Hearing Aid Retainer with Mechanical Connection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hearing aid retainer accessories for BTE hearing aids are either cumbersome, interfere with control buttons, or exert uncomfortable forces on the head, and fail to provide stable and adjustable retention, especially for children during intense activities.

Innovation Solution

A hearing aid retainer accessory with a hook-like protrusion for mechanical connection to the hearing aid's housing, allowing for a stable and adjustable fit without interfering with control buttons, and featuring interchangeable electrical connections for accessory components, ensuring a seamless and ergonomic design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flexible sleeve is used to wrap around the hearing aid housing, then the hearing aid is protected from dropping, but the sleeve adds to the thickness of the housing making it difficult to place behind a small ear and may entangle with obstacles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from droppingVSAvoidthickness of housing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function is extracted from a bulky sleeve and implemented through a compact retainer element with mechanical connection means that attaches to the hearing aid housing, eliminating the need for thick protective sleeves while maintaining drop protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer element uses a thin, flexible structure with mechanical connection means instead of a thick sleeve, providing protection without adding significant volume or interfering with the hearing aid's fit behind the ear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable sleeves are used to fit the hearing aid to the user's ear, then the fit can be adjusted, but the sleeves interfere with control buttons on the hearing aid housing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability to user's earVSAvoidaccessibility of control buttons

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment function is extracted from sleeves that wrap around the housing and implemented through a separate retainer element that attaches to dedicated mechanical connection terminals, isolating the adjustment mechanism from the control button area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hearing aid system is segmented into the main housing with control buttons and a separate retainer element with mechanical connection means, allowing independent optimization of each component's function without interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If head bands are used to retain the hearing aid on the user's head, then the hearing aid is securely retained, but the head band exerts uncomfortable force on the user's head and is noticeable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure retentionVSAvoidcomfort of wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retention function is extracted from a head band that exerts force on the head and implemented through a lightweight retainer element with mechanical connection means that attaches to the hearing aid housing, providing secure retention without head pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical retention system is substituted from a head band exerting force on the head to a mechanical connection system with engagement means between the retainer element and hearing aid housing, eliminating uncomfortable head pressure while maintaining secure retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8848958B2Hearing aid retainer accessory

Publication Date: 2014.09.30 OTICON

AI summary

A hearing aid retainer accessory is provided for use with a hearing aid having a housing with a longitudinal end face portion comprising a mechanical connection terminal and an electrical connection point. The hearing aid retainer accessory comprises a retainer element with a first end face portion having a first mechanical connection means configured to be engageable to a mechanical connection terminal of a longitudinal end face portion of a housing of a hearing aid.