Bone conduction listening device

Abstract

The invention relates to a listening device (1) configured to generate and transmit sound frequencies to a user by bone conduction, and comprising a main body (2) defining an internal volume (6), at least one electroacoustic transducer (7) configured to generate vibrations of varying frequencies and intensities, a control unit (CU) configured to control the operation of the listening device, a vibrating diaphragm (8), and a receiving element (9) configured to be in contact with the user. The receiving element (9) comprises a plurality of support members (10) including an upper end portion (11) configured to be in contact with the user, and a lower end portion (12) extending substantially opposite the vibrating diaphragm (8).Each support member (10) is movable between a rest position and an operating position in which the lower end portion (12) of the support member (10) is in contact with the vibrating membrane (8). Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Bone conduction listening device technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a bone conduction listening device configured to make sounds emitted by the listening device audible only to a user who is in contact with the listening device. State of the art

[0002] It is known from the prior art to use osteophony or bone conduction in order to propagate sounds emitted by a transmitter and to the inner ear of a user by circulating in the bones of a user, and for example from the elbows to the ears of the user.

[0003] Osteophony is a method of communication used primarily by deaf or hard-of-hearing people. Osteophony is also used in art as an interactive and playful means of communication that involves the user being in contact with an object in order to perceive the vibrations emitted by the object, which are then transcribed by the user's inner ear into an audible sound similar to a sound emitted by a traditional airborne transducer.

[0004] It is known in the prior art to use a listening device configured to generate and transmit sound frequencies to a user by bone conduction, the listening device comprising: - a housing which includes a transducer configured to generate vibrations of varying frequencies and intensities according to information received by the electroacoustic transducer; - a control unit configured to control the operation of the listening device and to transmit an electrical signal, which is representative of a source audio signal from an external transmitter, to the electroacoustic transducer; and - a receiving element configured to be in contact with the user and to transmit the vibrations emitted by the electroacoustic transducer to the user.

[0005] This type of device is particularly effective because it allows the user to receive, via bone conduction from the elbows to the inner ear, the vibrations emitted by the electroacoustic transducer. Thus, only the user in contact with the receiving element will be able to perceive all the vibrations, and therefore all the sounds, emitted by the listening device. However, such a device has major drawbacks, the first being the adaptability of the receiving element to the morphology of the user, and in particular to the shape of the elbows of different users, as well as the air diffusion of vibrations emitted by the receiving element in contact with the air, the air diffusion of vibrations being able to be picked up by third parties without being in contact with the listening device, which is contrary to the basic principle of osteophony. Summary of the invention

[0006] The technical problem underlying the invention therefore consists of providing a listening device shaped to transmit sound frequencies to a user by bone conduction, which is of simple, compact and economical structure, while allowing increased adaptability to the morphology of the user and limiting the airborne transmission of sound frequencies outside the listening device.

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to a listening device configured to generate and transmit sound frequencies to a user by bone conduction, the listening device comprising: - a main body comprising a lower wall, an upper wall which has a passage opening, and a side wall configured to connect the upper wall and the lower wall, the main body delimiting an internal volume; - at least one electroacoustic transducer arranged inside the internal volume and configured to generate vibrations of varying frequencies and intensities according to information received by said at least one electroacoustic transducer; - a control unit configured to control the operation of the listening device and to transmit an electrical signal, which is representative of a source audio signal from an external transmitter, to at least one electroacoustic transducer; - a vibrating membrane positioned in the internal volume and directly above the passage opening, and connected to at least one electroacoustic transducer; - a receiving element, configured to at least partially obstruct the passage opening and configured to be in contact with the user, for example to receive the user's elbow; the receiving element comprising a plurality of support members, each comprising an upper end portion configured to be in contact with the user, and a lower end portion opposite the respective upper end portion and extending substantially opposite the vibrating membrane,

[0008] each support member of the plurality of support members being respectively movable relative to the main body between a rest position in which the lower end portion of the support member is located at a distance from the vibrating membrane and prohibiting the transmission of vibrations emitted by at least one electroacoustic transducer to the support member, and a use position in which the lower end portion of the support member is in contact with the vibrating membrane, each of the support members being configured to transmit to the user, by solid conduction, the vibrations generated by at least one electroacoustic transducer when the respective support member is in the use position.

[0009] Such a configuration of the invention allows, when a user positions a part of their body on the receiving element, the transmission by solid-state transduction of the vibrational frequencies through the user's bones to the inner ear in order to convert them into a sound similar to the basic signal, and audible only to the user. More specifically, the solid-state transduction of the vibrational frequencies through the user's bones can take place when the user positions their elbow(s) on the receiving element, but the solid-state transduction can also take place by cranial contact with the receiving element or by any other part of the human body allowing solid-state transduction of the vibrational frequencies emitted by the electroacoustic transducer.

[0010] In addition, the multiplicity of support organs makes it possible to facilitate a natural positioning of the part of the user's body which is in contact with the receiving element, in comparison with the use of a single support organ as traditionally used and which is not designed to adapt to different uses and / or morphologies.

[0011] Advantageously, when one or more support members are in the rest position, they are mechanically isolated from the vibrating membrane, which makes it possible to limit the propagation through the air of the vibrations generated by at least one electroacoustic transducer.

[0012] The listening device may also have one or more of the following characteristics, which may be taken alone or in combination.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the plurality of support members is configured to extend at least partially outside the internal volume.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, each support member of the plurality of support members extends respectively parallel to an extension axis.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the extension axis is substantially vertical when the lower wall of the main body rests on a horizontal surface.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main body is made of a high-density material, such as steel or bronze for example.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the side wall of the main body is tubular and has a substantially cylindrical cross-section.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the side wall comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, which are configured to assemble by means of a male-female system, for example.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main body comprises a stack of assembly strips, such as metal strips for example, which are joined together by assembly elements, such as screw-nut type for example.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the assembly elements are configured to bear against the upper wall of the main body on the one hand, and against the lower wall of the main body on the other hand in order to clamp the assembly strips located between the upper wall and the lower wall.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, each support member of the plurality of support members is configured to freely occupy the position of use and the rest position independently of the position occupied by each of the other support members of the plurality of support members.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the number of support members of the plurality of support members is greater than 3, in particular greater than 4, and is preferably greater than 5. The multiplicity of the number of support members makes it possible to promote a natural positioning of the user on the receiving element, and also to adapt to the different morphologies of the user.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support members of the plurality of support members are distributed in a substantially homogeneous manner on the receiving element, the upper end portions of the support members being equidistant from each other.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, each support member of the plurality of support members comprises an upper contact portion arranged on the side of the respective upper end portion, and configured to extend in a contact plane when the support member is in the rest position, said contact plane being defined by a receiving surface of the receiving element, said contact plane being substantially perpendicular to the extension axis.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, each upper contact part has a substantially circular shape. Such a shape of the upper contact part advantageously avoids sharp angles and thus prevents friction and snagging between the user's clothing or skin and the support elements. By "approximately circular," we mean a shape that can also be ovoid or elliptical. Furthermore, other shapes are possible to achieve a different aesthetic.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, each upper contact part has a surface area of ​​between 30 and 100 mm², in particular between 50 and 80 mm², and is preferably equal to 64 mm². Advantageously, such a configuration of the invention makes it possible to further reduce the surface area that is in contact with the outside air, and which is likely to transmit the vibrations produced by the electroacoustic transducer through the air and not through solids.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the listening device comprises an elastically deformable upper support element configured to move each of the plurality of support members towards the rest position. Advantageously, the upper support element has multiple functions: it allows for the centering and guidance of the support members, it allows, by a spring effect, the return of the support members from the operating position to the rest position, and it also allows for limiting the airborne diffusivity of vibrations (and therefore sound waves) from at least one electroacoustic transducer, and also for reducing water infiltration from the upper wall of the main body.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, each support member of the plurality of support members comprises a guide portion configured to connect the lower end portion and the respective upper end portion, the guide portion being configured to slide inside a respective orifice configured through the upper retaining element.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the listening device comprises a lower retaining element positioned vertically below the upper retaining element and configured to guide in translation the lower end portion of each support member of the plurality of support members.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, each guiding part extends substantially parallel to the extension axis.

[0031] Each support element is made of a material sufficiently rigid to ensure the conduction of vibrations from the diaphragm to the user's elbow, while remaining lightweight to achieve a low overall weight. The use of a plastic such as ABS, a polymer such as epoxy, or low-density metals such as aluminum is particularly suitable for this purpose so as not to impede the conduction of high and low frequencies.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the listening device comprises a presence sensor configured to alternately occupy an activation state A state of rest exists when a pressure force is exerted on the receiving element, and a state of rest exists in the absence of pressure force exerted on the receiving element. Pressure force is defined as the force exerted by the user, preferably with their elbow, on the receiving element.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the presence sensor is configured to allow transmission of the basic signal from the control unit to at least one electroacoustic transducer when the presence sensor is in the activation state, and to prevent transmission of the basic signal from the control unit to at least one electroacoustic transducer when the presence sensor is in the deactivated state.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the presence sensor is interposed between the lower end portion of the support members of the plurality of support members and the vibrating membrane.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the presence sensor is a resistive sensor configured to measure a stress value which evolves according to a pressure force applied to the receiving element, and more particularly according to the pressure force exerted by the user on one or more support members of the plurality of support members.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the presence sensor occupies the rest state when the pressure force applied to the receiving element is less than 5 N.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to vary the intensity of the vibrations generated by at least one electroacoustic transducer according to the stress value measured by the presence sensor. In other words, such a configuration of the invention makes it possible to vary the intensity of the vibrations emitted by at least one electroacoustic transducer, and advantageously to increase the "volume" of the sound perceived by the user when the pressure force exerted on the support elements increases. This allows the user to intuitively adjust the volume.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the vibratory energy intensity generated by at least one electroacoustic transducer increases proportionally to the pressure force applied to the receiving element, which varies over a range between 5 N and 150 N.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the listening device comprises an acoustic insulation element configured to extend between at least one electroacoustic transducer and the side wall of the main body, the acoustic insulation element being configured to ensure positioning of at least one electroacoustic transducer relative to the main body, and to attenuate the propagation of vibrations in the main body. More specifically, the acoustic insulation element is configured to reduce the propagation of vibrations transverse to the extension axis.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the acoustic insulation element is tubular and has a substantially cylindrical cross-section.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the acoustic insulation element is configured to extend along the extension axis over at least 50% of the height of at least one electroacoustic transducer.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the listening device further comprises a sealing system formed at least in part by the upper retaining element and the lower retaining element, and configured to prevent fluidic communication between the receiving element and the electroacoustic transducer.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the acoustic insulation element has a density between 50 and 90 kg / m3, in particular between 60 and 80 kg / m3, and is preferably equal to 70 kg / m3.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the listening device is configured to rest on a support surface which is substantially horizontal, in order to facilitate the placement of the user's elbow on the receiving element for example.

[0045] According to another embodiment of the invention, the listening device is configured to rest on a support surface which is inclined, and which is for example vertical, in order to facilitate the placement of the user's skull on the receiving element for example. Brief description of the figures

[0046] The present invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description with reference to the accompanying figures, in which identical reference signs correspond to structurally and / or functionally identical or similar elements.

[0047] [Fig-1] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a listening device according to a first method of implementing the invention;

[0048] [Fig.2] is a top view of the listening device of [Fig.1];

[0049] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional perspective view of the listening device of [Fig.1];

[0050] [Fig.4] is a side perspective view of the listening device of [Fig.1];

[0051] [Fig. 5] is a cross-sectional perspective view of a listening device according to a second embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0052] In this document, the terms "upper" and "lower" are defined with respect to normal use of the listening device during which the main body rests on a horizontal surface.

[0053] Unless otherwise stipulated, the term "substantially" means, in this document, "exactly or to within 10% or to within 10°".

[0054] Figures 1 to 4 represent all or part of a listening device 1 configured to generate and transmit sound frequencies to a user by bone conduction.

[0055] The listening device 1 comprises a main body 2 including a lower wall 3, an upper wall 4 which has a passage opening, and a side wall 5 configured to connect the upper wall 4 and the lower wall 3. The main body 2 is made of a high-density material, such as steel or bronze for example, and delimits an internal volume 6.

[0056] The side wall 5 has a tubular cross-section and is substantially cylindrical in shape. The side wall 5 comprises an upper portion 5.1 and a lower portion 5.2, which are configured to be assembled by means of a male-female system, for example.

[0057] The listening device 1 comprises an electroacoustic transducer 7 and a vibrating diaphragm 8 arranged respectively inside the internal volume 6. The electroacoustic transducer 7 is configured to generate vibrations of varying frequencies and intensities according to information received by the electroacoustic transducer 7. The vibrating diaphragm 8 is provided directly above the passage opening and is connected to the electroacoustic transducer 7.

[0058] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the listening device 1 comprises a control unit UC configured to control the operation of the listening device 1 and to transmit a basic signal to at least one electroacoustic transducer 7 on the basis of an audio signal from an external transmitter.

[0059] The listening device 1 comprises a receiving element 9, configured to close the passage opening and to be in contact with a part of the user's body. The receiving element 9 advantageously comprises a plurality of support members 10 including an upper end portion 11 configured to be in contact with the user, and a lower end portion 12 opposite the respective upper end portion 11 and extending substantially opposite the vibrating membrane 8. Such a configuration of the invention allows, when a user positions an elbow on the receiving element 9 on the one hand and places the hand adjacent to said elbow near one of their ears on the other hand, the transmission by solid-state transduction of the vibrational frequencies along the user's bones to the inner ear in order to convert them into a sound similar to the basic signal, and audible only to the user. Furthermore, the multiple support elements 10 facilitate a natural positioning of the user's elbow compared to a single support element 10 as traditionally used. In addition, such a configuration of the invention allows for adaptation and enables solid-state transduction via cranial contact with the receiving element 9 or by any other part of the user's body, thus enabling solid-state transduction of the vibrational frequencies emitted by the electroacoustic transducer 7.

[0060] Advantageously, when one or more support members 10 are in the rest position, they are mechanically isolated from the vibrating membrane 8, which makes it possible to limit the propagation through the air of the vibrations generated by the electroacoustic transducer 7.

[0061] More particularly, each support member 10 is respectively movable relative to the main body 2 between a rest position in which the lower end portion 12 of the support member 10 is located at a distance from the vibrating membrane 8 and prohibiting the transmission of vibrations emitted by at least one electroacoustic transducer 7 to the support member 10, and a use position in which the lower end portion 12 of the support member 10 is in contact with the vibrating membrane 8, each of the support members 10 being configured to transmit to the user, by solid conduction, the vibrations generated by the electroacoustic transducer 7 when the respective support member 10 is in the use position.

[0062] The plurality of support members 10 is configured to extend partially outside the internal volume 6 and parallel to an extension axis A1 which is substantially vertical when the lower wall 3 of the main body 2 rests on a horizontal surface. The listening device 1 can be used interchangeably in a vertical, horizontal, or intermediate configuration depending on the intended use and the part of the user's body intended to be in contact with the receiving element 9. Each support member 10 of the plurality of support members 10 is configured to freely occupy the operating position and the resting position independently of the position occupied by each of the other support members 10 of the plurality of support members 10.

[0063] As shown more particularly in [Fig. 2], the number of support elements 10 in the plurality of support elements 10 is between 3 and 11, advantageously between 5 and 9, and is, for example, equal to 7. Increasing the number of support elements 10 makes it possible to promote a natural positioning of the user on the receiving element 9, and also to adapt to the different elbow shapes of users. Furthermore, in the case of a listening device 1 configured more specifically for cranial contact of the user on the receiving element 9, The plurality of support organs 10 may include more than 100 support organs 10 in order to maximize the contact area between the user's skull and the receiving surface 9. Advantageously, the support organs 10 are distributed substantially homogeneously on the receiving element 9, the upper end portions 11 of the support organs 10 being equidistant from each other.

[0064] Furthermore, each support member 10 of the plurality of support members 10 comprises an upper contact portion 13 provided on the side of the respective upper end portion 11. Each upper contact portion 13 is configured to extend in the same contact plane (defined by the receiving element 9) when the support member 10 is in the rest position. Advantageously, said contact plane is substantially perpendicular to the extension axis A1. Each upper contact portion 13 has a substantially circular shape which advantageously avoids sharp angles and thus prevents friction and snagging between the user's clothing or skin and the support members 10. In addition, the surface area of ​​each upper contact portion 13 is between 30 and 100 mm², advantageously between 50 and 80 mm², and is, for example, 64 mm².Such a configuration of the invention makes it possible to further reduce the surface area of ​​the support members 10 which is in contact with the outside air, which consequently reduces the risk of transmitting the vibrations produced by the electroacoustic transducer 7 through the air, and not through solids as desired.

[0065] Advantageously, each support member 10 is made of a material sufficiently rigid to ensure the conduction of vibrations from the diaphragm to the part of the user's body that is in contact with the listening device 1, while remaining lightweight to obtain an assembly with a limited weight. The use of a plastic such as ABS, a polymer such as epoxy, or even metals with low density such as aluminum, for example, is particularly suitable for this purpose so as not to impede the conduction of high and low frequencies.

[0066] The listening device 1 includes an upper retaining element 14.1 which is elastically deformable and configured to move the support members 10 towards the rest position. Advantageously, the upper retaining element 14.1 has multiple functions: it allows the centering and guidance of the support members 10; it allows, by a spring effect, the return of the support members 10 from the operating position to the rest position; and it also allows the airborne diffusion of vibrations (and therefore sound waves) from at least one electroacoustic transducer 7, and also reduces water infiltration from the upper wall 4 of the main body 2.

[0067] As can be seen more specifically in Figures 1 and 3, each support member 10 comprises a guide portion 15 which extends substantially parallel to the extension axis A1, and is configured to connect the respective lower end portion 12 and upper end portion 11. The guide portion 15 is advantageously configured to slide inside a respective orifice configured through the upper retaining element 14.1.

[0068] The listening device 1 also includes a lower retaining element 14.2 positioned vertically above the upper retaining element 14.1 and configured to guide in translation the lower end portion 12 of each support member 10 of the plurality of support members 10.

[0069] The listening device 1 further includes a sealing system formed in part by the upper retaining element 14.1 and the lower retaining element 14.2, and configured to prevent fluidic communication between the receiving element 9 and the electroacoustic transducer 7.

[0070] According to the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4, the listening device 1 further comprises a presence sensor 16, interposed between the lower end portion 12 of the support members 10 of the plurality of support members 10 and the vibrating membrane 8, and configured to alternately occupy an activated state when a pressure force is exerted on the receiving element 9, and a resting state in the absence of a pressure force exerted on the receiving element 9. The presence sensor 16 is configured to allow the transmission of the basic signal from the control unit UC to the electroacoustic transducer 7 when the presence sensor 16 is in the activated state, and to prevent the transmission of the basic signal from the control unit UC to at least one electroacoustic transducer 7 when the presence sensor 16 is in the deactivated state.

[0071] More particularly, the presence sensor 16 is a resistive sensor configured to measure a stress value which changes according to a force applied to the receiving element 9, and in particular according to the pressure force exerted by the user on one or more support members 10 of the plurality of support members 10. According to the embodiment of the invention, the presence sensor 16 is in the rest state when the pressure force applied to the receiving element 9 is less than 5 N, and is in the activation state for a value greater than or equal to 5 N.

[0072] Advantageously, the control unit UC is configured to vary the intensity of the vibrations generated by the electroacoustic transducer 7 according to the stress value measured by the presence sensor 16. More specifically, the intensity of the vibrations generated by the electroacoustic transducer 7 increases proportionally to the pressure force applied on the receiving element 9 varies over a range between 5 N and 100 N. In other words, such a configuration of the invention makes it possible to vary the intensity of the vibrations emitted by the electroacoustic transducer 7, and advantageously to increase the "volume" of the sound perceived by the user when the pressure force exerted on the support members 10 increases; this allows the user to intuitively adjust the volume directly.

[0073] The listening device 1 further comprises, a tubular acoustic insulation element 17 with a substantially cylindrical cross-section, configured to extend between at least one electroacoustic transducer 7 and the side wall 5 of the main body 2. The acoustic insulation element 17 is configured to ensure positioning of the electroacoustic transducer 7 relative to the main body 2, and to attenuate the propagation of vibrations in the main body 2.

[0074] More particularly, the acoustic insulation element 17 is configured to reduce the propagation of vibrations transverse to the extension axis AL. The acoustic insulation element 17 has a density between 50 and 90 kg / m3, in particular between 60 and 80 kg / m3, and is preferably equal to 70 kg / m3.

[0075] Figure 5 represents a listening device 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention, which differs from the first embodiment essentially in that the main body 2 comprises a stack of assembly strips 18, such as metal strips, for example, which are joined together by assembly elements 19, such as screw-nuts. The assembly elements 19 are configured to bear against the upper wall 4 of the main body 2 on the one hand, and against the lower wall 3 of the main body on the other, in order to clamp the assembly strips 18 located between the upper wall 4 and the lower wall 3.

[0076] Although the present description describes the use of only one listening device 1, a solution consisting of the simultaneous use of two listening devices 1, such that each of the user's elbows is in contact with a respective receiving element 9, is a preferable implementation of the invention; such an implementation of the invention makes it possible, among other things, to increase the perception of the sound emitted by each of the listening devices and simultaneously to increase the sound insulation from surrounding noises by placing the user's hands on each of his ears.

[0077] Of course, the present invention is by no means limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without going outside the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Demands Listening device (1) configured to generate and transmit sound frequencies to a user by bone conduction, the listening device (1) comprising: - a main body (2) comprising a lower wall (3), an upper wall (4) which has a passage opening, and a side wall (5) configured to connect the upper wall (4) and the lower wall (3), the main body (2) delimiting an internal volume (6); - at least one electroacoustic transducer (7) arranged inside the internal volume (6) and configured to generate vibrations of varying frequencies and intensities according to information received by said at least one electroacoustic transducer (7); - a control unit (CU) configured to control the operation of the listening device (1) and to transmit an electrical signal, which is representative of a source audio signal from an external transmitter, to at least one electroacoustic transducer (7); - a vibrating membrane (8) positioned in the internal volume (6) and directly above the upper passage opening, and in contact with a moving part of at least one electroacoustic transducer (7); - a receiving element (9), configured to at least partially obstruct the upper passage opening and configured to be in contact with the user, the receiving element (9) comprising a plurality of support members (10) each comprising an upper end portion (11) configured to be in contact with the user, and a lower end portion (12) opposite the respective upper end portion (11) and extending substantially opposite the vibrating membrane (8), Each support member (10) of the plurality of support members (10) being respectively movable relative to the main body (2) between a rest position in which the lower end portion (12) of the support member (10) is located at a distance from the membrane vibrating (8) and prohibiting the transmission of vibrations emitted by at least one electroacoustic transducer (7) to the support member (10), and a position of use in which the lower end portion (12) of the support member (10) is in contact with the vibrating membrane (8), each of the support members (10) being configured to transmit to the user, by solid conduction, the vibrations generated by at least one electroacoustic transducer (7) when the respective support member (10) is in the position of use.

2. Listening device (1) according to claim 1, wherein each support member (10) of the plurality of support members (10) is configured to freely occupy the position of use and the position of rest independently of the position occupied by each of the other support members (10) of the plurality of support members (10).

3. Listening device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the number of support members (10) of the plurality of support members (10) is greater than 3, in particular greater than 4, and is preferably greater than 5.

4. Listening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support members (10) of the plurality of support members (10) are distributed substantially homogeneously on the receiving element (9), the upper end portions of the support members (10) being equidistant from each other.

5. Listening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each support member (10) of the plurality of support members (10) has an upper contact portion (13) arranged on the side of the respective upper end portion (11), and configured to extend in a contact plane when the support member (10) is in the rest position, said contact plane being defined by a receiving surface of the receiving element (9).

6. Listening device (1) according to claim 5, wherein each upper contact part (13) has a substantially circular shape.

7. Listening device (1) according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein each upper contact part (13) has a surface area between 30 and 100 mm2, in particular between 50 and 80 mm2, and is preferably equal to 64 mm2.

8. Listening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which includes an upper retaining element (14.1) elastically deformable and configured to strain each support member (10) of the plurality of support members (10) towards the rest position.

9. Listening device (1) according to claim 8, wherein each support member (10) of the plurality of support members (10) comprises a guide portion (15) configured to connect the respective lower end portion (12) and upper end portion (11), the guide portion (15) being configured to slide inside a respective orifice configured through the upper retaining element (14.1).

10. Listening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which includes a presence sensor (16) configured to alternately occupy an activation state when a pressure force is exerted on the receiving element (9), and a rest state in the absence of a pressure force exerted on the receiving element (9).

11. Listening device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the presence sensor (16) is interposed between the lower end portion (12) of the support members (10) of the plurality of support members (10) and the vibrating membrane (8).

12. Listening device (1) according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the presence sensor (16) is a resistive sensor configured to measure a stress value which changes according to a force applied to the receiving element (9), and more particularly according to the pressure exerted by the user on one or more support members (10) of the plurality of support members (10).

13. Listening device (1) according to claim 12, wherein the presence sensor (16) occupies the rest state when the force applied to the receiving element (9) is less than 5 N.

14. Listening device (1) according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the control unit (CU) is configured to vary the intensity of the vibrations generated by at least one electroacoustic transducer (7) as a function of the stress value measured by the presence sensor (16).

15. Listening device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, which includes an acoustic insulation element (17) configured to extend between at least one electroacoustic transducer (7) and the side wall (5) of the main body (2), the acoustic insulation element (17) being configured to ensure positioning of at least one electroacoustic transducer (7) relative to the main body, and to attenuate the propagation of vibrations in the main body (2).

Images