EP0244671B1 - Method and arrangement for carrying out an acoustic comparison measurement - Google Patents

Abstract

A single opto-plastic 7 is provided which can be inserted into the auditory passage of an ear which is to be serviced and has an outside contour which matches the auditory passage and includes a hollow interior 6 which communicates with the outside through a sound passage 9. The hollow interior 6 is shaped so that it can receive an in the ear hearing aid 3 or a coupling (4, 5) for a behind the ear hearing aid, thus allowing either of the units to be quickly connected to the opto-plastic ear piece 7 so that comparative measurements can be made by the patient.

Description

The invention relates to a method for carrying out an acoustic comparison measurement according to the features of the preamble of claim 1. It also relates to an otoplastic and a coupling device for a behind-the-ear hearing device, which are preferably used in such a method.

An otoplastic with a hollow interior, into which an in-the-ear hearing device can be at least partially inserted, is e.g. previously known from CH-PS 648 172.

A behind-the-ear hearing device is known from European patent application 01 40 078, which is connected by means of a sound cable tube to an ear olive which can be inserted into the auditory canal of the ear to be treated.

Furthermore, a method for comparing or adapting (BTE) hearing aids is known from EP-A 0 010 168.

The question of which device, in other words a behind-the-ear hearing device or an in-the-ear hearing device, is the best solution for a hearing impaired person in terms of acoustics is usually clarified by means of acoustic comparative measurements. To this end, the hearing-impaired person is given both types of device in chronological succession and then makes the decision as to which type of device he can hear better.

It is disadvantageous that each type of device requires its own individual earmold (housing shell for in-the-ear hearing aids and ear olive for behind-the-ear hearing aids) for connection to the ear canal. Manufacturing two separate earmolds is time consuming and expensive. If several devices of each device type are acoustically compared with each other, time and costs are multiplied accordingly. When using different individual earmolds, it cannot always be ensured that completely identical acoustic coupling conditions exist. In order to ensure reasonably equal coupling conditions, special care must be taken when inserting the respective earmold into the ear canal (exact sealing to the outside, etc.). The insertion process also takes an unnecessarily long time. Since the acoustic memory of the hearing impaired is generally relatively short, the acoustic comparison can be misinterpreted.

The object of the present invention is to provide measures which allow a much more reliable acoustic comparison between in-the-ear and behind-the-ear hearing aids compared to previously with minimal technical effort.

The object is achieved with a method according to the characterizing features of claim 1. It is also solved with an otoplastic according to the characterizing features of patent claim 2 and an ear coupling device according to the characterizing features of patent claim 13, which are preferably used when carrying out the acoustic comparative measurement according to the invention.

The invention makes it possible that only a single earmold needs to be provided for the acoustic comparison, which, regardless of what type of device is currently connected, always creates similar acoustic conditions in the inserted state. The total effort in the production of the earmold is optimally low and cost-saving. Since the acoustic coupling is no longer a problem, the devices can be replaced much more quickly than before. The risk of misinterpretation in the acoustic comparison is now practically eliminated. If the hearing impaired person has decided on a type of device, the otoplastic used in the acoustic comparison can be used for the final care.

Further advantages and details of the invention emerge from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing and in conjunction with the subclaims.

• Figur 1 die Herstellung einer Otoplastik gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung mittels eines Modulstempels,
• Figur 2 in einer Explosionsdarstellung eine Otoplastik gemäß der Erfindung sowie ein In-dem-Ohr-Modulgerät bzw. ein entsprechend geformtes Anpaß-Adapterstück für die Ankopplung eines Hinter-dem-Ohr-Gerätes, die wahlweise in die Otoplastik einsetzbar sind,
• Figur 3 einen Anschraubdeckel in Draufsicht,
• Figur 4 ein Hinter-dem-Ohr-Hörgerät mit angekoppeltem Anpaß-Adapterstück,
• Figuren 5 und 6 eine Modifikation des Ausführungsbeispiels der Figur 2.

Show it:

• 1 shows the production of an otoplastic according to the present invention by means of a module stamp,
• 2 shows an exploded view of an otoplastic according to the invention and an in-the-ear modular device or a correspondingly shaped adapter piece for coupling a behind-the-ear device, which can be used optionally in the otoplastic,
• FIG. 3 shows a screw-on cover in a top view,
• FIG. 4 shows a behind-the-ear hearing device with a connected adapter piece,
• Figures 5 and 6 a modification of the embodiment of Figure 2.

According to FIG. 1, with the help of a module stamp 1, which has the outer contour of the shape of the housing 2 of an in-the-ear (ldO) module device 3 or an adapter piece 4 with a switching cable hose 5 for connection to a rear-end Ear (BTE) device (see FIGS. 2 and 4) corresponds to a hollow interior 6 in a normal earmold 7, the outer contour 8 of which is adapted to the contour of the auditory canal of the ear to be supplied. The sound dissipation opening 9 of the earmold 7 arises automatically due to the end connector 10 on the module stamp 1.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 2, both the housing 2 of the ITE module device 3 and the adapter piece 4 have corresponding end connections 11 and 12, which, however, in contrast to the end connection 10 of the module stamp 1, each have an external thread 13 or 14 include. The respective external thread 13 or 14 matches the internal thread 15 of a screw-on cover 16. The screw-on cover 16 has sieve-like openings 18 on its end face 17 (see FIG. 3). Accordingly, it also serves as a cerumen trap.

To carry out an acoustic comparison, for example, the ITE module device 3 is first inserted into the hollow interior 6 of the otoplastic 8 until the end connector 11 protrudes through the sound discharge opening 9. Then the Screw-on cover 16 screwed onto the external thread 13 of the end connector 11. The ITE modular device 3 now sits firmly and tightly in the hollow interior 6 of the otoplastic 8. It can now be inserted together with the otoplastic 8 to carry out a first acoustic measurement in the auditory canal of the hearing-impaired ear to be supplied.

After this first measurement has been carried out, the combination of ITE modular device 3 and otoplastic 8 is removed again from the auditory canal. By unscrewing the screw-on cover 16, the ITE modular device 3 is removed again from the hollow interior 6 of the otoplastic 8. Instead of this device, the adapter piece 4 is then inserted into the hollow interior 6 and, as previously in the case of the modular device, is fixed by screwing on the screw-on cover 16. A second measurement can now be carried out with the aid of a BTE device (see FIG. 4) connected to the adapter piece 4 via a formwork tube 5.

It is therefore very quick to switch from a measurement with one type of device to a measurement with the other type of device in a few simple steps. An acoustic comparison is possible in the shortest possible time.

In FIG. 2, the ldO module device 3 comprises on the end face 19 an adjustment button 20 for a volume control, a further actuator 21, a cover 22 for the battery compartment and an opening 23 for the sound supply.

The BTE device 24 in FIG. 4 consists of two shells 25 and 26. A battery charger 27 is visible at the lower end and a carrying hook 28 at the upper end, with which the device 24 is worn behind the ear. At the end 29 of the support hook 28 facing away from the device, the formwork cable hose 5 with the adapter piece 4 is connected. An adjusting wheel 30 for the volume control and an operating switch 31 are arranged on the convex outward curved rear side of the BTE device 24. The sound inlet opening is designated 32.

Figures 5 and 6 show an alternative solution, in which a formwork hose 5 directly, i.e. without the aid of an adapter piece to which otoplastic 7 is coupled.

For this purpose, the formwork tube 5 has an elastic sealing plug 33. After pushing the sound line tube 5 through the sound dissipation opening 9 in the direction of arrow 34, this sealing plug 33 is pressed into the formwork line opening.

Then the end of the sound conduction tube 5 facing the device, as shown in FIG. 4, can be pushed onto the end 29 of the carrying hook 28 of the BTE device 24.

In the case of Figure 2, the adapter is preferably made of solid plastic, e.g. an acetal copolymer. Of course, it can also consist of an elastic material. Due to the elasticity, the adapter can already sit so tight in the hollow interior that a screw-on mechanism with screw-on cap may no longer be required. The earmold is preferably made of acrylic.

Claims (16)

1. Method for carrying out an acoustic comparison measurement between an in-the-ear-hearing aid and a behind-the-ear-aid, characterised by the following steps:

a) production of a single otoplastic (7) having an outer contour which matches the shape of the auditory canal of the respective ear to be looked after and a hollow interior space (6) which contains a sound diverting opening (9) and into which it is possible to insert the in-the-ear-hearing aid (3) as a first insert component or alternatively a coupling device (4, 5 or 5, 33 respectively) for a behind-the-ear-hearing aid (24) as a second insert component such that the respective hearing aid communicates acoustically with the sound diverting opening;

b) insertion of respectively one of the two insert components into the hollow interior space (6) of the otoplastic (7);

c) insertion of the otoplastic together with the insert component into the auditory canal of the ear to be looked after;

d) carrying-out of an acoustic measurement;

e) removal of the insert component from the otoplastic (7) and insertion of the respective other insert component;

f) carrying-out of a further measurement.

2. Otoplastic (7) for a hearing aid, more particularly for use in a method according to claim 1, having an outer contour which matches the shape of the auditory canal of the respective ear to be looked after and a hollow interior space which contains a sound diverting opening (9), characterised in that the hollow interior space (6) is formed for the purpose of inserting an in-the-ear-hearing aid (3) or altema- tively a coupling device (4, 5 or 5, 33 respectively) for a behind-the-ear-hearing aid (24) such that the respective aid communicates acoustically with the sound diverting opening (9).

3. Otoplastic according to claim 2, characterised in that the hollow interior space (4) (sic) has the shape of the outer contour of the housing (2) of an in-the-ear-module aid (3).

4. Otoplastic according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the coupling device (4, 5 or 5, 33 respectively) comprises a sound duct (5) which can be inserted into the hollow interior space (6) as far as the sound diverting opening (9).

5. Otoplastic according to claim 4, characterised in that the sound duct (5) is a component of a matching adapter piece (4) which can be inserted into the hollow interior space (6).

6. Otoplastic according to claim 5, characterised in that the matching adapter piece (4) has the outer contour of the in-the-ear-hearing aid (3) which can likewise be inserted into the interior space.

7. Otoplastic according to one of the claims 2 to 6, characterised in that both the in-the-ear-hearing aid (3) and the coupling device (4, 5) are provided with an arrangement (11 to 16) for detachable securing in the region of the sound diverting opening (9).

8. Otoplasfic according to claim 7, characterised in that the arrangement for the detachable securing comprises an end connection piece (11, 12) with thread (13, 14) both on the in-the-ear-hearing aid (3) and on the coupling device (4, 5), which piece, when inserting the in-the-ear-hearing aid or the coupling device into the hollow interior space (4) (sic), can be pushed through the sound duct (sic) opening (9) and can be fixed there by means of screw-on lid (16) which can be screwed thereon.

9. Otoplastic according to claim 3 and 8, characterised in that the end connection piece (11) is arranged on the housing (2) of the in-the-ear-module aid (3).

10. Otoplastic according to claim 6 and 8, characterised in that the end connection piece (12) is arranged on the matching adapter piece (4).

11. Otoplastic according to claim 4, characterised in that the sound duct (5) is guided freely through the hollow interior space (6) as far as the sound diverting opening (9) and is secured there in a detachable manner.

12. Otoplastic according to claim 11, characterised in that the sound duct (5) is secured in a detachable manner in the sound diverting opening (9) by means of a flexible sealing plug (33).

13. Ear coupling arrangement (4, 5 or 5, 33 respectively), more particularly for use in a method according to claim 1, having sound duct (5) and ear insert piece (4) for the purpose of acoustically coupling a behind-the-ear-hearing aid (24) to the auditory canal of the respective ear to be looked after of a person with impaired hearing, characterised in that the ear insert piece comprises an otoplastic (7) which comprises an outer contour (8) which matches the shape of the auditory canal of the respective ear to be looked after and a hollow interior space (6) which contains a sound diverting opening (9) and has the shape of the outer contour of the housing (2) of an in-the-ear-module aid (3) and in that the sound duct (5) comprises a device (4 or 33 respectively) for the purpose of detachable insertion of the sound duct (5) into the hollow interior space (6) as far as the sound diverting opening (9).

14. Ear coupling arrangement according to claim 13, characterised in that the device comprises a matching adapter piece (4), in the interior of which runs the sound duct (5) and which can be inserted into the hollow interior space (6).

15. Ear coupling arrangement according to claim 14, characterised in that the matching adapter piece (4) has the outer contour of the in-the-ear-hearing aid (3) which can likewise be inserted into the interior space.

16. Ear coupling arrangement according to claim 13, characterised in that the device comprises a flexible sealing plug, by means of which said device can be secured in a detachable manner in the sound diverting opening (9) of the otoplastic (7).

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