Sound-generating transducer for ear-worn hearing aids

Abstract

Hearing aid worn on the ear, comprising: a housing having a sound passage at a portion of the housing configured for at least partial insertion into an ear; a sound-generating transducer located in the housing and comprising: a transducer housing including a stepped end portion and comprising a first step defined by a first recessed portion separated from a protruding wall portion by a first offset wall portion, and a second step defined by a second recessed portion separated from the protruding wall portion by a second offset wall portion, the first and second steps being disposed on opposite sides of the transducer housing; a first diaphragm disposed within the transducer housing and separating an interior of the transducer housing into a rear volume and a front volume, the first diaphragm extending into the stepped end portion of the transducer housing; a sound port disposed in the stepped end portion of the transducer housing between the front volume and the sound passage; a motor disposed in the transducer housing and including an armature coupled to the first diaphragm; and an electrical connector that is electrically connected to the motor.

Description

AREA OF REVELATION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to hearing aids, and more particularly to sound-generating transducers and assemblies suitably sized for use in ear-worn hearing aids, hearing aid subassemblies, and combinations thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] Over-the-ear hearing aids generally comprise one or more sound-generating transducers integrated into a housing that fits on or at least partially within the user's ear. Such transducers include dynamic loudspeakers, balanced armature receivers, and combinations thereof. Hearing aids may also include a wireless transceiver, an audio processor, a battery, one or more microphones, and various sensors. However, integrating these and other components into over-the-ear hearing aids requires compromises due to space constraints, particularly for hearing aids worn on the pinna or at least partially within the ear. Therefore, there is a constant need for improvements in transducers suitable for over-the-ear hearing aids, as well as in transducer assemblies and combinations thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely representative embodiments and implementations and are not to be considered limiting the disclosure, the scope of which is determined by the appended claims. Fig. 1 is a representative ear-worn hearing aid. Fig. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a representative transducer assembly including a sound-generating transducer with a driver and an electrical component. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative arrangement of transducers. Fig. Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of a representative ear-worn hearing aid incorporating a transducer assembly of the type shown in Fig. 2 described type. Fig. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a representative sound-generating transducer with multiple drivers. Fig. Figure 6 is a partial sectional view of a representative ear-worn hearing aid incorporating a sound-generating transducer of the type described in Fig. 5 described type. Fig. 7 is a representative transducer arrangement showing a sound-generating transducer with multiple drivers of the Fig. 5 and an electrical component. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative transducer assembly including a sound-generating multi-driver transducer and an electrical component. Fig. Figure 9 is a partial sectional view of a representative ear-worn hearing aid incorporating a transducer assembly of the type shown in Fig. 7 described type. Fig. 10 is another representative ear-worn hearing aid. Fig. Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative ear-worn hearing aid incorporating an integrated electrical component.

[0004] Those skilled in the art will understand that the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and therefore may not be drawn to scale and may not include well-known features, that the order of occurrence of acts or steps may vary from the order described, that some or all of such acts or steps may be performed concurrently unless otherwise indicated, and that the terms and expressions used herein have a meaning understood by those skilled in the art unless expressly assigned a different meaning. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0005] The disclosure relates to ear-worn hearing devices, sound-generating transducers and transducer assemblies dimensioned for incorporation into ear-worn hearing devices, hearing device components and subassemblies, and combinations thereof. Such ear-worn hearing devices include, but are not limited to, receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing devices, in-the-ear (ITE) hearing devices, in-the-canal (ITC) hearing devices, and true wireless stereo (TWS) hearing devices, as well as other earphones and body-worn hearing devices. The sound-generating transducers and assemblies described herein can be integrated into any hearing device worn on, in, or over the ear, as well as other host devices. Representative examples are described herein.

[0006] Fig. 1 is a representative ear-worn hearing aid 100, generally comprising an ear-worn unit 110 connected to a base unit 120 by an electrical cable assembly 130 extending from the ear-worn unit. The cable assembly may include an electrical connector portion removably or permanently connected to a mating electrical connector portion integral with the base unit. The ear-worn unit generally includes a speaker or receiver that generates an acoustic signal in response to an electrical audio signal provided by the base unit. The representative ear-worn unit 110 includes a receiver 118 having a sound port through a nozzle connected to a resilient ear cup 114 configured to retain the ear-worn unit at least partially within a user's ear canal.Such an ear-worn unit, alone or in combination with the cable assembly, is also referred to herein as a receiver-in-canal (RIC) unit or component. Representative receivers, also referred to herein as sound-generating transducers, are described below. The ear-worn unit may also include other electrical or mechanical parts of the hearing aid.

[0007] The representative base unit is configured to be worn on the back of the user's ear and is also referred to herein as a BTE unit or component. A representative base unit generally includes one or more microphones, a processor and other circuitry, and a battery. So configured, the base unit can process acoustic audio signals (e.g., noise cancellation, sound amplification, etc.) captured by the one or more microphones and deliver electrical audio signals to the speaker unit via the electrical cable assembly. The base unit may also include other electrical or mechanical hearing aid parts, including, but not limited to, a wireless transceiver, among other circuitry and electrical components.In general, the base unit can be configured to be worn on or around a different part of the body, such as the neck, arm, waist, leg, and other parts of the body.

[0008] Other over-the-ear hearing aids combine the components and functions of the ear-worn unit and the base unit into a single integrated device worn on or in the ear. Such hearing aids can be implemented as ITE, ITC, and TWS devices, along with other earbuds and over-the-ear hearing aids.

[0009] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a sound-generating transducer is implemented as a balanced armature receiver (also referred to herein as a "receiver") dimensioned for integration into an ear-worn hearing aid. The receiver generally comprises one or more diaphragms located within a transducer housing and dividing the interior of the transducer housing into at least a rear volume and a front volume. The transducer housing includes a stepped end portion having a sound port coupled to the front volume. A motor located within the transducer housing includes an armature connected to the diaphragm and electrically connected to the contacts of an electrical connector accessible from outside the transducer housing.The stepped end portion may reduce the dimensions of at least a portion of the hearing aid and provide space for accommodating other components when the receiver is integrated into a hearing aid.

[0010] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 5, representative receivers 200 each include a transducer housing 201 having a stepped end portion and an opposite end portion. The stepped end portion includes a first recessed portion 202 separated from a protruding wall portion 204 by a first offset wall portion 206. A diaphragm 210 located within the transducer housing separates the interior of the transducer housing into a front volume 212 and a rear volume 214. In some implementations, the diaphragm extends into the stepped end portion of the transducer housing to provide substantially the same sound output as a similarly sized transducer without the stepped end portion. A sound port 216 extending through the stepped end portion extends between the front volume and an exterior surface of the transducer housing. Alternatively, the sound port may be routed through another wall portion of the transducer housing.A motor disposed within the transducer housing includes an armature 218 connected to the diaphragm via a drive rod or other connecting member. An electrical terminal 220, including contacts accessible from the outside of the transducer housing, is electrically connected to a coil 222 disposed around the armature. Coil wires may be electrically connected to internal contacts on an inside surface of the electrical terminal, and the internal contacts may be electrically connected to contacts on an outside surface of the electrical terminal by vias or other conductors extending through the electrical terminal. An electrical signal applied to the coil via the electrical terminal vibrates a movable portion of the armature between the motor's permanent magnets 224. The vibrating armature vibrates the diaphragm to generate sound energy at the sound port.

[0011] In some implementations, one or more components may be located at the stepped end portion of the transducer housing when the receiver is integrated into a hearing aid or other host. The component may be an electrical or non-electrical part. Representative components include, but are not limited to, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphones, accelerometers, MEMS vibration sensors, telecoils, physiological sensors, and environmental sensors, as well as other known and future sensors and hearing aid components. The electrical component may be electrically connected to the electrical connector of the transducer housing. Alternatively, the electrical component may be connected to another electrical interface of the hearing aid or host. The other electrical interface may be part of an electrical circuit or an electrical component such as an analog-to-digital (D / A) converter, multiplexer, processor, etc.be within the hearing aid.

[0012] In Fig. 2-3 and Fig. 7-8, the sound-generating transducer 200 includes an electrical component 230 located on a first stage on an exterior side of the transducer housing. The first stage is defined by the first recessed wall portion 202 and the first offset wall portion 206 of the transducer housing, which are Fig. 2 and Fig. 7 are best represented. In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the converter 200 is a single-driver device. In the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the converter 200 is a multi-driver device as generally referred to herein with reference to Fig. 5 is described. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 8, the electrical component is a MEMS microphone that includes a sound port 232 facing in the same direction as the receiver's sound port 216. Alternatively, the sound ports 216 and 232 may be oriented in different directions, provided they function as intended when integrated into the host device. Fig. 2, the microphone port may be located, for example, on the top surface 231, on any side surface 233, or on the bottom surface of the microphone or another sensor that requires a port. In other implementations, the electrical component may be a different sensor type or component, examples of which are described here. Some components, such as vibration sensors, do not require a sound port. For other electrical components, such as physiological sensors, the component's output / input ports may also be oriented in different directions than in the described examples of sensor sound ports. The electrical components 230 in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 7 have compared to the electrical components 230 of the Fig. 3 and Fig. 8 other orientations with respect to the converter housing 201.

[0013] In Fig. 2-3 and 7-8, the electrical component 230 is electrically connected to the electrical terminal 220 by a circuit 234 comprising one or more conductors that electrically connect one or more connection contacts of the electrical component to corresponding contacts of the electrical terminal. The contacts of the electrical terminal may be accessible from an exterior of the converter housing. In other implementations, the electrical component may be electrically connected to an electrical interface (not shown) other than the electrical terminal 220. The conductors may be part of a circuit comprising a rigid or flexible body. In one implementation, the circuit is a flexible ribbon circuit.

[0014] The sound-generating transducer and the electrical or non-electrical component can be integrated with or without the circuitry to form a subassembly that is more easily integrated into a hearing aid or other device. The component can be attached to the transducer housing using, among other things, adhesive, interference fit, or mechanical retention devices. In one implementation, the subassembly comprises a component attached to the stepped end portion of the transducer housing. For subassemblies that also include an electrical component, one or more conductors can be electrically connected at least to the electrical component and possibly to the electrical terminal. The conductors, such as a flexible ribbon, can also be attached to the transducer housing using an adhesive, double-sided tape, or other attachment means.Alternatively, the sound-generating transducer, component, and conductors can be integrated separately into the host device as discrete parts.

[0015] In a representative implementation of a hearing device, the hearing device comprises a sound-generating transducer at least partially disposed within an outer housing. A transducer housing of the sound-generating transducer comprises a stepped end portion including a recessed portion separated from a protruding wall portion by an offset wall portion. A diaphragm disposed within the transducer housing extends into the stepped end portion and separates the interior of the transducer housing into a rear volume and a front volume. A sound port located within the stepped end portion extends through the transducer housing between the front volume and an exterior of the transducer housing. A motor disposed within the transducer housing includes an armature coupled to the diaphragm.In implementations where an in-ear unit is separate from a base unit, the motor may be electrically connected to a conductor of an electrical cable assembly via an electrical connector on the inside or outside of the sound-generating transducer, as described herein.

[0016] In some implementations, the sound-generating transducer further comprises an electrical or non-electrical component located at the stepped end portion of the transducer housing. The component is located outside the rear volume of the transducer housing and may be disposed within an outer housing of the hearing aid. The component may be connected to the electrical port of the sound-generating transducer or to another electrical interface via one or more electrical conductors. Such electrical conductors may be part of a flexible or other electrical circuit also located within the outer housing of the hearing aid.

[0017] In Fig. 4, a representative hearing device 300 includes an outer housing 310 that at least partially encapsulates a portion of a sound-generating transducer 200. The outer housing includes an acoustic passageway 312 through a nozzle 314 that is configured to be at least partially inserted into a user's ear. The nozzle may include one or more ribs 316 or other features to guide an auricle (in Fig. 4 not shown) for comfortable positioning of the hearing device at least partially in the ear. The sound-generating transducer 200 comprises a transducer housing with a stepped end portion located within the outer housing 310. A sound port 216 of the sound-generating transducer is acoustically coupled to the sound passage 312 of the nozzle. An end portion of an electrical cable assembly 328 is electrically connected to the contacts of the electrical connector 220. A motor (in Fig. 4) of the transducer 200 is also connected to the contacts of the electrical connector, as described herein. Another end portion of the cable assembly can be connected to a separate base unit that includes a signal processor, microphones, batteries, a wireless transceiver, and other hearing device components, as described herein.

[0018] Other hearing aids, including in-the-ear (ITE), in-canal (ITC), and TWS hearing aids, as well as other earphones and hearing aids, are completely self-contained and do not include an electrical cable assembly that can be connected to a base unit and may not require an earpiece. In such hearing aids, the transducer and electrical component can be connected to an electrical interface of a processor or controller and other electrical components within a housing of the hearing aid, without the electrical cable assembly.

[0019] In Fig. 4, an electrical component 322 is also disposed within the external housing 310 at the stepped end portion of the converter housing 201, as described herein. The electrical component 322 is located at a first step of the converter housing defined by the first recessed portion 202 and the first offset wall portion 206, as described in connection with Fig. 2. In Fig. 4, the electrical component 322 is attached to the stepped end portion of the transducer housing with an adhesive or other fastener 323. A flexible circuit 326 includes one or more conductors electrically connected to corresponding contacts of the electrical component 322 and contacts of the electrical connector 220. In some implementations, the flexible circuit is also attached to the transducer housing, as described herein. The electrical component may be a MEMS microphone or a vibration sensor, as well as other sensors and components described herein by way of example.

[0020] In some implementations, the sound-generating transducer is a multi-driver device that includes a second diaphragm disposed within the transducer housing between the front volume and a second rear volume. In this configuration, the front volume is located between the first and second diaphragms. A second motor located within the transducer housing includes an armature connected to the second diaphragm, and the second motor is electrically connected to contacts of the electrical connector. In some multi-driver implementations, the stepped end portion includes a second recessed portion separated from the protruding wall portion by a second offset wall portion. The second diaphragm may also extend into the stepped end portion of the transducer housing, and the sound port may extend through the protruding wall portion.Alternatively, the sound port may extend through the offset wall section, the recessed wall section, or another wall section of the transducer housing.

[0021] In the multi-driver receiver of Fig. 5, a second diaphragm 213 located within the transducer housing 201 separates the front volume 212 from a second rear volume 215. The second diaphragm extends into the stepped end portion of the transducer housing to provide substantially the same output power as a similarly sized multi-driver transducer without the stepped end portion. The front volume 212 is located between the first and second diaphragms, and the sound port 216 extends through the protruding wall portion 204. A second motor located within the transducer housing includes an armature 219 connected to the second diaphragm 213 via a drive rod or other connecting member. A coil 223 disposed around the armature of the second motor is electrically connected to the contacts of electrical terminal 220. The first and second motors may be connected to the electrical terminal in parallel or otherwise.An electrical signal applied to coil 223 via the electrical connection causes a movable portion of armature 219 between permanent magnets 225 of the second motor to oscillate. The first and second diaphragms can be moved toward and away from each other simultaneously to generate sound energy at sound port 216.

[0022] Alternatively, the first and second diaphragms may divide the interior of the transducer housing into first and second front volumes, each driven by a first and second motor located in the respective first and second rear volumes. In another alternative implementation, the first and second diaphragms may be driven by a single motor in a common rear volume. These and other multi-driver receivers are described in U.S. Patent No. 11,272,294, issued to Knowles Electronics, LLC.

[0023] In Fig. 5, the stepped end portion includes a second recessed portion 226 separated from the projecting wall portion 216 by a second offset wall portion 228. In Fig. 7, the sound-generating multi-driver transducer comprises a stepped end section with a first and a second stage, one of which houses an electrical component 230. In Fig. 8, the multi-driver sound-generating transducer includes a stepped end section with a single step housing an electrical component 230.

[0024] In Fig. 6, another representative ear-worn hearing device 400 includes an external housing 402 that at least partially encloses a portion of a sound-generating multi-driver transducer 200 of the type described generally herein with reference to Fig. 5. The sound-generating multi-driver transducer includes a transducer housing 201 having a stepped end portion located within the outer housing 402. The stepped end portion includes a first step defined by the first recessed wall portion 202 and the first offset wall portion 206. The stepped end portion also includes a second step defined by a second recessed wall portion 226 and a second offset wall portion 228. The sound port 216 extends through the protruding wall portion 204 between the front volume and an exterior surface of the transducer housing.

[0025] The outer housing 402 includes an acoustic passage 404 through a nozzle 406 that is configured to be at least partially inserted into a user's ear. A portion 414 of the nozzle is narrowed by at least a portion of the stepped end portion of the transducer housing 201. This configuration allows the dimensions and overall length of the hearing aid to be reduced without reducing the sound output of the sound-generating transducer compared to a hearing aid that includes a sound-generating transducer without a stepped end portion. The sound port 216 is acoustically coupled to the acoustic passage 404 of the nozzle. The nozzle may include one or more ribs 408 or other features to accommodate an auricle (in Fig. 6 not shown), as described herein. An electrical cable assembly 410 is connected to the outer housing 402 and includes one or more conductors electrically connected to the terminals of the electrical connector 220 of the transducer housing for connection to a base unit, as described herein. Other hearing devices include components housed entirely within a common housing and do not include an electrical cable assembly connected to a base unit, and may not require an earpiece.

[0026] In Fig. 9, another representative ear-worn hearing device 500 includes an external hearing device housing 502 that at least partially encloses a portion of a sound-generating multi-driver transducer 200 of the type generally referred to herein as Fig. 7. An electrical component 230 located at a first portion of the stepped end section of the transducer 200 is electrically connected to an electrical interface 220 of the transducer via a flexible circuit 234, as described herein. In other implementations, another component may be located at a second stage of the stepped end section of the transducer. Configured in this manner, the stepped end section of the multi-driver transducer provides space within the hearing aid housing to accommodate one or more additional components without unduly increasing the overall size of the hearing aid and without reducing the sound output of the sound-generating transducer.

[0027] In Fig. 10, a hearing device 510 comprises a sound-generating transducer 520, which includes a transducer housing 522 having a stepped end portion with a sound passage 523 through a nozzle 524 integrated into the transducer housing. The stepped end portion includes a recessed portion 526 separated from an end wall 527 of the transducer housing by an offset wall portion 528. The hearing device 510 does not have an external housing as in the Fig. 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. 9. In Fig. 10, the transducer housing 522 forms an exterior of the hearing aid. In this way, the hearing aid is free of a structure encapsulating at least the portion of the transducer housing that protrudes into the user's ear, thereby reducing the overall size of the hearing aid. The motor can be coupled directly to an interior surface of the transducer housing without an intervening structure, further reducing the overall size of the hearing aid. The stepped end portion further reduces the dimensions of at least the portion of the hearing aid that protrudes into the user's ear.

[0028] In some implementations, the reduced dimensioning of the converter housing creates space for one or more electrical or non-electrical components, such as a sensor, on an outer side of the converter housing. Fig. 10 can, for example, be an electrical component (in Fig. 10 not shown) to a step defined by the recessed portion 526 and the offset wall portion 528 of the converter housing 522. The electrical component may be electrically connected to an electrical cable assembly 530 by conductors of a flexible or other circuit (in Fig. 10 not shown) which may or may not be attached to the converter housing.

[0029] In Fig. 11, a hearing device 600 comprises a sound-generating transducer 610, which includes a transducer housing 612 with a sound port 614 connected to a passage through a nozzle 616 integrated into the transducer housing. The transducer housing 612 forms an outer side of the hearing device without the Fig. 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. 9, as described with reference to the hearing device of Fig. 10. In Fig. 11, a diaphragm 618 separates the interior of the transducer housing into a rear volume 620 and a front volume 622 connected to the sound port. A motor 628 disposed in the rear volume is connected to the diaphragm via a link as described herein. An electrical component 624 is disposed within a cavity of the transducer housing formed by an inner stepped wall partition 626 and an outer wall portion 611. The stepped wall portion 626 insulates the electrical component 624 from the rear volume 620 and can be disposed within a cup of the transducer housing after installation of the electrical component. In other implementations, the transducer housing 612 is omitted from the outer housing portion 611 encapsulating the electrical component, with the electrical component disposed at a step on the exterior of the transducer housing.

[0030] In Fig.11, the electrical component 624 is connected to an electrical connector 630 located within the cavity of the transducer housing. A port 615 can connect the cavity to the exterior of the hearing aid for components such as microphones that require it. Conductors, such as portions of a flexible or other circuit 632 located within the rear volume, electrically connect the electrical connector 630 to one or more conductors of an electrical cable assembly 634. Alternatively, the electrical cable assembly 634 can be directly connected to the electrical connector 630 without a flexible circuit. In an alternative implementation, the electrical connector forms a portion of the stepped wall section 626.The electrical component can be electrically connected to contacts on the cavity side of the electrical connector, and the conductors of the flexible circuit or electrical cable assembly can be connected to contacts on the opposite side of the electrical connector.

[0031] While the disclosure and what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof have been described in a manner conferring possession and enabling those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the same, it will be understood and appreciated that there are many equivalents to the representative embodiments described herein and that countless modifications and variations may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is intended to be limited not by the described embodiments but by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0032] Further preferred embodiments of the invention are listed below: Embodiment 1. A sound-generating transducer dimensioned for use in an ear-worn hearing aid, the sound-generating transducer comprising: a transducer housing comprising a stepped end portion and an opposite end portion, the stepped end portion comprising a first recessed portion separated from a projecting wall portion by a first offset wall portion; first and second diaphragms dividing an interior space of the transducer housing into at least a front volume and a rear volume, the first and second diaphragms extending into the stepped end portion of the transducer housing; a sound port disposed in the stepped end portion and extending between the front volume and an outer side of the transducer housing; a motor located in the transducer housing and connected to the first and second diaphragms; and an electrical connector comprising contacts accessible from the outside of the converter housing, wherein the motor is electrically connected to the contacts of the electrical connector. Embodiment 2. The sound-generating transducer of embodiment 1, further comprising a sensor located in a step outside the interior of the transducer housing, the step being defined by the first recessed portion and the first offset wall portion, and a conductor electrically connected to the sensor. Embodiment 3. The sound-generating transducer of embodiment 2, wherein the conductor comprises a flexible circuit attached to the transducer housing. Embodiment 4. The sound-generating transducer of embodiment 1, wherein the stepped end portion comprises a second depressed portion separated from the projecting wall portion by a second offset wall portion, the first depressed portion and the first offset portion defining a first step on a first side of the transducer housing, and the second depressed portion and the second offset portion defining a second step on a second side, opposite the first side, of the transducer housing. Embodiment 5. The sound generating transducer according to Embodiment 4, further comprising an electrical component located at the stepped end portion outside the transducer housing, and a conductor electrically connected to the electrical component. Embodiment 6. The sound-generating transducer of embodiment 5, wherein the conductor is a flexible circuit attached to the transducer housing. Embodiment 7. The sound generating transducer according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the first diaphragm separates the front volume from a first rear volume, the second diaphragm separates the front volume from a second rear volume, and the sound port is arranged on the projecting portion of the wall of the stepped end portion. Embodiment 8. The sound-generating transducer of embodiment 7, wherein the sensor is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphone. Embodiment 9. The sound-generating transducer of embodiment 7, wherein the sensor is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) vibration sensor. Embodiment 10. A receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing device comprising: a sound-generating transducer comprising: a transducer housing comprising a stepped end portion including a first recessed portion separated from a projecting wall portion by a first offset wall portion; a first diaphragm disposed in the transducer housing and dividing an interior of the transducer housing into a first rear volume and a front volume, the diaphragm extending into the stepped end portion of the transducer housing; a sound port disposed in the stepped end portion and extending through the transducer housing between the front volume and an outer side of the transducer housing; a motor disposed in the transducer housing and including an armature coupled to the diaphragm; an electrical connector that is electrically connected to the motor; an electrical cable assembly comprising a first portion coupled to the sound-generating transducer and a second portion connectable to a base unit, the electrical cable assembly comprising an electrical conductor electrically connected to the motor via the electrical connector; an electrical component located in a first portion of the converter housing and isolated from the back volume, the first portion being defined by the first recessed wall portion and the first offset wall portion; and a conductor that electrically connects the electrical component to the electrical connector or other electrical interface of the RIC hearing aid. Embodiment 11. The RIC hearing device of embodiment 10, wherein the transducer housing forms an external housing of the RIC hearing device and the stepped end portion is configured to be at least partially inserted into an ear. Embodiment 12. The RIC hearing device of embodiment 10, further comprising an external housing having an acoustic passageway through a nozzle configured for at least partial insertion into an ear, the external housing covering the stepped end portion of the transducer housing, the sound port being acoustically coupled to the acoustic passageway. Embodiment 13. The RIC hearing device according to any one of embodiments 10, 11 and 12, wherein the sound-generating transducer further comprises a second diaphragm disposed in the transducer housing and separating the front volume from a second rear volume, and a second motor connected to the second diaphragm. Embodiment 14. The RIC hearing device of embodiment 13, wherein the electrical component is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphone and the conductor forms a flexible circuit. Embodiment 15. The RIC hearing device of embodiment 13, wherein the electrical component is a MEMS vibration sensor and the conductor is a flexible circuit. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 11,272,294

[0022]

Claims

[1] Hearing aid worn on the ear, comprising: a housing having a sound passage at a portion of the housing configured for at least partial insertion into an ear; a sound-generating transducer located in the housing and comprising: a transducer housing including a stepped end portion and comprising a first step defined by a first recessed portion separated from a protruding wall portion by a first offset wall portion, and a second step defined by a second recessed portion separated from the protruding wall portion by a second offset wall portion, the first and second steps being disposed on opposite sides of the transducer housing; a first diaphragm disposed within the transducer housing and separating an interior of the transducer housing into a rear volume and a front volume, the first diaphragm extending into the stepped end portion of the transducer housing; a sound port disposed in the stepped end portion of the transducer housing between the front volume and the sound passage; a motor disposed in the transducer housing and including an armature coupled to the first diaphragm; and an electrical connector that is electrically connected to the motor. [2] The ear-worn hearing device of claim 1, further comprising an electrical component located on an exterior side of the transducer housing in the first stage. [3] The ear-worn hearing device of claim 2, further comprising a flexible circuit comprising a conductor connecting the electrical component to the electrical connector or other electrical interface of the ear-worn hearing device. [4] An ear-worn hearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a second diaphragm disposed in the transducer housing between the front volume and a second rear volume; and the motor connected to the second membrane. [5] The sound generating transducer of claim 4, wherein the first diaphragm separates the front volume from a first rear volume, the second diaphragm separates the front volume from a second rear volume, and the sound port is disposed on the projecting portion of the wall of the stepped end portion. [6] The ear-worn hearing aid of claim 5, wherein the nozzle is narrowed around at least a portion of the stepped end portion of the transducer housing. [7] The ear-worn hearing device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electrical component is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphone or a MEMS vibration sensor. [8] Hearing device worn on the ear, comprising: a housing having a sound passage at a portion of the housing configured for at least partial insertion into an ear; a sound-generating transducer arranged at least partially in the housing and comprising: a transducer housing comprising a stepped end portion including a first recessed portion separated from a projecting wall portion by a first offset wall portion; first and second diaphragms dividing an interior space of the transducer housing into at least a front volume and a rear volume, the first and second diaphragms extending into the stepped end portion of the transducer housing; a sound port disposed in the transducer housing and extending between the front volume and the sound passage; a motor located in the converter housing and connected to the first and second membrane; an electrical connector electrically connected to the motor; and an electrical component disposed at a first step on an exterior of the converter housing, the first step being defined by the first recessed wall portion and the first offset wall portion. [9] The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 8 further comprises a conductor connecting the electrical component to the electrical terminal or an electrical interface of the ear-worn hearing device. [10] The on-ear hearing aid according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first diaphragm separates the front volume from a first rear volume and the second diaphragm separates the front volume from a second rear volume, and the sound port is disposed at the projecting portion of the stepped end portion. [11] The ear-worn hearing device of claim 10, wherein the electrical component is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphone or a MEMS vibration sensor.

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