Behind Ear Hearing Device Thin Acoustic Tube Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Behind-the-ear hearing devices with thicker sound tubes are visually unappealing and cause pressure points when worn with glasses, as thinner tubes are not effectively integrated with spectacle temples without increasing device size and acoustic losses.
Innovation Solution
A behind-the-ear hearing device with a two-part spectacle temple adapter that directly attaches to the hearing aid housing, allowing a thin sound tube to be guided through the adapter for sound transmission, reducing the need for a carrying hook and minimizing pressure points, and utilizing a two-component injection molding process for reduced logistics and assembly costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thick sound tube (outer diameter at least 3 mm) is used, then the sound transmission is reliable and the tube is easy to connect, but the device becomes visually unappealing and causes pressure points when worn with glasses
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a thin sound tube for aesthetic purposes, a carrying hook for mechanical support, and a spectacle adapter for glasses integration. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling the use of a thin tube without compromising overall device functionality or comfort.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a thin sound tube (outer diameter no more than 2 mm) is used, then the device is cosmetically acceptable and less visually noticeable, but the tube cannot be effectively integrated with spectacle temples without increasing device size and acoustic losses
Solution Approach 1:
The carrying hook and spectacle adapter are merged into a single integrated component that serves both mechanical support and glasses attachment functions. This merging simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for separate connection elements, making the thin tube integration straightforward without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spectacle adapter acts as an intermediary component that bridges the thin sound tube and the spectacle temple. It provides a standardized interface that facilitates easy connection without requiring modifications to the thin tube itself, thereby maintaining its aesthetic advantages while enabling secure glasses integration.
3Reliability
If a carrying hook is used to support the hearing device, then the device can be securely worn behind the ear, but it increases device size and causes pressure points when combined with thick sound tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The carrying hook is designed with a thin, flexible profile that conforms to the contours of the ear and head. This flexible design distributes the device weight over a larger surface area, reducing pressure points while maintaining secure attachment. The thin profile also minimizes the overall device size and improves cosmetic appearance.
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
Enables comfortable wear of thin sound tubes with glasses, reducing the device's visual prominence and eliminating pressure points while maintaining effective sound transmission and reducing part complexity and assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
The hearing tube is injected into the glasses adapter. This can be easily implemented using a two-component injection molding process, and the logistics and assembly costs for the hearing aid or the hearing device can thus be reduced.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The behind-the-ear hearing aid (10) for spectacles has a hearing tube (14) for transmission of sound into an ear passage and is guided through the ear piece adapter (12) to the sound outlet of the hearing aid housing (11). The hearing tube has an outside diameter of 2mm at most. The hearing tube is screwed, plugged or adhesively connected to the sound outlet. The hearing tube may be injected into the ear piece adapter.