Compressible Hearing Device Shell for Ear Canal Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customized hearing device shells made of rigid materials like acrylic or titanium suffer from acoustic feedback and poor retention due to ear canal shape changes during use, while soft materials like silicone are susceptible to discomfort due to incompressibility and reduced wearability.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device shell with a compressible region formed by additive manufacturing, featuring a cavity that allows compression to accommodate ear canal deformations, enhancing retention and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a customized shell is made of rigid material (acrylic or titanium), then placement and retention are improved, but acoustic feedback increases and wearability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is designed with non-uniform rigidity: the proximal portion is rigid to provide stable retention and acoustic sealing, while the distal portion is compliant to accommodate ear canal deformations and reduce acoustic feedback. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between retention and acoustic feedback by assigning different material properties to different regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell combines rigid and compliant materials in a single structure. The rigid material (acrylic or titanium) is used in the proximal portion for retention, while the compliant material is used in the distal portion for adaptability. This composite construction allows the shell to simultaneously achieve good retention and reduce acoustic feedback.
2Ease of operation
If a customized shell is made of soft material (silicone or polyurethane), then comfort is improved, but retention and wearability decrease due to incompressibility
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is designed with non-uniform rigidity: the proximal portion is rigid to provide stable retention and acoustic sealing, while the distal portion is compliant to accommodate ear canal deformations and reduce acoustic feedback. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between retention and acoustic feedback by assigning different material properties to different regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell combines rigid and compliant materials in a single structure. The rigid material (acrylic or titanium) is used in the proximal portion for retention, while the compliant material is used in the distal portion for adaptability. This composite construction allows the shell to simultaneously achieve good retention and reduce acoustic feedback.
3Strength
If the shell is made of incompressible material, then structural integrity is maintained, but discomfort increases during jaw movements
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is designed with non-uniform rigidity: the proximal portion is rigid to provide stable retention and acoustic sealing, while the distal portion is compliant to accommodate ear canal deformations and reduce acoustic feedback. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between retention and acoustic feedback by assigning different material properties to different regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell transitions from a static, incompressible structure to a dynamic structure with a compliant distal portion that can deform in response to ear canal shape changes during jaw movements. This dynamic adaptation maintains comfort while the rigid proximal portion preserves structural integrity for retention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves retention and comfort by reducing acoustic feedback and discomfort, maintaining a secure fit during jaw movements, and ensuring better wearability.
Implementation Method 1
The compressible region may be compressible due to a cavity that is located within the shell in the compressible region and that is configured to be compressed when the ear canal deforms
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary hearing device may comprise an in-the-ear (“ITE”) component comprising a shell that is custom formed of a soft material by additive manufacturing to fit at least partially within an ear canal of the user. The shell may include a compressible region provided along an outer surface of the shell that is configured to contact a wall of the ear canal. The compressible region may be deformable due to a cavity that is located within the shell in the compressible region and that is configured to deform and/or compress when the ear canal deforms while the ITE component is inserted within the ear canal of the user.