in the range of 1 kHz to 9.5 kHz.

7. The hearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The housing has a spring rate of less than 790 kN / m.

8. The hearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: A receiver housing of the receiver is hard mounted to the frame.

9. The hearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The housing is a multi-part housing including a first housing part and a second housing part respectively mounted on the frame.

10. The hearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The frame forms part of an outer surface of the hearing device.

11. The hearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The hearing device comprises a printed circuit board mounted on the frame.

12. The hearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The housing is made of a silicon-free material.

13. The hearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The frame is made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 1 GPa and includes one or more damping elements, wherein the one or more damping elements are in contact with the housing.

14. The hearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The housing is made of a material having a Young's modulus greater than 1 GPa and includes one or more damping elements, wherein the one or more damping elements are in contact with the frame.

15. The hearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: The housing includes one or more foam pads disposed between the frame and the shell.

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