External auditory canal wearing device

Abstract

To provide an ear canal wearing device that not only has good sound insulation performance, but is also easy to attach to and detach from the ear canal, has durability for repeated use, can be easily cleaned, etc., and is hygienic. 【Solution means】 An ear canal wearing device that is inserted into and worn in the ear canal, comprising a cylindrical member 1 formed of a cylindrical flexible member that can be inserted into the ear canal along the axial direction A of an axis extending from the opening of the ear canal toward the inside of the ear canal, and a convex portion 1e formed spirally along the axial direction on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ear canal attachment device, and is particularly useful when applied to earplugs for sound insulation in a high-level noise environment, and ear tips for blocking environmental noise as much as possible and guiding the sound from earphones well into the ear canal.

Background Art

[0002] An earplug is known as a device that is worn in the ear canal to contribute to sound insulation, for example, when performing sound insulation in a high-level noise environment. As a kind of earplug according to the prior art, a flange-type earplug has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). This type of flange-type earplug has a columnar main body and a flange portion on an umbrella that integrally spreads in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the main body. By inserting the main body in the axial direction of the ear canal, the outer periphery of the flange portion is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the ear canal to contact and block external noise.

[0003] In such a flange-type earplug, a force is applied from the outside to push it into the ear canal during wearing, and sound insulation is achieved by narrowing the space between the flange portion and the inner peripheral surface of the ear canal. At this time, a restoring force that tries to return to the original shape always acts on the flange portion, and this restoring force pushes the flange-type earplug outward from the ear canal and becomes a force that tries to come off the ear. As a result, the flange-type earplug in a state of being worn in the ear canal becomes loose, and ultimately becomes a factor for coming off from the ear canal. Therefore, in order to achieve stronger sound insulation, it is necessary to increase the pressing force by the flange portion. However, if it is pressed with a strong force, the force to push it back will also become relatively large, making it difficult to maintain better wearing. To prevent this, it is necessary to press with a force that can maintain wearing, and there is also a limit to the possible sound insulation level, and it is difficult to essentially achieve a large level of sound insulation structurally.

[0004] However, since a flange-type earplug can use a soft material such as rubber or vinyl for the material to be molded, it is easy to mold, is hardly affected by moisture such as sweat or humidity as a characteristic of the material, and in particular, in the case of being made of silicon, there is almost no deterioration due to external factors and it has high durability and enables long-term use.

[0005] As another type of earplug according to the prior art, a foam-type earplug has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). This type of foam-type earplug is configured by molding a urethane foam, which is an elastic foam polymer, into a columnar shape. The urethane foam is formed by small bubbles generated during production swelling, has elasticity and flexibility, deforms when compressed, and has the characteristic of slowly returning to its original shape when the compression is released.

[0006] The foam-type earplug formed of this urethane foam utilizes its deformability to be inserted into the external auditory canal in a state where the foam material is crushed with a finger, and the foam material expands in diameter as it tries to return to its original shape and stops in the shape of the external auditory canal, so that the foam material conforms to the shape of the external auditory canal and seals the external auditory canal. Furthermore, while the foam-type plug is being worn in the external auditory canal, the shape restoration is restricted, so stress accumulates, and the residual stress remaining there always tries to spread, which becomes a force pushing the external auditory canal and maintains and enhances the sealing force.

[0007] Here, since the force pushing the external auditory canal is perpendicular to the tubular direction (axial direction) of the external auditory canal, it is offset by 90 degrees with respect to the insertion direction of the foam-type earplug into the external auditory canal, and does not act as a stress in the direction of loosening or removing the foam-type earplug, but becomes a residual stress pushing the inner peripheral surface of the external auditory canal. That is, a high sound insulation performance can be exhibited by the pressing force on the inner peripheral surface of the external auditory canal due to such residual stress.

[0008] However, polyurethane, which is the material of the foam-type earplug, has the drawback of lacking stability in its properties and being prone to deterioration over time. In particular, it is easily affected by temperature, moisture absorption, or light (ultraviolet rays), and there is a possibility that the material will change due to long-term hydrolysis. As a result, in high humidity, the expansion (recovery) time is too short, making it difficult to wear properly.

[0009] Also, due to the deterioration of the material, it is not suitable for long-term use and has durability problems. Especially in the case of earplugs, since they are used under the condition of being worn in the external auditory canal, it is impossible to avoid sweat absorption, and deterioration gradually begins once use starts. That is, deterioration starts along with the start of use, and as the usage period passes, the function may decline, resulting in the possibility that the specified noise reduction volume may not be achieved.

[0010] Furthermore, when wearing the foam-type earplug, an act of crushing the urethane foam with a finger and inserting it into the external auditory canal is required. Therefore, under the usage conditions with frequent attachment and detachment, the operation becomes cumbersome. In addition, since moisture absorption causes deterioration, it is difficult to clean or disinfect the foam-type earplug that has started to be used with alcohol, etc. In applications with hygienic issues such as medical and food-related fields, it becomes a disposable usage form, and problems also arise in terms of economic rationality.

[0011] Incidentally, there is an ear tip as an external auditory canal wearing device of the same type. The ear tip has a through passage that penetrates between the base end surface, which is the outer end surface of the earplug, and the tip end surface, which is the end surface on the inner side of the external auditory canal (tympanic membrane side end surface). The opening on the base end surface side is connected to the sound conduction part from the speaker of the earphone by corresponding to the diameter and outer shape on the earphone side, thereby constituting a so-called canal-type earphone. In this type of canal-type earphone, the canal-type earphone is worn in the external auditory canal by inserting the ear tip into the external auditory canal. Thus, the ear tip guides the sound emitted from the speaker part through the through passage toward the tympanic membrane inside the external auditory canal through the through passage of the ear tip, and blocks ambient noise when the outer peripheral surface of the ear tip contacts the inner peripheral surface of the external auditory canal. That is, in the function of blocking ambient noise other than the sound emitted from the speaker, it exhibits the same function as the earplug.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0012]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0013] In view of the above prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide an external auditory canal wearing device that not only has good sound insulation performance, but is also easy to attach and detach to the external auditory canal, has durability for repeated use, can be easily cleaned, etc., and is hygienic.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0014] A first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is While it can be inserted and worn in the ear canal along the axial direction of an axis extending from the entrance side of the ear canal inward toward the eardrum side, it has a columnar member which is a flexible member, and has a spiral structure portion formed spirally along the axial direction on the columnar member. The columnar member is a cylindrical member in which one or both ends of the columnar member in the axial direction are closed by a lid member. The spiral structure portion is formed by a concave portion or a convex portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the columnar member up to the tip portion which is the end portion on the side opposite to the inlet side along the axial direction. It is characterized by this. The second aspect of the present invention is No. In the ear canal wearing device according to the first aspect. The cylindrical hollow portion of the columnar member is filled with an elastomer material. It is characterized by this. The 3 aspect of the present invention is No. Described in the first or second aspect In the ear canal wearing device to do, It is characterized by having a through hole extending along the axial direction from the end on the entrance side of the columnar member to the tip of the tip portion. The 4 aspect of the present invention is Described in the first or second aspect In the ear canal wearing device to do, It is characterized in that the columnar member incorporates conversion means for radiating sound vibrations converted and reproduced based on a predetermined electrical signal. The fifth aspect of the present invention is Described in the third aspect In the ear canal wearing device to do, It is characterized in that the columnar member incorporates conversion means for radiating sound vibrations converted and reproduced based on a predetermined electrical signal.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, when the ear canal wearing device is worn in the ear canal and inserted by applying stress acting in the axial direction to the columnar member, the spiral structure portion extends in the axial direction of the columnar member due to the spring effect. As a result, the columnar member is extended along the axis of the ear canal. By being extended in this way, combined with the tip portion of the columnar member having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the ear canal, the columnar member can be easily inserted into the ear canal. Thus, the outer peripheral surface of the columnar member of the ear canal wearing device can be pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the ear canal and worn.

[0020] As used herein, the "spring effect" refers to the following property. When a deformable material is in a helical structure, if a force is applied in the direction in which the pitch of the helix increases, the outer circumference is reduced and the pitch of the helix is expanded, resulting in an increase in the overall length. Conversely, if a force is applied in the direction in which the pitch of the helix decreases, the outer circumference is increased and the pitch of the helix is reduced, resulting in a shortening of the overall length. That is, the helix expands and contracts in the longitudinal direction, and depending on conditions such as the thickness of the material that makes up the helix, it also has the property of bending and expanding and contracting in an indeterminate direction.

[0021] In this case, the effect caused by the spring is such that when the helical structure portion having the movement of this spring is pushed in as a columnar member larger in diameter than the external auditory canal, the force applied from the inner wall surface of the external auditory canal becomes a stress in the direction of narrowing the columnar member. This stress compresses the helical structure portion from the outer peripheral side. As a result, the helical structure portion changes its shape to reduce its diameter and expand its pitch.

[0022] Here, when the columnar member having the helical structure portion is held with a finger during the attachment of the external auditory canal fixture to the external auditory canal, the expanded pitch of the helix cannot extend in the outer direction of the external auditory canal and can only extend in the distal direction (tympanic membrane direction).

[0023] The helical structure deformed by the above-described action tries to return to its original shape (original diameter), and therefore, while being compressed (while being attached to the external auditory canal), it continuously generates a stress that tries to expand at all times. As a result, the columnar structure tries to obtain a shape with as little gap as possible due to the stress that presses the inner peripheral surface of the external auditory canal.

[0024] The human external auditory canal is not a fixed cylindrical shape. Instead, it has various inner diameters and shapes depending on its position, is bent, and has significant individual differences. According to the present invention, for the inner diameter and shape at the positions of the individual different external auditory canals, and for the spiral structure portion along the bend to change the outer diameter and direction of expansion and contraction according to the position (because the spring operation has the property of bending and expanding and contracting in an indeterminate direction), it is possible to achieve a state without gaps (sealing) on the entire inner wall surface in contact. In other words, due to the property of the spring operation, the spiral structure portion deforms into a shape along the shape of the external auditory canal, and is mounted and held in the external auditory canal in a state where the stress to restore to the original outer diameter remains. This remaining restoring stress becomes the compressive stress on the inner peripheral wall surface of the external auditory canal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1(A) is a perspective view showing an earplug which is an ear canal wearing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1(B) is a partially enlarged view showing an extraction and enlargement of the tip portion thereof, and FIG. 1(C) is a longitudinal sectional view of (A). Although this embodiment will be described with respect to the earplug, the structure of the ear tip can be considered in the same manner except for having a through passage that penetrates between the base end surface (hereinafter the same) which is the end surface on the entrance side of the ear canal and the tip end surface (hereinafter the same) which is the end surface on the eardrum side of the ear canal. That is, regarding the function of sound insulation, the ear tip also exhibits the same function as the earplug.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1(A) and 1(C), the earplug I according to this embodiment has a columnar member 1 formed of a flexible member and a convex portion 1e which is a spiral structure portion. The columnar member 1 can be inserted and worn in the ear canal along the axial direction of the axis A extending from the entrance side of the ear canal toward the inner side of the ear canal toward the eardrum side, and has a tip portion 1b whose diameter gradually decreases toward the eardrum side so as to be smaller than the diameter of the ear canal.

[0028] The columnar member 1 in this embodiment is a cylindrical member whose entrance side is closed by a base end surface 1a. The spiral structure portion is formed by a convex portion 1e provided on the inner peripheral surface of the columnar member 1 along the direction of the axis A. That is, a convex portion 1e is formed spirally along the direction of the axis A inside the cylindrical columnar member 1, and this convex portion 1e serves as the spiral structure portion. Note that a similar spiral structure can also be formed by a concave portion.

[0029] Regarding the turning direction of the helix, a left-handed turn (counterclockwise turn) is desirable for the right ear, and a right-handed turn (clockwise turn) is desirable for the left ear. This is because, due to the characteristic shape of the external auditory canal, the insertion and wearing operations for the external auditory canal can be performed smoothly.

[0030] The earplug I in this embodiment has a cylindrical member having a solid portion 1c formed on the proximal end side from the proximal end surface 1a toward the distal end portion 1b, and a hollow portion 1d formed on the distal end side continuously from the solid portion 1c. Providing the solid portion 1c in this way is not essential, but there are the following advantages in providing it. That is, when inserting and wearing the earplug I into the external auditory canal, it is necessary to hold the earplug I with a finger and push it into the external auditory canal. However, by holding the solid portion 1c of the earplug I with a finger, a predetermined pushing force can be easily transmitted to the columnar member 1. Incidentally, if the shape changes due to the holding force of the finger, it will hinder the pushing operation. That is, if it is greatly deformed such as being crushed when held with a finger, it will hinder the pushing operation. Therefore, the gripping portion at this time needs to maintain a predetermined shape. For this purpose, a solid portion 1c instead of a hollow is required at this position.

[0031] Also, the outer shape of the columnar member 1 is generally circular, that is, the solid portion 1c has a cylindrical shape and the hollow portion 1d has a cylindrical shape, but it is not limited to this. Depending on the shape of the external auditory canal, the cross section may be an elliptical shape or the like.

[0032] The diameter of the hollow portion 1d gradually decreases toward the distal end, and it is provided for convenience when inserting it into the external auditory canal. However, making the diameter of the distal end portion smaller in this way is not an essential requirement. A cylindrical shape with a constant diameter may also be used. Also, the wall thickness of the hollow portion 1d may be made thinner toward the distal end. This is for the following reason.

[0033] By increasing or decreasing the thickness of the material (e.g., silicon) for forming the columnar member 1, the thin portion can be made more flexible to improve the feeling of attachment to the skin when worn in the ear canal. On the other hand, since the thick portion becomes hard, the transmission of the wearing operation can be obtained. That is, by making the tip soft and the hand (finger tip) hard, a balance can be achieved between ease of wearing and improvement of the wearing feeling. This is because the deeper into the ear canal, the more sensitive it becomes. However, forming it in this way is not an essential requirement either.

[0034] As described above, on the inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion 1d, a spiral convex portion 1e (which may also be a concave portion) is formed along the axial direction from the base end surface 1a side toward the tip end portion 1b side. The spiral convex portion 1e shown in Fig. 1(A) is one stripe, but a plurality of stripes may be formed at a predetermined interval in the axial direction of the hollow portion 1d. Furthermore, a structure in which a spring formed of plastic or the like is enclosed in the hollow portion 1d may also be used. In short, in the hollow portion 1d, a structure capable of obtaining the above-described spring effect may be used. That is, according to the spring effect, when the earplug I is inserted into the ear canal, the spiral structure generates a spring-like action along the bent shape of the ear canal, and at the same time, when a force is applied in the direction in which the spiral interval extends, the outer periphery is reduced and the spiral interval is expanded, and as a result, the overall length can be extended favorably.

[0035] As the material of the earplug I, it is only necessary to have flexibility at a minimum, but silicon having flexibility as well as durability, water resistance, and chemical resistance is optimal. As other materials, rubber, vinyl, polyurethane, etc. can be applied favorably.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 1(B), an opening 1f is provided at the tip end portion 1b, and the air in the hollow portion 1d is discharged through this opening 1f.

[0037] Such an opening 1f may not necessarily be required. When the volume of the internal space of the columnar member 1 changes, generally, a vent hole is required. However, since air itself is a compressible fluid, depending on the amount of compression, the volume change of the said space can be absorbed.

[0038] Further, the tip of the spiral convex portion 1e is connected to the thick tip portion 1b of the opening 1f.

[0039] The earplug I according to this basic form of such a structure has concavo-convex portions forming a spiral structure on the inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion. Therefore, by inserting the earplug into the external auditory canal, the spiral structure exerts a spring effect along the bent shape of the external auditory canal. That is, the earplug I made of a flexible soft material and having a spiral convex portion 1e on the inner peripheral surface, when inserted into the external auditory canal, generates a stress that causes the outer peripheral surface of the earplug to be pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the external auditory canal, thereby reducing the outer periphery and tending to become thinner. At this time, due to the convex portion 1e which is a spiral structure portion on the inner peripheral surface, the stress causes a spring effect on the convex portion 1e, so that the interval between the convex portions 1e which are spiral structure portions is widened and the length of the tube is extended, and the earplug I is extended toward the eardrum in the deep part while following the bend of the external auditory canal.

[0040] The external auditory canal has bent portions called the first curve and the second curve when going from the opening toward the eardrum. The tip portion of the ear tip I extended by the spring effect is easily bent in all directions due to the influence of the coil shape of this spring structure, so it is easy to bend along the curve of this external auditory canal, further enters the eardrum direction, and bends at the angle of the curve at the curve portion, and this serves as a role like a key-shaped hook. As a result, the wearing stability on the ear is further enhanced. Since such a shape change occurs according to the shape of the external auditory canal here, it functions to freely deform and immediately adapt to the unique shape of the external auditory canal of each individual.

[0041] At this time, the convex portion 1e, which is a spiral structure deformed by the spring effect, generates a stress to return to its original shape, so a restoring force that tries to expand always acts on the earplug I that is attached and contracted. This restoring force that tries to expand acts as a force that presses the inner peripheral surface of the ear canal, and strongly adheres the outer peripheral surface of the earplug I and the inner peripheral surface of the ear canal. Since the direction of the force due to such a restoring force is deviated by about 90 degrees with respect to the insertion direction of the earplug I, which is the axial direction extending toward the eardrum of the ear canal, the stability of the wearing state of the earplug I is enhanced and a high sound insulation ability is exhibited.

[0042] Next, a modified example of the earplug having the basic structure shown in FIG. 1 will be shown. In each figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0043] <First Modified Example> The earplug II shown in FIG. 2 has a knob 2 attached to the base end surface 1a. When attaching and detaching the earplug II to and from the ear canal, particularly when removing it, by gripping the knob 2 and performing a predetermined operation, the efficiency of the operation can be improved.

[0044] <Second Modified Example> The earplug III shown in FIG. 3 is filled with an elastomer material 3 in the hollow portion 1d. In the case of this example, a more reliable sound insulation effect can be obtained by the function of the elastomer material 3 as a sound absorbing material.

[0045] <Third Modified Example> The earplug IV shown in FIG. 4 has an acoustic filter 5 (analog type or digital type) fitted in the central portion of the base end surface 1a, and is configured to select or block, attenuate, or amplify sounds of specific frequencies. More specifically, a sound conduction tube portion 1g through which sound can pass between the external environment and the eardrum is provided, and an acoustic filter 5 that can adjust the volume and sound quality, which is built-in or removable, is fitted at one end thereof. By installing this acoustic filter 5, it becomes possible to adjust the volume and sound quality transmitted when used as an earplug.

[0046] <Fourth Modification Example> The earplug V shown in FIG. 5 is designed to have multiple functions. For example, by embedding a metal member 6b in the solid portion 1c, even when the earplug V is lost, it can be easily detected by a metal detector, facilitating the discovery of its mixing into food or the like and preventing any adverse effects. Also, by arranging an OR code 6c, a barcode 6d, a GPS chip 6e, etc., it becomes easier to obtain various information such as individual identification and location confirmation. Furthermore, by connecting the right-ear earplug 1A and the left-ear earplug 1B with a cord 6f, it is possible to prevent dropping and loss.

[0047] <Fifth Modification Example> The earplug VI shown in FIG. 6 has a vent 7, which is a small hole, installed in the solid portion 1c. By means of this vent 7, the shielding performance and frequency characteristics can be adjusted.

[0048] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the second embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is its perspective view and (B) is its longitudinal sectional view. As shown in both figures, in the earplug VII according to this embodiment, the columnar member 101 is formed of a solid member. In this case, the solid member is made of a material that can change its shape with expansion and contraction, and the convex portion 101e, which is a spiral structure portion, is incorporated inside the columnar member 101 formed in a solid state.

[0049] That is, in this embodiment, the convex portion 101e exists in an elastomer, a foamed urethane, or a polyolefin foam, which are materials capable of expanding and contracting. Therefore, the columnar member 101 does not necessarily have to be cylindrical, and it may be a member formed into a columnar shape without an internal space.

[0050] Here, the convex portion 101e does not necessarily need to be made of the same material as the columnar member 101, which is a solid member made of a flexible material. It may be formed of a flexible material that expands and contracts with a convex portion 101e made of another different material incorporated therein. Also, when both are made of the same material (flexible material), the hardness of the spiral structure portion 101e may be large (in a hard state), and the hardness of the columnar member 101e, which is another part, may be small (soft).

[0051] Regarding such a structure, since there are also those made of silicon and those with extremely low hardness even in silicon, the convex portion 101e can be made of an appropriate material (either silicon with high hardness or other materials such as other soft plastics), and the structure of the columnar member 101 can be formed in a state where it contains this, and it can be manufactured in the same way. Here, the spring effect is exhibited in the same manner whether it is a cylindrical columnar portion 1 as in the first embodiment or a solid columnar member 101 as in this embodiment when worn in the external auditory canal.

[0052] <Third Embodiment> FIG. 8 is a view showing an ear tip, which is an external auditory canal attachment according to the third embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a perspective view thereof, and (B) is a longitudinal sectional view thereof. Here, the ear tip is for blocking noise from the environment as much as possible and guiding sounds from earphones, hearing aids, sound collectors, etc. well into the external auditory canal, while the earplug described in the first and second embodiments performs sound insulation in a high-noise environment.

[0053] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the ear tip VIII according to this embodiment has a structure having a sound guide hole 4, which is a through hole extending from the base end surface 1a, which is the end portion on the entrance side of the columnar member 1 of the earplug I shown in FIG. 1, along the axial direction of the columnar member 1 to the tip end portion 1b. Except for having the sound guide hole 4, the rest is the same as the earplug I shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, in FIG. 8, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are given the same numbers, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0054] <Application Example> Here, an application example of the ear tip according to the third embodiment as described above will be explained. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of connecting the ear tip 21 according to the third embodiment in the canal type earphone IX. As shown in the figure, in this case, the two are integrated by inserting the sound guide tube 23, which is shaped to protrude from the main body 22 incorporating the speaker unit of the canal type earphone IX, into the sound guide hole 4 of the ear tip 21.

[0055] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of connecting the ear tip 31 according to the third embodiment in the in-ear type earphone X. As shown in the figure, in this case, the two are integrated by inserting through the opening 33b on the opposite side of the connection / sound guide tube 33 of the part that becomes an adapter having an opening 33a into which the main body 32 incorporating the speaker of the in-ear type earphone X is fitted, into the ear tip 31.

[0056] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of connecting the ear tips 41A, 41B according to the third embodiment to a stethoscope. As shown in the figure, in this case, they are integrated with the ear tips 41A, 41B, which are worn on the left and right ears of, for example, a doctor, via the adapters 42A, 42B having a sound guide function connected to the left and right tubes 43A, 43B of the stethoscope XI.

[0057] <Modification example> Here, a modification example regarding the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8 will be explained based on FIG. 12. In the solid part 1c of the columnar member 1 in the ear tip XII of the modification example shown in FIG. 12, a speaker 51 is embedded. The speaker 51 is connected to a sound source by wire or wirelessly, converts the electrical signal sent out by the sound source into sound, and is a component that forms the core of an earphone that guides this reproduced sound into the external auditory canal through the sound guide hole 4 and further guides it to the eardrum. The speaker 51 has a diaphragm 51a that radiates the sound converted and reproduced from the electrical signal as air vibration toward the sound guide hole 4, and connection terminals (+, -) 51b, 51c for receiving a predetermined electrical signal.

[0058] In the earphone having the ear tip XII according to this modification example, a good sound insulation effect based on the spring effect exhibited by the ear plug I can be obtained. As a result, it becomes an earphone that can block external noise and listen to desired sounds well without leaking the sound reproduced by the speaker 51 to the outside as much as possible.

[0059] As described above, the structural difference between the ear plugs I to VII and the ear tips VIII and XII is only that the former does not have the sound conduction hole 4, while the latter has the sound conduction hole 4. Therefore, regarding sound insulation, the ear tip also exhibits the same function as the ear plug.

[0060] As a result, if the sound conduction hole 4 is formed in the ear plugs I to VII according to the first to fifth modification examples shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 and the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7, ear tips corresponding to the respective modification examples shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 and the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 can be formed. Further, also in the modification example related to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 12, it is not a method of transmitting sound waves as air vibrations to the eardrum, but a so-called bone conduction speaker that directly transmits vibrations to the skull without passing through the vibration of air as individual transmitted sound. By applying this, it is possible to function as an earpiece similar to the earpiece VIII without forming the sound conduction hole 4 in the ear plugs I to VII according to the first to fifth modification examples and the second embodiment.

[0061] Note that the columnar members 1 and 101 in the above-described embodiments and modification examples have a shape in which the diameter gradually decreases toward the tip portion 1b, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the columnar members 1 and 101 are flexible members formed so as to be inserted and worn in the ear canal along the axial direction A of the axis extending from the entrance side of the ear canal inward toward the eardrum side, no further limitation is necessarily required. Further, the convex portions 1e and 101e may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the columnar members 1 and 101.

[0062] Regarding earplugs, the earplugs I to VII mainly for sound insulation effect have been described, but they can also be used as earplugs for waterproofing purposes such as swimming. In addition, it can also be considered for use as an earplug for the purpose of heat preservation to prevent stenosis of the external auditory canal, which is so-called surfer ear.

Description of Signs

[0063] I Earplug A Axial direction 1a Base end face 1b Tip end 1c Solid part 1d Hollow part 1e Convex part 1f Opening 2 Knob 3 Elastomer material 101 Columnar member 101a Base end face 101b Tip end face 101e Convex part 4 Sound conduction hole 21 Ear tip 31 Ear tip 41A Ear tip 41B Ear tip 51 Speaker

Claims

1. It can be inserted into and worn in the ear canal along the axial direction of an axis extending from the entrance side of the ear canal inward toward the eardrum side, and has a columnar member that is a flexible member, and has a spiral structure portion formed spirally along the axial direction on the columnar member. The columnar member is a cylindrical member in which one or both ends of the columnar member in the axial direction are closed with lid members. The ear canal wearing device is characterized in that the spiral structure portion is formed by a concave portion or a convex portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the columnar member up to the tip portion which is the end portion on the side opposite to the entrance side along the axial direction.

2. In the ear canal wearing device according to Claim 1, The ear canal wearing device is characterized in that an elastomer material is filled in the cylindrical hollow portion of the columnar member.

3. In the ear canal wearing device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, The ear canal wearing device is characterized by having a through hole that extends along the axial direction from the end portion on the entrance side of the columnar member to the tip of the tip portion.

4. In the ear canal wearing device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, The ear canal wearing device is characterized in that the columnar member incorporates conversion means for radiating sound vibrations converted and reproduced based on a predetermined electrical signal.

5. In the ear canal wearing device according to Claim 3, The ear canal wearing device is characterized in that the columnar member incorporates conversion means for radiating sound vibrations converted and reproduced based on a predetermined electrical signal.

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