Lateral Earplug Sound Output for Cerumen Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earplugs for BTE-type hearing aids often block the ear canal or get clogged with cerumen, leading to improper sound transmission due to their design, which does not accommodate individual ear shapes and can result in incomplete fitting and comfort issues.
Innovation Solution
The earplug design features sound output openings positioned laterally, with a tapering sound output passage and a collar that engages the ear canal wall, reducing the risk of blockage by cerumen and ensuring the sound output remains unobstructed, and includes multiple sound passages distributed around the main body to prevent simultaneous engagement with the ear canal wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sound output opening is positioned axially at the tip of the front end, then the sound transmission is direct, but cerumen can easily enter and block the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The sound output opening is repositioned from an axial position at the tip to a lateral position on the side surface of the front end. This dimensional change in opening position prevents cerumen from directly entering the opening while maintaining sound transmission capability through the lateral aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the sound output opening face forward in the insertion direction, the opening is inverted to face laterally outward. This inversion of the opening orientation protects it from cerumen accumulation that would naturally occur at the tip of the inserted earplug.
2Ease of manufacture
If standardized earplugs are provided, then manufacturing and selection is simplified, but they may not fit every user's ear canal shape satisfactorily
Solution Approach 1:
The earplug is divided into distinct functional segments: a collar portion for engagement, a main body for positioning, and a front end with lateral openings for sound output. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall standardized manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The earplug design incorporates multiple sound passages and laterally positioned openings that provide universal functionality across different ear canal shapes. The collar engagement mechanism combined with lateral sound output ensures the device works effectively for various users without requiring custom fitting.
3Reliability
If the ear canal is completely blocked by the earplug, then sound isolation is improved, but the occlusion effect causes discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The sound output system is segmented into multiple passages and openings distributed around the front end. This segmentation allows sound to escape through multiple lateral pathways, preventing complete occlusion while maintaining effective sound isolation for hearing aid output.
Solution Approach 2:
Sound output is redirected from a single axial pathway to multiple lateral pathways through the side surfaces of the front end. This dimensional redistribution of sound output prevents the occlusion effect by allowing natural ear canal pressure equalization while maintaining hearing aid sound transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
An earplug (7) for a hearing aid (1), in particular for a BTE-type hearing aid, has a front end (8) and a rear end (9). The front end (8) is adapted to be inserted into an ear canal of a wearer. The earplug (7) comprises a main body part (10) comprising a longitudinal bore (11) extending along a centrally arranged axis (A-A) of the earplug (7), and at least one sound output passage (17) in communication with said longitudinal bore (11) and leading to a sound output opening (18). The earplug also has a collar (19), which is adapted to engage the wall of an ear canal and surrounds the main body part (10). The output opening (18) has at least one edge part (18a) located in a retracted manner with respect to said front end (8).