Hearing aid cover and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

To provide a hearing aid cover and a manufacturing method thereof applicable to various shapes of the hearing aid.SOLUTION: A hearing aid cover 10 includes a first main body portion 30 having a shape that imitates a hearing aid 100 for placing the hearing aid 100, and an attachment portion 45 for attaching the hearing aid 100 to the first main body portion 30, and the attachment portion 45 is arranged on the first main body portion 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hearing aid cover and a method for manufacturing the hearing aid cover. [Background technology]

[0002] Hearing aids are used by people who have hearing problems due to illness or who are born with hearing loss. There are three types of hearing aids: those that hook onto the ear, those that are inserted into the ear canal like earphones, and those that are placed in a pocket or somewhere else and have the earphones inserted into the ear.

[0003] These hearing aids are often colored to a color similar to the user's skin tone, in order to avoid being conspicuous as much as possible.

[0004] Of these, earphones, which are inserted into the ear canal as a whole, or earphones that are inserted into the ear while the main body is in a pocket or the like, have a small portion of the main body exposed and are relatively inconspicuous.

[0005] On the other hand, hearing aids that hook onto the ear are exposed to the outside and can be seen by others. Also, if the hearing aid falls, it can break.

[0006] Therefore, as a way to cover such hearing aids, Patent Publication No. 2021-141585 discloses a "decorative tip for a hearing aid that has a covering portion that covers the outer surface of the hearing aid and is detachably attached to the hearing aid via a fastening means located between the covering portion and the outer surface of the hearing aid."

[0007] This hearing aid cover, called a decorative tip, has a uniform shape, and although it is preferable to attach it to mass-produced hearing aids, it is difficult to apply it to hearing aids of various shapes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] Patent Publication No. 2021-141585 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hearing aid cover that can be applied to hearing aids of various shapes, and a method for manufacturing the hearing aid cover. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problem, the hearing aid cover of the first aspect has a first main body portion that has a shape that imitates the hearing aid for placing the hearing aid, and an attachment portion for attaching the hearing aid to the first main body portion, and the attachment portion is placed on the first main body portion.

[0011] In order to solve the above problem, the hearing aid cover of the second aspect has a first main body portion that has a shape that imitates the hearing aid for placing the hearing aid, an attachment portion for attaching the hearing aid to the first main body portion, and a second main body portion connected to the first main body portion, wherein the attachment portion is placed on the first main body portion and the second main body portion is redundant.

[0012] In order to solve the above problem, the hearing aid cover of the third aspect has a first main body portion that has a shape that imitates the hearing aid so that the hearing aid can be placed thereon, an attachment portion for attaching the hearing aid to the first main body portion, and a second main body portion connected to the first main body portion, wherein the attachment portion is placed on the first main body portion and the first main body portion covers the hearing aid when the hearing aid is placed thereon, and the second main body portion has a hole portion.

[0013] In order to solve the above problem, the hearing aid cover of the fourth aspect has a first main body portion that has a shape that imitates the hearing aid so that the hearing aid can be placed thereon, an attachment portion for attaching the hearing aid to the first main body portion, and a second main body portion connected to the first main body portion, wherein the attachment portion is placed on the first main body portion and the first main body portion covers the hearing aid when the hearing aid is placed thereon, and the second main body portion has a hole portion and is redundant.

[0014] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the manufacturing method of a hearing aid cover of the fifth aspect includes a master mold creation process in which a master mold is created using mold material to imitate the shape of the hearing aid, a slave mold creation process in which the master mold created in the master mold creation process is pressed against a mold material other than the mold material molded to a predetermined size to create a slave mold having a recess, and a hearing aid cover creation process in which molding material is poured into the slave mold having the recess created in the slave mold creation process to create a hearing aid cover.

[0015] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the sixth aspect of the method for manufacturing a hearing aid cover comprises a master mold creation process in which a master mold is created using mold material to imitate the shape of a hearing aid; a child mold creation process in which the master mold created in the master mold creation process is pressed against a mold material other than the mold material described above that has been molded to a predetermined size to create a child mold having a recess; a hearing aid cover creation process in which molding material is poured into the child mold having the recess created in the child mold creation process to create a hearing aid cover; and a hearing aid cover modification process in which the hearing aid cover created in the hearing aid cover creation process is further modified to add side portions and second side portions, thereby modifying the hearing aid cover. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The present invention is configured and operates as described above, and therefore can provide hearing aid covers that can be applied to hearing aids of various shapes, and methods for manufacturing such hearing aid covers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1]1A and 1B are front and rear views of the hearing aid cover, respectively. [Figure 2] A is a conceptual diagram showing how the clay-like mold material is shaped to fit the shape of the hearing aid, and B is a conceptual diagram showing the process of creating a master mold. [Figure 3] A is a conceptual diagram showing the state in which the master mold created in the master mold creation process is being pressed against the mold material. B is a conceptual diagram showing the slave mold creation process in which the master mold is pressed against the mold material to create a slave mold. [Figure 4] 1A is a conceptual diagram showing the state in which molding material is placed in a recess in a child mold, and FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram showing the process of creating a hearing aid cover by removing the solidified hearing aid cover from the recess. [Figure 5] 1A is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a hearing aid cover is modified to add a side portion and a second side portion, and FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram showing a hearing aid cover modification process in which a side portion and a second side portion are added to the hearing aid cover. [Figure 6] A is a conceptual diagram showing the first hearing aid cover design process of smoothing the surface of the hearing aid cover. B is a conceptual diagram showing the second hearing aid cover design process of applying base gel to the surface of the hearing aid cover. [Figure 7] A is a conceptual diagram showing the third hearing aid cover design process, in which color gel is applied to the surface of the hearing aid cover. B is a conceptual diagram showing the fourth hearing aid cover design process, in which top gel is applied to the surface of the hearing aid cover. [Figure 8] 1A is a conceptual diagram showing the hole-making process when a hole is made in the hearing aid cover, and FIG. 1B is a conceptual diagram showing the hearing aid cover with the hearing aid and accessories attached. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing the hearing aid cover attached to a user.

[0018] The hearing aid cover 10 of this embodiment will now be described. The hearing aid cover 10 is literally placed over the hearing aid 100 to protect the hearing aid 100 from drops or impacts. Here, the hearing aid 100 is preferably a so-called behind-the-ear hearing aid, but is not limited to this. For example, if the hearing aid is a so-called behind-the-ear hearing aid that is hooked between the auricle E of the user P and the head, it is exposed to the outside, so by covering it with the hearing aid cover 10, it can be given a glamorous appearance.

[0019] The hearing aid cover 10 has a first main body portion 30 and a second main body portion 60, which are integrally connected. The hearing aid cover 10 is preferably configured to cover the hearing aid 100 while following its shape, and preferably has a shape similar to that of a magatama. Furthermore, the first main body portion 30 has a curved portion 31 in a plan view so as to follow the shape of the curved portion 101 that is curved to secure the hearing aid 100 to the auricle E.

[0020] The curved portion 31 gradually narrows in width in the first main body portion 30 and is configured to be hung on the ear, with its tip 32 shaped like a bird's beak. In other words, the main body portion 30 is shaped like a comma-shaped beak. The first main body portion 30 also has side portions 40 that serve as walls. The side portions 40 are configured to go around the first main body portion 30, that is, to rise from the back portion 30B, which will be described later. The hearing aid 100 is placed on the back portion 30B inside the side portions 40.

[0021] The first main body 30 has a front surface 30A and a back surface 30B, with the hearing aid 100 placed against the back surface 30B. The back surface 30B has an attachment part 45 for removably attaching the hearing aid 100. The attachment part 45 is preferably adhesive, for example, an adhesive gummy.

[0022] As described above, the second main body portion 60 is integrally connected to the first main body portion 30, and has a substantially constant width while having a curved tip portion 66. The second main body portion 60 has a second side surface portion 70 that forms a wall, and the second side surface portion 70 is configured so that the outer periphery of the second main body portion 60 encloses, i.e., rises up, the second back surface portion 60B described below.

[0023] The second main body 60 also has a second front surface 60A that forms the front surface and a second back surface 60B that forms the back surface, and the hearing aid 100 may not be placed on the second back surface 60B. In other words, the second main body 60 is not a part that the hearing aid 100 comes into contact with, but rather a part that is redundant as part of the hearing aid cover 10. In this way, the redundant second main body 60 means that the hearing aid 100 does not come into contact with it. By having this redundant second main body 60, the hearing aid cover 10 as a whole does not reveal the shape of the hearing aid 100 to the outside, minimizing the risk of external recognition of the presence of the hearing aid 100 and further allowing the hearing aid cover 10 to function as an earring.

[0024] The second main body 60 also has a hole 65. The hole 65 is preferably for hanging an accessory 200, and the accessory 200 is preferably cross-shaped or resembles an animal, but is not limited to these. A strap for preventing the accessory 200 from falling can also be attached together with the accessory 200 or separately (not shown).

[0025] The surface portion 30A of the first main body portion 30 and the second surface portion 60A of the second main body portion 60 are provided with decorative portions 75, which are preferably made by applying a color gel over a base gel, followed by a top gel. Gradation painting is also possible. These can be applied using the same techniques used for nail art.

[0026] Next, a method for manufacturing the hearing aid cover 10 will be described. A master mold 500 is created using mold material S so as to imitate the shape of the hearing aid 100 (master mold creation step S101). The master mold 500 has a first master mold 510 for molding the first main body portion 30 using clay-like mold material S1 so as to imitate the shape of the hearing aid 100, and a second master mold 520 for molding the second main body portion 60. In this master mold creation step S101, by creating the master mold 500 so as to imitate the shape of the hearing aid 100 that will actually be used, hearing aid covers 10 that can be applied to hearing aids of various shapes can be created through the steps described below.

[0027] That is, in the master mold creation step S101, a clay-like mold material S1 is first molded to fit the shape of the hearing aid 100 (see FIG. 2A), and then the hearing aid 100 is placed on the molded clay-like mold material S1 and molded to cover the hearing aid 100. A second master mold 520 is then molded by extending the mold material S1 by approximately 3 to 4 centimeters in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 2B). Through the above steps, the first master mold 510 is molded to cover one side of the hearing aid 100, and the second master mold 520 can be molded to have a void 530 for forming the second main body portion 60, which is an excess portion that does not come into contact with the hearing aid 100. The mold material S1 is preferably a fast-hardening molding putty, preferably a so-called Bluemix material consisting of a white silicone rubber base material and a blue catalyst. The master mold 500 is a so-called male mold that forms the shape of the hearing aid cover 10.

[0028] Next, the master mold 500 prepared in the master mold preparation step S101 is pressed against a mold material S2, which is different from the mold material S1 described above and molded to a predetermined size, to prepare a slave mold 600 having a concave recess 600a (slave mold preparation step S102; see FIGS. 3A and 3B). Similar to the master mold material S1, the slave mold 600 material S2 is preferably a fast-hardening molding putty, preferably a so-called Bluemix material consisting of a white silicone rubber base material and a blue catalyst. The slave mold 600 includes a first slave mold 610, which is a female mold for molding the first main body portion 30, and a second slave mold 620, which is a female mold for molding the second main body portion 60. The first slave mold 610 has a concave first slave mold recess 610a. The second slave mold 610 has a concave second slave mold recess 620a. The first child mold recess 610a and the second child mold recess 620a are integral with each other to form the recess 600a. In this way, the first child mold 610 has the concave first child mold recess 610a for molding the first main body portion 30 and is a female mold, and the second child mold 620 has the concave second child mold recess 620a for molding the second main body portion 60 and is a female mold.

[0029] Next, a molding material S3 called scalp is placed in the die 600 created in the die creating step S102 to create the hearing aid cover 10 (hearing aid cover creating step S103). That is, the molding material S3 called scalp is placed in the recess 600a of the die 600 (see FIG. 4A). In other words, the molding material S3 called scalp is placed in the recessed first die recess 610a of the first die 610 and the recessed second die recess 620a of the second die 620, and is removed after solidification to create the hearing aid cover 10 (see FIG. 4B). Note that the molding material S3 is not limited to what is called scalp.

[0030] The hearing aid cover 10 created in the prototype creation step S103 may lack the side surface portions 40 and second side surface portions 70. In such cases, the hearing aid cover 10 can be modified by adding the side surface portions 40 and second side surface portions 70 (hearing aid cover modification step S104). In this case, the master mold 500 described above can be placed on the hearing aid cover 10 as a nest, and the side surface portions 40 and second side surface portions 70 can be added during molding. However, this step is optional, and does not apply if the side surface portions 40 and second side surface portions 70 of the hearing aid cover 10 have already been molded in the hearing aid cover creation step S103.

[0031] Further decoration can be added to the hearing aid cover 10 created in the hearing aid cover creation process S103 or the hearing aid cover molding process S104 (hearing aid cover design process S105). That is, the hearing aid cover design process S105 may include a first hearing aid cover design process S105A in which the surface of the hearing aid cover 10 is sanded with a buff 300 to smooth the surface, a second hearing aid cover design process S105B in which base gel 310 is applied to the surface, a third hearing aid cover design process S105C in which a color material, such as color gel 320, is applied to the surface with a brush F1, and a fourth hearing aid cover design process S105D in which top gel 330 is applied to the surface with a brush F2. If the surface of the hearing aid cover 10 is smooth, the sanding in the first hearing aid cover design process S105A can be omitted. Also, tools other than brushes can be used. It is also preferable to apply one or more of the base gel 310, color material 320, and top gel 330. The hearing aid cover 10 can be created in this manner. The thickness of the color material and top gel is preferably 0.5 mm or more. The components of these gels are preferably polyurethane acrylic acid oligomer, HEMA, photosynthetic agent, or acrylic components such as ethyl methacrylate, HEMA, and polymerization initiator. After the hearing aid cover design step S105, an attachment portion 45 is attached to the back surface 30B of the first main body portion 30 of the hearing aid cover 10. As mentioned above, the attachment portion 45 is preferably an adhesive gummy (see Figure 7B).

[0032] Furthermore, it is preferable that the hearing aid cover molding step S104, the hearing aid cover design step S105, or a subsequent step includes a hole drilling step S106 in which a drill F3 is used to drill a hole portion 65 in the second main body portion 60. This hole 65 can be used to attach an accessory 200.

[0033] As described above, hearing aids 100 of various shapes are used, and by creating a master mold 500 that imitates the shape of the hearing aid 100 that will actually be used, it is possible to create hearing aid covers 10 that are compatible with various shapes of hearing aids 100. Furthermore, the hearing aid 100 can be attached to the back of the hearing aid cover 10 created through the above process, and the hearing aid cover 10 can be worn by placing the curved portion 31 of the hearing aid cover 10 over the auricle E of the user P. In this way, the first main body 30 has the attachment portion 45 for attaching the hearing aid 100, and by having the redundant second main body 60, it is possible to minimize the risk of others realizing that the hearing aid 100 is being used without exposing the hearing aid 100 to the outside, and it can also function as an ear accessory. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 10 hearing aid covers 30 First main body part 30A surface area 30B Back part 31 Curved section 32 Tip 40 Side part 45 Mounting part 60 Second main body part 60A Second surface 60B 2nd back section 70 Second side part S101 Master mold creation process S102 Sub-mold creation process S103 Hearing aid cover making process S104 Hearing aid cover repair process

Claims

1. a first main body portion having a shape that conforms to the shape of a hearing aid for placement of the hearing aid; an attachment portion for attaching the hearing aid to the first body portion, The attachment portion is a hearing aid cover that is placed on the first main body portion.

2. a first main body portion having a shape that conforms to the shape of a hearing aid for placement of the hearing aid; an attachment portion for attaching the hearing aid to the first body portion; a second body portion connected to the first body portion, The mounting portion is disposed on the first body portion and The second main body portion is a redundant hearing aid cover.

3. a first main body portion having a shape that conforms to the shape of a hearing aid for placement of the hearing aid; an attachment portion for attaching the hearing aid to the first body portion; a second body portion connected to the first body portion, The mounting portion is disposed on the first body portion and The first main body covers the hearing aid when the hearing aid is placed, and The second body portion has a hole.

4. a first main body portion having a shape that conforms to the shape of a hearing aid for placement of the hearing aid; an attachment portion for attaching the hearing aid to the first body portion; a second body portion connected to the first body portion, The mounting portion is disposed on the first body portion and The first main body covers the hearing aid when the hearing aid is placed, and The second main body portion has a hole and is redundant.

5. a master mold making step of making a master mold using mold material to imitate the shape of the hearing aid; a master mold creating step of pressing the master mold created in the master mold creating step against a mold material different from the mold material molded to a predetermined size to create a master mold having a recess; A method for manufacturing a hearing aid cover, comprising a hearing aid cover making step of putting molding material into the die having the recess made in the die making step to make the hearing aid cover.

6. a master mold making step of making a master mold using mold material to imitate the shape of the hearing aid; a master mold creating step of pressing the master mold created in the master mold creating step against a mold material different from the mold material molded to a predetermined size to create a master mold having a recess; a hearing aid cover creation step of creating a hearing aid cover by pouring a molding material into the die having the recess created in the die creation step; A method for manufacturing a hearing aid cover, comprising a hearing aid cover modification process in which the hearing aid cover made in the hearing aid cover making process is further modified by adding a side portion and a second side portion, thereby modifying the hearing aid cover.

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