Customized Hearing Aid Insertion Device with Guide Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inserting deep-in-the-canal hearing aids lack precision and safety, particularly for self-insertion or insertion by non-professionals, leading to potential discomfort, injury, and inefficiencies in hearing aid maintenance and usage.
Innovation Solution
A customized insertion device with a guide channel and drive mechanism that replicates the ear canal anatomy, allowing for controlled and accurate placement of hearing aids at a predetermined depth, decoupling insertion forces to prevent uncontrolled progression and ensuring proper orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a customized insertion device with guide channel is used, then manufacturing precision and insertion accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion device is divided into distinct functional segments: a customized support structure replicating ear canal anatomy, a guide channel for precise hearing aid routing, and a drive mechanism for controlled insertion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide channel acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the drive mechanism and the hearing aid, ensuring precise control of insertion depth and orientation while protecting against uncontrolled progression into the ear canal.
2Ease of operation
If self-insertion is enabled, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may worsen due to lack of professional expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to enable users to perform their own hearing aid insertions without requiring professional assistance. The customized support and guide channel provide intuitive alignment and controlled insertion, making the process safe and effective for non-professionals.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide channel and customized support structure provide pre-configured protection against insertion errors. The anatomy-replicating support ensures proper positioning before insertion begins, while the guide channel prevents uncontrolled progression, cushioning against potential injuries from improper use.
3Reliability
If insertion forces are decoupled, then reliability is improved by preventing uncontrolled progression, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide channel serves as an intermediary that decouples the insertion forces from direct transmission to the hearing aid. It provides a controlled path that limits force transmission, preventing uncontrolled progression while maintaining reliable insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism is designed to change insertion parameters (force, speed, depth) in a controlled manner. By adjusting these parameters through the guide channel, the system achieves reliable insertion while preventing harmful force transmission to the ear canal.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a device for insertion of a deep-in-the-canal hearing aid—alternatively designatable as extended wear hearing aid—into an ear canal of an individual user, at a pre-determined insertion depth (d) thereof. The insertion device comprises a customized support comprising an outer profile conforming to the shapes of at least a portion of a conchal cavity and of an ear canal of said individual user; and a guide channel, disposed internal to said outer profile, extending between a lateral entry opening thereof, for loading said hearing aid; and a medial exit opening thereof, for releasing said hearing aid into said ear canal. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an insertion device for inserting a hearing aid deep into an ear canal of an individual hearing aid user, at a pre-determined insertion depth (d) thereof.