Foil Clip Earpiece Assembly for Canal Hearing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Securing a removable earpiece assembly to canal hearing devices is challenging due to space constraints, comfort, and risk of trauma within the narrow and sensitive ear canal, particularly for Completely-In-the-Canal (CIC) devices, where existing solutions often require custom fabrication and are limited to larger types like Behind-The-Ear (BTE) and Receiver-In-the-Canal (RIC) devices.
Innovation Solution
An earpiece assembly featuring a thin, deformable clip element made from metal foil or similar materials, which is securely attached to the medial end of the canal hearing device using cut-outs and protruding features, combined with a compliant element for acoustic sealing and comfort, allowing for easy attachment and detachment without causing discomfort or trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid earpiece assembly is used to secure the hearing device, then the attachment security is improved, but the risk of trauma and discomfort to the ear canal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The earpiece assembly is segmented into a rigid housing containing electronic components and a separate compliant distal portion that contacts the ear canal. This segmentation allows the rigid portion to provide structural strength and attachment security while the compliant portion provides comfort and prevents trauma by conforming to the ear canal walls.
Solution Approach 2:
A compliant material acts as an intermediary between the rigid housing and the ear canal tissue. This compliant distal portion serves as a mediator that transmits forces gently to the ear canal while preventing direct contact between rigid structures and sensitive tissue, thereby eliminating trauma while maintaining attachment security.
2Volume of moving object
If the earpiece assembly is made smaller to fit deep in the ear canal, then the acoustic performance is improved, but the available space for components decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Electronic components are nested within the rigid housing of the earpiece assembly, with batteries, circuit boards, and other components arranged in a compact, space-efficient manner. This nesting approach maximizes component density while maintaining a small overall earpiece volume suitable for deep canal insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of thin-walled rigid housing and compliant distal portions made from thin flexible materials reduces the overall volume of the earpiece while maintaining structural integrity. This allows sufficient space for electronic components to be accommodated within a compact form factor that can be inserted deep into the ear canal.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a custom-fitted earpiece is manufactured for each user, then the comfort and acoustic seal are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The earpiece assembly employs a universal design with a rigid housing that can be manufactured using standard processes and a compliant distal portion that adapts to various ear canal shapes. This universal design allows the same basic component to serve multiple users while the compliant material provides customized fit and acoustic seal for each individual without requiring custom manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The compliant distal portion is made from elastomeric material whose physical properties (such as durometer hardness) can be adjusted to provide optimal comfort and acoustic seal for different users. By changing material parameters rather than geometric parameters, the design achieves customized performance through standard manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of a removable earpiece assembly configured for coupling to a canal hearing device using a foil-thin clip are described. The earpiece assembly may be readily removed for replacement when soiled or degraded after use. The earpiece assembly may include a compliant element for contact with the ear canal in a comfortable and safe manner. The earpiece assembly may function as an acoustic seal and/or a retainer for the canal hearing device. The removable earpiece assembly may provide a highly space efficient solution which may be used with miniature canal hearing devices, including a CIC device. In some embodiments, disengagement of the earpiece assembly from the canal hearing device may be accomplished by a side peel motion.