Earplug for hearing device and hearing device

Abstract

The invention relates to an earplug (1) for a hearing device (2), comprising a body (4). The body (4) comprises an outer wall (6) and at least one pair of ribs (16), the outer wall forming a hollow embedded annular structure, the hollow embedded annular structure is closed except for a sound transmission opening (12) at a first end (8) and is open like a cup at a second end (10), the first end (8) and the second end (10) are opposite to each other along an insertion axis (14), and the first end (8) and the second end (10) are opposite to each other along the insertion axis (14). The at least one pair of ribs (16) is separated from each other in the circumferential direction (18) and protrudes radially inward from the outer wall (6) leaving an open radially inner core region (22). The outer wall (6) and the ribs (16) are made of a flexible material.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an earplug for a hearing device and to a hearing device comprising such an earplug. BACKGROUND

[0002] Hearing devices are generally used to output an acoustic signal to the hearing of a wearer of the hearing device. This output is achieved acoustically, usually by means of a loudspeaker (also referred to as "receiver"), via air-borne sound. Such hearing devices are often used as so-called hearing aids. For this purpose, a hearing device usually comprises an acoustic input transducer (in particular a microphone) and a signal processor which is set up to process an input signal (also referred to as microphone signal) generated by the input transducer from the ambient sound using at least one signal processing algorithm (usually stored in a user-specific manner) in order to at least partially compensate for a hearing loss of the wearer of the hearing device. In particular in the case of hearing aids, the output transducer can alternatively be a so-called bone conduction receiver or cochlea implant in addition to or instead of a loudspeaker, which is set up to mechanically or electrically couple the sound signal into the hearing of the wearer. In particular, the term "hearing device" also includes devices such as so-called tinnitus maskers, earphones, headphones, etc.

[0003] Typical designs of hearing devices (in particular hearing aids) are the behind-the-ear ("BTE") and the in-the-ear ("ITE") hearing device. These designations refer to the intended position of wearing. In-the-ear hearing aids have a (main) housing which is worn behind the pinna. A distinction can be made between models in which the loudspeaker is located in the housing, the sound being transmitted to the ear usually via a sound tube which is worn in the ear canal, and models which have an external loudspeaker which is placed in the ear canal. On the other hand, in-the-ear hearing aids have a housing which is worn in the pinna or even completely in the ear canal.

[0004] In order to effectively transmit sound to the eardrum, a sealed seat of the sound output part of the respective hearing device in the ear canal is generally of crucial importance. In most cases, the best results are achieved using a custom-made fitting earpiece. For this purpose, a hearing care professional usually has to take an ear impression or a 3D scan of the ear canal. This method of manufacturing such earpieces is both cost- and time-intensive and requires corresponding infrastructure, which is not always readily available. SUMMARY

[0005] The present invention is based on the need for an earplug which is affordable and comfortable to use.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the application by the features of claim 1. Furthermore, this problem is solved according to the application by the features of claim 11. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the application, some of which are inventive per se, are set forth in the dependent claims and in the following description.

[0007] The earplug according to the application is designed and provided for use with a hearing device, in particular a hearing aid. The earplug comprises a main body. The main body comprises an outer wall forming a hollow ring-like / thimble-like (or cap-like) structure which is closed at a first end ("distal end") except for a sound transmission opening (also referred to as "port"). The ring-like structure is open at a second end like a cup. The first and second ends are opposite to each other along an insertion axis (along which the earplug will be inserted into the ear canal for the intended use). The main body further comprises at least one pair of ribs which are separated from each other in circumferential direction and which protrude radially from the outer wall into the interior of the main body, in particular into the ring-like structure, leaving a core region open radially inside the ring-like structure. The outer wall and the ribs are made of a flexible material.

[0008] "Flexible" as used in the context of the present application means having a lower resistance to deformation compared to materials which are not easily bendable or deformable, but having a higher elastic capacity. Preferably, this property can be compared to the property of an elastomeric material such as rubber.

[0009] Preferably, the main body comprises at least four of said ribs protruding from the outer wall. Conveniently, the number of such ribs is even.

[0010] The design of the main body as described above can be compared to an umbrella, i.e. the outer wall would correspond to a membrane exhibiting a low resistance to deformation, while the ribs would correspond to tension rods (also referred to as "spokes" or "quills") which unfold the membrane into its typical dome-like shape. Thus, on the one hand, the ribs give the ring-like structure a certain degree of stability against deformation, on the other hand, the ribs enable the outer wall to be easily deformed between the ribs, in particular in radial and / or circumferential direction. Thus, the earplug exhibits a high degree of flexibility. However, compared to a simple structure having a flexible dome-like wall only, the earplug also exhibits a comparably high elasticity, such that the earplug according to the application is able to conform sealingly, in particular airtightly, to a large number of different ear canal geometries. Thus, the earplug is particularly suitable for hearing devices which are not intended to be individually adapted to the respective ear of a user in its geometry.

[0011] The insertion axis is preferably similar to a longitudinal axis of the earplug.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the ribs are pairwise opposite to each other with respect to the insertion axis. More preferably, the ribs are aligned with equal gaps in circumferential direction. This compensates for a stepwise rotationally symmetric deformation behavior at least approximately, i.e. exactly or within usual tolerances.

[0013] According to one advantageous embodiment, the ribs extend from the first end (distal end) along the insertion axis only over a part of the length of the outer wall. Thus, the outer wall will exhibit a smaller deformation resistance in the region of the second end than at the distal end. This enables the earplug to sit comfortably within the ear canal and to gently contact the ear canal.

[0014] In particular, the cross section of the main body is smaller at the first end than at the second end.

[0015] In order to reduce the deformation resistance of the outer wall against the insertion direction, according to another advantageous embodiment, the ribs are height-reduced in direction towards the second end. This means that their radial protrusion is reduced towards the second end. The height reduction of the ribs can be realized by at least one step and / or continuously.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the height reduction of the ribs serves to free up mounting (or insertion) space for the insertion of a hearing device component, e.g. an external receiver unit or even the distal end of an in-the-ear hearing device, into the main body.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the main body of the earplug is made as a single piece element. In particular, the ribs and the outer wall are integrally formed (i.e. from the same material in one production step).

[0018] According to one advantageous embodiment, the main body comprises a central protrusion, which protrudes in direction towards the second end from the first end, preferably within the above-mentioned core region. This central protrusion is preferably formed with a shape-locked structure for receiving a hearing device component. Most preferably, this shape-locked structure is a central aperture with at least one undercut or recess, into which a hearing device component can be locked.

[0019] This central protrusion and its shape-locked structure are preferably designed rotationally symmetrically, such that the hearing device can be mounted in any rotational position with respect to the earplug.

[0020] According to another advantageous embodiment, the shape-locked structure opens through the outer wall to the outside front of the distal end of the main body in its design as a central aperture. Preferably, this opening is similar to the above-mentioned sound transmission port.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a circumferential, preferably rotationally symmetrical, gap is provided between the central protrusion and the outer wall and the ribs. In other words, the outer side of the central protrusion is not attached to the ribs or the outer wall. This enables a defined pulling or holding force at each circumferential point of the hearing device component attached to the earplug to be achieved.

[0022] Preferably, the central protrusion is also formed as a single piece, preferably integrally, with the ribs and the outer wall.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the main body is made of a silicone rubber material. Silicone rubber is biologically inert and can be easily cleaned and disinfected multiple times without producing or at least with very little negative effects.

[0024] According to an alternative embodiment, the main body has an oval cross-section. This can be advantageous because the ear canal is usually also oval.

[0025] According to a further alternative embodiment, at least some of the ribs can be cut away or further lowered in height to a certain extent compared to the other ribs in order to create more receiving space for the hearing device to be installed.

[0026] The hearing device according to the application comprises an earplug as described above, preferably as a repeatedly connectable element.

[0027] Preferably, the hearing device is a hearing aid.

[0028] Here and in the following, the conjunction "and / or" is to be understood in particular such that the features linked by this conjunction can be formed together or as an alternative to each other.

[0029] Here and in the following, the term "form-locking" (also referred to as "positive locking") between at least two interconnected parts is to be understood in particular to mean that the interconnection of the interconnected parts takes place at least in one direction by a direct interlocking of the contour of the part itself or indirectly via an additional connecting part. Reciprocating movement in this direction thus takes place "locked" due to the shape of the individual parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] In the following, examples of the application will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. Therein: Figure 1 a perspective view is schematically shown on a first end of an earplug of a hearing device, Figure 2 a perspective view is shown on a second end of the earplug, Figure 3 a longitudinal sectional view of the earplug is shown, and Figure 4 a perspective side view is schematically shown of a hearing device with an alternative embodiment of an earplug.

[0031] Parts that correspond to each other in all the figures are always provided with the same reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figures 1 to 3 An earplug 1 is shown that is designed for connection to a hearing device, in particular a hearing aid 2 (see Figure 4 ). The hearing aid 2 is designed as a behind-the-ear device with an external receiver unit 3. The earplug 1 is provided to hold the external receiver unit 3 within an ear canal (not shown) and also to enable a tight (and sealing) seating of the earplug 1 and the external receiver unit 3 within the ear canal. The latter in particular does not require individual matching and manufacturing.

[0033] For these purposes, the earplug 1 comprises a main body 4. The main body 4 is formed by an outer wall 6 having an inlay ring-like or cup-like structure. This means that the outer wall 6 forms a closed distal end 8 and an open end 10. However, the distal end 8 is not completely closed, but has a sound transmission port 12, which in the present embodiment is divided into two openings. The distal end 8 and the open end 10 (or rear end) are aligned opposite to each other along an insertion axis 14 (see Figure 3 ) along which the earplug 1 is to be inserted into the ear canal for the intended wearing.

[0034] Furthermore, the main body 4 comprises several pairs of ribs 16, here four pairs. These ribs 16 are aligned at least approximately parallel to the insertion axis 14 and protrude radially inwards from the outer wall 6. It goes without saying that close to the front region of the distal end 8, the ribs 16 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction 18 by gaps 20 (see Figure 2 ). The ribs 16 leave an open radial inner space 22 (or core region).

[0035] Furthermore, the main body 1 comprises a central protrusion 24. This protrusion 24 protrudes from the distal end 8 along the insertion axis 14. The protrusion 24 is formed with a circumferential gap (or "gap 26") towards the ribs 16 and the outer wall 6. Both the central protrusion 24 and the gap 26 are designed rotationally symmetrical.

[0036] The central protrusion 24 has a (central) aperture 28 that is designed for a form-locking structure to hold the hearing aid 2 within the earplug 1. In detail, the aperture 28 has two undercuts 30, in which a spout of the hearing aid 2 can be locked with a corresponding protrusion (not shown). Furthermore, the aperture 28 opens into the sound transmission port 12.

[0037] The main body 4 is integrally formed from silicone rubber.

[0038] Furthermore, the main body 4 has an elliptical cross-section, as can be seen from Figure 1 and Figure 2As can be seen from

[0039] The ribs 16 together with the outer wall 6 resemble an umbrella-like design. The separate ribs 16 give the outer wall 6 stability and allow a high degree of flexibility so that the outer wall 6 can conform to the ear canal and achieve a tight fit, in particular a sealing fit. In particular, the gaps 20 between the ribs 16 enable the outer wall 6 to build a kind of film hinge.

[0040] Furthermore, the ribs 16 are designed to fill the earplug 1, in particular the inner space 22, with as much volume of material as possible in order to provide a high passive attenuation of sound from the environment to the inner ear canal. Thus, the volume of the ribs 16 increases towards the distal end 8. However, the length of the ribs 16 is also reduced by the step 30 in order to adaptively seal various ear shapes by providing further flexibility to the open end 10 of the earplug 1. The combination of as high a volume of material as possible at the distal end 8, ribs 16 with gaps 20 for adaptive flexibility and a step 30 towards the open end 10 to the outer wall 6 can well compromise high passive sound attenuation and adaptive flexibility in order to tightly seal the ear against sound leakage.

[0041] In order to make room for the hearing aid 2, in particular the external receiver unit 3, the height, i.e. its radial dimension, of the ribs 16 is reduced by another step 34 when inserted into the earplug 1. This can be seen in Figure 2 and Figure 3 .

[0042] As can be seen from Figure 4 , the earplug 1 according to a further embodiment can also be designed in an asymmetric shape seen in the longitudinal direction. This shape can be a shape that fits the representative ear canal shape so that not all deformations have to be compensated by the structure of the earplug 1.

[0043] The central protrusion 24 preferably has a rotationally symmetrical, in particular cylindrical, outer shape which, in combination with the circumferential gap 26, allows a defined, in particular uniform, pulling-out force to be generated around the entire central protrusion 24 in order to remove the hearing aid 2.

[0044] The object of the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiment examples. Rather, the person skilled in the art can derive further embodiments of the present application from the above description.

[0045] List of reference signs 1 earplug 2 hearing aid 3 external receiver unit 4 body 6 outer wall 8 end 10 end 12 sound transmission port 14 insertion axis 16 rib 18 circumferential direction 20 gap 22 inner space 24 protrusion 26 gap 28 aperture 30 undercut 32 step 34 step

Claims

1. An earplug (1) for a hearing device (2), the earplug comprising a body (4) having: - The outer wall (6) forms a hollow annular structure, which is closed except for the sound transmission opening (12) at the first end (8) and open like a cup at the second end (10), the first end (8) and the second end (10) being opposite to each other along the insertion axis (14). - At least one pair of ribs (16) that are separated from each other in the circumferential direction (18) and protrude radially inward from the outer wall (6), leaving an open radial inner core region (22). The outer wall (6) and the ribs (16) are made of flexible material.

2. The earplug (1) according to claim 1. At least four ribs (16) protrude from the outer wall (6).

3. The earplug (1) according to claim 2. The ribs (16) therein are opposite each other in pairs.

4. The earplug (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The rib (16) extends from the first end (8) along the insertion axis (14) over only a portion of the length of the outer wall (6).

5. The earplug (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The rib (16) decreases in height in the direction toward the second end (10).

6. The earplug (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The rib (16) is integrally formed with the outer wall (6).

7. The earplug (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The central protrusion (24) protrudes from the first end (8) in a direction toward the second end (10), preferably within the core region (22), and the central protrusion (24) is formed with a shape-locking structure for receiving hearing device components.

8. The earplug (1) according to claim 7. There is a circumferential gap (26) between the central protrusion (24), the outer wall (6), and the rib (16).

9. The earplug (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The main body (4) is made of silicone rubber.

10. The earplug (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The main body (4) therein has an elliptical cross-section.

11. A hearing device (2), particularly a hearing aid, having an earplug (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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