Probe tube

Abstract

To arrange a tip part at a desired position when measuring an actual ear.SOLUTION: The probe tube 1 has a distal end portion 11 that is disposed in the vicinity of the eardrum during measurement, and a curved portion 12 that is disposed slightly on the proximal end portion 13 side from the distal end portion 11 so as to follow the curved shape in the ear canal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a probe tube. [Background technology]

[0002] Hearing aids manufactured and sold by major hearing aid specialist manufacturers are known to come pre-loaded with prescription formulas developed by the National Acoustic Laboratories in Australia and the University of Western Ontario in Canada.

[0003] The formulas developed by the former are NAL-NL1 and NAL-NL2, while those developed by the latter are DSL (Desired Sensation Level) Version 5.0.

[0004] This prescription formula takes into account the results of measurements of hearing ability and resonance in the ear canal, and calculates the target output value that should be matched to the amount of amplification that should be provided by the hearing aid for each input sound pressure (soft voice 50 dBSPL, voice at 1 meter from the listener 65 dBSPL, loud voice 80 dBSPL) at each frequency. The probe tube used for this measurement is known. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a conventional probe tube.

[0005] The probe tube 100 shown in FIG. 6 is a flexible, elongated tube. The probe tube 100 shown in FIG. 6 has a shape that is slightly curved outward, but is generally substantially straight. The probe tube 100 has a tip 101 that is inserted into the ear and a base 102 that is attached to a probe microphone (not shown). The probe tube 100 also has a marker 103 that confirms the insertion position of the probe tube 100. The marker 103 is placed at the position of the intertragic notch during measurement. This marker is used to position the probe tube 100 at an appropriate depth. During the naked ear measurement stage, the measurer positions the tip 101 5 mm from the eardrum while observing the ear canal. The marker 103 is placed at the intertragic notch so that the position can be visually confirmed from the outside. When inserting the hearing aid with the probe tube 100 in place, the depth of the probe tube 100 is checked with the marker 103 so that the probe tube 100 does not enter deeper into the ear canal than expected together with the hearing aid 300.

[0006] In real ear measurements, a microphone measures the sound on the eardrum through a probe tube 100, the tip of which is placed deep inside the ear canal, and the results are reflected in the adjustment of the hearing aid. Specifically, the measured value is adjusted to match a theoretically calculated target value. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] Harvey Dillon, Masafumi Nakagawa (supervising translator), "Hearing Aid Handbook, 2nd Edition," Ishiyaku Shuppan, May 12, 2017, p. 115 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] With the probe tube 100 shown in Figure 6, it is almost impossible to position it so that it crawls along the bottom of the outer ear from the intertragic notch to just before the eardrum, except in some linear ear canals, and at some point the tip 101 will float. Figures 7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating the outer ear. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the outer ear as seen from the front or back of the face, and Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the outer ear as seen from above the head.

[0009] The ear is divided into three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The outer ear has the pinna and the ear canal, and at the end of the ear canal is the eardrum 50. Sound collected by the pinna is amplified in the ear canal and transmitted to the eardrum 50.

[0010] There are large individual differences in the distance from the entrance of the ear canal to the eardrum 50 and the thickness of the ear canal. Furthermore, the shape of the outer ear is complex, with many people experiencing a vertical gradient from the cartilage to the bony portion of the outer ear. Most people's outer ears have two S-shaped curves extending horizontally from the intertragic notch. As shown in Figure 8, in the following explanation, the first curve (or bend) closest to the ear canal will be referred to as the first curve 51, and the second curve (or bend) closest to the ear canal will be referred to as the second curve 52.

[0011] 7 shows a microphone 200 and a probe tube fixture 201. The probe tube fixture 201 is, for example, a flexible, long, articulated body. Fixing the probe tube 100 with the probe tube fixture 201 stably holds the probe tube 100. The purpose of placing the probe tube fixture 201 in front of the intertragic notch 53 is to position the probe tube 100 from the intertragic notch 53 to the floor 54 of the external auditory canal.

[0012] When the probe tube 100 is positioned so that it mainly follows the bottom of the ear canal in front of the ear, the first curve 51 allows the probe tube 100 to bend and be positioned by pressing it against the skin, but the second curve may cause the probe tube 100 to separate from the skin. In Figure 8, the probe tube 100 can be positioned in the left ear while remaining in contact with the skin at both the first curve 51 and the second curve 52, but the probe tube 100 separates from the skin at the second curve 52 in the right ear, failing to reach the vicinity of the eardrum 50. The probe tube 100 does not bend under its own weight at a position 15 mm from the tip 101, which is located near the second curve 52. Because the second curve 52 is curved, the probe tube 100 separates from the ear canal wall at the second curve 52. It is difficult to position the probe tube 100 along an ear canal that is far from the eardrum 50 or has a sharp curvature.

[0013] Since the probe tube 100 shown in FIG. 6 is linear, the tip 101 of the probe tube 100 may come into contact with the ear canal wall or the eardrum 50 during real ear measurement. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of measurement when a hearing aid is worn.

[0014] As shown in Figure 9, when the hearing aid 300 is placed, the probe tube 100 separates from the skin near the second curve 52, and the tip 101 comes into contact with the wall of the ear canal. In this case, the tip 101 cannot be positioned in the same position as in the bare ear unless the probe tube 100 is pushed further in. However, there are cases where the subject experiences pain when the tip 101 comes into contact with the wall of the ear canal or when the probe tube 100 is pushed further in. The length from the intertragic notch to the tympanic membrane 50 is an average of 35 mm, and the area from the second curve to the tympanic membrane 50 is the area where pain is likely to be felt. Furthermore, measurement errors may occur due to deviation of the position of the measurement point (tip 101).

[0015] Real ear measurements using the probe tube 100 are essentially a prerequisite for fitting hearing aids 300 when based on prescription formulas such as NAL-NL2 or DSL Version 5.0, but several researchers have announced that they are not widely used in Japan, mainly due to the two points mentioned above. In one aspect, the present invention aims to position the tip at a desired position during real ear measurement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a probe tube having a distal end that is positioned near the eardrum during measurement, and a curved portion that is positioned slightly proximal to the distal end so as to follow the curve of the ear canal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] In one embodiment, the tip can be positioned as desired during real ear measurements. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a probe tube according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of measurement using a probe tube according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Schematic diagram of the outer ear seen from above. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first modified example. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional probe tube. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram of the outer ear as viewed from the front or back of the face. [Figure 8] Schematic diagram of the outer ear seen from above. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of measurement when wearing a hearing aid. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The probe tube according to the embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0020] In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the position, size, shape, range, etc. of each component shown in the following drawings may not represent the actual position, size, shape, range, etc. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the position, size, shape, range, etc. disclosed in the drawings, etc. In the embodiments, elements expressed in the singular include the plural unless otherwise clearly indicated in the context. <Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a probe tube according to an embodiment.

[0021] The probe tube 1 of the embodiment is flexible and is used for real ear measurements such as measuring ear canal resonance and measuring to match the sound of a hearing aid to a sound theoretically calculated from a prescription formula. The probe tube 1 is cylindrical and has a tip end 11, a curved portion 12, a base end 13, and a marker 14. The tip 11 is placed near the eardrum during real ear measurement. The curved portion 12 is arranged to be curved slightly from the distal end portion 11 toward the proximal end portion 13. The bending angle θ of the curved portion 12 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 90 degrees to 130 degrees.

[0022] The position of the bending portion 12 is, for example, 5 to 15 mm from the tip portion 11. By placing the bending portion 12 in this position, if the tip portion 11 is placed about 5 mm from the eardrum during real ear measurement, the bending portion 12 is likely to be located at the second curve (approximately 10 to 20 mm from the eardrum).

[0023] The marker 14 is provided between the curved portion 12 and the base end portion 13. The marker 14 is provided so that the user can confirm the insertion position of the probe tube 1.

[0024] As described above, in real ear measurements, the sound on the eardrum surface is measured by the microphone 200 through the probe tube 1, the tip 11 of which is placed deep inside the ear canal, and the results are reflected in the adjustment of the hearing aid. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of measurement using the probe tube according to the embodiment.

[0025] Fig. 2(a) is a diagram for explaining measurement of the naked ear, and Fig. 2(b) is a diagram for explaining measurement when wearing a hearing aid. Note that markers 14 are not shown in Fig. 2.

[0026] As described above, in the measurement, the microphone 200 is attached to the base end 13 of the probe tube 1. The tip 11 is then positioned about 5 mm from the eardrum 50.

[0027] 6, it is possible to fit the probe tube 100 along the skin up to the second curve, but it often separates from the skin at the second curve 52. In contrast, the probe tube 1 of this embodiment has a curved portion 12, which makes it possible to position the probe tube 1 so that it fits along the curved shape inside the ear canal.

[0028] Furthermore, since the curved portion 12 is provided, even when the hearing aid 300 is placed as shown in FIG. 2(b), the probe tube 1 can be placed so as to follow the curved shape inside the ear canal. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the outer ear as seen from above.

[0029] In the example of the subject shown in Figure 3, the left ear has a wide first curve 51 and a gentle S-shape up to the second curve 52. Even in an ear canal with such a shape, the tip 11 can be positioned near the eardrum 50 so that the probe tube 1 follows the curved shape inside the ear canal. In addition, the right ear has a steeper S-shape of the first curve 51 and the second curve 52 than the left ear. Even in an ear canal with such a shape, the provision of the curved portion 12 allows the tip 11 to be positioned near the eardrum 50 so that the probe tube 1 follows the curved shape inside the ear canal.

[0030] As described above, the probe tube 1 of the embodiment has the tip portion 11 that is placed near the eardrum 50 during measurement, and the curved portion 12 that is placed slightly from the tip portion 11 toward the base end 13 so as to follow the curved shape inside the ear canal. This allows the tip portion 11 to be placed at a desired position during real ear measurement.

[0031] In real ear measurements, the distance from the tip 11 of the probe tube 1 to the eardrum 50 is directly related to the measurement accuracy in the high-frequency range. To ensure measurement accuracy in the high-frequency range, the distance from the probe tube 1 to the eardrum 50 must be within 5 mm. Furthermore, because age-related hearing loss reduces hearing in the high-frequency range, the placement of the probe tube affects the accuracy of the hearing aid. In this regard, with the probe tube 1 of the embodiment, the tip 11 can be placed approximately 5 mm away from the eardrum 50.

[0032] Furthermore, by positioning the curved portion 12 along the second curve 52 near the second curve 52 which is prone to coming off the skin, the tip portion 11 can be safely positioned from the second curve 52 onwards up to just before the eardrum so as to follow the curved shape inside the ear canal.

[0033] When inserting a hearing aid, it is impossible to see deep inside the ear. Ultimately, the only way to ensure that the probe tube does not move inside the ear when wearing the hearing aid is to imagine it. Especially when inserting a hearing aid that adheres closely to the skin, the procedure requires uncertainty, such as whether the probe tube will be carried deep inside the ear along with the hearing aid and hit the ear canal wall or eardrum. For example, to reduce these concerns using the conventional probe tube 100, it is possible to position the tip 101 shallower than the specified position, or to wear the hearing aid 300 in a state that weakens the adhesion between the ear canal and the hearing aid so that the probe tube 100 does not move deep inside the ear canal when wearing the hearing aid. When the probe tube 100 does not adhere closely to the skin, low-frequency sounds leak through the gap, or the sound from the measurement sound source is mixed in through the gap, making accurate measurement difficult. The probe tube 1 significantly reduces these concerns.

[0034] Furthermore, although the skin just in front of the eardrum is very sensitive, the curved section 12 allows the probe tube 1 to be safely positioned up to just in front of the eardrum (5 mm). This increases the likelihood that real ear measurements can be performed on subjects who are sensitive to pain. It also allows speech-language-hearing therapists and certified hearing aid technicians who provide the skills to insert the probe tube 1 into the ear of the subject with peace of mind. <First Modification> FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first modified example. In the above-described embodiment, the probe tube 1 is provided with the bending portion 12 in advance, but the invention is not limited to this, and the bending portion 12 may be formed using any other material.

[0035] 4, the curved portion 12 is formed by wrapping surgical tape 15 multiple times around the portion of the probe tube 100 corresponding to the curved portion 12 and bending the portion. The same effect as that of the probe tube 1 can be obtained with this probe tube 1a. <Second Modification> FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second modified example. The probe tube 1 b shown in FIG. 5 has a distal end portion 401 , a proximal end portion 402 , and a marker 403 .

[0036] This probe tube 1b has marks 404a to 404g provided on the tube at 5 mm intervals. Mark 404a, located 5 mm from the tip 401, can be used to visually estimate the distance to the eardrum. Mark 404c, located 15 mm from the tip 401, can be used to estimate the position to be bent. Mark 404g, located 35 mm from the tip 401, can be used to check the depth at the position of the intertragic notch. By providing marks on the tube, measurement accuracy can be improved. This probe tube 1b may be used to create a probe tube 1a.

[0037] Although the probe tube of the present invention has been described above based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of each part can be replaced with any configuration having the same function. Furthermore, any other configurations or processes may be added to the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention may be a combination of any two or more configurations (features) of the above-described embodiments.

[0038] Furthermore, the uses of the probe tubes 1, 1a, and 1b are not limited to the aforementioned measurement of ear canal resonance and real ear measurement, but can also be applied to measurement of products that provide acoustic stimulation through the eardrum, such as measurement of cochlear implants that utilize residual hearing, and measurement of earphones and sound collectors. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1, 1a, 1b, 100 probe tube 11, 101, 401 Tip 12 Curved section 13, 102, 402 proximal end 14, 103, 403 markers 15 Surgical tape 50 Eardrum 51 First Curve 52 Second Curve 53 Intertragal notch 54 Bottom of external auditory foramen 200 microphones 201 Probe tube fixture 300 hearing aids 404a~404g mark

Claims

1. A probe tube used to measure a product that provides acoustic stimulation through the eardrum, a tip portion that is placed near the eardrum during measurement, and a curved portion that is placed slightly proximal to the tip portion so as to follow the curved shape of the ear canal; A probe tube comprising:

2. 2. The probe tube according to claim 1, wherein the distal end is disposed near the eardrum, and the curved portion conforms to the curved shape of the ear canal when a hearing aid is disposed on the proximal end side.

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