Ear device, ear device body, and holding member

Abstract

To change the appearance of a hearing aid depending on the purpose, scene, etc.SOLUTION: A hearing aid 100 includes a main body 1 (hearing aid main body) whose one side surface (inner surface 11) contacts an ear E when worn, and a retaining portion 2 (retaining member) which is detachably attached to the main body 1, the main body 1 includes a step portion 13 provided on the outer peripheral edge of the other side surface (outer surface 12) different from the one side which contacts the ear E, and the retaining portion 2 includes an engagement portion 21 which engages with the step portion 13, and an attachment portion 22 which is attached to the ear E.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides Ear device, ear device This relates to the main body and the holding member. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, hearing aids have been disclosed that transmit bone-conducted sound to the head from a hearing aid body that is worn between the auricle and the head, thereby providing sound to the user (for example, a behind-the-ear hearing aid in Patent Document 1). When the hearing aid is placed between the auricle and the head in this way, it is not very noticeable that the hearing aid is being worn, and it can be used relatively easily. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-115800 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] however, Ear Devices is used on a daily basis and is expected to be used in a variety of situations. For this reason, it can be worn like an accessory depending on the situation. Ear Devices If you can use Ear Devices To wear Enjoy It can be Cut .

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a device that can change its appearance depending on the purpose, scene, etc. Ear device, ear device The object is to provide a body and a retaining member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the ear device of the present invention is to a main body including a battery, one side of which contacts the underside of the back of the ear corresponding to the cavity of the concha when worn; a holding part that supports the main body from below when the earphone is attached to the ear, the holding part being detachably provided on the main body; Equipped with 、 The holding portion is disposed so as to surround the outside of the main body from the outer surface to the inner surface of the main body. It is characterized by the fact that [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, depending on the purpose, situation, etc. Ear Devices The appearance can be changed and the effect can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the main part of a hearing aid seen from the outside, showing the state in which a first holding part is attached to the main body. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main part of the hearing aid shown in FIG. 1, seen from the inside. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the hearing aid showing the state in which the holding part has been removed from the main body. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main part of the hearing aid body. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the main body taken along line VV in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic diagram of the main internal configuration of a hearing aid according to an embodiment in a perspective view of the main parts as seen from the inside. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the ear region for explaining the wearing position of the hearing aid. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the ear region for explaining the wearing position of the hearing aid. [Figure 9] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the position of a hearing aid according to an embodiment attached to an ear. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view of the main parts of a hearing aid according to an embodiment, seen from above, when worn on the ear. FIG. [Figure 11]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main part of the hearing aid as seen from the outside, showing the state in which the second holding part is attached to the main body. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the main part of the hearing aid shown in FIG. 11, seen from the side. [Figure 13] 12 is a perspective view of the main part of the hearing aid shown in FIG. 11 when worn on the ear, seen from diagonally behind. FIG. [Figure 14] These are perspective views of the main parts of a hearing aid seen from the outside, showing the state in which the third holding part is attached to the main body, (a) being a hearing aid for the left ear, and (b) being a hearing aid for the right ear. [Figure 15] 14(a) is a perspective view of the main part of the third holding part, where FIG. 14(a) shows the state in which only the holding part has been removed from FIG. 14(a), and FIG. 14(b) is a view of the holding part shown in FIG. 14(a) in an orientation in which the attachment part is facing forward. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a hearing aid with a third holding part attached to the main body, worn on the ear. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the main part of the hearing aid seen from the outside, showing the state in which the fourth holding part is attached to the main body. [Figure 18] 17A and 17B are perspective views of the main parts of the fourth holding part, where (a) shows the state in which only the holding part has been removed from FIG. 17, and (b) shows the holding part shown in (a) as seen from the inside when attached to the main body. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a hearing aid with a fourth holding part attached to the main body, worn on the ear. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of a hearing aid according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are subject to various limitations that are technically preferable for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the main part of a hearing aid seen from the outside, showing a state in which a holding part (first holding part) is attached to the main body. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the main part of the hearing aid shown in Fig. 1 seen from the inside, and Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hearing aid, showing a state in which the holding part has been removed from the main body. In the following embodiments, up / down and left / right refer to the directions shown in Fig. 1. Also, an inner surface 11 of the main body 1, which will be described later, is referred to as "one side surface," and an outer surface 12 is referred to as "the other side surface" that is different from the "one side surface."

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hearing aid 100 of this embodiment comprises a hearing aid main body (hereinafter referred to as "main body 1") and a holding member (hereinafter referred to as "holding part 2"). As shown in FIG. 3, the holding portion 2 is provided detachably to the main body 1. In the hearing aid 100 of this embodiment, the holding portion 2 (first holding portion 2a) shown in FIG. 1 etc., the holding portion 2 (second holding portion 2b) shown in FIG. 12 etc., the holding portion 2 (third holding portion 2c) shown in FIG. 15 etc., and the holding portion 2 (fourth holding portion 2d) shown in FIG. 18 etc. are provided so as to be replaceable with respect to the main body 1. Note that the types of holding portions 2 provided are not limited to the four types exemplified in the embodiment. There may be fewer types, or holding portions 2 of shapes other than those shown here may be provided. Hereinafter, when simply referring to a "holding portion 2," this includes the first holding portion 2a, the second holding portion 2b, the third holding portion 2c, and the fourth holding portion 2d. The material for forming the holding portion 2 is not particularly limited, but in the following embodiment, it is assumed that the first holding portion 2a and the second holding portion 2b are formed from various resin materials, and the third holding portion 2c and the fourth holding portion 2d are formed from various metal materials, as described below.

[0012] Each of the retaining portions 2 (i.e., the first retaining portion 2a, the second retaining portion 2b, the third retaining portion 2c, and the fourth retaining portion 2d) includes a mating portion 21 that is attached to the main body 1, and an attachment portion 22 that engages with the ear E when the hearing aid 100 is worn. Note that the mating portion 21 of the first retaining portion 2a will be referred to as mating portion 21a, the mating portion 21 of the second retaining portion 2b as mating portion 21b, the mating portion 21 of the third retaining portion 2c as mating portion 21c, and the mating portion 21 of the fourth retaining portion 2d as mating portion 21d, and when simply referred to as "the mating portion 21," this refers to all of these in common. Furthermore, the mounting portion 22 of the first holding portion 2a is referred to as mounting portion 22a, the mounting portion 22 of the second holding portion 2b as mounting portion 22b, the mounting portion 22 of the third holding portion 2c as mounting portion 22c, and the mounting portion 22 of the fourth holding portion 2d as mounting portion 22d, and when simply referred to as "mounting portion 22," this refers to all of these in common. In this embodiment, the mating portion 21 and the mounting portion 22 are formed continuously and integrally. The engagement portion 21 is formed in a ring shape, and the holding portion 2 is attached to the main body 1 by fitting the engagement portion 21 into a step portion 13 provided on the outer surface 12 of the main body 1.

[0013] Here, the configuration of the main body 1 to which the holding part 2 is attached will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and other figures. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the main body, and the up / down and left / right directions in FIG. 4 are the same as those in FIG. The main body 1 is oriented so that when the hearing aid 100 is worn in the ear E (see Figure 8, etc.), the inner surface 11, which is the "one side surface," comes into contact with the ear E, and the entire main body 1 is positioned behind the ear E. A step 13 is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the outer surface 12, which is the "other side" different from one side of the main body 1. The step 13 is formed around the entire outer peripheral edge of the outer surface 12.

[0014] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part taken along line VV in Fig. 4, showing the configuration of the step portion. In Fig. 5, the engagement portion 21 of the holding portion 2 that engages with the step portion 13 is shown by a two-dot chain line. As shown in Figure 5, step portion 13 has a depth approximately equal to the thickness γ of engagement portion 21. The depth of step portion 13 is not limited to this example. It may be formed deeper than the illustrated example if there are no problems from the standpoint of design, etc. Furthermore, if step portion 13 of main body 1 is shallow, it is not preferable because it makes engagement portion 21 of holding part 2 more likely to come off. However, if various locking structures as described below are provided to make it less likely to come off, step portion 13 may be shallower than thickness γ of engagement portion 21.

[0015] In this embodiment, a surface 131 rising from the bottom surface of the stepped portion 13 is recessed in a direction away from the outer circumferential edge. Furthermore, the side of the mating portion 21 of the holding portion 2 that corresponds to the surface 131 of the stepped portion 13 (i.e., the inner peripheral surface 211 of the mating portion 21) has a shape with a bulge that follows this recess. This provides a locking structure that ensures a more secure fit and prevents disengagement when the mating portion 21 is fitted into the stepped portion 13. Note that the surface 131 of the stepped portion 13 and the inner peripheral surface 211 of the mating portion 21 may be provided with locking claws and locking recesses that fit together at corresponding positions, and the locking claws may be engaged with the locking recesses to provide a configuration (locking structure) that ensures a more secure and less likely to disengage.

[0016] The shapes and configurations of the step portion 13 and the engagement portion 21 are not limited to those exemplified here. It is also preferable that the stepped portion 13 and the mating portion 21 have built-in magnets (not shown) that attract each other, and in this case, in addition to the fitting due to the shapes of the stepped portion 13 and the mating portion 21, the mating portion 21 is also attracted to the stepped portion 13 of the main body 1 by the magnetic attraction, making it difficult to come off. Note that if the magnetic attraction alone is sufficient to hold them together, it is not necessary to provide the stepped portion 13 and the mating portion 21 with a locking structure or the like that fits them together.

[0017] The step portion 13 may be formed to have a constant width all around, but in this embodiment, the width α (see FIG. 4) near the longitudinal ends of the main body 1 (the upper end and the lower end in FIG. 4) is set wider than the width β (see FIG. 4) on both the left and right sides of the main body 1. By providing a partially wider portion, the holding part 2 is less likely to come off the main body 1 than when the width of the step portion 13 is set to "width β" all around.

[0018] It is preferable that the width of each part of the holding part 2 on the mating part 21 side is also set in accordance with the shape of the step part 13. When the holding part 2 is attached to the main body 1, the mating part 21 of the holding part 2 supports the main body 1 by embracing it from below, as shown in Figure 2. Therefore, in particular, if the step part 13 and the mating part 21 are in contact over a wide area on the underside of the hearing aid 100, the main body 1 can be stabilized and the holding part 2 can be configured to be less likely to come off.

[0019] The main body 1 also includes a microphone 14 . The microphone 14 is a sound wave input unit (sound collection unit) that collects sound waves (sound data) from the outside. The sound waves (sound data) collected by the microphone 14 are input to a control device 17 (see FIG. 6) described below. The position of the microphone 14 is not particularly limited, but it is preferably a position that can easily collect external sound waves (sound data). In this embodiment, the microphone 14 is provided on the outer surface 12 of the main body 1 around the upper part.

[0020] It is preferable that at least the sound collecting portion of the microphone 14 is exposed to the outside, and the holder 2 is arranged so as not to cover the microphone 14. That is, the mating portion 21 of the holding portion 2 has a ring-shaped portion that fits with the main body 1, and for the mating portion 21a of the first holding portion 2a, the mating portion 21c of the third holding portion 2c, and the mating portion 21d of the fourth holding portion 2d, the ring-shaped mating portion functions as a "hole" formed inside the mating portion 21 to expose the microphone 14 to the outside. Also, as will be described later, the mating portion 21b of the second holding portion 2b is provided with an exterior portion 23, and a slit portion 231 formed in this exterior portion 23 functions as a "hole" that exposes the microphone 14 to the outside. In this way, no matter what shape the holder 2 is attached to the main body 1, the microphone 14 is not covered, and sound collection by the microphone 14 is not hindered.

[0021] The main body 1 is a case made of, for example, resin, in which various functional parts for functioning as a hearing aid are housed. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hearing aid as seen from the inside, showing a schematic diagram of the main functional parts provided within the device. As shown in FIG. 6, the hearing aid 100 includes a control device 17, a storage device 18, a power supply unit 19, a vibrator 15, and the like.

[0022] The control device 17 is a computer that includes an IC (Integrated Circuit), an LSI (Large Scale Integration), etc., and controls each part of the hearing aid 100. The storage device 18 stores various programs, data, etc. required for the control device 17 to realize various functions.

[0023] The power supply unit 19 is an internal battery or the like that supplies power to each component of the hearing aid 100. As shown in Figure 6 etc., the main body 1 is provided with a charging terminal 16, and the battery of the power supply unit 19 can be charged by connecting the charging terminal 16 to various external power sources. The location of the charging terminal is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment it is provided near the bottom end of the main body 1 (the bottom end in Figures 1, 4 etc.) as shown in Figure 6 etc. The connection with the external power source may be either contact or non-contact, and if non-contact charging is possible, the charging terminal does not need to be exposed on the side of the main body etc. as in the illustrated example. In this embodiment, for example, when the hearing aid 100 is housed in a dedicated case (not shown), the charging terminal is connected to an external power source, allowing charging.

[0024] The vibrator 15 transmits the sound waves (sound data) collected by the microphone 14 as vibrations to the bones of the ear E, which include cartilage. The vibrator 15 is disposed in the lower part of the main body 1, on the inside of the inner surface 11, etc. 4, the main body 1 of this embodiment is slightly wider in the left-right direction at the bottom than at the top, and has a plump, rounded shape overall. The main body 1 also has an arched curve in the up-down direction, so that when placed behind the ear E, the inner surface 11 naturally fits snugly against the skin behind the ear. When the hearing aid 100 is worn on the ear E, the vibrator 15 is preferably arranged so as to come into contact with the vicinity of the bone part of the ear E, including the cartilage.

[0025] 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams showing the structure of a typical ear. The part of the ear E that extends from the pinna AE of the external ear, which is exposed to the outside, to the ear canal is formed of cartilage, and vibrations are particularly easily transmitted from the "concha CE" (see Figure 7, etc.), which includes the "concha CE1" and "cavity of the concha CE2" near the entrance of the ear canal. In Figure 8, the positions corresponding to the "concha CE1" and "cavity of the concha CE2" when a person's head is viewed from diagonally behind are shown shaded.

[0026] When the hearing aid 100 of this embodiment is worn on the ear E, the main body 1 fits between the auricle AE and the head (temporal region TH in Figures 8 and the like) (see Figure 10). Then, as shown in Figure 9, when worn on the ear E, the inner surface 11 of the main body 1 comes into contact with the back of the ear E from below. In this embodiment, the main body 1 does not necessarily have to be placed above the pinna AE. It is sufficient that the main body 1 is placed at least below the pinna AE near the ear canal (such as a position corresponding to the "cavity of the concha CE2" in FIG. 8). When the main body 1 is in contact with the back of the ear E in this manner, it is preferable that the vibrator 15 is positioned at a position corresponding to the "concha CE" (particularly the lower "cavity of the concha CE2") shown in Figures 8 and 9 (see Figure 9). This makes it easier for the transducer 15 to transmit sound waves (sound data) as vibrations to the bone (cartilage).

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, when the hearing aid 100 of this embodiment is worn on the ear E and viewed from above (top of the head), the hearing aid 100 (at least the main body 1) positioned between the auricle AE and the temporal part of the head TH has an approximately trapezoidal shape when viewed from above. The shorter side of the trapezoid (i.e., the side of inner surface 11) is positioned closer to the base of the ear E, and the width gradually increases towards the longer side of the trapezoid (i.e., the side of outer surface 12). This allows the hearing aid 100 (at least the main body 1) to fit snugly into the gap between the pinna AE and the temporal region TH, and is held in place with little gap between them, preventing it from falling off or rattling.

[0028] Furthermore, since the holding part 2 is attached to the ear E so as to support the entire main body 1 from below, the inner surface 11 of the main body 1 (especially the lower part where the vibrator 15 is arranged inside) is easily fitted to the back of the ear E. 9 and 10, when the first holding part 2a is attached to the main body, the attachment part 22a of the first holding part 2a is hooked onto the auricle AE from above the ear E, and the tip part 221 of the attachment part 22a wraps around to the front side of the ear E. If the first holding part 2a is made of a resin that has a certain degree of elasticity and flexibility, such as an elastomer, the main body 1 is pulled upward by the holding part 2, making it easier to fit the main body 1 in close contact with the back side of the ear E. The side of the first holding part 2a that is placed on the skull side (temporal region TH side) is linear as shown in Fig. 10 etc. Therefore, the first holding part 2a and the main body 1 to which the first holding part 2a is attached are placed along the temporal region TH, and are less likely to float off the head, making them stable.

[0029] Figure 11 is an oblique view of the main parts of a hearing aid showing the state in which the second holding part is attached to the main body, and Figure 12 is an oblique view of the main parts of the hearing aid seen from the side in the state in which the second holding part is attached to the main body. The second holding part 2b shown in FIG. 12 etc. has a more glamorous design than the first holding part 2a, and is a holding part 2 intended for scenes where active activities such as sports and various leisure activities are carried out.

[0030] Like the first holding portion 2a, the second holding portion 2b is formed of a resin having a certain degree of elasticity and flexibility, such as elastomer. The second holding portion 2b is expected to be relatively colorful, such as fluorescent. It may also contain fluorescent materials so that it stands out even in dark places. In the second holding portion 2b, it is preferable that an exterior portion 23 is provided on top of the mating portion 21b that fits into the step portion 13 of the main body 1. The exterior portion 23 is provided over the entire mating portion 21b, and is designed to encase the outer surface 12 of the main body 1.

[0031] The exterior part 23 is provided with a slit part 231 as needed, and the microphone 14 is exposed from this slit part 231. As a result, even if the exterior part 23 is provided, sound collection by the microphone 14 is not hindered. The shape of the exterior part 23 is not limited to the illustrated example, and may be a spiral pattern, horizontal stripes, etc. However, regardless of the design, it is preferable that the holding part 2 (second holding part 2b) is positioned so as not to cover the microphone 14 provided on the outer surface 12.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 12, attachment portion 22b of second holding portion 2b is formed in a substantially U-shape. As shown in Fig. 13, tip 221 of attachment portion 22b is inserted into and locked into the triangular fossa TF (see Figs. 13 and 7) of ear E. This prevents hearing aid 100 from falling off or shifting even when subjected to a certain amount of vibration during sports, etc., allowing you to enjoy yourself without even realizing that hearing aid 100 is there. It is preferable that attachment portion 22b (particularly tip portion 221) is made of a soft material. For example, tip portion 221 may be formed by covering only the tip of attachment portion 22b with a cap made of silicone or the like. This prevents pain and puts no strain on the user when tip portion 221 is inserted into the triangular fossa TF (see FIG. 13) or the like when wearing hearing aid 100.

[0033] 12, the second holding portion 2b is provided with an attachment portion 22b that protrudes significantly toward the inside of the hearing aid 100, and an exterior portion 23 that encases the outer surface 12 of the main body 1, and is therefore arranged to surround the outside of the main body 1. Therefore, even if the hearing aid 100 falls off the ear E, the impact of the fall, etc. is absorbed to some extent by the holding portion 2 (second holding portion 2b) made of elastomer or the like. This makes it possible to avoid a large impact being applied directly to the main body 1, making the main body 1 less likely to be damaged. Furthermore, by forming the holding portion 2 (second holding portion 2b) from elastomer or the like, the holding portion 2 itself is less likely to bend or break due to an impact.

[0034] Figure 14 is an oblique view of the main parts of a hearing aid showing the third holding part attached to the main body, where (a) shows a hearing aid for the left ear and (b) shows a hearing aid for the right ear. Figure 15 is a perspective view of the main part of the third holding part, where (a) is a perspective view of the third holding part with only the holding part removed from Figure 14(a), and (b) is a perspective view of the third holding part shown in (a) with the mounting part facing forward. The third holding part 2c shown in Figures 14(a) and 14(b) has a sophisticated and subdued design, and is a holding part 2 intended for stylish occasions such as parties. A hearing aid 100 equipped with the third holding part 2c can be worn like an accessory, and the design is appealing to women.

[0035] The third holding portion 2c is made of a metal, etc. As the metal for forming the third holding portion 2c, it is preferable to use a material that is relatively less likely to cause metal allergies, such as gold, platinum, or titanium, which is also used in ordinary accessories. In the third holding portion 2c, it is preferable that a gap 212 is provided in a portion of the mating portion 21c that fits into the stepped portion 13 of the main body 1. By providing the mating portion 21c with a gap 212 in a portion thereof rather than making the mating portion 21c a continuous ring, the mating portion 21c expands somewhat at the gap 212 when fitting the mating portion 21c into the stepped portion 13, allowing for a relatively smooth fit without the need for force. Furthermore, the mating portion 21c can be removed relatively easily from the main body 1.

[0036] 14(a) and 14(b), the third holding portion 2c is arranged so that the holding portion 2 (third holding portion 2c) surrounds the outside of the main body 1 from the outer surface 12 side to the inner surface 11 side of the main body 1. Therefore, even if the hearing aid 100 falls off the ear E, the holding portion 2 (third holding portion 2c) will first hit the ground or the like, and the impact of the fall, etc. will be absorbed to some extent. This makes it possible to avoid a large impact being applied directly to the main body 1, making the main body 1 less likely to be damaged.

[0037] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a hearing aid with a third holding part attached to the main body, worn on the ear. 16, in the third holding part 2c, an attachment part 22c connected to a fitting part 21c that fits into the main body 1 disposed behind the ear E passes beside the ear E and wraps around to the front side of the ear E. A tip part 221 of the attachment part 22c may be engaged in an ear hole or the like. The main body 1 is positioned in a predetermined position by clamping the ear E (e.g., the auricle AE or earlobe EL) between the main body 1 and at least a part of the third holding portion 2c (i.e., the mounting portion 22c of the third holding portion 2c). The predetermined position is a position where, when the main body 1 is in contact with the back of the ear E, the vibrator 15 is positioned at a position corresponding to the "concha CE" (particularly the lower "cavity of the concha CE2"), as shown in Figure 16.

[0038] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the main part of the hearing aid, showing the state in which the fourth holding part is attached to the main body. Figure 18 is a perspective view of the main parts of the fourth holding part, Figure 18(a) is a perspective view of the fourth holding part with only the holding part removed from Figure 17, and Figure 18(b) is a view of the fourth holding part shown in (a) as seen from the inside side when attached to the main body.

[0039] The fourth holding portion 2d shown in Figures 18(a) and 18(b) is a holding portion 2 with a relatively simple design, and a hearing aid 100 equipped with the fourth holding portion 2d as shown in Figure 17 has a design that makes it easy for men to wear with little resistance. The fourth holding portion 2d, like the third holding portion 2c, is formed of a metal such as gold, platinum, or titanium. As with the third holding portion 2c, the fourth holding portion 2d may also have a structure in which a gap or the like is provided in part of the fitting portion 21d to facilitate fitting (attachment and detachment).

[0040] Furthermore, the fourth holding portion 2d, like the third holding portion 2c, is arranged so that the holding portion 2 (fourth holding portion 2d) surrounds the outside of the main body 1 from the outer surface 12 side to the inner surface 11 side of the main body 1. Therefore, even if the hearing aid 100 falls off the ear E, the holding portion 2 (fourth holding portion 2d) will first hit the ground or the like, absorbing some of the impact of the fall, etc., and preventing a large impact from being applied directly to the main body 1. This makes it less likely for the main body 1 to be damaged.

[0041] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a hearing aid with a fourth holding part attached to the main body, worn on the ear. 19, in the fourth holding part 2d, an attachment part 22d connected to a fitting part 21d that fits into the main body 1 disposed behind the ear E passes beside the ear E and wraps around to the front side of the ear E. A tip part 221 of the attachment part 22d may be engaged in an ear hole or the like. The main body 1 is positioned in a predetermined position by clamping the ear E (e.g., the auricle AE or earlobe EL) between the main body 1 and at least a part of the fourth holding portion 2d (i.e., the mounting portion 22d of the fourth holding portion 2d). The predetermined position is the same as that explained for the hearing aid 100 to which the third holding portion 2c is attached, and therefore the explanation will be omitted.

[0042] Next, the operation of the hearing aid 100 according to this embodiment will be described. First, in a normal situation (that is, in a daily life situation), the first holding part 2a is attached to the main body 1. The holder 2 has a straight line on the side of the attachment portion 22 that is placed on the skull side, and has different shapes on the left and right sides, but the main body 1 has the same shape on the left and right sides. The functional part of the hearing aid mounted on the main body 1 may be customizable by the user. In this case, different settings may be made for the left and right ears due to differences in hearing ability between the left and right ears. In such a case, the left and right ears of the holding part 2 and the main body 1 are matched, and the fitting part 21a of the first holding part 2a is fitted into the step part 13 of the main body 1.

[0043] Specifically, when first holding portion 2a is made of elastomer or the like, for example, mating portion 21a is hooked onto a corresponding portion of step portion 13 that is wider (for example, the upper or lower end of main body 1), and mating portion 21a is slightly widened before being fitted into step portion 13. This causes mating portion 21a to be attached to step portion 13 under tension. Note that when first holding portion 2a is made more difficult to remove by the attractive force of a magnet or the like, first holding portion 2a is also held by the magnet.

[0044] 9 and 10, the main body 1 is placed behind the ear E so that its inner surface 11 is in contact with the skin, and the attachment portion 22a of the first holding portion 2a is hooked from above the ear E to engage with the ear E. At this time, the position of the main body 1 is adjusted so that the portion where the vibrator 15 is provided is in contact with the vicinity of the bone portion of the ear E, including the cartilage (for example, a position corresponding to the cavity of the concha CE2). As a result, the sound waves (sound data) collected by the microphone 14 are transmitted as vibrations to the bone portion (cartilage portion), allowing the sound to be heard clearly.

[0045] Furthermore, the second holding part 2b is attached to the main body 1 when engaging in active activities such as sports. The second holding part 2b also has a straight line on the side of the mounting part 22b that is positioned on the skull side, with the left and right sides having different shapes, and each mating part 21b is fitted into the step part 13 of the main body 1. When mounting the mating part 21b to the main body 1, the mounting position of the second holding part 2b is adjusted so that the microphone is exposed from the slit part 231 of the exterior part 23. Note that the specific mounting method of the second holding part 2b is the same as that of the first holding part 2a, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0046] 13, the main body 1 is placed behind the ear E so that the inner surface 11 is in contact with the skin, and the second holding portion 2b is hooked from above the ear E and locked onto the ear E. In the second holding portion 2b, the attachment portion 22b extends all the way around to the front side of the ear E, and the tip portion 221 is inserted into the triangular fossa TF or the like. The position of the main body 1 is adjusted so that the part where the vibrator 15 is provided is in contact with the vicinity of the bone part of the ear E including the cartilage (for example, a position corresponding to the cavity of the concha CE2), similar to the first holding part 2a.

[0047] As a result, sound waves (sound data) collected by microphone 14 are transmitted as vibrations to the bones (cartilage), allowing for clear hearing. Also, in second holding portion 2b, attachment portion 22b wraps around and stays deep in ear E, making it difficult for hearing aid 100 to fall off even during vigorous activity such as sports. Furthermore, because second holding portion 2b is positioned to surround the outside of main body 1, even if hearing aid 100 is dropped, the impact on main body 1, which houses the functional parts of the hearing aid, can be minimized.

[0048] In addition, in situations where the user wants to enjoy wearing a hearing aid as a fashion accessory, the third holding part 2c and the fourth holding part 2d are attached to the main body 1. The third holding portion 2c and the fourth holding portion 2d are formed from various metals and the like, and the user can enjoy a luxurious and stylish appearance. The third holding portion 2c and the fourth holding portion 2d also have different shapes on the left and right, and their respective mating portions 21b are fitted into the stepped portions 13 of the main body 1. When attaching the third holding portion 2c and the fourth holding portion 2d to the main body 1, the third holding portion 2c and the fourth holding portion 2d are positioned so that the microphone 14 is not covered by the attachment portions 22c and 22d.

[0049] Then, as shown in Figures 16 and 19, for example, the main body 1 is placed behind the ear E so that the inner surface 11 is in contact with the skin, and the third holding portion 2c and the fourth holding portion 2d are hooked from the side of the ear E, and the ear E (for example, the auricle AE or earlobe EL) is sandwiched between the main body 1 and the holding portion 2 (the third holding portion 2c and the fourth holding portion 2d), thereby placing the main body 1 in a predetermined position.

[0050] As a result, sound waves (sound data) collected by microphone 14 are transmitted as vibrations to the bones (cartilage), allowing the sound to be heard clearly. Also, third holding portion 2c and fourth holding portion 2d are arranged to surround the outside of main body 1, as shown in Figures 14(a) and 17. Therefore, even if hearing aid 100 is dropped, the impact on main body 1, which houses the functional parts of the hearing aid, can be minimized.

[0051] In this way, by changing the holding part 2 depending on the situation in which the hearing aid 100 is worn, it is possible to wear the hearing aid 100 with an appearance that suits the situation, without having to own multiple types of hearing aids.

[0052] As described above, the hearing aid 100 of this embodiment comprises a main body 1 whose inner surface 11, which is the "one side surface," contacts the ear E when worn, and a holding portion 2 that is detachably attached to the main body 1, and the main body 1 has a step portion 13 on the outer peripheral edge of the outer surface 12, which is the "other side surface" different from the "one side" that contacts the ear E, and the holding portion 2 includes a mating portion 21 that mates with the step portion 13 and an attachment portion 22 that is attached to the ear E. This allows the retaining part 2 to be easily attached by fitting the engagement part 21 into the stepped part 13 of the main body 1. The retaining part 2 can be easily attached and detached by simply fitting the ring-shaped engagement part 2 into and detaching the stepped part 13, so the appearance of the hearing aid 100 can be easily changed by attaching the preferred retaining part 2 to the main body 1 depending on the purpose, situation, etc. in which the hearing aid 100 will be worn.

[0053] The main body 1 also includes a microphone 14 that collects external sounds, and the holder 2 attached to the main body 1 is positioned so as not to cover the microphone 14. If the microphone 14 is covered, it becomes difficult to collect external sounds, but by leaving the microphone 14 uncovered, the sound collection function, which is important for the function of the hearing aid, can be performed properly.

[0054] Furthermore, the main body 1 may include the vibrator 15, and the vibrator 15 may be arranged so as to come into contact with the vicinity of the bone part of the ear E including the cartilage when worn. If the transducer 15 is configured to transmit sound by bone conduction (or cartilage conduction), Sound can be heard without inserting a receiver (speaker), etc. Therefore, when worn, hearing aid 100 including main body 1 can be placed behind ear E, making it less noticeable that hearing aid 100 is being worn.

[0055] Furthermore, in the hearing aid 100 of this embodiment, the main body 1 is formed in a trapezoidal shape when viewed from above when worn, with the shorter side of the trapezoid being placed on the base of the ear E side. Therefore, the main body 1 of the hearing aid 100 fits and stabilizes in the gap between the ear E and the skull (temporal region TH). This makes it difficult to notice that the hearing aid 100 is being worn, and fitting just behind the ear E makes it difficult for the main body 1 to shift position.

[0056] Furthermore, if the holding portion 2 is arranged to surround the outside of the main body 1, for example, as in the second holding portion 2b shown in Figure 11, the third holding portion 2c shown in Figure 14(a), or the fourth holding portion 2d shown in Figure 17, the holding portion 2 can absorb impact to a certain extent even if the hearing aid 100 falls from the ear E. Therefore, the main body 1 incorporating the functional part as a hearing aid can be protected from impact and prevented from being damaged.

[0057] Furthermore, for example, as in the third holding portion 2c shown in Figure 14(a) and the fourth holding portion 2d shown in Figure 17, if the main body 1 is positioned in a predetermined position by clamping the ear E between at least a part of the holding portion 2 (specifically, the attachment portions 22c, 22d) and the main body 1, it can be made to look like an accessory worn on the ear E, and there will be less resistance to wearing the hearing aid 100.

[0058] In addition, the main body 1 as the hearing aid main body has a step portion 13 on the outer peripheral edge of the outer surface 12, which is the ``other side'' different from the inner surface 11, which is the ``one side'' that comes into contact with the ear E when worn, and is detachable from the holding part 2 (holding member) which has a mating portion 21 that mates with this step portion 13. This makes it possible to replace the holding part 2 attached to the main body 1, and to attach the preferred holding part 2 to the main body 1 depending on the purpose, situation, etc. in which the hearing aid 100 is worn, thereby easily changing the appearance of the hearing aid 100.

[0059] Furthermore, the holding portion 2 as a holding member has a step portion 13 provided on the outer peripheral edge of the outer surface 12, which is the "other side" different from the inner surface 11, which is the "one side" that comes into contact with the ear E when worn, and a mating portion 21 that detachably matings with the step portion 13 in the main body 1 (hearing aid main body) that includes a microphone 14, which is a sound collection portion that collects external sounds, and includes a hole on the inside of the mating portion 21 that exposes the microphone 14 to the outside. This allows the holder 2 attached to the main body 1 to be replaced, and regardless of which holder 2 is attached, the microphone 14 is not covered, allowing the sound collection function, which is important for the function of the hearing aid, to be performed properly.

[0060] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0061] For example, in this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the main body 1 is placed in a "predetermined position" such that the vibrator 15 is placed in a position corresponding to the "concha CE" (particularly the lower "cavity of the concha CE2") when the main body 1 is in contact with the back of the ear E, as shown in Figure 9 etc. However, the placement of the main body 1 is not limited to this. The main body 1 only needs to be placed so that the vibrator 15 is in contact with the vicinity of the bone part of the ear E, including the cartilage, when the hearing aid 100 is worn, and the position of the ear E in which the vibrator 15 is placed can be set as appropriate.

[0062] Furthermore, the positions of the microphone 14 and the vibrator 15 on the main body 1 are not limited to the examples described in the embodiment. Any suitable position can be set as long as it does not impede the sound collection function of the microphone 14 or the sound transmission function of the vibrator 15.

[0063] In this embodiment, the first retaining portion 2a and the second retaining portion 2b are exemplified as being formed from a resin such as elastomer, and the third retaining portion 2c and the fourth retaining portion 2d are exemplified as being formed from a metal such as gold or platinum, but the materials for forming the retaining portions 2 are not limited to these. For example, the first holding portion 2a and the second holding portion 2b may be made of metal, and the third holding portion 2c and the fourth holding portion 2d may be made of resin.

[0064] Furthermore, it is possible to appropriately change the shapes of the main body 1 and the holding part 2. It may be possible to customize the shapes of the main body 1 and the holding part 2 to fit the shape of the user's ear E and its surroundings.

[0065] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Main unit 11 Inner surface 12 External surface 13 Step 14. Mike 15 oscillators 2 Holding part 21 Engagement part 22 Mounting part 100 hearing aids AE Auricle CE Concha E ear TH temporal region

Claims

1. a main body including a battery, one side of which contacts the underside of the back of the ear corresponding to the cavity of the concha when worn; a holding part that supports the main body from below when the earphone is attached to the ear, the holding part being detachably provided on the main body; Equipped with An ear device wherein the holding portion is arranged to surround the outside of the main body from the outer surface to the inner surface of the main body.

2. The main body has a step portion on a surface on the other side different from the one side that contacts the ear, The holding portion includes a mating portion that mates with the step portion. The ear device of claim 1 .

3. The holding portion includes an attachment portion that is formed continuously and integrally with the mating portion and that is attached to the ear. The ear device of claim 2 .

4. the body includes a microphone; The holding portion is positioned so as not to cover the microphone. The ear device of claim 1 .

5. The main body is formed in a trapezoidal shape when viewed from above when worn on the ear, with the shorter side of the trapezoid being positioned towards the base of the ear. The ear device of claim 1 .

6. the holding portion is a metal member, The mating portion has a gap portion provided in a part thereof. The ear device of claim 2 .

7. Equipped with a battery, When worn on the ear, the earphone contacts the underside of the back of the ear corresponding to the cavity of the concha, supports the ear device body from below when worn, and is detachable from a holding member that is arranged to surround the outside of the ear device body from the outer surface to the inner surface. Ear device itself.

8. the ear device body is supported from below and comes into contact with the underside of the back of the ear corresponding to the cavity of the concha when the ear device is worn on the ear, and is arranged so as to surround the outside of the ear device body from the outer surface to the inner surface of the ear device body; Detachable between the ear device body and the ear device body including a battery. Holding member.

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