Dr. Nakama's Strong Ear

Abstract

We provide a sound-amplifying device for the hearing impaired that is lightweight, easy to carry, has a very simple structure, and is easy to attach and detach. [Solution] A flat sheet material is attached to the external ear canal insertion device of a hearing aid, or a flat sheet is attached to the strings of a mask, or it can also be used as a mask case.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Relates to a sound collecting device that can be worn on the ear.

Background Art

[0002] There used to be hearing aids, but their performance was insufficient and many people couldn't hear well. The present invention is an invention that enables these dissatisfied people to hear better. It is known to provide a bowl-shaped tool around the earlobe or hang it like a headset to provide a bowl-shaped tool for people with distant ears so that they can hear voices well.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Patent Document 1 fixes an ear shell made of synthetic resin or rubber member to the ear, and the fixing is shown at the upper end of the ear. However, when it is enlarged, it becomes a heavy member, so it is easy to come off and the sound collecting efficiency is also poor. Patent Document 2 provides a sound collecting part connected to the ear hole of the ear fixed in the shape of a headset. However, because it is in the shape of a headset, it is bulky and inconvenient to carry, and the structure is also complicated. Patent Document 3 was invented by the inventor of the present invention and is a device for distant listening that attaches a long induction tube to the eyeglass frame. However, this is also insufficient for listening over a wide range, and the glasses become even bulkier. In light of the above, the inventor has made every effort to invent a sound-collecting device for the hearing impaired that is lightweight, easy to carry, has a very simple structure, and is easy to attach and detach. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This sound amplifier is characterized by its ability to be attached to external ear insertion devices such as hearing aids, mask strings, earlobes, or behind the ear, and can also serve as a mask cover if necessary. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] 1. It enables people who cannot hear even with hearing aids to hear. 2. It can simultaneously prevent the spread of COVID-19 and amplify sound. 3. It can be used as a mask case if needed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Diagram showing a known sound-gathering device. [Figure 2] Figure showing the first embodiment of the present invention [Figure 3] Figure showing a second embodiment of the present invention [Figure 4] Figure showing another example of the second embodiment of the present invention [Figure 5] Figure showing another example of the second embodiment of the present invention [Figure 6] A diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Figure 1 shows a known sound-collecting device in which a bowl-shaped sound-collecting device 2 is attached to the upper part of the wearer's earlobe 101 using a fixing device 3. It has no effect in preventing COVID-19 and cannot be used as a mask case. In addition, in order to form a bowl-shaped sound collector, processing is required, and it is necessary to use a material molded from synthetic resin such as plastic or rubber. This involves processing costs and cannot be easily done. Also, if a large sound collector is used, there is a risk of it falling off.

[0009] [First Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention. This invention is for the hearing-impaired who cannot hear even with conventional hearing aids. A sheet 4 is wound around an outer ear canal insertion device 5 such as a hearing aid, earplug, or earphone. This sheet is shaped like a megaphone and has an open front. (A) is a front view when the present invention is placed on the outer ear canal insertion device 5, and (B) is a schematic view when the present invention is wrapped around the outer ear canal insertion device 5. In (A), a rectangular sound collecting sheet 4 is provided around an outer ear canal insertion device 5 such as a hearing aid, earplug, or earphone (here, a hearing aid). It is fixed around the outer ear canal insertion device 5 by an adhesive or other fixing method. As shown in (B), the sound collecting sheet 4 is not fixed to the part of the outer ear canal insertion device 5 that faces forward of the wearer. Then, the sound collecting sheet is wound around the outer ear canal insertion device 5 so that the front where the sound of the other person comes is in the shape of an open megaphone-shaped part. Then, the outer ear canal insertion device 5 with the sound collecting sheet shown in (B) is inserted into the outer ear canal of the wearer's ear. Then, the sound collecting sheet 4 makes it easier for the sound on the side and front of the wearer to enter the ear and amplifies the sound. Since the outer ear canal insertion device 5 with the sound collecting sheet shown in (B) is inserted into the outer ear canal of the wearer's ear, the sound collecting sheet is stably fixed in the earhole and is unlikely to fall off or the like. The outer ear canal insertion device 5 with the sound collecting sheet shown in (A) and (B) may be provided for only one ear of the wearer or for both ears.

[0010] Fixing around the outer ear canal insertion device can be done by a double-sided adhesive or other methods. It is preferable to use a detachable fixing method such as a medical double-sided adhesive tape that can adhere to the human body. Also, when the range fixed around the outer ear canal insertion device is set with the upper end of the outer ear canal insertion device as 0 degrees and the clockwise direction as +, any range within the range of -30 to +210 degrees may be adhered, and it is preferable that the range of +30 degrees to +150 degrees is adhered.

[0011] The rectangular sound collecting sheet 4 is a flat material that can be curved and reflects sound, such as a foam material, a transparent film, a copy transparent paper, or paper. The material is preferably soft paper, such as commercially available paper or even thinner glassine paper. The thickness is preferably 200 microns to 50 microns. There is no need to make it thick, and it is a material of 30 to 200 g / m 2 which is a soft material, can be bent, and is a sheet that maintains a megaphone shape. Also, a transparent film with a thickness of 30 to 100 microns may be used. The sound collecting sheet 4 has a vertically long rectangular shape and is installed as shown in Fig. 2(A) in a rectangular shape with a vertical length of 50 to 220 mm and a width of 50 to 150 mm. The size of the sound collecting sheet 4 is set to be the size of the sound collecting sheet 4 such that the outer ear canal insertion device does not fall off from the ear while considering the sound collecting efficiency.

[0012] According to the first embodiment of the present invention, more sounds and voices can be collected using a conventional hearing aid, so there is an effect that the voices of people wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic can be clearly heard. Also, since the sound collecting sheet is supported at the outer ear canal, even if it is enlarged, the burden is small and the earlobe does not hurt.

[0013] [Second Embodiment] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the second embodiment of the present invention. It is an invention for hearing loss countermeasures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[0014] In other words, it is said that symptoms of COVID-19 infection include not only fever, bloating, fatigue, and loss of smell and taste, but also hearing loss. Specifically, among those infected with COVID-19 who developed auditory complications, about 7.6% reported hearing loss and about 14.8% reported tinnitus. Furthermore, (1) inner ear inflammation, (2) decreased blood flow (vasculitis), and (3) co-infection with other bacteria may occur, so wearing a mask while living during the COVID-19 pandemic is important for preventing hearing damage. Furthermore, in a lifestyle where masks are worn, people with hearing impairments may find it difficult to hear because they cannot see the mouth movements behind the mask. Under these circumstances, wearing a mask and using the mask of the present invention has the highly effective effect of making it easier for people with hearing impairments to hear while avoiding COVID-19 infection.

[0015] A second embodiment of the present invention is characterized by providing a sound-collecting sheet on the strings of a mask made of known nonwoven fabric or the like.

[0016] The specific creation and usage methods are explained using Figures 3-5. As shown in Figure 3(A), a rectangular sound-collecting sheet 41 is folded in half (i.e., sheet 411 and sheet 412 are superimposed), and the string 601 of a known nonwoven fabric mask 6 is sandwiched between sheets 411 and 412. (B) is a top view (plan view) of (A). (C) is a diagram showing the present invention being worn, with the strings 601 of the mask 6 placed over the ears 101 and sound-collecting sheets 41 and 42 attached to the left and right ears. At this time, the strings 601 bend along the curved shape behind the ear, so the folded sound-collecting sheets 41 (411, 412) curve into a megaphone shape with the front open, allowing them to collect sound. The sound-collecting sheet 42 (413, 414) attached to the other ear takes on a similar shape. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(D), the left and right sound-collecting sheets 41 and 42 can be folded and placed on the surface of the mask 6 that comes into contact with the mouth, allowing the sound-collecting sheets to be used as mask protection. Figure 4(A) is a front view showing a sound-collecting sheet the same size as the mask and the mask strings integrated together, with an eye-protecting shield provided on the inside of the mask. Figure 4(B) is a top view, Figure 4(C) is a back (inside) view, Figure 4(D) is a front view when the sound-collecting sheet is folded to protect the mask, and Figure 4(E) is a top view of (D). The sound-collecting sheet 417 is joined to the folded end 4171 of the sound-collecting sheet with double-sided adhesive 10 and fixed together with the mask strings 601. Furthermore, the front view in Figure 5(A), the top view in Figure 5(B), and the side view in Figure 5(C) show a sound-collecting sheet 418 with three times the vertical length, which is joined to the end 4181 of the sound-collecting sheet with double-sided adhesive 10 and fixed to the mask string 601, and an eye-protecting shield is provided. As shown in Figure 5(E), the sound-collecting sheet is protected from the mask by folding and overlapping the left and right sound-collecting sheets 418 along the dotted lines on the surface of the mask that comes into contact with the mouth and on the surface of the mask. This allows for compact portability. Also, in Figures 5(D) and (E), the eye-protecting shield can be folded inward or outward for even greater compactness.

[0017] There are no size restrictions on the sound-collecting sheets 41 and 42, but they can be vertically elongated rectangles as shown in Figure 3(A). The vertical length should be long enough to hold the string 601 of the mask 6, and the horizontal length can be about half the width of the mask, or it can be horizontally elongated as shown in Figure 4, or it can be a vertically elongated rectangle the width of the mask as shown in Figure 5. Furthermore, Figure 3(D) shows the left and right sound-collecting sheets 41 and 42 folded over the mask surface, with the mask surface visible in the center. However, the sound-collecting sheets 41 and 42 may be made longer so that they overlap, completely protecting the mask surface that comes into contact with the mouth. The mask can also be sandwiched between the two folded sheets 411 and 412 of the left and right sound-collecting sheets 41 and 42, as shown in Figure 4(E), which is even more hygienic as neither side of the mask comes into contact with the outside. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the mask strings 601 and sound-collecting sheets 41 and 42 can be fixed together with adhesive or sewing, and the two sheets 411 and 412 can be used as one sheet, which is economical as it requires only half the amount of sheet.

[0018] According to the second embodiment of the present invention, a sound-gathering effect can be obtained very easily simply by attaching this sheet to a known mask, making it ideal for people with hearing loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, this sheet can be used as a protective case for masks.

[0019] [Third Embodiment] Figure 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, in which a sound-collecting sheet 43 of a length that can serve as a mask case is folded into sheets 415 and 416 and attached to only one side of the string 601 of the mask 6, and is provided on one ear.

[0020] Figure 6(A) shows the mask 6 with a sound-collecting sheet 43 (415, 416) attached to only one side. Figure 6(B) is a magnified view of the part where the mask strings 601 are sandwiched between the folded sound-collecting sheets 43. When the mask strings are placed over the ears, the strings 601 bend to conform to the curved shape behind the ears 101, causing the sound-collecting sheets 43 to curve into a megaphone shape with the front open, enabling sound collection. The sound-collecting sheet 43 should be approximately the same length as the mask width. Specifically, a width of around 50-180mm is ideal.

[0021] In this third embodiment, when the mask is removed, the sound-collecting sheet is folded to protect the surface of the mask 6 that comes into contact with the mouth. Alternatively, the sound-collecting sheet 43 can be attached to the strings of the mask 6, and the double-layered sheets 415 and 416 can be used as a single sheet mask.

[0022] According to this third embodiment, the mask case and sound-collecting sheet can be used together, allowing for hygienic use of the mask.

[0023] [Fourth Embodiment] Figure 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, characterized in that a flat sound-collecting sheet 4 is fixed to the earlobe 101 with a clip 8.

[0024] The earlobe is the least sensitive area. Therefore, clip 8 is used to secure the sheet 44 there. Securing it to other parts of the ear can easily cause pain or swelling. The sheet 44 in Figure 7 should be as lightweight as possible, and it is preferable that the clip 8 can make contact and press against the earlobe over a wide area (e.g., 5mm-10mmΦ) so that the orientation of the sheet 44 does not waver. The present invention also includes pre-shaping a sound-collecting sheet into a megaphone shape and clipping it to the earlobe.

[0025] [Fifth Embodiment] Figure 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, characterized in that a flat sound-collecting sheet 4 is fixed to the ear with an adhesive 9.

[0026] As shown in Figure 8, the device is fixed behind the ear with adhesive 9. Figure 8(A) is a front view. Figure 8(B) is a top (plan) view. Figure 8(C) is a side view when the device is attached behind the ear. Using a sound-collecting sheet 4 (Figure 8(A)) equipped with a removable adhesive such as surgical double-sided tape or medical transfer tape 9, peel off the liner (release paper, release liner) 92 and attach the adhesive 91 to the back of the ear 101 (Figure 8(C)).

[0027] The length and width of the tape 9 shown in Figure 8 are 10-60 mm in length and 5-20 mm in width. The length and width are set to match the length and width behind the ear, so that the sheet does not fall off. As shown in Figure 8(A), tape 9 should be positioned as close to the long side of sheet 4 (horizontally) and approximately 20-50% from the bottom of the long side. This causes the sound-collecting sheet to curve, enabling it to collect sound.

[0028] [Sixth Embodiment] The sixth embodiment of the present invention is characterized by providing a sound-collecting sheet, as in the second to fourth embodiments, on a transparent body with ear loops, rather than on a mask made of known nonwoven fabric or the like. The aforementioned transparent mask with ear loops can be one of the transparent or opaque masks invented by the present inventor (Patent No. 7132574: Title of Invention: Supermen (MEN), and Patent No. 6884940: Title of Invention: Nasal Cavity Dilating, Nasal Valley Sealing, Antibacterial, Anti-Fog, Clear Statement, Public Relations, Global Warming Prevention, Traffic Safety Mask).

[0029] Therefore, This invention enables sound collection that conventional hearing aids cannot adequately achieve. Furthermore, it is a groundbreaking invention that also helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 and doubles as a mask case. [Industrial applicability]

[0030] It has recently been discovered that wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic can cause hearing loss. Therefore, integrating this invention with a mask is highly effective. Because this invention can easily help people with hearing loss, it has great industrial potential. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1. The wearer's head 101 Ear, earlobe 2. Known sound-collecting devices 3 Fixtures 4. Sound collecting device of the present invention 41. Sound collecting device of the present invention 42. Sound collecting device of the present invention 43. Sound collecting device of the present invention 44. Sound collecting device of the present invention 411 The Foldable Sound Collector of the Present Invention 412 Foldable sound-collecting device of the present invention 413 The Foldable Sound Collector of the Present Invention 414 Foldable sound collecting device of the present invention 415 The Foldable Sound Collector of the Present Invention 416 Foldable sound collecting device of the present invention 417 Sound collecting device formed by bonding a single sheet material according to the present invention 4171 Folded edge of sound-collecting sheet 418 Sound collector bonded together with the foldable sheet material of the present invention 4181 Sound-collecting sheet edge 5. Hearing aids, earphones, earplugs, and other external ear-insertion devices for amplifying sound. 6. Masks made of nonwoven fabric, etc. 601 Mask strings 7. Sound collection device that also functions as a mask case according to the present invention 8 clips 9. Surgical double-sided tape or medical transfer tape 91 Adhesive 92 Liner (release paper, release liner) 10 Adhesive tape or adhesive tape 11. Eye covering sheet material

Claims

[Claim 1] A mask with a sound-collecting device, characterized by the placement of a transparent or opaque sheet of any size on the ear loop portion of the mask.

Images