Ear-worn hearing aid device with electrical cable assembly or sound tube

Abstract

The invention relates to an ear-worn hearing aid device with an electrical cable assembly or sound tube. A hearing aid device component is disclosed. The component includes a housing that accommodates an electrical or mechanical hearing aid device component and an opening configured to receive an end of an electrical cable assembly, sound tube, or other member. One or more retention members protruding from an inner surface of the opening are configured to mechanically engage an electrical cable assembly, sound tube, or other member disposed within the opening, and resist movement of the electrical cable assembly, sound tube, or other member relative to the opening. The component may be implemented as a RIC unit, a BTE unit of a BTE electrical connector, and other hearing aid device components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to hearing assistance devices, and more particularly to components of hearing assistance devices including electrical cable assemblies or sound tubes and combinations thereof. Background Art

[0002] Some hearing assistance devices include a housing connected to an electrical cable assembly or a sound tube. One such hearing assistance device is a receiver-in-canal (RIC) type behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, which includes a BTE unit worn behind the user's ear and a RIC unit configured to be at least partially inserted into the user's ear canal. The electrical cable assembly interconnects the BTE unit and the RIC unit. The BTE unit contains a microphone, an electrical circuit, and a battery for converting sensed ambient sound into an amplified electrical audio signal. The RIC unit includes a balanced armature receiver (also referred to herein as a "receiver") for converting the electrical audio signal into sound emitted into the user's ear canal. One end of the electrical cable assembly includes a connector releasably connected to the BTE unit. The other end of the electrical cable assembly is permanently fixed to the RIC unit. A flange-shaped stop (also referred to as a "blunt piece") overmolded, flame formed, or glued to the end of the electrical cable assembly prevents or at least resists rotation of the cable assembly and its separation from the RIC unit. In other hearing assistance devices, a speaker is located in the BTE unit, and the sound generated by the speaker is transmitted to the user's ear via a sound tube connected to the BTE unit without the need for a RIC unit.

[0003] However, the process of adding a flange-shaped stop is labor-intensive and expensive. The flange-shaped stop also increases the diameter and length of the cable assembly or the sound tube. In addition, such and other mechanisms for fastening the electrical cable assembly to the RIC unit or the sound tube to the BTE unit have limited robustness and are subject to premature failure. Accordingly, there has been a continuing need to improve the technology for connecting electrical cable assemblies and sound tubes to components of hearing assistance devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ear-worn hearing assistance device including: an electrical or mechanical hearing assistance device component; and a housing accommodating the electrical or mechanical hearing assistance device component, the housing including: an opening defining a passage configured to receive an end of an electrical cable assembly, a sound tube, or other member; a retaining member protruding from an inner surface of the passage, the retaining member being configured to mechanically engage the electrical cable assembly, the sound tube, or other member disposed in the opening, wherein when the electrical cable assembly, the sound tube, or other member is disposed in the opening, the retaining member mechanically resists movement of the electrical cable assembly, the sound tube, or other member relative to the housing.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a hearing aid device is provided. The hearing aid device includes: a balanced armature receiver, the balanced armature receiver including a housing having a nozzle configured to be at least partially inserted into a user's ear canal, the housing including: an opening defining a passage through a wall portion of the housing; and a retaining member including a portion of the housing protruding into the opening; and an electrical cable assembly including a connector at one end and another end disposed in the opening of the housing, the retaining member mechanically engaging and holding the another end disposed in the opening of the housing, wherein the retaining member resists movement of the electrical cable assembly relative to the housing.

[0006] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a hearing aid device is provided. The hearing aid device includes: an in-ear receiver component, the in-ear receiver component including a housing for a speaker and a nozzle configured to be at least partially inserted into a user's ear canal, the housing including: an opening defining a passage having an inner surface; and a retaining member integrated with the housing and protruding from the inner surface of the opening; and an electrical cable assembly including an end disposed in the opening of the housing and mechanically engaged with the retaining member, wherein the retaining member resists rotational and axial movement of the electrical cable assembly relative to the housing.

[0007] The present disclosure is not limited to the above aspects, and those skilled in the art can conceive of other aspects by reading the present disclosure. Description of the Drawings

[0008] The objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings only depict representative embodiments and are not considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 1 A hearing aid device including an in-ear unit and a base unit is shown.

[0010] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a representative in-ear unit.

[0011] Figure 3 is an isometric view of the BTE unit electrical connector.

[0012] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an interference fit between an electrical cable assembly or a sound tube and a socket portion of the hearing aid device housing.

[0013] Figure 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a part of the hearing aid device housing and the electrical cable assembly or the sound duct.

[0014] Figure 6 is of the housing and the cable assembly or the sound duct in the assembled state Figure 5 Partial cross-sectional view of the

[0015] Figure 7 is Figure 6 Partial cross-sectional view of a part of the

[0016] Figure 8 Isometric view of the electrical cable assembly or the socket part of the sound duct of the hearing aid device component

[0017] Figure 9 is for holding the electrical cable assembly or the sound duct Figure 8 Partial cross-sectional view of the socket part of the

[0018] Figure 10 Isometric view of the alternative electrical cable assembly or the socket part of the sound duct of the hearing aid device component

[0019] Figure 11 is for holding the electrical cable assembly or the sound duct Figure 10 Partial cross-sectional view of the socket part of the

[0020] Figure 12 Isometric view of the electrical cable assembly or the socket part of the sound duct of the ferrule configured to be assembled with the hearing aid housing

[0021] Figure 13 is the ferrule assembled with the hearing aid housing Figure 12 Partial cross-sectional view of the

[0022] Figure 14 is Figure 12 End view of the ferrule

[0023] Figure 15 Isometric view of the other electrical cable assembly or the socket part of the sound duct of the ferrule configured to be assembled with the hearing aid housing

[0024] Figure 16 is for holding the electrical cable assembly or the sound duct Figure 15 Partial cross-sectional view of the ferrule of the

[0025] Figure 17 is Figure 15 Cross-sectional view of the ferrule

[0026] Figure 18 Isometric view of the electrical cable assembly or the socket part of the ferrule configured to be assembled with the hearing aid housing component

[0027] Figure 19 is a partial isometric view of an electrical cable assembly or acoustic duct socket portion including a stop wall and a retaining member for an electrical cable assembly or acoustic duct.

[0028] Figure 20 is Figure 19 an end view of the socket portion of

[0029] Figure 21 is an end view of a multi - part hearing aid housing that holds an electrical cable assembly or acoustic tube.

[0030] Figure 22 is Figure 21 an exploded view of the multi - part hearing aid housing of

[0031] Figure 23 is an end view of a multi - part hearing aid housing having openings symmetrically arranged in portions of the multi - part hearing aid housing.

[0032] Figure 24 is a Figure 23 hearing aid housing end view having an electrical cable assembly or acoustic tube disposed in the opening.

[0033] Figure 25 is an end view of a multi - part hearing aid housing having openings asymmetrically arranged in portions of the multi - part hearing aid housing.

[0034] Figure 26 is a Figure 23 hearing aid housing end view having an electrical cable assembly or acoustic tube disposed in the opening.

[0035] Figure 27 is a partial cross - sectional view along Figure 26 line a - a of

[0036] Figure 28 is Figure 26 an end view of the multi - part hearing aid housing of with the top housing portion removed.

[0037] Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may therefore not be drawn to scale and may not include well - known features, the order of occurrence of actions or steps may be different from the order described, and unless otherwise specified, the order of occurrence of such actions or steps may be performed simultaneously, and the terms and expressions used herein have the meanings understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, except where different meanings are specifically ascribed to them herein. Detailed Description

[0038] The present disclosure generally relates to ear-worn hearing devices and components including electrical cable assemblies or sound tubes, and more particularly to mechanisms for securely fastening electrical cable assemblies (also referred to herein as "electrical cables" or "cables"), sound tubes, or other components to hearing devices or components, and combinations thereof. The component can be a part of an in-the-ear receiver (RIC) unit, a behind-the-ear (BTE) unit, or an electro-mechanical BTE connector, as well as other hearing device components. Representative examples are further described herein.

[0039] A hearing device or component generally includes a housing that houses electrical or mechanical hearing device components. More specific examples of such components are further described herein in the context of representative hearing devices and components. The housing includes an opening that defines a passage configured to receive an end of an electrical cable assembly, a sound tube, or other component. The opening can be an integral part of a single housing or a multi-part housing. Alternatively, the opening can be a discrete component assembled with and held by the housing or other component, such as a ferrule. One or more retaining members projecting from an inner surface of the passage into the opening are configured to mechanically engage and hold an electrical cable assembly, a sound tube, or other component located in the opening. When the electrical cable assembly, sound tube, or other component is disposed in the opening, the one or more retaining members resist movement (e.g., rotation or axial displacement) of the electrical cable assembly, sound tube, or other component relative to the inner surface of the opening.

[0040] In one embodiment, the hearing device component is an in-the-ear receiver (RIC) unit that includes a speaker and an electrical cable assembly disposed in an opening of the housing. The electrical cable assembly is mechanically engaged with one or more retaining members projecting from the opening of the housing to resist movement of the electrical cable assembly, as further described herein. Figure 1 An ear-worn hearing device 100 is shown that includes a RIC unit 110 connected to a BTE unit 120 via an electrical cable assembly 130. The speaker of the RIC unit is acoustically coupled to a sound channel through a nozzle that supports an elastic ear dome 114 configured for at least partial insertion into a user's ear canal. In Figure 2 , a representative RIC unit includes a speaker 200 disposed in an outer housing 112 integrated with a nozzle 202, the nozzle 202 having a sound channel 204 and an outer rib 206 for holding an ear dome ( Figure 2 not shown in Figure 1 ). In Figure 2 the nozzle that supports the ear dome 114 is directly integrated with the speaker housing 118 without Figure 1 an outer housing or other structure encapsulating the speaker housing as shown in Figure 2The external housing 112 shown can reduce the overall size of the RIC unit.

[0041] In Figures 1 to 2 a receiver is implemented as a balanced armature receiver (BAR) due to its small size, electrical efficiency, and high audio fidelity. A receiver typically includes one or more motor - actuated diaphragms for emitting sound in response to an electrical signal applied to the motor via an electrical cable assembly. In some embodiments, multiple receivers may be acoustically coupled to a nozzle. Alternatively, the speaker may include a dynamic driver, a piezoelectric driver, a MEMS electrostatic driver, or any other suitable acoustic driver or a combination of two or more speakers.

[0042] The electrical cable assembly may be a pre - formed shape - retaining flexible member as Figure 1 shown. Alternatively, the electrical cable assembly may be a non - shape - retaining member or a shape - retaining member that can be deformed by the user for custom fit. In Figure 2 an electrical cable assembly includes one or more electrical conductors disposed within an insulating conduit. The electrical wires may be multi - strand twisted wires or other suitable electrical conductors. The electrical wires of the electrical cable assembly are connected to contacts 209 on an electrical interface of the speaker 200. The electrical cable may also include a strengthening member. The strengthening element may include fibers, such as Kevlar fibers, to strengthen the cable assembly.

[0043] In another embodiment, the hearing aid component is a BTE electrical connector that includes electrical contacts integrated with a BTE electrical connector housing. An electrical cable assembly disposed in an opening of the BTE electrical connector housing is mechanically engaged with one or more retaining members protruding into the opening of the housing to prevent or resist movement of the electrical cable, as further described herein. Figure 3 A BTE electrical connector 300 connected to the electrical cable assembly 130 is shown. The BTE electrical connector is connected to or connectable to a BTE unit configured to be worn behind a user's ear, as Figure 1 shown. Some BTE electrical connectors are releasably connected to the BTE unit via mechanical and electrical connectors to removably connect the RIC unit to the BTE unit. The BTE unit typically includes one or more microphones, audio signal circuitry, and a battery, as well as other circuitry and sensors. The BTE unit provides an electrical sound signal to the RIC unit via the electrical cable assembly.

[0044] In another embodiment, the hearing device is a BTE unit that includes a speaker and a sound tube disposed in an opening of the housing of the BTE unit. The sound tube is mechanically engaged with one or more retaining members that project into the opening of the housing to resist movement of the sound tube, as further described herein. In the absence of a RIC unit, the sound tube is shaped to extend from the BTE unit and into the user's ear canal. Configured in this way, sound propagates from one or more speakers in the BTE unit through the sound tube to the user's ear canal. The BTE unit connected to the sound tube is generally similar in overall structure to Figure 1 the hearing device 100 without the RIC unit 110 shown in FIG. 1, where one or more speakers are in the housing of the BTE unit rather than in the RIC unit.

[0045] Generally, one or more retaining members that project into an opening of a hearing device or component provide an interference / fit with an electrical cable, a sound tube, or other component disposed in the opening. The interference required to secure the electrical cable, sound tube, or other component in the opening generally depends on the axial and rotational loads to be applied to the interference component, the number of retaining members, and the material properties of the interference component, among other things. The housing generally includes a Young's modulus that is greater than the Young's modulus of the electrical cable assembly, sound tube, or other component disposed in the housing. The housing may also generally include a yield strength that is greater than the yield strength of the electrical cable assembly or sound tube.

[0046] Interference can generally be characterized as a measure of the overlap between interference components. In Figure 4 a representative embodiment, the radial interference RI is characterized as the radius R C of an electrical cable assembly, sound tube, or other component and the radius R P measured from the axis of the electrical cable, sound tube, or other component to the point where the retaining member interferes most with the electrical cable, sound tube, or other component. In the representative hearing devices and components described herein, the radial interference between each of the one or more retaining members and the electrical cable assembly, sound tube, or other component can be about 0.02 millimeters or greater.

[0047] The hearing device or component may also include a gap between (a) portion(s) of the inner surface of the opening and the outer diameter of the electrical cable assembly or sound tube. The gap can accommodate deformation of the electrical cable or sound tube. The gap can also accommodate glue or an adhesive to further secure the electrical cable assembly, sound tube, or other component in the opening. In Figure 4 a representative embodiment, the gap is characterized as the diameter D O of the opening and the diameter D CThe difference between. In the representative hearing aid device components described herein, the clearance between the outer diameter of the electrical cable assembly or the sound tube and the inner surface of the opening can be about 0.01 mm or greater.

[0048] In Figures 5 to 7 , the socket portion 210 for the electrical cable assembly or the sound tube includes an opening 212 into which the electrical cable assembly 220, the sound conduit, or other components can be inserted. The representative opening is integrated with the housing. In other embodiments, the opening is part of the socket portion 210 configured as a ferrule that is assembled with the housing and fixed to the housing by a retaining feature or glue or a combination thereof. Representative ferrules are further described herein.

[0049] The opening includes a plurality of retaining members 230 that project from the surface of the channel into the opening. The retaining members include a tapered portion 232 having a ridge 234 (as Figure 7 shown). In Figures 5 to 6 , the tapered portion includes barbs that are partially defined by an edge at the end 236 of the tapered portion. The interference between the tapered retaining member and the electrical cable, the sound tube, or other components increases during the insertion of the electrical cable, the sound tube, or other components into the opening. Insertion of the electrical cable or the sound tube beyond the barbs causes the barbs to bite into the electrical cable, the sound tube, or other components. In Figure 7 , the tapered retaining members 230 are equally spaced from each other, but the spacing can also be irregular. In Figures 6 to 7 , the retaining members 230 are shown to have an interference with the electrical cable, the sound tube, or other components. The barbs and the ridges generally resist the movement of the electrical cable or the sound tube relative to the inner surface of the opening. The barbs and the ridges can resist axial and rotational movements. However, depending on the precise configuration of the barbs and the ridges, the barbs can resist axial movement more effectively than the ridges, and the ridges can resist rotational movement more effectively than the barbs.

[0050] In Figures 8 to 9 , the socket portion 210 of the hearing aid device component includes a plurality of retaining members configured to project from the surface of the channel and enter a plurality of longitudinal ribs 240 of the opening 212. The longitudinal ribs are aligned with the axis of the opening channel. The ribs 240 as the retaining members are equally spaced from each other, but the spacing can also be irregular. In Figure 9 , the ribs 240 mechanically engage with the electrical cable assembly 220, the sound tube, or other components disposed in the opening 212, and the resulting interference fit prevents relative movement between the electrical cable assembly, the sound tube, or other components and the opening. The socket portion can be an integral part of the housing. Alternatively, the socket portion can be a discrete ferrule assembled with the housing.

[0051] In Figures 10 to 11In, the socket portion 210 of the hearing aid device component includes a plurality of retaining members configured to project into the wedge members 250 in the opening 212. Each wedge member 250 includes a portion that reduces the effective diameter of the opening 212 along the axis of the channel defined by the opening. Each retaining member also includes a barb partially defined by an edge 256 at the end of the retaining member. The edge 258 along the axial portion of the retaining member increases the rotational resistance. In Figure 10 In, the wedge members 250 are equidistantly spaced from each other, but the spacing can also be irregular. The interference between the wedge member and the electrical cable, the sound tube, or other components increases during the insertion of the electrical cable, the sound tube, or other components into the opening. The insertion of the electrical cable, the sound tube, or other components beyond the barb enables the barb to bite into the electrical cable, the sound tube, or other components. In Figure 11 In, the retaining member mechanically engages with the electrical cable assembly 220 disposed in the opening 212, and the resulting interference fit prevents the rotation and axial movement of the electrical cable assembly, the sound tube, or other components relative to the opening. The socket portion can be an integral part of the housing. Alternatively, the socket portion can be a ferrule assembled with the housing.

[0052] In Figures 12 to 14 and Figure 18 In, the socket portion 210 of the hearing aid device component includes retaining members configured as one or more longitudinal ribs 240 and one or more wedge members 250 projecting from the surface of the channel defined by the opening 212. In Figure 14 In, the retaining members are asymmetrically distributed around the opening 212, but the retaining members can also be symmetrically arranged. In Figure 18 In, the ribs 240 and the wedge members 250 are alternately arranged and symmetrically distributed around the opening 212. The function of the longitudinal ribs 240 is similar to that of the Figures 8 to 9 longitudinal ribs, and the function of the wedge members 250 is similar to that of the Figures 10 to 11 wedge retaining members.

[0053] In Figure 13 In, the socket portion 210 is configured as a ferrule assembled with the housing 270. The ferrule includes retaining features configured to firmly fasten the ferrule to the housing 270. The retaining features can be one or more flat surfaces 244 or other features that prevent the rotation and axial movement of the ferrule relative to the housing. The housing can include an opening 272 having a complementary shape configured to receive the ferrule with anti-rotation features. Alternatively, the opening can be an integral part of the housing without a separate ferrule.

[0054] In Figures 15 to 17In [description], the socket portion 210 is configured as a ferrule for assembling with a hearing device component. The retaining member is configured as one or more longitudinal ribs 240 and a continuous annular wedge member 260 that project from the surface of the opening 212. The longitudinal ribs 240 have tapered portions 242 along the axis of the opening and function similarly to Figures 5 to 9 the retaining member. The annular wedge member includes barbs partially defined by an edge 262. The annular wedge member functions similarly to Figures 10 to 11 the discrete wedge retaining member. The sleeve may also include retaining features configured to securely fasten the sleeve to the housing. In Figure 15 [description], the ferrule includes one or more flat surfaces 226 on a recessed portion between outer flange portions 224. The ferrule may be configured to snap-fit into an aperture of the housing, or multiple housing portions may be assembled around the ferrule.

[0055] In Figures 19 to 20 [description], the socket portion 210 of the hearing device component includes an opening 212 having an end wall 214 with an aperture 216. In Figure 20 [description], the opening includes one or more retaining members 218 that project from the surface of the opening and mechanically engage an electrical cable assembly 220, a sound tube, or other member disposed within the opening to prevent the electrical cable assembly, sound tube, or other member from moving relative to the opening. The one or more retaining members 218 may be implemented as any one or more or a combination of the representative retaining members described herein or shown in the figures, etc. In Figure 19 [description], when the electrical cable assembly is inserted into the opening, an end of the electrical cable assembly abuts the end wall 214 of the opening. The end wall reliably / determinately positions the electrical cable assembly within the opening and can ensure that the electrical cable assembly is fully inserted into the opening for proper mechanical engagement with the retaining member. Electrical conductors 222 of the electrical cable assembly may extend through the aperture 216 of the end wall 214. More generally, the electrical cable assembly 220 may be a sound tube or other member disposed within the opening. The sound tube may be aligned with the aperture 216 of the end wall 214. In a BTE unit including a speaker, the aperture 216 may be acoustically coupled to a duct of the sound tube, and sound generated by the speaker located within the BTE unit propagates through the duct.

[0056] In Figures 21 to 22 [description], the hearing device component 2100 includes a first housing portion 211 and a second housing portion 213 fastened together by complementary snap-fit members. In Figure 22In [description], when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are fastened together, the opening is at least partially defined by a first opening portion 215 of the first housing portion 211 and a second opening portion 217 of the second housing portion 213. One or more retaining members protruding from the surface of the opening can be implemented as any one or more of the representative retaining members described herein or shown in the drawings, or a combination thereof, etc. An electrical cable assembly 220, a sound tube, or other components can be captured between the first opening portion and the second opening portion during the assembly of the first housing portion and the second housing portion. Representative snap-fit members include a protrusion 219 on the second housing portion 213 that mates with a complementary recess in the first housing portion 211. The protrusion can be held therein by an interference fit, epoxy resin, welding, or other means. In other embodiments, other types of snap-fit members can be employed.

[0057] In another embodiment, the housing of the hearing device component is an audio speaker housing that can be connected to an electrical cable assembly. The speaker housing can be a balanced armature receiver, a dynamic, or other speaker housing. Figures 23 to 26 A front view of a representative speaker housing 400 including a first housing portion 410 fastened to a second housing portion 420 is shown. The opening of the speaker housing is at least partially defined by a first opening portion 412 of the first housing portion and a second opening portion 422 of the second housing portion. When the first housing portion is assembled with the second housing portion, the opening defines a passage through the wall portion of the housing. Figure 23 and Figure 25 A speaker housing without an electrical cable assembly is shown. Figure 24 、 Figure 26 、 Figure 27 and Figure 28 An electrical cable assembly 430 disposed in the opening of the speaker housing or a portion thereof is shown. Alternatively, Figures 23 to 28 can represent a BTE unit connectable to a sound tube or a connector housing connectable to an electrical cable assembly.

[0058] In Figures 25 to 28 , the speaker housing includes a protrusion 424 protruding from the end where the opening of the housing is located. The electrical cable assembly only partially extends into the speaker housing. The protrusion 424 provides space within the speaker housing to accommodate the end of the electrical cable assembly (or the end of the sound tube in other embodiments) without interfering with other components housed within the housing, as Figure 27 best shown.

[0059] The housing includes a plurality of retaining members, each retaining member including a corresponding housing wall portion that projects into the opening. Configured as such, the retaining members are integral, unassembled parts of the speaker housing. The retaining members mechanically engage and hold an electrical cable assembly disposed in the opening to resist rotation and / or axial movement of the electrical cable assembly.

[0060] In one embodiment, the housing includes two metal housing parts formed by stamping and stretching a metal sheet and other metal forming operations. The balanced armature receiver housing typically includes a plurality of metal housing parts, which are generally referred to as cups having relatively uniform wall thicknesses. The thickness of the BA cup is typically in the range of approximately four to eight thousandths of an inch. In another embodiment, the housing part includes plastic or some other material. The housing parts can be fastened together by welding or gluing or other means suitable for the housing material.

[0061] In Figures 23 to 24 , the first opening portion 412 and the second opening portion 422 of the speaker housing 400 have the same dimensions and are symmetrically positioned with respect to the interface 402 between the mating surfaces of the first housing part 410 and the second housing part 420. The retaining members of the first housing part and the second housing part can be arranged symmetrically or otherwise with respect to the interface 402 between the housing parts.

[0062] In Figures 25 to 26 , the first opening portion 412 in the first housing part is larger than the second opening portion 422 in the second housing part. The second housing part 420 includes two retaining members 416 that extend into the second opening portion 422 near the mating surface of the second housing part. In Figure 28 , the two retaining members 416 that extend into the second opening portion 422 can hold the disposed electrical cable assembly 430 before the first housing part is fastened to the second housing part. The first housing part may also include one or more retaining members, as Figures 25 to 26 shown.

[0063] Although the present disclosure and the currently contemplated best mode of the present disclosure have been described in a manner that enables one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present disclosure, it will be understood and appreciated that there are many equivalents of the representative embodiments described herein and that various modifications and variations can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, the scope and spirit of the invention being limited not by the embodiments described but by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0064] Cross - reference to related applications

[0065] This application is a partial continuation of co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 398,900, entitled "Hearing Device Component With Electrical Cable or Sound Tube", filed on December 28, 2023, and claims the priority and benefit of such U.S. Patent Application under the provisions of Article 29 of the Chinese Patent Law.

Claims

1. An ear-worn hearing aid device, the ear-worn hearing aid device comprising: Parts of electrical or mechanical hearing aids; and A housing for accommodating the electrical or mechanical hearing aid device components, the housing comprising: an opening defining a passage configured to receive an end of an electrical cable assembly, a sound tube, or other component; and a retaining member protruding from an inner surface of the passage, the retaining member being configured to mechanically engage the electrical cable assembly, sound tube or other member disposed in the opening, Wherein, when the electrical cable assembly, sound tube or other component is disposed in the opening, the retaining member mechanically resists movement of the electrical cable assembly, sound tube or other component relative to the housing.

2. The ear-worn hearing aid of claim 1 , further comprising a gap between an outer diameter of the electrical cable assembly, sound tube, or other component and the inner surface of the opening, wherein: The retaining member is configured to provide a radial interference with the electrical cable assembly, sound tube or other component disposed in the opening.

3. The ear-worn hearing aid device according to claim 2, further comprising a ferrule fastened to the housing, wherein: The opening is disposed in the ferrule.

4. The ear-worn hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein: The housing includes a Young's modulus greater than a Young's modulus of the electrical cable assembly, sound tube, or other component.

5. The ear-worn hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein: The housing includes a yield strength greater than a yield strength of the electrical cable assembly, sound tube, or other component.

6. The ear-worn hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein: The retaining member includes a tapered portion having a ridge aligned with an axis of the passage, the tapered portion including a barb, wherein the barb resists movement of the electrical cable assembly, sound tube, or other component relative to the opening.

7. The ear-worn hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein: The retaining member includes a rib aligned with an axis of the passage, wherein the rib resists rotation of the electrical cable assembly, sound tube, or other member relative to the opening.

8. The ear-worn hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein: The retaining member includes a wedge-shaped portion aligned with the axis of the channel, the wedge-shaped portion includes a portion that reduces the effective diameter of the opening, and the wedge-shaped portion includes a barb that can mechanically engage with the electrical cable assembly, sound tube or other component when the electrical cable assembly, sound tube or other component is inserted into the opening.

9. The ear-worn hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein: The opening of the housing includes an end wall having an aperture, wherein an end of the electrical cable assembly or the sound tube abuts the end wall of the opening when the electrical cable assembly, the sound tube or other component is inserted into the opening.

10. The ear-worn hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein: The housing is an assembly including a first housing portion and a second housing portion fastened together, and when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are fastened together, the opening is at least partially defined by a first opening portion of the first housing portion and a second opening portion of the second housing portion.

11. The ear-worn hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein: The housing is a balanced armature receiver housing connected to an electrical cable assembly, the housing including a first metal housing portion secured to a second metal housing portion, the opening being at least partially defined by a first opening portion of the first metal housing portion and a second opening portion of the second metal housing portion, the passage extending through a wall portion of the housing, a plurality of retaining members each including a corresponding wall portion protruding into the opening, wherein each retaining member is configured to mechanically engage and retain the electrical cable assembly in the opening.

12. The ear-worn hearing aid device according to claim 11, wherein: The first opening portion is larger than the second opening portion, and the first metal shell portion includes two retaining members extending into the first opening portion near the mating surface of the first metal shell portion, wherein the two retaining members of the first metal shell portion are capable of retaining the electrical cable assembly disposed in the first opening portion before the first metal shell portion is fastened to the second metal shell portion.

13. The ear-worn hearing device of claim 1, the ear-worn hearing device being an in-ear canal receiver unit comprising a speaker and an electrical cable assembly disposed in the opening of the housing and mechanically engaged with the retaining member.

14. The ear-worn hearing aid according to claim 1, the ear-worn hearing aid being a behind-the-ear unit including a speaker and a sound tube disposed in the opening of the housing and mechanically engaged with the holding member.

15. The ear-worn hearing aid device of claim 1, wherein the ear-worn hearing aid device is a behind-the-ear connector, wherein the behind-the-ear connector comprises electrical contacts integrated with the housing and an electrical cable assembly disposed in the opening of the housing, wherein the electrical cable assembly is mechanically engaged with the retaining member.

16. A hearing aid device, comprising: A balanced armature receiver comprising a housing having a nozzle configured for at least partial insertion into an ear canal of a user, the housing comprising: an opening defining a passage through a wall portion of the housing; and a retaining member comprising a portion of the housing that protrudes into the opening; and an electrical cable assembly comprising a connector on one end and another end disposed in the opening of the housing, the retaining member mechanically engaging and retaining the other end disposed in the opening of the housing, Wherein the retaining member resists movement of the electrical cable assembly relative to the housing.

17. The hearing aid device according to claim 16, wherein: The retention member resists rotational and axial movement of the electrical cable assembly relative to the housing.

18. The hearing aid device according to claim 17, wherein: The housing includes a first metal housing portion secured to a second metal housing portion, the opening being at least partially defined by a first opening portion of the first metal housing portion and a second opening portion of the second metal housing portion, and a plurality of retaining members each including a corresponding wall portion protruding into the opening.

19. The hearing aid device according to claim 18, wherein: The first opening portion is larger than the second opening portion, and two of the retaining members extend into the first opening portion near the mating surface of the first metal shell portion, wherein the two retaining members of the first metal shell portion are capable of retaining the electrical cable assembly disposed in the first opening portion before the first metal shell portion is fastened to the second metal shell portion.

20. A hearing aid device, comprising: An in-ear canal receiver component comprising a housing for a speaker and a nozzle configured for at least partial insertion into an ear canal of a user, the housing comprising: an opening defining a passage having an inner surface; and a holding member integrated with the housing and protruding from the inner surface of the opening; and an electrical cable assembly including an end disposed in the opening of the housing and mechanically engaged with the retaining member, Wherein the retaining member resists rotation and axial movement of the electrical cable assembly relative to the housing.

21. The hearing aid device according to claim 20, wherein: The retaining member includes a tapered portion having a ridge aligned with an axis of the passage, the tapered portion including a barb, wherein the retaining member resists rotation and axial movement of the electrical cable assembly.

22. The hearing aid device of claim 20, wherein: The opening of the housing includes an end wall having an aperture, wherein an end of the electrical cable assembly abuts the end wall of the opening when inserted into the opening, and an electrical conductor of the electrical cable assembly extends through the aperture of the end wall.

23. The hearing aid device of claim 20, wherein: The housing is an assembly including a first housing portion and a second housing portion fastened together, and when the first housing portion is fastened to the second housing portion, the opening is at least partially defined by a first opening portion of the first housing portion and a second opening portion of the second housing portion.

24. The hearing aid device of claim 23, wherein: The housing includes a ferrule including a retaining feature, the opening being disposed in the ferrule, wherein the ferrule is secured to the housing by the retaining feature.

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