WO2000079832A2 - Electric/acoustic transducer module, intra-aural hearing-aid and method for producing an intra-aural hearing aid - Google Patents
Electric/acoustic transducer module, intra-aural hearing-aid and method for producing an intra-aural hearing aid Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2000079832A2 WO2000079832A2 PCT/CH2000/000311 CH0000311W WO0079832A2 WO 2000079832 A2 WO2000079832 A2 WO 2000079832A2 CH 0000311 W CH0000311 W CH 0000311W WO 0079832 A2 WO0079832 A2 WO 0079832A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- hearing aid
- membrane
- loudspeaker
- converter module
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/48—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using constructional means for obtaining a desired frequency response
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
- H04R25/603—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of mechanical or electronic switches or control elements
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
- H04R25/604—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
- H04R25/609—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of circuitry
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
- H04R1/20—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics
- H04R1/22—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired frequency characteristic only
- H04R1/225—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired frequency characteristic only for telephonic receivers
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
- H04R2225/61—Aspects relating to mechanical or electronic switches or control elements, e.g. functioning
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/45—Prevention of acoustic reaction, i.e. acoustic oscillatory feedback
- H04R25/456—Prevention of acoustic reaction, i.e. acoustic oscillatory feedback mechanically
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
- H04R25/607—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of earhooks
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electrical / acoustic transducer module for behind-the-ear or in-the-ear hearing aids according to the preamble of claim 1, further an in-the-ear hearing aid according to the
- the loudspeaker housing is not connected to the auditory canal by a mechanically rigid bridge. This is to prevent acoustic feedback from the loudspeaker to the input-side microphone as far as possible. Furthermore, the space available for hearing aids is generally extremely limited and must be used optimally.
- the motor-driven loudspeaker diaphragm and motor driver are mounted therefor.
- the membrane or the motor drivers for this are mounted with respect to the mentioned loudspeaker housing in such a way that the signals acoustically excited by the membrane are transmitted directly to the mentioned housing.
- the arrangement mentioned is mounted in an in-the-ear hearing device housing in such a way that the loudspeaker housing is spaced apart as far as possible from the hearing device housing mentioned, and this means that only acoustic noise is reduced
- the electrical / acoustic converter module is characterized by the characterizing part of claim 1.
- the loudspeaker housing is resiliently mounted in the encapsulation housing makes it possible to install the transducer module in a behind-the-ear or in-the-ear hearing aid, be it positively or even non-positively. Furthermore, the space between the loudspeaker housing and the hearing aid housing, which was necessary anyway, is now used to determine the behavior of the
- the encapsulation housing acts as a magnetic shield and is preferably made of ⁇ -metal for this purpose.
- the cup-shaped part mentioned - after insertion of the loudspeaker housing with loudspeaker - is closed by means of a terminating part which has the acoustic output of the transducer arrangement.
- the mentioned end part comprises, as an acoustic output, an opening, by means of which the first space on one side of the loudspeaker membrane, that is, the one which is connected to the acoustic output of the transducer arrangement, is connected by means of a membrane.
- voltage is separated from the environment.
- the membrane is freely exposed over the opening area.
- the cup is completed by means of a stocking-like rubber-elastic closure.
- the membrane provided according to the invention in the preferred embodiment mentioned is installed in a freely oscillating manner and is not driven by a motor.
- Dimensioning of the acoustically effective spaces provided according to the invention and the membrane characteristics, in the sense of acoustic impedance matching, which is familiar to the person skilled in the art means that the membrane mentioned has hardly any effect on the acoustic transmission behavior of the hearing device on the output side of the loudspeaker.
- At least the exposed part of the membrane is materially homogeneous, i.e. made from a material phase, and further preferably has a constant thickness. This means that the design effort for the membrane mentioned is extremely low and the acoustic behavior of the membrane is clear.
- At least the exposed part of the above-mentioned membrane made of rubber-elastic material, such as, for example, latex or silicone rubber, is extremely inexpensive and has a uniform, low thickness, is resistant and behaves in contact with the living Fabric harmless materials.
- the membrane is preferably airtight. Its thickness is preferably d ⁇ 0.09 mm.
- the loudspeaker housing be clamped in the encapsulation housing by means of elastic bearing blocks.
- the loudspeaker housing is enclosed on all sides by the mentioned space.
- the in-the-ear hearing device according to the invention has an electrical / acoustic transducer arrangement of the type described above.
- the possibility of simple assembly is now exhausted by the fact that the encapsulation housing of the converter module is positioned in the hearing device housing in a positive and / or non-positive manner.
- the acoustic output of the transducer module can be connected to the acoustic output opening of the device housing by means of a hose connector.
- a membrane clamped for free, unimpaired oscillation is provided in any case, which before separating the device environment from the first room on the converter module used according to the invention.
- This membrane can obviously be formed by the aforementioned membrane on the converter arrangement according to the invention itself, but does not have to, in any case the preferred embodiments made in this regard apply.
- the membrane mentioned is attached directly in the region of the acoustic output of the device housing. This prevents any contamination from penetrating not only into the transducer module, but also into the transducer input on the hearing aid itself.
- the acoustic output of the transducer module according to the invention is therefore essentially provided directly at the output opening of the hearing device housing, so that the membrane mentioned, if preferably provided, is located directly on the hearing device housing environment on the one hand and directly at the output of the transducer module on the other hand is provided.
- this solves the dirt trap problem of an exit opening provided on the hearing aid by closing it directly by the membrane mentioned, on the other hand there is the possibility of optimizing the acoustic behavior in such a way that no additional intermediate transmission links from the acoustic Output of the converter module must be provided for the acoustic output of the device.
- the remaining acoustic transmission path can only be implemented on the basis of acoustic impedance matching.
- the acoustic output opening of the hearing device housing is formed by a section, for example welded or glued, connected to the rest of the hearing device housing.
- This embodiment is also preferred proposed that the above-mentioned exit opening be closed by means of a membrane which, however, is now preferably formed in one piece with the above-mentioned part.
- the above-mentioned statements also apply to this membrane, which means that the above-mentioned part preferably consists of rubber-elastic material, for example of latex or silicone rubber.
- the method according to the invention for producing a hearing device is characterized in that the transducer module is positively or non-positively positioned in the hearing device housing. This makes it possible to position the transducer module precisely in the hearing aid housing with little effort, or even to force-fit it between parts of the hearing aid housing or e.g. to cast the converter module with the hearing aid housing.
- the transducer module is now inserted into the hearing aid housing through an opening forming the acoustic output of the hearing aid housing, that is to say from below.
- This provides the basis for a further preferred procedure, namely that the transducer module is positioned in a receiving opening of a support plate and the transducer module is introduced into the hearing aid housing from the end forming the acoustic output of the hearing aid housing by relative movement of the support plate and the hearing aid housing.
- the method of automation that opens up is immediately clear to the person skilled in the art: the corresponding number of transducer modules are positioned in a plurality of receiving openings in the carrier plate mentioned and these are inserted from below into a corresponding number of device housings in-the-ear hearing aids.
- the carrier plate is subsequently used as part of the device housing by connecting it to the device housing, preferably by gluing or welding, and then separating the carrier plate along the outer contour of the hearing device housing.
- the receiving opening for the converter module is formed on the carrier plate as a sack opening, which makes it possible, in a further preferred embodiment, to design the bottom part of the sack opening as the membrane mentioned above, with the carrier plate in one piece. or applied to the carrier plate as a film-like structure.
- the carrier plate is made of material which meets the requirements for the membrane material, i.e. preferably of rubber-elastic material, e.g. made of latex or silicone rubber.
- FIG. 1 shows the diagram of a converter module according to the invention
- FIG. 2a shows a schematic illustration of a further preferred embodiment of the converter module according to the invention.
- FIG. 3 further shows schematically the installation of a converter module according to the invention on an in-the-ear hearing aid
- FIG. 4 in a representation analogous to that of FIG. 3, a further possibility of installing a converter module according to the invention on an in-the-ear hearing aid;
- FIGS. 3 and 4 show a representation analogous to FIGS. 3 and 4, a further preferred embodiment variant of the part of an in-the-ear hearing device forming the acoustic device output, and
- the converter module 1 shows, schematically, a converter module for the basic explanation of the acoustic coupling ratios.
- the converter module 1 comprises a loudspeaker housing 3, in which the loudspeaker membrane 5 is mounted.
- the loudspeaker diaphragm 5 is excited by a motor drive 7, which is only shown schematically.
- a front space R x and a rear space R 2 are formed by the loudspeaker membrane 5.
- One of the two rooms mentioned, for example the rear R 2 is acoustically coupled to an intermediate space 11 via acoustic decoupling openings 9, formed between the loudspeaker housing 3 and an encapsulating housing 13.
- the encapsulating housing 13 and thus the intermediate space 11 surround the loudspeaker housing 3 essentially completely , except for resilient bearing parts 15, by means of which the loudspeaker housing is spaced within the encapsulation housing 13, is mounted essentially "floating". 1, the front space R x is connected to the acoustic output A A of the converter module 1.
- tion housing 13 an acoustic decoupling of speaker effect on encapsulation housing 13 is achieved. Furthermore, the acoustic behavior of the transducer module 1 is significantly improved compared to that of the loudspeaker arrangement in the housing 3 by a notable enlargement of the rear membrane space R 2 , namely now including the intermediate space 11: The low-frequency behavior of the transducer module is increased by several dB. compared to that of the loudspeaker arrangement in the housing 3.
- a diaphragm is provided on the acoustic output A A , as shown schematically at 17.
- the membrane 17 is free-swinging apart from its marginal clamping. It preferably consists of a homogeneous material phase, preferably of a rubber-elastic material, for example of latex or silicone rubber, and, more preferably, has a constant thickness of approximately 100 ⁇ m, preferably of at most 0.09 mm.
- the membrane 17 is achieved practically acoustically appears transparent.
- the loudspeaker housing 3 with the coupling openings 9 is mounted on the encapsulating housing 13 by means of rubber-elastic bearing blocks 19.
- the encapsulation housing 13 is formed by a cup 20, which preferably also acts as a magnetic shield and preferably consists of ⁇ -metal for this purpose. In any case, the cup 20 is preferably made of metal. lish.
- the cup 20 is closed by a closing part 22.
- the membrane 17 already presented in FIG. 1 can be mounted directly on the end part 22.
- the end part 22 and the membrane 17 can be formed in one piece, but then the material of the end part 22 must meet the material requirements for the membrane, for example with regard to rubber elasticity.
- the entire part 22 is then made of latex or silicone rubber.
- the membrane 17 is anchored as a separate part on the end part 22.
- the membrane 17 can also be provided between the acoustic output A 3 in the loudspeaker housing 3 and the clear opening in part 22.
- the membrane 17, as shown in FIG. 2 is provided flush with the clear opening in the end part 22, so that the entire converter module 1 appears as a self-contained, encapsulated unit and can be easily cleaned. This is particularly important if, as will be shown, the output A A of the converter module 1 is located directly at the acoustic output of a hearing aid.
- the converter module or its encapsulation housing 13 can be cube-shaped, cylindrical or in another, essentially any shape, provided that the required intermediate space 11, essentially enclosing the loudspeaker housing 3, is stretched between the loudspeaker housing 3 and the encapsulation housing 13.
- 2a based on the explanations for FIG. 2, is shown only schematically, a further embodiment.
- a rubber-elastic stocking 17a is pulled over the encapsulation housing 13. It forms the end part 22 and membrane 17 at the same time.
- FIG. 3 schematically shows the section of an in-the-ear hearing aid 24 with the acoustic output opening A 24 .
- the converter module 1 constructed according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 2a is installed within the device housing 26, specifically by it is positively or non-positively, as schematized with the mounting and positioning tabs 28 in Fig. 3, held and positioned in the housing 26 of the hearing aid. This is made possible by the acoustic decoupling of the outer coupling housing 13 with respect to the loudspeaker housing 3, which is realized on the converter module explained with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 2a.
- the construction of the in-the-ear hearing device is essentially as previously known, in that the acoustic output of the transducer module 1 is connected to the acoustic output opening A 24 of the device via a pipe socket 30.
- the membrane 17 provided in a preferred embodiment is installed in the immediate area of the acoustic output A 24 on the hearing device housing 26.
- the converter module 1 is mounted in the area of the acoustic output A 24 of the hearing aid 24 or the housing 26 in a positive or non-positive manner, as shown with the schematically illustrated brackets 28a.
- the free-floating membrane 17 is provided at the end.
- the housing 26 of the in-the-ear hearing device 24 is formed on the one hand by a main housing part 24a, but at the end, plate-like, a closing part 24b is attached to the part 24a, glued or welded to the part 24a.
- the or a preferably provided membrane of the type described above is shown in a preferred position. 5, be it for hearing aids with a transducer module according to FIGS. 1, 2, 2a or for hearing aids with previously known transducer arrangements, i.e. with a loudspeaker housing directly outside, significant advantages.
- the membrane 17 can be formed in one piece with the part 24b, in particular because the part 24b which is separated from the rest of the housing 26 can be used to select the material of this part in accordance with the requirements of the membrane 17.
- 6 (a) to 6 (c) schematically show the sequence of a preferred production process for in-the-ear hearing aids.
- receiving openings 36 are provided in a carrier plate 34 and the transducer arrangements 30 to be provided on in-the-ear hearing aids are inserted therein.
- the transducer arrangements 30 are of a known type, ie with an external loudspeaker housing and without an encapsulation housing according to FIGS. 1, 2, 2a, then the transducer arrangements 30 are preferably firmly anchored in the carrier plate 34, for example glued to them. 1, 2, 2a, the arrangements 30 need not be held firmly in the carrier plate 34, since, as has been shown, they can be shown in dashed lines in the corresponding device housings 24a indicated at 28b, held in a positive or non-positive manner.
- the carrier plate 34 can be removed after the transducer arrangements 30 have been pushed into the housing 26, the transducer arrangements or modules are held and positioned in the housings 24a. However, in the case of transducer arrangements without an encapsulating housing, the transducers 30 remain in the openings 36 of the plate 34 provided for this purpose.
- the plate 34 is connected to the housing 24a, e.g. glued or welded, and starting from the position shown in FIG. 6 (b), the plate 34 is then machined flush with the outer housing contour (transition to FIG. 6 (c)).
- the in-the-ear hearing device then arises, as shown in FIG. 5.
- this procedure is also preferably used for converter modules, constructed according to FIGS. 1, 2, 2a, i.e. with encapsulation housing.
- the base plate 38 according to FIG. 6 (a) of the openings 36 which are preferably designed as a bag opening, is formed directly as a membrane. This is done either by selecting the material of the carrier plate 34 in accordance with the requirements for the membrane material and thus the membrane being formed in one piece with the plate 34, or, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6 (a), by the sack openings 36 only by laminating the Carrier plate 34, with openings 36 which are then still continuous, are formed with a film-like layer 34b which then forms the membrane 17 according to FIG. 5.
- both converter modules according to FIGS. 1, 2, 2a and conventional converter arrangements i.e. To be installed with an external loudspeaker housing in the in-the-ear hearing aid housing. This from the side of the housing on which the acoustic output is located. This enables a largely automated assembly. If, as preferred, the acoustic hearing aid outlet is to be protected from the environment with regard to contamination and designed to be easy to clean, the possibility is also created at the same time of installing a covering membrane 17, as has been explained.
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- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Neurosurgery (AREA)
- Otolaryngology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Headphones And Earphones (AREA)
- Electrostatic, Electromagnetic, Magneto- Strictive, And Variable-Resistance Transducers (AREA)
- Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)
- Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)
- Prostheses (AREA)
- Details Of Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)
- Obtaining Desirable Characteristics In Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)
- Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)
- Reverberation, Karaoke And Other Acoustics (AREA)
- Audible-Bandwidth Dynamoelectric Transducers Other Than Pickups (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Elektrisch/Akustisches Wandlermodul, Im-Ohr-Hörgerät und Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Im-Ohr-HörgerätesElectrical / acoustic converter module, in-the-ear hearing aid and method for producing an in-the-ear hearing aid
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein elektrisch/akustisches Wandlermodul für Hinter- oder Im-Ohr-Hörgeräte nach dem Ober- begriff von Anspruch 1, weiter ein Im-Ohr-Hörgerät nach demThe present invention relates to an electrical / acoustic transducer module for behind-the-ear or in-the-ear hearing aids according to the preamble of claim 1, further an in-the-ear hearing aid according to the
Oberbegriff von Anspruch 10 sowie ein Herstellungsverfahren für ein derartiges Im-Ohr-Hδrgerät nach demjenigen von Anspruch 21.The preamble of claim 10 and a manufacturing method for such an in-the-ear hearing device according to that of claim 21.
Bei Hörgeräten und insbesondere Im-Ohr-Hörgeräten ist es wichtig, dass das Lautsprechergeh use nicht über eine mechanisch starre Brücke mit dem Gehörgang verbunden ist. Dies, um eine akustische Rückkopplung vom Lautsprecher zum eingangsseitigen Mikrophon möglichst zu verhindern. Im weiteren ist der zur Verfügung stehende Raum bei Hörgeräten generell äusserst limitiert und muss optimal genutzt werden.With hearing aids and in particular in-the-ear hearing aids, it is important that the loudspeaker housing is not connected to the auditory canal by a mechanically rigid bridge. This is to prevent acoustic feedback from the loudspeaker to the input-side microphone as far as possible. Furthermore, the space available for hearing aids is generally extremely limited and must be used optimally.
Aus der EP 0 548 580 ist es beispielsweise bekannt, an einemFrom EP 0 548 580 it is known, for example, on one
Im-Ohr-Hörgerät die elektrisch/akustische Wandleranordnung mit einem Lautsprechergehause zu versehen, worin die motorisch getriebene Lautsprechermembran nebst motorischem Treiber hierfür gelagert ist. Die Membran bzw. die motorischen Treiber hierfür sind bezüglich des erwähnten Lautsprechergehäuses so gelagert, dass die akustisch von der Membran angeregten Signale direkt auf das erwähnte Gehäuse übertragen werden. Montiert wird die erwähnte Anordnung so in einem Im-Ohr-Hδrgerätegehäuse, dass das Lautsprechergehause vom erwähnten Hörgerätegehäuse mög- liehst beabstandet ist, sich hiermit nur reduziert akustischeTo provide the electrical / acoustic transducer arrangement in the ear-hearing device with a loudspeaker housing, in which the motor-driven loudspeaker diaphragm and motor driver are mounted therefor. The membrane or the motor drivers for this are mounted with respect to the mentioned loudspeaker housing in such a way that the signals acoustically excited by the membrane are transmitted directly to the mentioned housing. The arrangement mentioned is mounted in an in-the-ear hearing device housing in such a way that the loudspeaker housing is spaced apart as far as possible from the hearing device housing mentioned, and this means that only acoustic noise is reduced
Übertragungsbrücken bilden. Allerdings ergibt sich daraus, dass bei der Montage des vorbekannten Hörgerätes höchst minutiös darauf geachtet werden muss, dass sich derartige Brücken nicht bilden, d.h., es muss eine Wandleranordnung manuell, wie dies üblicherweise auch in der Praxis erfolgt, im Hörgerätegehause eingelegt und dort minutiös ausgerichtet werden. Die vorliegende Erfindung bezweckt, die obengenannten Nachteile zu beheben. Zu diesem Zweck zeichnet sich das elektrisch/akustische Wandlermodul nach dem Kennzeichen von Anspruch 1 aus .Form transmission bridges. However, it follows from this that when assembling the known hearing aid, care must be taken to ensure that bridges of this type do not form, that is to say that a transducer arrangement must be inserted manually, as is usually done in practice, in the hearing aid housing and aligned there with great care become. The present invention aims to overcome the above drawbacks. For this purpose, the electrical / acoustic converter module is characterized by the characterizing part of claim 1.
Dadurch, dass das Lautsprechergehause federnd im Kapselungsgehäuse gelagert ist, wird es möglich, das Wandlermodul, sei dies formschlüssig oder gar kraftschlüssig, in ein Hinter- oder Im- Ohr-Hörgerät einzubauen. Im weiteren wird der wie erwähnt wurde ohnehin notwendige Zwischenraum zwischen Lautsprechergehause und Hörgerätegehause nun dazu ausgenützt, das Verhalten desThe fact that the loudspeaker housing is resiliently mounted in the encapsulation housing makes it possible to install the transducer module in a behind-the-ear or in-the-ear hearing aid, be it positively or even non-positively. Furthermore, the space between the loudspeaker housing and the hearing aid housing, which was necessary anyway, is now used to determine the behavior of the
Hörgerätes akustisch zu verbessern. Dies, indem der erfindungs- gemäss am Wandler selber vorgesehene Zwischenraum den Tieftonbereich des Wandlermoduls um einige dB anhebt, indem der erfin- dungsgemäss geschaffene Zwischenraum den membranrückseitig akustisch wirksamen Raum um ein Mehrfaches vergrossert, verglichen mit diesem rückseitigen Raum im Lautsprechergehause selber. Diesbezüglich kann auf die US-A-3 257 516 verwiesen werden, wo die Vorteile grosser rückseitiger Räume dargelegt sind.To improve the hearing aid acoustically. This is done by the space provided according to the invention on the transducer itself raising the low-frequency range of the transducer module by a few dB, by the space created according to the invention enlarging the acoustically effective space on the membrane side by a multiple compared to this space on the rear side in the loudspeaker housing itself. In this regard, reference may be made to US-A-3,257,516 where the advantages of large back spaces are set out.
In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform wirkt das Kapselungsgehäu- se als magnetische Abschirmung und ist hierzu bevorzugterweise aus μ-Metall gefertigt. Eine höchst einfache Montage und Demontage der Wandleranordnung, insbesondere das Einsetzen des Lautsprechergehäuses mit Lautsprecher, wird dadurch erreicht, dass das Kapselungsgehäuse einen becherförmigen Teil umfasst. Dieser ist bevorzugterweise metallisch. In einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform wird der erwähnte becherförmige Teil - nach Einführen des Lautsprechergehäuses mit Lautsprecher - mittels einer Abschlusspartie verschlossen, welche den akustischen Ausgang der Wandleranordnung aufweist . In einer weitaus bevorzug- ten Ausführungsform umfasst die erwähnte Abschlusspartie, als akustischer Ausgang, eine Öffnung, woran mittels einer Membran der erste Raum auf der einen Seite der Lautsprechermembran, also derjenige, der mit dem akustischen Ausgang der Wandleranord- nung gekoppelt ist, von der Umgebung getrennt wird. Die Membran liegt über der Öffnungsfläche unbeeinträchtigt frei. In einer weiteren Ausführungsform wird der Becher mittels eines Strumpf- artigen gummielastischen Abschlusses komplettiert. Auf beide Arten wird praktisch eine Versiegelung des Inneren des Wandlermoduls erreicht, was höchst erwünscht ist unter Anbetracht der insbesondere bei Im-Ohr-Hörgeräten bekannten Verschmutzung akustisch wichtiger Übertragungspartien. Damit ist es ohne weiteres möglich, das Wandlermodul bezüglich derartiger Verschmut- zungen zu reinigen. Eindringen von Schmutz oder Feuchtigkeit in das Modul ist ausgeschlossen.In a preferred embodiment, the encapsulation housing acts as a magnetic shield and is preferably made of μ-metal for this purpose. An extremely simple assembly and disassembly of the transducer arrangement, in particular the insertion of the loudspeaker housing with loudspeaker, is achieved in that the encapsulation housing comprises a cup-shaped part. This is preferably metallic. In a further preferred embodiment, the cup-shaped part mentioned - after insertion of the loudspeaker housing with loudspeaker - is closed by means of a terminating part which has the acoustic output of the transducer arrangement. In a far preferred embodiment, the mentioned end part comprises, as an acoustic output, an opening, by means of which the first space on one side of the loudspeaker membrane, that is, the one which is connected to the acoustic output of the transducer arrangement, is connected by means of a membrane. voltage is separated from the environment. The membrane is freely exposed over the opening area. In a further embodiment, the cup is completed by means of a stocking-like rubber-elastic closure. In both ways, the interior of the transducer module is practically sealed, which is highly desirable in view of the contamination of acoustically important transmission parts, which is known in particular in in-the-ear hearing aids. It is thus easily possible to clean the converter module with regard to such contamination. It is impossible for dirt or moisture to enter the module.
Anders als beispielsweise in der vorerwähnten EP 0 548 580 dargestellt und beschrieben, ist die erfindungsgemäss in der erwähnten bevorzugten Ausführungsform vorgesehene Membran frei- schwingend eingebaut und ist nicht motorisch getrieben. Durch dem Fachmann geläufige Dimensionierungen der erfindungsgemäss vorgesehenen akustisch wirksamen Räume sowie der Membrancharakteristik, im Sinne akustischer Impedanzanpassung, wird erreicht, dass sich die erwähnte Membran kaum auf das akustische Übertragungsverhalten des Hörgerätes ausgangsseitig des Lautsprechers auswirkt.Unlike, for example, shown and described in the aforementioned EP 0 548 580, the membrane provided according to the invention in the preferred embodiment mentioned is installed in a freely oscillating manner and is not driven by a motor. Dimensioning of the acoustically effective spaces provided according to the invention and the membrane characteristics, in the sense of acoustic impedance matching, which is familiar to the person skilled in the art means that the membrane mentioned has hardly any effect on the acoustic transmission behavior of the hearing device on the output side of the loudspeaker.
In einer besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist dabei mindestens der freiliegende Teil der Membran materiell homogen, d.h. aus einer Materialphase gefertigt, und weist weiter bevor- zugt eine konstante Dicke auf. Damit ist der konstruktiv zu treibende Aufwand für die erwähnte Membran äusserst gering und das akustische Verhalten der Membran übersichtlich.In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least the exposed part of the membrane is materially homogeneous, i.e. made from a material phase, and further preferably has a constant thickness. This means that the design effort for the membrane mentioned is extremely low and the acoustic behavior of the membrane is clear.
In bevorzugter Ausführungsform ist dabei mindestens der freiliegende Teil der erwähnten Membran aus gummielastischem Mate- rial, wie z.B. aus Latex oder Silikon-Gummi , höchst kostengünstigen und mit uniformer, geringer Dicke gefertigten, widerstandsfähigen und bezüglich Verhalten im Kontakt mit lebendem Gewebe unbedenklichen Materialien. Bevorzugt ist die Membran luftdicht. Ihre Dicke ist bevorzugt d < 0,09 mm.In a preferred embodiment, at least the exposed part of the above-mentioned membrane made of rubber-elastic material, such as, for example, latex or silicone rubber, is extremely inexpensive and has a uniform, low thickness, is resistant and behaves in contact with the living Fabric harmless materials. The membrane is preferably airtight. Its thickness is preferably d <0.09 mm.
Um im weiteren das Lautsprechergehause möglichst einfach in das Kapselungsgehäuse einbauen zu können unter Berücksichtigung der akustischen Entkopplung zwischen Lautsprechergehause und Kapselungsgehäuse, wird weiter vorgeschlagen, dass das Lautsprechergehause mittels elastischer Lagerblδcke im Kapselungsgehäuse eingespannt ist. Um im weiteren den erwähnten Zwischenraum möglichst optimal zu nutzen, wird weiter in bevorzugter Ausfüh- rungsform vorgeschlagen, dass abgesehen von Lagerstellen des Lautsprechergehäuses am Kapselungsgehäuse das Lautsprechergehause allseits vom erwähnten Zwischenraum umschlossen ist.In order to be able to install the loudspeaker housing in the encapsulation housing as easily as possible, taking into account the acoustic decoupling between the loudspeaker housing and the encapsulation housing, it is further proposed that the loudspeaker housing be clamped in the encapsulation housing by means of elastic bearing blocks. In order to use the above-mentioned space as optimally as possible, it is further proposed in a preferred embodiment that apart from bearing points of the loudspeaker housing on the encapsulation housing, the loudspeaker housing is enclosed on all sides by the mentioned space.
Das erfindungsgemässe Im-Ohr-Hδrgerät weist eine elektrisch/akustische Wandleranordnung der vorbeschriebenen Art auf . Dabei ist nun die Möglichkeit der einfachen Montage dadurch ausgeschöpft, dass das Kapselungsgehäuse des Wandlermoduls im Hörgerätegehause form- und/oder kraftschlüssig positioniert ist .The in-the-ear hearing device according to the invention has an electrical / acoustic transducer arrangement of the type described above. The possibility of simple assembly is now exhausted by the fact that the encapsulation housing of the converter module is positioned in the hearing device housing in a positive and / or non-positive manner.
Dadurch wird die Basis geschaffen, wie noch zu erwähnen sein wird, derartige Hörgeräte automatisiert zu fertigen: Das Vermeiden akustischer Brücken zwischen Lautsprechergehause und Gerätegehäuse ist a priori durch den Einbau des erfindungsgemässen Wandlermoduls gelöst.This creates the basis, as will be mentioned, of producing such hearing aids automatically: the avoidance of acoustic bridges between the loudspeaker housing and the device housing is solved a priori by the installation of the transducer module according to the invention.
Dabei kann in einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungs- gem ssen Hörgerätes, weiterhin in üblicher Art und Weise, der akustische Ausgang des Wandlermoduls mittels eines Schlauchstutzens mit der akustischen Ausgangsδffnung des Gerätegehäuses verbunden sein.In a preferred embodiment of the hearing aid according to the invention, the acoustic output of the transducer module can be connected to the acoustic output opening of the device housing by means of a hose connector.
In einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsge- mässen Im-Ohr-Hörgerätes ist jedenfalls eine zum freien, unbe- einträchtigten Schwingen eingespannte Membran vorgesehen, wel- ehe die Geräteumgebung vom ersten Raum am erfindungsgemäss eingesetzten Wandlermodul trennt. Diese Membran kann offensichtlich durch die vorerwähnte Membran an der erfindungsgemässen Wandleranordnung selber gebildet sein, muss aber nicht, jeden- falls gelten die oben diesbezüglich gemachten, bevorzugten Ausführungsformen. In einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist aber die erwähnte Membran unmittelbar im Bereich des akustischen Ausganges des Gerätegehäuses angebracht. Damit wird Eindringen jeglicher Verschmutzungen nicht nur in das Wandler- modul, sondern auch in den Wandlereinang am Hörgerät an sichverhindert .In a further preferred embodiment of the in-the-ear hearing device according to the invention, a membrane clamped for free, unimpaired oscillation is provided in any case, which before separating the device environment from the first room on the converter module used according to the invention. This membrane can obviously be formed by the aforementioned membrane on the converter arrangement according to the invention itself, but does not have to, in any case the preferred embodiments made in this regard apply. In a further preferred embodiment, however, the membrane mentioned is attached directly in the region of the acoustic output of the device housing. This prevents any contamination from penetrating not only into the transducer module, but also into the transducer input on the hearing aid itself.
In einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemässen Hörgerätes ist deshalb der akustische Ausgang des erfin- dungsgemässen Wandlermoduls im wesentlichen unmittelbar an der Ausgangsδffnung des Hörgerätegehäuses vorgesehen, womit die erwähnte Membran, sofern bevorzugterweise vorgesehen, unmittelbar an der Hörgerätegehause-Umgebung einerseits und unmittelbar am Ausgang des Wandlermoduls anderseits vorgesehen ist. Einerseits wird dadurch - wie erwähnt - die Schmutzfangproblematik einer am Hörgerät vorgesehenen Ausgangsoffnung gelöst, indem diese unmittelbar durch die erwähnte Membran verschlossen ist, anderseits ergibt sich die Möglichkeit, das akustische Verhalten in dem Sinne zu optimieren, als dass keine zusätzlichen Zwischen- übertragungsstrecken vom akustischen Ausgang des Wandlermoduls zum akustischen Ausgang des Gerätes vorzusehen sind. Die verbleibende akustische Übertragungsstrecke kann ausschliess- lich auf der Basis akustischer Impedanzanpassung realisiert werden .In a further preferred embodiment of the hearing device according to the invention, the acoustic output of the transducer module according to the invention is therefore essentially provided directly at the output opening of the hearing device housing, so that the membrane mentioned, if preferably provided, is located directly on the hearing device housing environment on the one hand and directly at the output of the transducer module on the other hand is provided. On the one hand, as mentioned, this solves the dirt trap problem of an exit opening provided on the hearing aid by closing it directly by the membrane mentioned, on the other hand there is the possibility of optimizing the acoustic behavior in such a way that no additional intermediate transmission links from the acoustic Output of the converter module must be provided for the acoustic output of the device. The remaining acoustic transmission path can only be implemented on the basis of acoustic impedance matching.
In einer insbesondere konstruktiv höchst bevorzugten Ausfüh- rungsform des Hörgerätes wird die akustische Ausgangsδffnung des Hδrgerätegehäuses durch eine plattenfδrmig mit dem übrigen Hörgerätegehause verbundene, z.B. verschweisste oder verklebte, Partie gebildet. Auch bei dieser Ausführungsform wird bevorzugt vorgeschlagen, dass die erwähnte Ausgangsδffnung mittels einer Membran verschlossen ist, welche nun aber bevorzugterweise mit der erwähnten Partie einteilig ausgebildet ist. Auch bezüglich dieser Membran gelten die oben erwähnten Ausführungen, was be- dingt, dass die erwähnte Partie bevorzugt aus gummielastischem Material, z.B. aus Latex oder Silikon-Gummi, besteht.In an embodiment of the hearing device that is particularly preferred in terms of design, the acoustic output opening of the hearing device housing is formed by a section, for example welded or glued, connected to the rest of the hearing device housing. This embodiment is also preferred proposed that the above-mentioned exit opening be closed by means of a membrane which, however, is now preferably formed in one piece with the above-mentioned part. The above-mentioned statements also apply to this membrane, which means that the above-mentioned part preferably consists of rubber-elastic material, for example of latex or silicone rubber.
Das erfindungsgemässe Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Hörgerätes, insbesondere eines erfindungsgemässen Im-Ohr-Hörgerätes, zeichnet sich dadurch aus, dass man das Wandlermodul im Hδrge- rätegehause form- oder kraftschlüssig positioniert. Damit wird es möglich, mit wenig Aufwand das Wandlermodul im Hörgerätegehause exakt auf Anschlag zu positionieren oder gar, kraftschlüssig, zwischen Partien des Hörgerätegehäuses einzupressen oder z.B. das Wandlermodul mit dem Hörgerätegehause zu vergies- sen.The method according to the invention for producing a hearing device, in particular an in-the-ear hearing device according to the invention, is characterized in that the transducer module is positively or non-positively positioned in the hearing device housing. This makes it possible to position the transducer module precisely in the hearing aid housing with little effort, or even to force-fit it between parts of the hearing aid housing or e.g. to cast the converter module with the hearing aid housing.
Dadurch wird die bevorzugte Ausführungsform des erwähnten Verfahrens ermöglicht, nämlich, das Wandlermodul automatisiert in das Hörgerätegehause einzuführen.This enables the preferred embodiment of the method mentioned, namely to insert the transducer module automatically into the hearing aid housing.
In einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform wird nun das Wandlermodul durch eine den akustischen Ausgang des Hörgerätegehäuses bildende Öffnung, also von unten, in das Hörgerätegehause eingeführt. Dies gibt die Basis zu einem weiteren bevorzugten Vorgehen, dass man nämlich das Wandlermodul in eine Auf- nahmeδffnung einer Trägerplatte positioniert und durch Relativ- bewegung der Trägerplatte und des Hδrgerätegehäuses das Wandlermodul von dem den akustischen Ausgang des Hörgerätegehäuses bildenden Ende her in das Hörgerätegehause einführt. Dem Fachmann ist die damit sich eröffnende Automatisierungsweise ohne weiteres klar: In der erwähnten Trägerplatte werden in eine Vielzahl Aufnahmeδffnungen die entsprechende Anzahl Wandlermodule positioniert und diese von unter her in eine entsprechende Anzahl Gerätegehäuse herzustellender Im-Ohr-Hörgeräte eingeschoben. In weiter bevorzugter Ausführungsform wird die Trägerplatte nachmals als Teil des Gerätegehäuses verwendet, indem sie mit dem Gerätegehäuse verbunden wird, vorzugsweise verklebt oder verschweisst wird, und danach die Trägerplatte entlang der Hδr- gerätegehäuse-Aussenkontur abgetrennt wird.In a further preferred embodiment, the transducer module is now inserted into the hearing aid housing through an opening forming the acoustic output of the hearing aid housing, that is to say from below. This provides the basis for a further preferred procedure, namely that the transducer module is positioned in a receiving opening of a support plate and the transducer module is introduced into the hearing aid housing from the end forming the acoustic output of the hearing aid housing by relative movement of the support plate and the hearing aid housing. The method of automation that opens up is immediately clear to the person skilled in the art: the corresponding number of transducer modules are positioned in a plurality of receiving openings in the carrier plate mentioned and these are inserted from below into a corresponding number of device housings in-the-ear hearing aids. In a further preferred embodiment, the carrier plate is subsequently used as part of the device housing by connecting it to the device housing, preferably by gluing or welding, and then separating the carrier plate along the outer contour of the hearing device housing.
In einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsge- mässen Verfahrens wird die Aufnahmeöffnung für das Wandlermodul an der Trägerplatte als Sackδffnung ausgebildet, womit sich die Möglichkeit ergibt, in weiter bevorzugter Ausführungsform, die Bodenpartie der Sackδffnung als die oben erwähnte Membran auszubilden, mit der Trägerplatte einteilig, oder an der Trägerplatte als folienartiges Gebilde aufgebracht. Wird die Sacköffnungsabdeckung als Membran in obgenanntem Sinne eingesetzt und ist mit der Trägerplatte einteilig, so wird, wie sich nun ohne weiteres ergibt, die Trägerplatte aus Material gefertigt, welches den Anforderungen an das Membranmaterial genügt, also bevorzugterweise aus gummielastischem Material, dabei z.B. aus Latex oder Silikon-Gummi.In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the receiving opening for the converter module is formed on the carrier plate as a sack opening, which makes it possible, in a further preferred embodiment, to design the bottom part of the sack opening as the membrane mentioned above, with the carrier plate in one piece. or applied to the carrier plate as a film-like structure. If the bag opening cover is used as a membrane in the abovementioned sense and is in one piece with the carrier plate, then, as is now readily apparent, the carrier plate is made of material which meets the requirements for the membrane material, i.e. preferably of rubber-elastic material, e.g. made of latex or silicone rubber.
Die Erfindung wird anschliessend beispielsweise anhand von Fi- guren erläutert. Es zeigen:The invention is subsequently explained using figures, for example. Show it:
Fig. 1 das Schema eines erfindungsgemässen Wandlermoduls;1 shows the diagram of a converter module according to the invention;
Fig. 2 schematisch vereinfachend, einen Längsschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemässes Wandlermodul;2 schematically simplifies a longitudinal section through a converter module according to the invention;
Fig. 2a eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren, bevor- zugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemässen Wand- lermoduls;2a shows a schematic illustration of a further preferred embodiment of the converter module according to the invention;
Fig. 3 weiterhin schematisch, den Einbau eines erfindungsgemässen Wandlermoduls an einem Im-Ohr-Hδrgerät; Fig. 4 in Darstellung analog zu derjenigen von Fig. 3, eine weitere Einbaumöglichkeit eines erfindungsgemässen Wandlermoduls an einem Im-Ohr-Hδrgerät;3 further shows schematically the installation of a converter module according to the invention on an in-the-ear hearing aid; FIG. 4 in a representation analogous to that of FIG. 3, a further possibility of installing a converter module according to the invention on an in-the-ear hearing aid;
Fig. 5 in Darstellung analog zu den Fig. 3 bzw. 4, eine wei- tere bevorzugte Ausbildungsvariante der den akustischen Geräteausgang bildenden Partie eines Im-Ohr- Hδrgerätes, und5 shows a representation analogous to FIGS. 3 and 4, a further preferred embodiment variant of the part of an in-the-ear hearing device forming the acoustic device output, and
Fig. 6(a) bis 6(c) schematisch, den Ablauf eines Herstellungsverfahrens für ein Im-Ohr-Hδrgerät, was die Assemblierung des elektrisch/akustischen Wandlermoduls und des Gerätegehäuses anbelangt .6 (a) to 6 (c) schematically, the sequence of a manufacturing process for an in-the-ear hearing aid, as far as the assembly of the electrical / acoustic transducer module and the device housing is concerned.
In Fig. 1 ist, schematisch, ein Wandlermodul dargestellt zur prinzipiellen Erläuterung der akustischen Kopplungsverhältnis- se . Das Wandlermodul 1 umfasst ein Lautsprechergehause 3, worin die Lautsprechermembran 5 gelagert ist. Die Lautsprechermembran 5 wird von einem nur schematisch dargestellten motorischen Antrieb 7 angeregt. Im Lautsprechergehause 3 wird durch die Lautsprechermembran 5 ein vorderseitiger Raum Rx und ein rückseiti- ger R2 gebildet. Über akustische Auskopplungsδffnungen 9 ist der eine der beiden erwähnten Räume, beispielsweise der rückseitige R2, mit einem Zwischenraum 11 akustisch gekoppelt, gebildet zwischen dem Lautsprechergehause 3 und einem Kapselungsgehäuse 13. Das Kapselungsgehäuse 13 und damit der Zwischenraum 11 umgeben das Lautsprechergehause 3 im wesentlichen vollständig, bis auf federnde Lagerpartien 15, mittels welcher das Lautsprechergehause innerhalb des Kapselungsgehäuses 13 beabstandet ist, im wesentlichen "schwimmend" gelagert ist. Ge- äss Fig. 1 ist der vorderseitige Raum Rx mit dem akustischen Ausgang AA des Wandlermoduls 1 verbunden.1 shows, schematically, a converter module for the basic explanation of the acoustic coupling ratios. The converter module 1 comprises a loudspeaker housing 3, in which the loudspeaker membrane 5 is mounted. The loudspeaker diaphragm 5 is excited by a motor drive 7, which is only shown schematically. In the loudspeaker housing 3, a front space R x and a rear space R 2 are formed by the loudspeaker membrane 5. One of the two rooms mentioned, for example the rear R 2 , is acoustically coupled to an intermediate space 11 via acoustic decoupling openings 9, formed between the loudspeaker housing 3 and an encapsulating housing 13. The encapsulating housing 13 and thus the intermediate space 11 surround the loudspeaker housing 3 essentially completely , except for resilient bearing parts 15, by means of which the loudspeaker housing is spaced within the encapsulation housing 13, is mounted essentially "floating". 1, the front space R x is connected to the acoustic output A A of the converter module 1.
Mit dem dargestellten Aufbau wird aufgrund der im wesentlichen freischwimmenden Lagerung des Lautsprechergehäuses 3 im Kapse- lungsgehäuses 13 eine akustische Entkopplung von Lautsprecherwirkung auf Kapselungsgehäuse 13 erreicht . Im weiteren wird durch namhafte Vergrösserung des rückseitigen Membranraumes R2, nämlich nun einschliesslich des Zwischenraumes 11, das akusti- sehe Verhalten des Wandlermoduls 1, verglichen mit demjenigen der LautSprecheranordnung im Gehäuse 3 , namhaft verbessert : Das Tieftonverhalten des Wandlermoduls wird um etliche dB angehoben, verglichen mit demjenigen der LautSprecheranordnung im Gehäuse 3.With the construction shown, due to the essentially free-floating mounting of the loudspeaker housing 3 in the capsule, tion housing 13 an acoustic decoupling of speaker effect on encapsulation housing 13 is achieved. Furthermore, the acoustic behavior of the transducer module 1 is significantly improved compared to that of the loudspeaker arrangement in the housing 3 by a notable enlargement of the rear membrane space R 2 , namely now including the intermediate space 11: The low-frequency behavior of the transducer module is increased by several dB. compared to that of the loudspeaker arrangement in the housing 3.
In bevorzugter Ausführungsform des Wandlermoduls 1 wird an ihr selber, wie bei 17 schematisch dargestellt, eine Membran am akustischen Ausgang AA vorgesehen. Die Membran 17 ist abgesehen von ihrer randständigen Einspannung freischwingend. Bevorzugterweise besteht sie aus einer homogenen Materialphase, vor- zugsweise aus einem gummielastischen Material, z.B. aus Latex oder Silikon-Gummi, und weist, weiter bevorzugt, eine konstante Dicke von ca. 100 μm auf, vorzugsweise von höchstens 0,09 mm.In a preferred embodiment of the converter module 1, a diaphragm is provided on the acoustic output A A , as shown schematically at 17. The membrane 17 is free-swinging apart from its marginal clamping. It preferably consists of a homogeneous material phase, preferably of a rubber-elastic material, for example of latex or silicone rubber, and, more preferably, has a constant thickness of approximately 100 μm, preferably of at most 0.09 mm.
Durch Abstimmung der akustischen Impedanz von Zwischenraum 11 mit Raum R2, des Raumes Rx bis zur Membran 17 hin, der Membran 17 und des gegen die Umgebung U des Wandlermoduls 1 weiter propagierenden gegebenenfalls vorgesehenen akustischen Leiters wird erreicht, dass die Membran 17 praktisch akustisch durchsichtig wirkt .By coordinating the acoustic impedance of the space 11 with the space R 2 , the space R x up to the membrane 17, the membrane 17 and the optionally provided acoustic conductor which propagates further to the environment U of the converter module 1, the membrane 17 is achieved practically acoustically appears transparent.
In Fig. 2 ist ein Querschnitt durch eine Ausführungsform des Wandlermoduls 1 dargestellt. Es werden die bereits bei der schematischen Darstellung gemäss Fig. 1 verwendeten Bezugszeichen weiter verwendet. Das Lautsprechergehause 3 mit den Kopplungsöffnungen 9 ist mittels gummielastischen Lagerblδcke 19 am Kapselungsgehäuse 13 gelagert. Das Kapselungsgehäuse 13 wird gebildet durch einen Becher 20, der bevorzugterweise gleichzeitig als magnetische Abschirmung wirkt und hierzu bevorzugt aus μ-Metall besteht. Jedenfalls bevorzugt ist der Becher 20 metal- lisch. Der Becher 20 wird durch einen Abschlussteil 22 abgeschlossen. Die in Fig. 1 bereits vorgestellte Membran 17 kann dabei unmittelbar auf dem Abschlussteil 22 montiert sein. Dabei kann der Abschlussteil 22 und die Membran 17 durchaus einteilig ausgebildet sein, wobei aber dann das Material des Abschlussteils 22 den Materialanforderungen an die Membran, so z.B. bezüglich Gummielastizität, zu genügen hat. Beispielsweise ist dann der ganze Teil 22 aus Latex oder Si1ikon-Gummi . Andernfalls ist aber die Membran 17 als separater Teil am Abschluss- teil 22 verankert. Die Membran 17 kann auch zwischen dem akustischen Ausgang A3 im Lautsprechergehause 3 und der lichten Öffnung im Teil 22 vorgesehen sein. Bevorzugterweise wird die Membran 17 aber wie in Fig. 2 dargestellt bündig mit der lichten Öffnung im Abschlussteil 22 vorgesehen, womit das ganze Wandlermodul 1 als in sich geschlossene, gekapselte Einheit erscheint und ohne weiteres gereinigt werden kann. Dies ist insbesondere dann wesentlich, wenn, wie noch gezeigt werden wird, der Ausgang AA des Wandlermoduls 1 unmittelbar am akustischen Ausgang eines Hörgerätes liegt.2 shows a cross section through an embodiment of the converter module 1. The reference numerals already used in the schematic illustration according to FIG. 1 will continue to be used. The loudspeaker housing 3 with the coupling openings 9 is mounted on the encapsulating housing 13 by means of rubber-elastic bearing blocks 19. The encapsulation housing 13 is formed by a cup 20, which preferably also acts as a magnetic shield and preferably consists of μ-metal for this purpose. In any case, the cup 20 is preferably made of metal. lish. The cup 20 is closed by a closing part 22. The membrane 17 already presented in FIG. 1 can be mounted directly on the end part 22. The end part 22 and the membrane 17 can be formed in one piece, but then the material of the end part 22 must meet the material requirements for the membrane, for example with regard to rubber elasticity. For example, the entire part 22 is then made of latex or silicone rubber. Otherwise, the membrane 17 is anchored as a separate part on the end part 22. The membrane 17 can also be provided between the acoustic output A 3 in the loudspeaker housing 3 and the clear opening in part 22. Preferably, however, the membrane 17, as shown in FIG. 2, is provided flush with the clear opening in the end part 22, so that the entire converter module 1 appears as a self-contained, encapsulated unit and can be easily cleaned. This is particularly important if, as will be shown, the output A A of the converter module 1 is located directly at the acoustic output of a hearing aid.
Das Wandlermodul bzw. sein Kapselungsgehäuse 13 können kubus- fδrmig, zylindrisch oder in einer andern, im wesentlichen beliebigen Form ausgebildet sein, vorausgesetzt, es wird zwischen Lautsprechergehause 3 und Kapselungsgehäuse 13 der geforderte, im wesentlichen das Lautsprechergehause 3 umschliessende Zwi- sehenraum 11 aufgespannt. In Fig. 2a ist, ausgehend von den Erläuterungen zu Fig. 2, nurmehr schematisiert, eine weitere Aus- führungsform dargestellt. Hier ist ein gummielastischer Strumpf 17a über das Kapselungsgehäuse 13 gezogen. Er bildet gleichzeitig Abschlussteil 22 und Membran 17.The converter module or its encapsulation housing 13 can be cube-shaped, cylindrical or in another, essentially any shape, provided that the required intermediate space 11, essentially enclosing the loudspeaker housing 3, is stretched between the loudspeaker housing 3 and the encapsulation housing 13. 2a, based on the explanations for FIG. 2, is shown only schematically, a further embodiment. Here a rubber-elastic stocking 17a is pulled over the encapsulation housing 13. It forms the end part 22 and membrane 17 at the same time.
In Fig. 3 ist, schematisch, der Abschnitt eines Im-Ohr- Hörgerätes 24 dargestellt mit der akustischen Ausgangsδffnung A24. Innerhalb des Gerätegehäuses 26 ist das gemäss Fig. 1, 2 bzw. 2a aufgebaute Wandlermodul 1 eingebaut, und zwar indem es formschlüssig oder kraftschlüssig, wie mit den Halterungs- und Positionierungslaschen 28 in Fig. 3 schematisiert, im Gehäuse 26 des Hörgerätes gehaltert und positioniert ist. Dies wird möglich durch die am anhand der Figuren 1, 2 bzw. 2a erläuter- ten Wandlermodul realisierte akustische Entkopplung des äusse- ren Kopplungsgehäuses 13 bezüglich des Lautsprechergehäuses 3.3 schematically shows the section of an in-the-ear hearing aid 24 with the acoustic output opening A 24 . The converter module 1 constructed according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 2a is installed within the device housing 26, specifically by it is positively or non-positively, as schematized with the mounting and positioning tabs 28 in Fig. 3, held and positioned in the housing 26 of the hearing aid. This is made possible by the acoustic decoupling of the outer coupling housing 13 with respect to the loudspeaker housing 3, which is realized on the converter module explained with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 2a.
Abgesehen hiervon ist gemäss Fig. 3 der Aufbau des Im-Ohr- Hörgerätes im wesentlichen wie vorbekannt, indem der akustische Ausgang des Wandlermoduls 1 über einen Rohrstutzen 30 mit der akustischen Ausgangsöffnung A24 des Gerätes verbunden ist.3, the construction of the in-the-ear hearing device is essentially as previously known, in that the acoustic output of the transducer module 1 is connected to the acoustic output opening A 24 of the device via a pipe socket 30.
Die Elektronikbauteile und die eingangsseitige akustisch/elektrische Wandleranordnung am Im-Ohr-Hδrgerät 24 mit dem Gehäuse 26 sind in Fig. 3 und in den weiteren Figuren nicht dargestellt, da erfindungsunwesentlich.The electronic components and the acoustic / electrical transducer arrangement on the input side on the in-the-ear hearing device 24 with the housing 26 are not shown in FIG. 3 and in the further figures, since they are not essential to the invention.
Wie in Fig. 3 weiter dargestellt, wird die in bevorzugter Ausführungsform vorgesehene Membran 17 im unmittelbaren Bereich des akustischen Ausgangs A24 am Hörgerätegehause 26 eingebaut.As further shown in FIG. 3, the membrane 17 provided in a preferred embodiment is installed in the immediate area of the acoustic output A 24 on the hearing device housing 26.
Gemäss Fig. 4 ist das Wandlermodul 1 unmittelbar im Bereich des akustischen Ausgangs A24 des Hörgerätes 24 bzw. des Gehäuses 26 form- oder kraftschlüssig montiert, wie mit den schematisch dargestellten Halterungen 28a dargestellt. In bevorzugter Ausführungsform ist endständig die freischwingende Membran 17 vorgesehen.4, the converter module 1 is mounted in the area of the acoustic output A 24 of the hearing aid 24 or the housing 26 in a positive or non-positive manner, as shown with the schematically illustrated brackets 28a. In a preferred embodiment, the free-floating membrane 17 is provided at the end.
Gemäss Fig. 5 wird das Gehäuse 26 des Im-Ohr-Hδrgerätes 24 ei- nerseits durch einen Hauptgehäuseteil 24a gebildet, endständig ist aber, plattenartig, am Teil 24a ein Abschlussteil 24b aufgesetzt, mit dem Teil 24a verleimt oder verschweisst . Ein wie anhand der Figuren 1 und 2 beschriebenes Wandlermodul 1 oder direkt das Lautsprechergehause einer vorbekannten Lautsprecher- anordnung, in Fig. 5 beides umfassend mit 30 bezeichnet, sitzt in der Ausgangsδffnung 32 des Abschlussteils 24b und ist dort gehaltert, wie verspannt, verleimt etc. Handelt es sich beim in Fig. 5 generell mit 30 dargestellten Wandlermodul um eines mit Kapselungsgehäuse, d.h. aufgebaut wie anhand der Figuren 1, 2 oder 2a dargestellt wurde, so können innerhalb des Gerätege- häuses 26, wie wiederum mit 28 schematisiert, Positionier- und Fixierungsorgane für dieses Wandlermodul 1 vorgesehen sein.5, the housing 26 of the in-the-ear hearing device 24 is formed on the one hand by a main housing part 24a, but at the end, plate-like, a closing part 24b is attached to the part 24a, glued or welded to the part 24a. A converter module 1, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, or directly the loudspeaker housing of a previously known loudspeaker arrangement, both designated 30 in FIG. 5, sits in the exit opening 32 of the end part 24b and is there 5, such as braced, glued, etc. If the converter module generally shown in FIG. 5 with 30 is one with an encapsulation housing, ie constructed as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 or 2a, the device housing 26, such as schematized again with 28, positioning and fixing elements for this converter module 1 can be provided.
Mit 17 ist auch in Fig. 5 die oder eine bevorzugterweise vorgesehene Membran oben beschriebener Art dargestellt in bevorzugter Position. Wie noch ersichtlich werden wird, hat der Aufbau gemäss Fig. 5, sei dies für Hörgeräte mit einem Wandlermodul gemäss den Fig. 1, 2, 2a, oder sei dies für Hörgeräte mit vorbekannten Wandleranordnungen, d.h. mit direkt aussenliegende Lautsprechergehause, wesentliche Vorteile. Im weiteren kann die Membran 17 mit dem Teil 24b einteilig ausgebildet sein, insbe- sondere deshalb, weil mit dem vom übrigen Gehäuse 26 abgetrennten Teil 24b die Materialwahl dieses Teiles abgestimmt auf die Erfordernisse der Membran 17 erfolgen kann.With 17 in FIG. 5, the or a preferably provided membrane of the type described above is shown in a preferred position. 5, be it for hearing aids with a transducer module according to FIGS. 1, 2, 2a or for hearing aids with previously known transducer arrangements, i.e. with a loudspeaker housing directly outside, significant advantages. Furthermore, the membrane 17 can be formed in one piece with the part 24b, in particular because the part 24b which is separated from the rest of the housing 26 can be used to select the material of this part in accordance with the requirements of the membrane 17.
In Fig. 6 (a) bis 6(c) ist schematisch der Ablauf eines bevorzugten Herstellungsverfahrens für Im-Ohr-Hörgeräte dargestellt.6 (a) to 6 (c) schematically show the sequence of a preferred production process for in-the-ear hearing aids.
Gemäss Fig. 6 (a) werden in einer Trägerplatte 34 Aufnahmeδff- nungen 36, bevorzugterweise in Form von Sackδffnungen, vorgesehen und darin die an Im-Ohr-Hörgeräten vorzusehenden Wandleranordnungen 30 eingesteckt. Handelt es sich bei den Wandleranordnungen 30 um solche bekannter Art, d.h. mit aussenliegendem Lautsprechergehause und ohne Kapselungsgehäuse gemäss den Fig. 1, 2, 2a, dann sind bevorzugterweise die Wandleranordnungen 30 in der Trägerplatte 34 fest verankert, wie beispielsweise damit verklebt. Handelt es sich aber um Wandleranordnungen mit aussenliegendem Kapselungsgehäuse gemäss den Fig. 1, 2, 2a, so brauchen die Anordnungen 30 in der Trägerplatte 34 nicht fest gehaltert zu sein, denn sie können, wie gezeigt wurde, in den entsprechenden Gerätegehäusen 24a, wie gestrichelt bei 28b angedeutet, form- oder kraftschlüssig gehaltert werden. Verfah- renstechnisch wesentlich ist nun vorerst, dass durch Relativbewegung der Platte 34 mit den Wandleranordnungen 30 und einer entsprechenden Anzahl Gehäuseteilen 24a die Wandleranordnungen 30 nicht wie bisher üblich von oben o, sondern von unten in die dem akustischen Ausgang zugewandten Partien der Gehäuseteile 24a eingeschoben werden.6 (a), receiving openings 36, preferably in the form of bag openings, are provided in a carrier plate 34 and the transducer arrangements 30 to be provided on in-the-ear hearing aids are inserted therein. If the transducer arrangements 30 are of a known type, ie with an external loudspeaker housing and without an encapsulation housing according to FIGS. 1, 2, 2a, then the transducer arrangements 30 are preferably firmly anchored in the carrier plate 34, for example glued to them. 1, 2, 2a, the arrangements 30 need not be held firmly in the carrier plate 34, since, as has been shown, they can be shown in dashed lines in the corresponding device housings 24a indicated at 28b, held in a positive or non-positive manner. Procedure From a technical point of view, it is now essential that the relative movement of the plate 34 with the transducer arrangements 30 and a corresponding number of housing parts 24a means that the transducer arrangements 30 are not inserted into the parts of the housing parts 24a facing the acoustic output, rather than from above, as was previously the case.
Im Falle, dass die Wandleranordnungen 30 mit Kapselungsgehäuse ausgebildet sind, kann nach halterndem Einschieben der Wandleranordnungen 30 in die Gehäuse 26 die Trägerplatte 34 entfernt werden, die Wandleranordnungen bzw. -module sind in den Gehäusen 24a gehaltert und positioniert. Im Falle, dass es sich aber um Wandleranordnungen ohne Kapselungsgehäuse handelt, verbleiben die Wandler 30 in den hierfür vorgesehenen Öffnungen 36 der Platte 34. Die Platte 34 wird mit dem Gehäuse 24a verbunden, z.B. verklebt oder verschweisst, und ausgehend von der Position gemäss Fig. 6 (b) wird anschliessend (Übergang zu Fig. 6(c)) die Platte 34 bündig mit der äusseren Gehäusekontur abgearbeitet.In the event that the transducer arrangements 30 are designed with an encapsulating housing, the carrier plate 34 can be removed after the transducer arrangements 30 have been pushed into the housing 26, the transducer arrangements or modules are held and positioned in the housings 24a. However, in the case of transducer arrangements without an encapsulating housing, the transducers 30 remain in the openings 36 of the plate 34 provided for this purpose. The plate 34 is connected to the housing 24a, e.g. glued or welded, and starting from the position shown in FIG. 6 (b), the plate 34 is then machined flush with the outer housing contour (transition to FIG. 6 (c)).
Es entsteht dann das Im-Ohr-Hδrgerät, wie in Fig. 5 dargestellt. Diese Vorgehensweise wird aber auch bevorzugt einge- setzt für Wandlermodule, aufgebaut gemäss den Fig. 1, 2, 2a, d.h. mit Kapselungsgehäuse.The in-the-ear hearing device then arises, as shown in FIG. 5. However, this procedure is also preferably used for converter modules, constructed according to FIGS. 1, 2, 2a, i.e. with encapsulation housing.
Nun ist aus Betrachtung von Fig. 6 ersichtlich, dass sich dieses Vorgehen ausserordentlich gut dafür eignet, gleichzeitig die oder eine weitere bevorzugterweise vorzusehende Membran 17 einzubauen, als Verschmutzungsschütz des akustischen Geräteausganges und zur Sicherstellung einer einfachen Reinigung. Hierzu wird die Bodenplatte 38 gemäss Fig. 6 (a) der bevorzugterweise als Sackδffnung ausgebildeten Öffnungen 36 direkt als Membran ausgebildet. Dies, indem entweder das Material der Trägerplatte 34 entsprechend den Anforderungen an das Membranmaterial gewählt wird und damit die Membran einteilig mit der Platte 34 ausgebildet wird, oder, wie in Fig. 6(a) gestrichelt dargestellt, indem die Sackδffnungen 36 erst durch Laminieren der Trägerplatte 34, mit dann noch durchgehenden Öffnungen 36, gebildet werden, mit einer folienartigen Lage 34b, welche dann die Membran 17 gemäss Fig. 5 bildet.6 that this procedure is extremely well suited for simultaneously installing the membrane 17 or a further membrane 17 preferably to be provided, as a protection against contamination of the acoustic device outlet and to ensure easy cleaning. For this purpose, the base plate 38 according to FIG. 6 (a) of the openings 36, which are preferably designed as a bag opening, is formed directly as a membrane. This is done either by selecting the material of the carrier plate 34 in accordance with the requirements for the membrane material and thus the membrane being formed in one piece with the plate 34, or, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6 (a), by the sack openings 36 only by laminating the Carrier plate 34, with openings 36 which are then still continuous, are formed with a film-like layer 34b which then forms the membrane 17 according to FIG. 5.
Mit dem dargestellten Fertigungsverfahren wird es möglich, ohne minutiöse Positionierungshandlungen sowohl Wandlermodule gemäss den Fig. 1, 2, 2a wie auch herkömmliche Wandleranordnungen, d.h. mit aussenliegendem Lautsprechergeh use im Im-Ohr- Hörgerätgehäuse zu montieren. Dies von derjenigen Seite des Gehäuses her, an welcher der akustische Ausgang liegt. Damit wird eine weitestgehend automatisierte Assemblierung möglich. Soll, wie bevorzugt, der akustische Hδrgeräteausgang gegenüber der Umgebung bezüglich Verschmutzung geschützt und gut reinigbar ausgebildet sein, so wird gleichzeitig die Möglichkeit geschaffen, auch eine abdeckende Membran 17, wie erläutert wurde, ein- zubauen. With the manufacturing method shown, it is possible, without meticulous positioning operations, both converter modules according to FIGS. 1, 2, 2a and conventional converter arrangements, i.e. To be installed with an external loudspeaker housing in the in-the-ear hearing aid housing. This from the side of the housing on which the acoustic output is located. This enables a largely automated assembly. If, as preferred, the acoustic hearing aid outlet is to be protected from the environment with regard to contamination and designed to be easy to clean, the possibility is also created at the same time of installing a covering membrane 17, as has been explained.
Claims
Priority Applications (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU47401/00A AU769544B2 (en) | 1999-06-16 | 2000-06-06 | Electric/acoustic transducer module, intra-aural hearing-aid and method for producing an intra-aural hearing aid |
| EP00929194A EP1104646A2 (en) | 1999-06-16 | 2000-06-06 | Electric/acoustic transducer module, intra-aural hearing-aid and method for producing an intra-aural hearing aid |
| CA002340725A CA2340725C (en) | 1999-06-16 | 2000-06-06 | Electric/acoustic transducer module, intra-aural hearing-aid and method for producing an intra-aural hearing aid |
| JP2001504719A JP2003502966A (en) | 1999-06-16 | 2000-06-06 | Electric / acoustic transducer module, hearing aid using the same, and method of manufacturing the same |
| NO20010769A NO20010769D0 (en) | 1999-06-16 | 2001-02-15 | Electric / acoustic transducer module, in-ear hearing aid and method of producing an in-ear hearing aid |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHPCT/CH99/00260 | 1999-06-16 | ||
| PCT/CH1999/000260 WO2000079835A1 (en) | 1999-06-16 | 1999-06-16 | Hearing-aid, worn behind the ear |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2000079832A2 true WO2000079832A2 (en) | 2000-12-28 |
| WO2000079832A3 WO2000079832A3 (en) | 2001-03-15 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CH2000/000311 Ceased WO2000079832A2 (en) | 1999-06-16 | 2000-06-06 | Electric/acoustic transducer module, intra-aural hearing-aid and method for producing an intra-aural hearing aid |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (2) | EP1183907B1 (en) |
| JP (2) | JP4246432B2 (en) |
| CN (2) | CN1196377C (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE499806T1 (en) |
| AU (2) | AU761764B2 (en) |
| CA (2) | CA2375864C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE59915249D1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK1183907T3 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO20010769D0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2000079832A2 (en) |
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| EP1341395A1 (en) | 2002-05-24 | 2003-09-03 | Phonak Ag | Hearing device |
| US7054625B2 (en) | 2002-11-29 | 2006-05-30 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Wireless communication system, wireless microphone, and wireless microphone control method |
| US7088839B2 (en) | 2001-04-04 | 2006-08-08 | Sonion Nederland B.V. | Acoustic receiver having improved mechanical suspension |
| DE102005031434A1 (en) * | 2005-07-04 | 2007-01-11 | Bruckhoff Apparatebau Gmbh | Cap for in-the-ear insert body for hearing aid, has domed front covering part joined to front end of rear cylindrical part |
| US7181035B2 (en) | 2000-11-22 | 2007-02-20 | Sonion Nederland B.V. | Acoustical receiver housing for hearing aids |
| US7751579B2 (en) | 2003-06-13 | 2010-07-06 | Etymotic Research, Inc. | Acoustically transparent debris barrier for audio transducers |
| DE102010019633A1 (en) * | 2010-05-06 | 2011-08-18 | Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. | Hearing module for use in hearing aid apparatus, has hearing module housing for surrounding hearer, and resilient holding element for partially enclosing hearer, where holding element is releasably fastened in housing |
| WO2011107206A3 (en) * | 2010-03-01 | 2012-01-26 | Audifon Gmbh & Co. Kg | Hearing device comprising functional component support element and battery compartment |
| EP2278828A3 (en) * | 2009-07-23 | 2012-02-01 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. | Method and apparatus for an insulated electromagnetic shield for use in hearing assistance devices |
| EP2668792A1 (en) * | 2011-01-26 | 2013-12-04 | Brainstorm Audio, LLC | Hearing aid |
| US8861761B2 (en) | 2007-09-19 | 2014-10-14 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. | System for hearing assistance device including receiver in the canal |
| US9693154B2 (en) | 2008-08-27 | 2017-06-27 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. | Modular connection assembly for a hearing assistance device |
| US10051390B2 (en) | 2008-08-11 | 2018-08-14 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. | Hearing aid adapted for embedded electronics |
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| DK2026602T3 (en) * | 2007-07-30 | 2012-01-16 | Siemens Medical Instr Pte Ltd | Hearing aid with movable charging connector |
| DE102012204877B3 (en) | 2012-03-27 | 2013-04-18 | Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. | Hearing device for a binaural supply and method for providing a binaural supply |
| DK3169084T3 (en) * | 2015-11-16 | 2022-02-21 | Oticon As | HEARING DEVICE WITH A BATTERY DRAWER |
| JP6853027B2 (en) * | 2016-12-12 | 2021-03-31 | リオン株式会社 | Ear-shaped hearing aid |
| DE202022101414U1 (en) | 2022-03-17 | 2022-05-31 | Sonova Ag | Sound output device for a behind-the-ear hearing aid |
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| US3257516A (en) * | 1962-06-25 | 1966-06-21 | Knowles Electronies Inc | Combined instrument and transducer motor cavities for acoustic instrument |
| DE7918029U1 (en) * | 1979-06-22 | 1980-12-04 | Siemens Ag, 1000 Berlin Und 8000 Muenchen | SMALL HEATER |
| CA1235791A (en) * | 1984-01-04 | 1988-04-26 | Gordon B. Gore | Suspension for electro-acoustical transducers |
| DE8713089U1 (en) * | 1987-09-29 | 1989-01-26 | Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München | Hearing aid with shielding plate |
| DE9104515U1 (en) * | 1991-04-13 | 1991-07-25 | AS Audio Service GmbH, 4900 Herford | Otoplastic with molded insert for attachable full-module hearing aid |
| US5220612A (en) * | 1991-12-20 | 1993-06-15 | Tibbetts Industries, Inc. | Non-occludable transducers for in-the-ear applications |
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-
1999
- 1999-06-16 CN CNB998168319A patent/CN1196377C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-06-16 DK DK99924637.4T patent/DK1183907T3/en active
- 1999-06-16 DE DE59915249T patent/DE59915249D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-06-16 AU AU41282/99A patent/AU761764B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1999-06-16 AT AT99924637T patent/ATE499806T1/en active
- 1999-06-16 CA CA002375864A patent/CA2375864C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-06-16 EP EP99924637A patent/EP1183907B1/en not_active Revoked
- 1999-06-16 CN CNB2003101242620A patent/CN100382656C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-06-16 JP JP2001504722A patent/JP4246432B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2000
- 2000-06-06 JP JP2001504719A patent/JP2003502966A/en active Pending
- 2000-06-06 AU AU47401/00A patent/AU769544B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2000-06-06 WO PCT/CH2000/000311 patent/WO2000079832A2/en not_active Ceased
- 2000-06-06 EP EP00929194A patent/EP1104646A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-06-06 CA CA002340725A patent/CA2340725C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2001
- 2001-02-15 NO NO20010769A patent/NO20010769D0/en unknown
Cited By (27)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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| US7181035B2 (en) | 2000-11-22 | 2007-02-20 | Sonion Nederland B.V. | Acoustical receiver housing for hearing aids |
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU4128299A (en) | 2001-01-09 |
| CA2375864A1 (en) | 2000-12-28 |
| CA2375864C (en) | 2008-08-12 |
| WO2000079832A3 (en) | 2001-03-15 |
| DE59915249D1 (en) | 2011-04-07 |
| CN100382656C (en) | 2008-04-16 |
| DK1183907T3 (en) | 2011-06-20 |
| EP1183907B1 (en) | 2011-02-23 |
| JP2003502967A (en) | 2003-01-21 |
| AU4740100A (en) | 2001-01-09 |
| ATE499806T1 (en) | 2011-03-15 |
| NO20010769D0 (en) | 2001-02-15 |
| AU769544B2 (en) | 2004-01-29 |
| EP1183907A1 (en) | 2002-03-06 |
| AU761764B2 (en) | 2003-06-12 |
| CA2340725A1 (en) | 2000-12-28 |
| CA2340725C (en) | 2009-08-04 |
| CN1196377C (en) | 2005-04-06 |
| JP2003502966A (en) | 2003-01-21 |
| JP4246432B2 (en) | 2009-04-02 |
| CN1367991A (en) | 2002-09-04 |
| CN1520230A (en) | 2004-08-11 |
| EP1104646A2 (en) | 2001-06-06 |
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