Hearing Aid Flexible Elongated Member Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hearing aids face challenges in securing the custom-made shell within the ear canal due to dynamic movements of the ear canal, which can lead to the shell being dislodged during activities like chewing, smiling, or head movements, especially in individuals with varying ear canal dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A flexible elongated member is attached to the hearing aid shell, with one end secured to the shell and the other positioned outside the ear canal within the pinna, providing resilience to counteract outward forces and stabilize the shell in place, while also housing electrical components like the microphone and power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a custom-made shell is individually shaped to fit the ear canal, then the retention and stability of the hearing aid is improved, but the shell may be dislodged during dynamic movements such as chewing, smiling, or head movements
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid is divided into two separate components: a custom-made shell that fits inside the ear canal and a flexible elongated member that extends outside the ear canal into the pinna. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the shell provides acoustic sealing and component housing while the elongated member provides stabilization against dislodgement during facial movements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the hearing aid device have different properties optimized for their specific functions. The shell is made with rigid materials to maintain structural integrity and acoustic properties, while the elongated member is made flexible to accommodate dynamic movements of the pinna and provide stabilization without causing discomfort or dislodgement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the shell is made from solid materials to secure retention, then the stability in ear canal is improved, but comfort and adaptability to varying ear canal dimensions are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the hearing aid into a shell and an elongated member, the device can be customized to fit different ear canal dimensions while providing consistent retention. The shell can be individually molded to match the specific geometry of each user's ear canal, ensuring both comfort and retention, while the flexible elongated member adapts to variations in pinna structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the flexible elongated member is positioned in the pinna outside the ear canal, then stabilization of the shell is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elongated member combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical stabilization of the shell against dislodgement, houses electrical conductors for power and signal transmission, and can accommodate additional components such as microphones or sensors. This integration reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate components for each function.
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 flexible elongated member enhances retention of the hearing aid shell within the ear canal, maintaining a secure fit without discomfort, allowing for a more comfortable and secure fit across various ear canal dimensions, and reduces the risk of external feedback by optimizing the placement of components and minimizing mechanical vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible elongated member is configured so that the second free end is positioned inside the pinna and outside the ear canal of the user
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing aid includes a shell for accommodation of a signal processor for processing an audio signal into a processed audio signal, and a receiver that is connected to an output of the signal processor for converting the processed audio signal into an acoustic sound signal, and a flexible elongated member with a first end attached to the shell, and a second free end, wherein the flexible elongated member comprises a lumen for housing a wire that is for providing current to an electronic device, the flexible elongated member having a shape for stabilizing the shell relative to a user's ear.