Ear-worn hearing device and ear-worn acoustic transducer subassembly

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ear-mounted hearing device and an ear-mounted acoustic transducer subassembly. The hearing device comprises a hearing device housing having a sound channel terminating at a sound port on a portion of the hearing device housing, the portion being configured to protrude toward or into a user's ear canal. The plurality of transducers are arranged end-to-end along the longitudinal dimension with a first transducer located between the other transducers and the sound port of the hearing device housing. Each transducer includes a sound outlet acoustically coupled to a sound port via a sound channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to ear-worn hearing devices, and more specifically to ear-worn hearing devices comprising a plurality of acoustic transducers, and also to acoustic transducer assemblies configured for use in hearing devices with spatial constraints. Background Technology

[0002] Some ear-worn hearing devices include an in-ear component that extends at least partially into the user's ear canal. One such hearing device is a receptive-in-the-canal (RIC) type behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, which includes an RIC unit configured to be at least partially inserted into the user's ear canal. The RIC unit can connect to a BTE unit, which is located behind the user's ear (auricle) and sends electroacoustic signals to the RIC unit. The RIC unit typically includes an acoustic transducer in the form of a balanced armature receiver (also referred to herein as a "receiver") integrated with a cable assembly that includes a connector that inserts into the BTE unit. The BTE unit contains one or more microphones, a battery, and circuitry for converting sensed ambient sound into amplified electroacoustic signals that are sent to the receiver in the RIC unit. The circuitry may also perform noise suppression and sound localization, as well as other audio signal processing functions. RIC units and other ear-worn hearing devices produce sound over a relatively narrow frequency range (typically at the higher frequencies of the audio spectrum), partly due to the characteristic frequency response of the receiver. Spatial constraints in hearing devices can also limit the number of acoustic transducers that can be integrated into the device. These spatial constraints may stem from the need to position the hearing device at least partially within the user's ear canal, and from the trend towards providing increased functionality in increasingly smaller hearing devices. Therefore, there is a need to improve ear-worn hearing devices. Utility Model Content

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an ear-worn hearing device is provided, the ear-worn hearing device comprising: a hearing device housing including a sound channel terminating at a sound port on a portion of the hearing device housing configured to protrude toward a user's ear canal; a first acoustic transducer coupled to the hearing device housing and including a first transducer housing having a first sound outlet acoustically coupled to the sound port via the sound channel; and a second acoustic transducer including a second transducer housing having a second sound outlet acoustically coupled to the sound port via the sound channel, the first acoustic transducer and the second acoustic transducer being arranged end-to-end, wherein the first acoustic transducer is located between the second acoustic transducer and the sound port of the hearing device housing.

[0004] Preferably, the first acoustic transducer includes a first acoustic frequency band response, and the second acoustic transducer includes a second acoustic frequency band response, wherein the dominant frequency of the first acoustic frequency band response is higher than the dominant frequency of the second acoustic frequency band response.

[0005] Preferably, at least one of the first acoustic transducer or the second acoustic transducer has a longitudinal dimension between opposite ends of the respective acoustic transducer, wherein one of the opposite ends is adjacent to the end of the other acoustic transducer.

[0006] Preferably, the first sound outlet is coupled to a first front volume of the first transducer housing, the first front volume being partially defined by an end of the first transducer housing; the second sound outlet is coupled to a second front volume of the second transducer housing and is located at an end of the second transducer housing, the end of the second transducer housing being connected to the end of the first transducer housing, sound being transmitted from the second sound outlet into the first front volume, wherein the second sound outlet is acoustically coupled to the sound channel via the first front volume.

[0007] Preferably, the first sound outlet is located on the side of the first transducer housing, and the first sound outlet is spatially acoustically coupled to the sound channel in the hearing device housing.

[0008] Preferably, the hearing device housing is substantially closed and houses the first acoustic transducer and the second acoustic transducer, the second sound outlet is located on the side of the second transducer housing, and the second sound outlet is spatially acoustically coupled to the sound channel in the hearing device housing.

[0009] Preferably, the ear-worn hearing device further includes a conductor electrically connected to a first terminal contact of the first acoustic transducer and a second terminal contact of the second acoustic transducer.

[0010] Preferably, the ear-worn hearing device is an in-ear receiving unit, which further includes: a cable assembly, the cable assembly including a conductor electrically connected to a first terminal contact of the first acoustic transducer and a second terminal contact of the second acoustic transducer; the hearing device housing includes an earmuff support structure; the sound channel extends through the earmuff support structure; the first acoustic transducer is a first balanced armature receiver including a first audio frequency band frequency response; and the second acoustic transducer is a second balanced armature receiver including a second audio frequency band frequency response, wherein the dominant frequency of the first audio frequency band frequency response is higher than the dominant frequency of the second audio frequency band frequency response.

[0011] Preferably, the second acoustic transducer has a longitudinal dimension between two opposite ends of the second acoustic transducer, wherein one of the opposite ends is adjacent to an end of the first acoustic transducer.

[0012] Preferably, the first sound outlet is coupled to a first front volume of the first transducer housing, the first front volume being partially defined by an end of the first transducer housing; the second sound outlet is coupled to a second front volume of the second transducer housing and is located at an end of the second transducer housing, the end of the second transducer housing being connected to the end of the first transducer housing, sound being transmitted from the second sound outlet into the first front volume, wherein the second sound outlet is acoustically coupled to the sound channel via the first front volume.

[0013] Preferably, the hearing device housing is a substantially enclosed housing that houses the first acoustic transducer and the second acoustic transducer. The first sound outlet is coupled to a first front volume of the first transducer housing and is located at one end of the first transducer housing, opposite to another end of the first transducer housing. The other end of the first transducer housing is connected to an end of the second transducer housing. The second sound outlet is coupled to a second front volume of the second transducer housing and is located on the side of the second transducer housing. The second sound outlet is spatially acoustically coupled to the sound channel within the hearing device housing.

[0014] Preferably, the ear-worn hearing device further includes a flexible circuit electrically connected to the first terminal contact and the second terminal contact, wherein the cable assembly is electrically connected to the first terminal contact and the second terminal contact through the flexible circuit.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an ear-worn acoustic transducer subassembly is provided, the ear-worn acoustic transducer subassembly comprising: a first acoustic transducer, the first acoustic transducer including a first transducer housing having a first electrical terminal and a first sound outlet, the first transducer housing having two opposing ends; a second acoustic transducer, the second acoustic transducer including a second transducer housing having a second electrical terminal and a second sound outlet, the second transducer housing having a longitudinal dimension between the two opposing ends, the first acoustic transducer being arranged end-to-end with the second acoustic transducer along the longitudinal dimension of the second acoustic transducer and mechanically coupled to the second acoustic transducer.

[0016] Preferably, the first acoustic transducer and the second acoustic transducer are balanced armature receivers.

[0017] Preferably, the first sound outlet is coupled to a first front volume of the first transducer housing, the first front volume being partially defined by an end of the first transducer housing; the second sound outlet is coupled to a second front volume of the second transducer housing and is located at an end of the second transducer housing, the end of the second transducer housing being mechanically connected to the end of the first transducer housing, wherein sound is transmitted from the second sound outlet into the first front volume of the first sound transducer.

[0018] Preferably, the ear-worn acoustic transducer subassembly further includes a flexible circuit electrically connected to a first contact of the first electrical terminal and a second contact of the second electrical terminal.

[0019] Preferably, the first sound outlet is coupled to the first front volume of the first transducer housing and is located on the side wall or end of the first transducer housing, and the second sound outlet is coupled to the second front volume of the second transducer housing and is located on the side wall of the second transducer housing.

[0020] Preferably, the ear-worn acoustic transducer subassembly further includes a flexible circuit electrically connected to a first contact of the first electrical terminal and a second contact of the second electrical terminal.

[0021] Preferably, at least one of the first transducer housing or the second transducer housing is a cylindrical housing.

[0022] Preferably, the second transducer housing is a cuboid. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings depict only representative embodiments and should therefore not be construed as limiting the scope of this invention.

[0024] Figure 1 It is a representative ear-worn hearing device that includes a cable assembly.

[0025] Figure 2 It is another representative ear-worn hearing device.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a prior art balanced armature receiver.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a representative transducer sub-assembly.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another representative transducer sub-assembly.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a representative transducer subassembly connected to a conductor.

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a representative transducer sub-assembly connected to a flexible circuit.

[0031] Those skilled in the art will understand that: the accompanying drawings are for simplicity and clarity and therefore may not be drawn to scale and may not include well-known features; the order in which actions or steps occur may differ from the order described, or some or all of the actions or steps may be performed simultaneously, unless otherwise stated; and the terms and expressions used herein have the meanings understood by those skilled in the art, unless different meanings are attributed to them herein. Detailed Implementation

[0032] This disclosure generally relates to ear-worn hearing devices, and more specifically to ear-worn hearing devices comprising multiple acoustic transducers, and also to acoustic transducer assemblies configured for use in hearing devices with spatial constraints. Representative ear-worn hearing devices include (but are not limited to) receiving-in-the-canal (RIC), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), completely-in-the-canal (CIC), and speaker-in-the-ear (SIC) devices. In this specification, "ear-worn hearing device" means a hearing device (also referred to herein as a "unit") worn in, partially in, or on the ear facing the ear canal.

[0033] Ear-worn hearing devices typically include a hearing device housing that includes an acoustic channel terminating at a sound port positioned to face the user's ear canal during use. The hearing device housing can be a substantially enclosed housing that completely houses multiple acoustic transducers. The substantially enclosed hearing device housing includes the sound port and may also include a microphone port and vents. Alternatively, the housing can enclose fewer transducers than all of them. For example, the housing may be a portion that covers the end of as few as one acoustic transducer, with the remaining transducers extending to the outside of the hearing device housing.

[0034] exist Figure 1In this embodiment, hearing device 100 is configured as an RIC unit including an RIC housing 110 defining a sound channel 112 terminating at a sound port 114 on an end 116 of the RIC housing. The housing end 116 is configured to support a removable earcup 120 and protrudes toward the user's ear canal during use. The earcup may be formed of silicone or other flexible biocompatible materials that are at least partially insertable into the user's ear canal. However, in ITE, ITC, and other ear-worn hearing devices, the hearing device housing is configured to be worn without the earcup. These and other ear-worn hearing devices may include housings sized or custom-molded to fit the unique anatomy of a user's ear.

[0035] exist Figure 1 In this embodiment, the RIC unit includes a substantially enclosed RIC housing 110. In other implementations, the RIC housing may have an open end opposite end 116, in which a portion of one or more acoustic receivers is exposed. Other ear-worn hearing devices also include substantially enclosed hearing device housings. Representative ear-worn hearing devices including substantially enclosed hearing device housings include, but are not limited to, ITE, ITC, CIC, and SIC units.

[0036] exist Figure 1 In this configuration, cable assembly 130 is mechanically coupled to RIC housing 110. The cable assembly is also mechanically coupled to or can be connected to a BTE unit (not shown) configured to be worn on or behind a user's ear. More generally, the cable assembly connects the RIC unit to a base unit that can be worn on another part of the user's body. The base unit typically includes one or more batteries, circuitry (e.g., an audio signal processor, an audio amplifier, etc.), and one or more microphones. The base unit may also include physiological sensors, wireless transceivers, and other components. The cable assembly includes an electrical conductor 132 that electrically connects the acoustic transducer of the RIC unit to the circuitry of the base unit, as further described herein.

[0037] Other ear-worn hearing devices are stand-alone devices without cable assemblies and base units. Figure 2 In this embodiment, the standalone hearing device 200 includes a hearing device housing 210 similar to an ITC unit. Alternatively, the hearing device housing can be configured as an ITE, CIC, or SIC unit, etc. In these and other ear-worn units, multiple transducers 212, 213, a battery 214, circuitry 216, a microphone 218, and other components are housed within the hearing device housing. The standalone ear-worn unit may also include physiological sensors, a wireless transceiver, and other components.

[0038] Typically, ear-worn hearing devices comprise two or more acoustic transducers, either individually or as transducer subassemblies assembled with the hearing device housing. Each transducer typically includes a transducer housing with electrical terminals and a sound outlet. Multiple transducers are arranged end-to-end along a common longitudinal dimension. This longitudinal configuration allows for the integration of multi-sound transducer assemblies into hearing devices with spatial constraints imposed by the ear canal and other considerations, where such spatial constraints may not accommodate a side-by-side arrangement of the transducers.

[0039] One or more acoustic transducers may have a cubic, cuboid, or cylindrical shape, etc., depending on the transducer housing. Multiple acoustic transducers within a particular ear-worn unit may have the same or different shapes. Some transducers include a longitudinal dimension between opposite ends. The longitudinal dimension of a cuboid lies between opposite ends separated by the longest dimension of the hearing device housing. The longitudinal dimension of a cylindrical transducer is along its axis of symmetry. Aligning the longest dimensions of the transducers along a common longitudinal dimension arranged end-to-end minimizes the cross-sectional area occupied by the transducers. In other embodiments, it is not necessary to align the longest dimensions of the transducers along the longitudinal dimensions arranged end-to-end of the acoustic transducers.

[0040] In some implementations, multiple acoustic transducers are arranged and mechanically connected as sub-assemblies before assembly with the hearing device housing of the ear-worn hearing device. The connection can be direct or indirect. Direct connection can be achieved by welding, bonding, or by manufacturing more than one acoustic transducer in a common transducer housing, wherein the first and second transducer housings constitute the common housing. Indirect connection can be achieved using an intermediate structure that interconnects the transducers. In other implementations, the first and second transducers are not connected before assembly with the ear-worn hearing device housing. In the latter case, multiple transducers are arranged end-to-end when assembled with the hearing device housing. In either case, the hearing device housing can be constructed with reservoirs to accommodate a single transducer or a sub-assembly of multiple transducers arranged end-to-end.

[0041] In one implementation, multiple acoustic transducers are balanced armature receivers. Such receivers are also known in the art as moving-iron loudspeakers or receivers. Figure 3In this example, a representative balanced armature receiver 300 includes a transducer housing 310, which is divided by a diaphragm 320 into a rear volume 312 and a front volume 314 coupled to a sound port 302. A motor 330 located in the rear volume includes a coil 332 electromagnetically coupled to an armature 334, which has one end fixed to a yoke 336 and a free end 335 balanced between magnets 338 held by the yoke. The armature is coupled to a movable portion of the diaphragm via a drive rod or other linkage 340. A magnetic field induced by an electroacoustic signal applied to terminal contacts 342 connected to the coil moves the armature and the diaphragm. The deflection of the diaphragm emits sound from the sound port 302. Figure 3 In this case, the armature has a U-shape, but other armatures may have E-shape or M-shape, etc. Other balanced armature receivers may have the same characteristics as... Figure 3 The representative receivers have different architectures. Other acoustic transducers (such as dynamic loudspeakers) can also be arranged in an end-to-end configuration as described herein. One or more dynamic loudspeakers can also be arranged end-to-end with one or more receivers.

[0042] exist Figure 4 In the acoustic transducer subassembly 400, a first acoustic transducer includes a first transducer housing 410, which includes a first sound outlet 412 coupled to a first front volume 414 of the first transducer housing. The first front volume is partially defined by an end 416 of the first transducer housing. The first sound outlet 412 is located on a sidewall of the transducer housing that partially defines the first front volume. A second acoustic transducer includes a second transducer housing 420, which includes a second sound outlet 422 coupled to a second front volume 424 of the second transducer housing. The second sound outlet is located on an end 426 of the second transducer housing. The end 416 of the first transducer housing 410 is connected to the end 426 of the second transducer housing, wherein sound is transmitted from the second sound outlet 422 into the first front volume 414 and out from the first sound outlet 412. In this configuration, sound from both the first and second transducers is emitted from the first sound outlet 412. Mechanically connecting the first and second acoustic transducers before assembling them with the hearing device housing ensures proper alignment and sealing between the first and second front volumes. As described herein, this connection can be direct or indirect.

[0043] exist Figure 5In the acoustic transducer subassembly 500, a first acoustic transducer includes a first transducer housing 510, which includes a first sound outlet 512 coupled to a first front volume 514 of the first transducer housing. The first sound outlet 512 is located on a housing sidewall that partially defines the first front volume. Alternatively, a first sound outlet 513 may be located on an end 515 of the first transducer housing. A second acoustic transducer includes a second transducer housing 520, which includes a second sound outlet 522 coupled to a second front volume 524 of the second transducer housing. The second sound outlet is located on a transducer housing sidewall that partially defines the second front volume. An end 516 of the first transducer housing 510 abuts an end 526 of the second transducer housing. With this configuration, sound from the first and second transducers can be emitted to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The sound channel of the ear-worn hearing device shown. Figure 5 In this configuration, sound emanating from sound outlets 512 and 522 or 523 is transmitted to the sound channel via a space within the hearing device housing. Sound emanating from sound outlet 513 travels more directly to the sound channel. Alternatively, sound emanating from the second transducer can be transmitted from the second sound outlet via a conduit (not shown) to the first front volume 514, whereby sound from both the first and second transducers is emitted from the first sound outlet 512. Mechanically connecting the first and second acoustic transducers facilitates the integration of the transducer subassembly with the hearing device housing.

[0044] In some implementations, each of the plurality of acoustic transducers in the acoustic transducer subassembly is electrically connected to one or more conductors, which are connected to or can be connected to the circuitry of the ear-worn hearing device. Figure 6 In the acoustic transducer subassembly, the first transducer 610 and the second transducer 620 are connected or can be connected to the circuitry of the ear-worn hearing device via corresponding wires 602 and 604 connected to the terminal contacts 612 and 622 of the respective acoustic transducers. Figure 6 (Not shown in the image). More generally, multiple wires can be connected to the corresponding terminal contacts of each acoustic transducer. Furthermore, in some embodiments, multiple acoustic transducers can be connected in parallel via conductors. The wires can be connected to conductors of the cable assembly or to circuitry located within the hearing device housing along with the acoustic transducers.

[0045] exist Figure 7 In the acoustic transducer subassembly, the first transducer 710 and the second transducer 720 are connected to or can be connected to the circuitry of the ear-worn hearing device via one or more conductors of the flexible circuit 730. Figure 7(Not shown in the image). The flexible circuit can be connected (e.g., by welding) to the corresponding terminal contacts of the acoustic transducer. The flexible circuit may also include one or more contacts 732 of corresponding conductors that can be connected to the cable assembly of the RIC unit. Figure 1 In this configuration, one or more conductors 132 of the cable assembly are electrically connected to corresponding conductors of the flexible circuit 134. In some ear-worn hearing devices, components of the circuit (e.g., integrated circuits, etc.) may be directly connected to the flexible circuit. More generally, multiple wires may be connected to corresponding terminal contacts of each acoustic transducer. In some embodiments, the flexible circuit may also connect multiple acoustic transducers in parallel.

[0046] In one implementation, the ear-worn hearing device includes a housing with a sound channel terminating at a sound port on a portion of the housing, the portion being configured to protrude toward a user's ear canal. A first acoustic transducer is coupled to the hearing device housing and includes a first transducer housing having a first sound outlet acoustically coupled to the sound port via the sound channel. A second acoustic transducer includes a second transducer housing with a second sound outlet acoustically coupled to the sound port via the sound channel. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The image schematically illustrates a representative hearing device.

[0047] The first and second acoustic transducers are arranged end-to-end, with the first transducer located between the second transducer and the sound port of the hearing device housing. Figure 1 In this configuration, the first transducer is located between the second transducer 142 and the sound port 114 of the hearing device. Figure 2 Similarly, the first transducer 212 is located between the second transducer 213 and the sound port 220 of the ear-worn unit 200.

[0048] In some implementations, the first acoustic transducer includes a first acoustic frequency band response, and the second acoustic transducer includes a second acoustic frequency band response, wherein the dominant frequency of the first acoustic frequency band response is higher than the dominant frequency of the second acoustic frequency band response. For example, in Figure 1 In this implementation, the first transducer 140 can have a higher frequency response than the second transducer 142. Positioning the transducer with the highest frequency response closest to the sound port of the hearing device and the transducer with the lowest frequency response furthest from the sound port can provide optimal acoustic output. However, in other implementations, the arrangement of higher and lower frequencies relative to the sound port can differ.

[0049] exist Figure 1In this configuration, the first sound outlet 144 of the first transducer 140 is coupled to the sound port 114 via a space in the hearing device housing 110 and a sound channel 112. A second sound outlet (not shown) is located on the end 141 of the second transducer 142 facing the first transducer, wherein the second sound outlet is acoustically coupled to the front volume of the first transducer 140, as shown... Figure 4 As shown and described herein, in this configuration, the second sound outlet of the second transducer 142 is acoustically coupled to the sound port 114 via the first front volume acoustic coupling of the first transducer. Figure 2 In this configuration, the first sound outlet (not shown) is located at the end of the first transducer 212 near the sound port and is directly coupled to the sound port 220 via the sound channel 112. Figure 5 In the text, this sound output is shown at position 513 and described above. Figure 2 In the second transducer 213, the second sound outlet 215 is acoustically coupled to the sound port 220 via the space 217 and the sound channel in the hearing device housing 210.

[0050] While this disclosure and what is now considered the best mode thereof have been described in a manner that establishes ownership and enables those skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, it should be understood and recognized that many equivalents exist of the representative embodiments described herein, and that various modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention, which is not limited to the described embodiments but is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ear-worn hearing device, characterized in that, The ear-worn hearing device includes: A hearing device housing, the hearing device housing including a sound channel terminating at a sound port on a portion of the hearing device housing configured to protrude toward the user's ear canal; A first acoustic transducer, the first acoustic transducer being coupled to the hearing device housing and including a first transducer housing, the first transducer housing having a first acoustic outlet acoustically coupled to the acoustic port via the acoustic channel; and A second acoustic transducer, comprising a second transducer housing having a second acoustic outlet acoustically coupled to the acoustic port via the acoustic channel. The first acoustic transducer and the second acoustic transducer are arranged end-to-end, wherein the first acoustic transducer is located between the second acoustic transducer and the sound port of the hearing device housing.

2. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first acoustic transducer includes a first acoustic frequency band response, and the second acoustic transducer includes a second acoustic frequency band response, wherein the dominant frequency of the first acoustic frequency band response is higher than the dominant frequency of the second acoustic frequency band response.

3. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the first acoustic transducer or the second acoustic transducer has a longitudinal dimension between opposite ends of the respective acoustic transducer, wherein one of the opposite ends is adjacent to an end of the other acoustic transducer.

4. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first sound outlet is coupled to a first front volume of the first transducer housing, the first front volume being partially defined by an end of the first transducer housing; The second sound outlet is coupled to the second front volume of the second transducer housing and is located at an end of the second transducer housing, the end of the second transducer housing being connected to the end of the first transducer housing. Sound is transmitted from the second sound outlet into the first front volume. The second sound outlet is acoustically coupled to the sound channel via the first front volume.

5. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first sound outlet is located on the side of the first transducer housing, and the first sound outlet is spatially acoustically coupled to the sound channel in the hearing device housing.

6. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hearing device housing houses the first acoustic transducer and the second acoustic transducer, the second sound outlet is located on the side of the second transducer housing, and the second sound outlet is spatially acoustically coupled to the sound channel in the hearing device housing.

7. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ear-worn hearing device also includes a conductor electrically connected to a first terminal contact of the first acoustic transducer and a second terminal contact of the second acoustic transducer.

8. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ear-worn hearing device is an in-ear receiving unit, and the in-ear receiving unit further includes: The cable assembly includes a conductor electrically connected to a first terminal contact of the first acoustic transducer and a second terminal contact of the second acoustic transducer. The hearing device housing includes an earcup support structure, and the sound channel extends through the earcup support structure. The first acoustic transducer is a first balanced armature receiver including a first acoustic frequency band frequency response, and the second acoustic transducer is a second balanced armature receiver including a second acoustic frequency band frequency response. The dominant frequency of the first audio frequency band response is higher than the dominant frequency of the second audio frequency band response.

9. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second acoustic transducer has a longitudinal dimension between two opposite ends of the second acoustic transducer, wherein one of the opposite ends is adjacent to an end of the first acoustic transducer.

10. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first sound outlet is coupled to a first front volume of the first transducer housing, the first front volume being partially defined by an end of the first transducer housing; The second sound outlet is coupled to the second front volume of the second transducer housing and is located at an end of the second transducer housing, the end of the second transducer housing being connected to the end of the first transducer housing. Sound is transmitted from the second sound outlet into the first front volume. The second sound outlet is acoustically coupled to the sound channel via the first front volume.

11. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The hearing device housing accommodates the first acoustic transducer and the second acoustic transducer. The first sound outlet is coupled to a first front volume of the first transducer housing and is located at one end of the first transducer housing, opposite to another end of the first transducer housing, which is connected to an end of the second transducer housing. The second sound outlet is coupled to the second front volume of the second transducer housing and is located on the side of the second transducer housing. The second sound outlet is connected to the sound channel via spatial acoustic coupling within the housing of the hearing device.

12. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The ear-worn hearing device further includes a flexible circuit electrically connected to the first terminal contact and the second terminal contact, wherein the cable assembly is electrically connected to the first terminal contact and the second terminal contact through the flexible circuit.

13. An ear-worn acoustic transducer subassembly, characterized in that, The ear-worn acoustic transducer sub-assembly includes: A first acoustic transducer, comprising a first transducer housing, the first transducer housing having a first electrical terminal and a first sound outlet, the first transducer housing having two opposing ends; A second acoustic transducer, comprising a second transducer housing having a second electrical terminal and a second acoustic outlet, and having a longitudinal dimension between its two opposite ends. The first acoustic transducer is arranged end-to-end with the second acoustic transducer along the longitudinal dimension of the second acoustic transducer and is mechanically connected to the second acoustic transducer.

14. The ear-worn acoustic transducer subassembly according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first and second acoustic transducers are balanced armature receivers.

15. The ear-worn acoustic transducer subassembly according to claim 14, characterized in that, The first sound outlet is coupled to a first front volume of the first transducer housing, the first front volume being partially defined by an end of the first transducer housing; The second sound outlet is coupled to the second front volume of the second transducer housing and is located at an end of the second transducer housing, the end of the second transducer housing being mechanically connected to the end of the first transducer housing. The sound is transmitted from the second sound outlet to the first front volume of the first sound transducer.

16. The ear-worn acoustic transducer subassembly according to claim 15, characterized in that, The ear-worn acoustic transducer subassembly also includes a flexible circuit that is electrically connected to a first contact of the first electrical terminal and a second contact of the second electrical terminal.

17. The ear-worn acoustic transducer subassembly according to claim 14, characterized in that, The first sound outlet is coupled to the first front volume of the first transducer housing and is located on the side wall or end of the first transducer housing. The second sound outlet is coupled to the second front volume of the second transducer housing and is located on the side wall of the second transducer housing.

18. The ear-worn acoustic transducer subassembly according to claim 17, characterized in that, The ear-worn acoustic transducer subassembly also includes a flexible circuit that is electrically connected to a first contact of the first electrical terminal and a second contact of the second electrical terminal.

19. The ear-worn acoustic transducer subassembly according to claim 13, characterized in that, At least one of the first transducer housing or the second transducer housing is a cylindrical housing.

20. The ear-worn acoustic transducer subassembly according to claim 13, characterized in that, The second transducer housing is a cuboid.

Images