Universal Hearing Aid with Deformable Eartip and Venting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-the-ear and completely-in-the-canal hearing aids face issues with reduced wearing comfort due to hard shells in the dynamic ear canal region, occlusion of the ear canal, and feedback problems, which affect listening comfort, especially for users with mild or moderate hearing losses.
Innovation Solution
A universal hearing aid design featuring a deformable holding element outside the ear canal and a sealing element with venting elements, separating the holding and sealing functions, using a resilient eartip to minimize occlusion and feedback, and positioning the microphone to maximize sound perception and reduce wind noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a hard shell is used in the ear canal region, then the device structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but wearing comfort is reduced due to the dynamic nature of the ear canal
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device is divided into two distinct parts: a hard shell housing containing the electronics and a separate soft resilient eartip. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the hard shell for manufacturing ease and the soft eartip for comfort in the dynamic ear canal environment.
Solution Approach 2:
A soft resilient eartip made of flexible material is used to contact the ear canal walls. This flexible component adapts to the dynamic movements of the ear canal while maintaining a secure seal, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and wearing comfort.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the ear canal is fully occluded by the hearing aid, then acoustic feedback is reduced, but listening comfort deteriorates due to blocked natural sound perception
Solution Approach 1:
The soft resilient eartip incorporates venting elements with controlled porosity that allow natural sound frequencies to pass through. This enables the device to maintain acoustic feedback protection while permitting beneficial ambient sounds to reach the user, improving listening comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting elements are designed to replicate the natural acoustic characteristics of an open ear canal, allowing users to perceive natural sounds while still benefiting from the feedback protection provided by the sealed connection between receiver and microphone.
3Volume of moving object
If the microphone is positioned close to the receiver, then device dimensions are reduced, but acoustic feedback increases
Solution Approach 1:
An acoustic filter or venting structure is positioned between the microphone and the ear canal opening, acting as an intermediary that blocks direct acoustic feedback paths while allowing natural sound transmission. This enables close positioning of components without sacrificing feedback protection.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a universal fit design is used, then adaptability to different users is improved, but fixation stability may be compromised without custom anatomical adaptation
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device employs a universal hard shell design that can be fitted to various ear anatomies without custom molding. The combination of the rigid universal housing and the compliant soft eartip creates a multi-functional system that achieves both universal adaptability and stable fixation across different users.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft resilient eartip provides dynamic adaptation to the user's ear canal shape and movements. This dynamic component compensates for the static universal housing design, maintaining stable fixation while accommodating individual anatomical variations.
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
The design provides improved wearing comfort, reduced occlusion, and minimized feedback, ensuring snug fit and natural sound perception while being hardly visible, suitable for a broader range of users with mild or moderate hearing losses.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient eartip member (7) of shield-, umbrella- or mushroom-like shape... the outer outline of which abuts at least partially at the inner wall of the ear canal and hence keeps the hearing aid firmly within the ear canal
Implementation Method 2
a sealing element (7) comprising venting elements... resilient eartip to minimize occlusion and feedback
Data Source
AI summary
An in-the-ear hearing instrument comprises a deformable holding element (3) outside the ear canal and a sealing element (7) comprising venting elements. The sealing element is an exchangeable resilient eartip, which by means of venting elements, such as holes, channels, openings, etc. defines the amount of acoustic leakage.