Probe tube

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] It is known that hearing aids manufactured and sold by major hearing aid manufacturers are pre-installed with prescription methods developed by the National Acoustic Laboratories in Australia and the University of Western Ontario in Canada.

[0003] The prescription methods developed by the former are NAL-NL1 and NAL-NL2, and the representative one of the latter is DSL (Desired Sensation Level) Version 5.0.

[0004] This prescription method calculates the target value of the output to be adapted at each frequency for each input sound pressure level (soft sound 50 dBSPL, voice at 1 m in front 65 dBSPL, loud sound 80 dBSPL) by considering the measurement results of hearing ability and resonance in the ear canal, so as to obtain the amplification amount to be amplified by the hearing aid. The probe tube used during this measurement is known. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a conventional probe tube.

[0005] The probe tube 100 shown in Figure 6 is a flexible, elongated tube. While the probe tube 100 in Figure 6 has a slightly curved shape, it is generally nearly straight. This probe tube 100 has a tip 101 that is inserted into the ear canal and a base 102 that is attached to a probe microphone (not shown). The probe tube 100 is also provided with a marker 103 to confirm its insertion position. This marker 103 is placed at the intertragal notch during measurement. It is used to position the probe tube 100 at the appropriate depth. During the measurement of the bare ear, the examiner observes the external auditory canal and positions the tip 101 5 mm from the eardrum. The marker 103 is placed at the intertragal notch so that this position can be visually confirmed from the outside. When inserting the hearing aid with the probe tube 100 in place, the depth of the probe tube 100 is checked with a marker 103 to ensure that the probe tube 100 does not penetrate deeper into the ear canal than intended, along with the hearing aid 300.

[0006] In real-ear measurements, a probe tube 100 with its tip 101 positioned deep inside the ear canal is used to measure sound on the eardrum surface with a microphone, and this measurement is then used to adjust the hearing aid. Specifically, the measured values ​​are adjusted to match theoretically calculated target values. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] Harvey Dillon, "Hearing Aid Handbook, 2nd Edition," translated and supervised by Masafumi Nakagawa, Ishiyaku Publishers, May 12, 2017, p. 115. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] In the probe tube 100 shown in Figure 6, it is almost impossible to position it so that it follows the bottom of the outer ear from the intertragal notch to just before the eardrum, except for some straight sections of the external auditory canal, and the tip 101 inevitably floats away at some point. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the external ear. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the external ear viewed from the front or back of the face, and Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the external ear viewed from above the head.

[0009] The ear is divided into three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The outer ear consists of the auricle and the external auditory canal, with the eardrum at the end of the external auditory canal. Sound collected by the auricle is amplified within the external auditory canal and transmitted to the eardrum.

[0010] There is considerable individual variation in the distance from the entrance of the external auditory canal to the eardrum, and in the diameter of the external auditory canal. Furthermore, the external ear often has a slope from the cartilage to the bone in the longitudinal direction, making its shape complex. In the external ear of many subjects, there are two S-shaped curves extending laterally from the intertragal notch. As shown in Figure 8, in the following explanation, the first curved (or bent) section, in order from the ear canal, will be called the first curve, and the second curved (or bent) section will be called the second curve, 52.

[0011] Figure 7 illustrates the microphone 200 and the probe tube fixing device 201. The probe tube fixing device 201 is, for example, a flexible, multi-jointed, elongated body. By fixing the probe tube 100 with the probe tube fixing device 201, the holding of the probe tube 100 is stabilized. By placing the probe tube fixing device 201 in front of the intertragal notch 53, the aim is to position the probe tube 100 from the intertragal notch 53 to the bottom of the external auditory canal 54.

[0012] When the probe tube 100 is positioned mainly along the bottom of the ear canal, it can be bent and positioned by pressing it against the skin at the first curve 51, but at the second curve, the probe tube 100 may separate from the skin. In Figure 8, the probe tube 100 can be positioned in the left ear while remaining in contact with the skin at both the first curve 51 and the second curve 52, but in the right ear, the probe tube 100 separates from the skin at the second curve and does not reach the vicinity of the eardrum 50. The probe tube 100 does not bend under its own weight at a point 15 mm from the tip 101 located near the second curve 52. Because the second curve 52 is curved, the probe tube 100 separates from the wall of the ear canal at the second curve 52. It is difficult to position the probe tube 100 along the ear canal in ear canals that are long from the eardrum 50 or have a strong curve angle.

[0013] As shown in Figure 6, the probe tube 100 is straight, so the tip 101 of the probe tube 100 may come into contact with the wall of the external auditory canal or the eardrum 50 during real ear measurements. Figure 9 illustrates an example of a measurement taken while wearing a hearing aid.

[0014] As shown in Figure 9, when the hearing aid 300 is positioned, the probe tube 100 separates from the skin near the second curve 52, and its tip 101 touches the wall of the external auditory canal. In this case, the tip 101 cannot be positioned in the same location as the bare ear unless the probe tube 100 is pushed further in. However, this can cause pain to the subject when the tip 101 touches the wall of the external auditory canal or when the probe tube 100 is pushed further in. The average length from the intertragal notch to the tympanic membrane 50 is 35 mm, and the area from the second curve to the tympanic membrane 50 is a sensitive area. Furthermore, measurement errors may occur due to a shift in the position of the measurement point (tip 101).

[0015] When performing real-ear measurement using the probe tube 100, it is a measurement that is a prerequisite for fitting the hearing aid 300 when adapting based on prescription methods such as NAL-NL2 or DSL Version 5.0. However, multiple researchers have reported that it is hardly popular in Japan mainly due to the above two points. On one aspect, the present invention aims to place the tip at a desired position during real-ear measurement.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0016] To achieve the above object, a disclosed probe tube is provided. This probe tube has a tip portion that is arranged near the eardrum during measurement, and a curved portion that is arranged along the curved shape in the ear canal slightly on the proximal side from the tip portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0017] In one aspect, the tip can be placed at a desired position during real-ear measurement.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing the probe tube of the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram for explaining an example of measurement using the probe tube of the embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram of the outer ear seen from above the head. [Figure 4] It is a diagram for explaining the first modification example. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining the second modification example. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining a conventional probe tube. [Figure 7] It is a schematic diagram of the outer ear seen from the front or rear of the face. [Figure 8] It is a schematic diagram of the outer ear seen from above the head. [Figure 9] It is a diagram for explaining an example of measurement when wearing a hearing aid.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0020] The positions, sizes, shapes, and ranges of the components shown in the following drawings may not represent their actual positions, sizes, shapes, and ranges in order to facilitate understanding of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the positions, sizes, shapes, and ranges disclosed in the drawings. In the embodiments, elements expressed in the singular form shall include the plural form unless otherwise clearly indicated in the text. <Embodiment> Figure 1 shows a probe tube according to an embodiment.

[0021] The probe tube 1 of this embodiment is flexible and is used for real-ear measurements such as measuring external auditory canal resonance and measuring how to match the sound of a hearing aid to a sound theoretically calculated from a prescription formula. This probe tube 1 is cylindrical and has a tip portion 11, a curved portion 12, a base portion 13, and a marker 14. The tip portion 11 is positioned near the eardrum during real-ear measurements. The curved portion 12 is positioned so as to curve slightly toward the base portion 13 from the tip portion 11. The bending angle θ of the curved portion 12 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 90 degrees to 130 degrees.

[0022] The curved portion 12 is positioned, for example, 5 to 15 mm from the tip portion 11. By positioning the curved portion 12 in this location, if the tip portion 11 is positioned approximately 5 mm from the eardrum during real-ear measurement, the curved portion 12 is more likely to be positioned on the second curve (approximately 10 to 20 mm from the eardrum).

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

[0024] As mentioned above, in real-ear measurements, the sound on the eardrum surface is measured by a microphone 200 through a probe tube 1 with its tip 11 positioned deep inside the ear canal, and this measurement is used to adjust the hearing aid. Figure 2 illustrates an example of measurement using the probe tube of the embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2(a) illustrates the measurement of hearing loss with the bare ear, and Figure 2(b) illustrates the measurement of hearing loss with a hearing aid. Note that marker 14 is not shown in Figure 2.

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

[0027] In the conventional probe tube 100 shown in Figure 6, it is possible to follow the skin up to the second curve, but it often separates from the skin at the second curve 52. In contrast, the probe tube 1 of this embodiment has a curved portion 12, which allows the probe tube 1 to be positioned to follow the curved shape of the external auditory canal.

[0028] Furthermore, because it has a curved portion 12, even when the hearing aid 300 is positioned as shown in Figure 2(b), the probe tube 1 can be positioned to conform to the curved shape of the external auditory canal. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the outer ear as seen from above the head.

[0029] In the example of the measurement user shown in Figure 3, the left ear has a wide first curve 51 and a gentle S-shape up to the second curve 52. Even in an external auditory canal of this shape, the tip 11 of the probe tube 1 can be positioned near the eardrum 50 so as to conform to the curved shape inside the external auditory canal. In the right ear, the S-shape of the first curve 51 and the second curve 52 is steeper than in the left ear. Even in an external auditory canal of this shape, the provision of a curved section 12 allows the tip 11 of the probe tube 1 to be positioned near the eardrum 50 so as to conform to the curved shape inside the external auditory canal.

[0030] As described above, the probe tube 1 of this embodiment has a tip portion 11 that is positioned near the eardrum 50 during measurement, and a curved portion 12 that is positioned slightly toward the proximal end portion 13 from the tip portion 11 to conform to the curved shape of the external auditory canal. This allows the tip portion 11 to be positioned at a desired location during real ear measurement.

[0031] In real-ear measurements, the distance from the tip 11 of the probe tube 1 to the eardrum 50 directly affects the accuracy of high-frequency measurement. To ensure accuracy in high-frequency measurement, the distance from the probe tube 1 to the eardrum 50 must be within 5 mm. Furthermore, since age-related hearing loss causes a decrease in high-frequency hearing, the placement of the probe tube affects the accuracy of hearing aids. In this regard, the probe tube 1 of this embodiment allows the tip 11 to be positioned approximately 5 mm from the eardrum 50.

[0032] Furthermore, by positioning the curved portion 12 along the second curve 52 near the second curve 52, which is prone to separating from the skin, the tip portion 11 can be safely positioned all the way to just before the eardrum, following the curved shape of the external auditory canal beyond the second curve 52.

[0033] When inserting a hearing aid, it is not possible to see deep inside the ear. Ultimately, it is only possible to imagine that the probe tube will not move inside the ear when the hearing aid is fitted. Especially when inserting a hearing aid that has a high degree of skin contact, the work must be done under uncertainty, such as whether the probe tube will be carried deeper into the ear along with the hearing aid and come into contact with the ear canal wall or eardrum. For example, to reduce these concerns when using a conventional probe tube 100, one could position the tip 101 shallower than the specified position, or to wear the hearing aid 300 in a way that weakens the contact between the ear canal and the hearing aid so that the probe tube 100 is not carried deeper into the ear along with the hearing aid. If the contact with the skin cannot be achieved, low-frequency sounds may leak through the gaps, or sounds from the measurement sound source may be mixed in through the gaps, making accurate measurement difficult. With probe tube 1, these concerns are greatly reduced.

[0034] Furthermore, although the skin directly in front of the eardrum is extremely sensitive, the placement of the curved section 12 allows the probe tube 1 to be safely positioned up to just in front of the eardrum (5 mm). This increases the possibility of providing real-ear measurements to subjects who are sensitive to pain. In addition, it allows speech-language pathologists and certified hearing aid technicians providing the service to insert the probe tube 1 into the subject's ear with confidence. <First variation> Figure 4 illustrates the first modified example. In the embodiment described above, a probe tube 1 with a pre-existing curved portion 12 was shown, but the invention is not limited to this, and the curved portion 12 may be formed using any other material.

[0035] In the probe tube 1a shown in Figure 4, the curved portion 12 is formed by wrapping surgical tape 15 multiple times around the portion corresponding to the curved portion 12 of the probe tube 100 and bending it. The same effect as that of probe tube 1 can be obtained with this probe tube 1a as with probe tube 1. <Second variation> Figure 5 illustrates a second modified example. The probe tube 1b shown in Figure 5 has a tip portion 401, a base portion 402, and a marker 403.

[0036] This probe tube 1b has marks 404a to 404g on the tube at 5mm intervals. Mark 404a, located 5mm from the tip 401, can be used to estimate the distance to the eardrum. Mark 404c, located 15mm from the tip 401, can be used to estimate the position to bend. Mark 404g, located 35mm from the tip 401, can be used to confirm the depth at the intertragal notch. Marking the tube can improve measurement accuracy. Probe tube 1a may be created using this probe tube 1b.

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

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

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

Claims

1. A probe tube used for measuring products that deliver acoustic stimulation through the eardrum, The device comprises a tip positioned near the eardrum during measurement, and a curved portion positioned slightly proximal to the tip, fixed in a curved shape to conform to the curved shape of the external auditory canal. A probe tube characterized by having the following features.

2. The probe tube according to claim 1, wherein the tip portion is positioned near the eardrum and the curved portion conforms to the curved shape of the external auditory canal when a hearing aid is positioned on the proximal end.

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