Universal Earpiece Shapes for Hearing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing process of creating custom earpieces for hearing devices is cumbersome and time-consuming, involving multiple steps and expensive 3D printing, while universal domes lack good sealing and retention.
Innovation Solution
A set of universal earpieces with defined shapes, made from elastic silicone material, that can be molded or cast, providing immediate availability and a compromise between customization and one-size-fits-all solutions, with shapes determined by a statistical shape model to ensure optimal wearing comfort, acoustic sealing, and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a custom ear piece is manufactured based on ear scan data, then wearing comfort and acoustic sealing performance are improved, but the process becomes slow and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining multiple ear piece shapes (first, second, third, and fourth shapes) based on statistical shape models of human ears before actual use. These pre-defined shapes cover the majority of ear canal variations, allowing immediate selection and use without requiring custom manufacturing processes, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving good sealing performance and reducing manufacturing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by creating a set of standardized ear piece shapes that can serve multiple users with different ear canal geometries. The four defined shapes (with varying bend angles and plane areas) are designed to accommodate the majority of human ear variations, making the ear pieces universally applicable without requiring individual customization, thereby eliminating the time-consuming custom manufacturing process while maintaining adequate sealing performance.
2Loss of time
If a dome is used as an ear piece, then immediate availability is achieved, but sealing and retention performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the ear piece shapes. Instead of using a simple dome, the patent defines four distinct shapes with specific bend angles (41°-58°), plane areas (48-92 mm²), and centerline angles that are optimized to match human ear canal geometries. These parameter variations enable immediate availability while achieving good sealing and retention performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating ear pieces with specific localized geometric features tailored to different regions of the ear canal. The four defined shapes have different bend characteristics and plane areas that match specific ear canal variations, allowing each shape to provide optimal sealing and retention for particular ear geometries while maintaining immediate availability.
3Manufacturing precision
If expensive 3D printing is used for custom ear pieces, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of using cheaper alternatives by replacing expensive 3D printing with cost-effective molding or casting processes. The pre-defined ear piece shapes can be efficiently produced using these traditional manufacturing methods, significantly reducing costs while maintaining adequate precision for the intended application. The ear pieces are designed to be replaceable if needed, further reducing the impact of any precision limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by creating standardized ear piece shapes that replicate the most common ear canal geometries based on statistical shape models. Instead of creating unique custom pieces for each user, the patent uses copies of the four predefined shapes that match the majority of ear variations, allowing production through economical molding or casting processes while maintaining sufficient accuracy for effective use.
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 universal earpieces bridge the time gap until a customized earpiece is manufactured, offering immediate use and a cost-effective solution with good fitting and sealing performance, accommodating a wide range of ear shapes while minimizing deformation for comfort and retention.
Implementation Method 1
made from elastic silicone material
Data Source
AI summary
An ear piece for a hearing device includes one of two, three four or more shapes, wherein the ear piece comprises a tube having a first bend separating two essentially straight sections of the tube which smoothly merge into one another at the first bend, wherein each section has a respective centerline, wherein the centerlines enclose an angle between them, wherein the angle is in a range of 41° to 58°, wherein the centerlines meet at an intersection point lying within an bend plane having a plane area confined by the tube, and wherein the bend plane bisects the angle with a tolerance range of 5% and/or is rotated within the tube about the intersection point so as to minimize the plane area.