JP2004229179A - Hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hearing aid which can be worn while ensuring ventilation between an ear drum surface and the open air without sealing an external auditory meatus, namely, for making open fitting possible. <P>SOLUTION: The hearing aid comprises a supporting part 1 for pinching an ear pinna, an arm part 2 extending from the supporting part 1 and a sound output port 3 installed at the tip of the arm part 2, having a sound emission port 3a and located at an entrance of the external auditory meatus and the supporting part 1 constitutes an earring of a supporting body part 4 and a screw 5 for holding. A microphone, a hearing aid processing part and a battery are arranged in the supporting part 1 and an earphone is arranged in the sound output part 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hearing aid that realizes a comfortable wearing feeling by eliminating a feeling of sealing and a feeling of being bulky to the ear.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In conventional hearing aids, the earplugs were used by fitting the earplugs closely to the ear canal, regardless of whether they were box-shaped, hook-on-hook, or in-ear. The reason for fitting the earplug to the ear canal is that if there is a gap between the earplug and the ear canal, sound leakage causes feedback.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, although the howling can be prevented by using the auricle closely fitting to the ear canal, the discomfort due to the sealing of the ear canal has occurred to the wearer.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to be able to be worn with the eardrum surface and the outside air ventilated without sealing the ear canal. It is intended to provide a hearing aid (hereinafter referred to as open fitting).
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 includes a support part for pinching the auricle, an arm part extending from the support part, and a sound emitting port attached to the tip of the arm part, and the ear canal. It consists of a sound output unit located at the entrance.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the hearing aid according to the first aspect, the support portion constitutes an earring from a support main body portion and a holding member.
[0007]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the hearing aid according to the first aspect, the support portion comprises a pierce from a support main body portion and a joint portion.
[0008]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the hearing aid according to the first, second, or third aspect, a microphone, a hearing aid processing unit, and a battery are disposed in the support portion, and an earphone is disposed in the sound output portion.
[0009]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the hearing aid according to the first, second, or third aspect, a microphone, a hearing aid processing unit, a battery, and an earphone are arranged in the sound output unit.
[0010]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the hearing aid according to the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect, the sound output portion is covered with a cover member formed of a soft elastic material of a continuous porous body.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the wearing state of the earring type hearing aid according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the earring type hearing aid according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the wearing state of the earring-type hearing aid according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the earring-type hearing aid according to the present invention, FIG. Similarly, 7 is a partially exploded perspective view.
[0012]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the earring type hearing aid according to the present invention includes a support portion 1 that sandwiches the earlobe, an arm portion 2 that extends from the support portion 1, and a tip of the arm portion 2. The sound output unit 3 is attached and has a sound emission port 3a and is located at the entrance of the ear canal. The support portion 1 constitutes an earring from the support main body portion 4 and the holding screw 5.
[0013]
The support main body portion 4 includes a columnar main body portion 6, a columnar battery portion 7, and a substantially U-shaped connecting portion 8 that connects the main body portion 6 and the battery portion 7.
The main body 6 houses a microphone 9 that detects an external sound and converts it into an electrical signal, a hearing aid processing unit 10 including a DSP (digital signal processor), and an external communication connector 11. A battery 12 is accommodated in the battery unit 7. Reference numeral 7 a denotes a lid that covers the battery 12. In addition, the battery 12 can be stored in the main body 6.
[0014]
The hearing aid processing unit 10 has an anti-feedback function (a function of preventing howling by sound leakage) that enables open fitting. In addition, various digital signal processing for other hearing aid processing can be performed.
[0015]
The external communication connector 11 is provided to adjust the hearing aid characteristics of the hearing aid from the outside. An external control tool for adjustment (not shown) is connected to the connector 11 to adjust the hearing aid characteristics from the outside. Can do. The hearing aid and the adjustment external control tool may be connected by wireless communication means without using the external communication connector 11.
[0016]
On the surface 6 a that does not contact the earlobe of the main body 6, a hole 6 b for taking external sound into the microphone 9 is formed. A plurality of microphones can be accommodated in the main body 6 to provide directional characteristics. Note that the microphone 9 may be disposed in the sound output unit 3.
The holding screw 5 is screwed into the screw hole 13 opened in the connection portion between the battery portion 7 and the connecting portion 8.
[0017]
A contact portion 5a that contacts the earlobe is formed at the tip of the holding screw 5 also as a retaining member, and a screw driver 5b is formed at the rear end of the holding screw 5. The earlobe is sandwiched between the main body 6 and the contact portion 5a. Note that the holding member may be a spring-type holding spring pin that presses the main body portion 6 via the earlobe with a spring instead of the holding screw 5.
[0018]
The arm part 2 is formed of a flexible member so that it can be deformed according to the size of the wearer's auricle. The sound output unit 3 houses an earphone 10 that performs electroacoustic conversion on the output of the hearing aid processing unit, and emits sound from the sound output port 3a into the ear canal.
[0019]
The operation of the earring-type hearing aid according to the present invention configured as described above will be described.
First, similarly to attaching the earring to the earlobe, with the earlobe positioned between the main body portion 6 and the retaining screw 5, the retaining screw 5 is tightened to hold the earlobe with an appropriate pressure.
[0020]
Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the posture of the arm unit 2 and the sound output unit 3 is adjusted so that the sound output unit 3 does not block the ear canal and the sound output port 3a is positioned at the entrance of the ear canal. Then, it can be attached to the ear without causing discomfort due to sealing of the ear canal, and open fitting is possible.
[0021]
Next, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 4, the earring type hearing aid according to the present invention includes a support portion 21 that sandwiches the earlobe, an arm portion 22 that extends from the support portion 21, and an arm portion 22. And a sound output portion 23 having a sound emitting opening 23a and positioned at the entrance of the ear canal. The support portion 21 forms a pierce from the support main body portion 24 and the joint portion 25.
[0022]
The support main body portion 24 includes a cylindrical main body portion 26 and a cylindrical battery portion 27.
The main body 26 accommodates a microphone 28 that detects external sound and converts it into an electrical signal, a hearing aid processing unit 29 that includes a digital signal processor (DSP), and an external communication connector 30. A battery 31 is housed in the battery unit 27. Reference numeral 27 a denotes a lid that covers the battery 31. The battery 31 can also be stored in the main body 26.
[0023]
The hearing aid processing unit 29 has an anti-feedback function (a function of preventing howling by sound leakage) that enables open fitting. In addition, various digital signal processing for other hearing aid processing can be performed.
[0024]
The external communication connector 30 is provided to adjust the hearing aid characteristics of the hearing aid from outside, and an external control tool for adjustment (not shown) is connected to the connector 30 to adjust the hearing aid characteristics from the outside. Can do. The hearing aid and the adjustment external control tool may be connected by wireless communication means without using the external communication connector 30.
[0025]
On the surface 26a of the main body portion 26 that does not contact the earlobe, a hole 26b for taking an external sound into the microphone is formed. A plurality of microphones can be accommodated in the main body portion 26 so as to have directional characteristics. Note that the microphone 28 may be disposed in the sound output unit 23.
[0026]
The joint portion 25 protrudes from the through hole 32 after the pin 25a having one end fixed to the surface 26c contacting the earlobe of the main body portion 26 and the through hole 32 formed in the end portion of the battery portion 27 are inserted into the pin 25a. It consists of a stop member 25b fitted to the tip of the pin 25a. The joint unit 25 also functions as a connector that electrically connects the battery 31 and the microphone 28 and the hearing aid processing unit 29 housed in the main body unit 26.
[0027]
The arm portion 22 is formed of a flexible member so that it can be deformed according to the size of the wearer's auricle. The sound output unit 23 accommodates an earphone 33 that performs electroacoustic conversion on the output of the hearing aid processing unit, and emits sound from the sound output port 23a into the ear canal.
[0028]
The operation of the pierce-type hearing aid according to the present invention configured as described above will be described.
First, in the same manner as attaching the earring to the earlobe, the pin 25a fixed to the one surface 26c of the main body portion 26 is inserted into the hole formed in the earlobe, and the pin 25a protruding from the earlobe is further attached to the end portion of the battery portion 27. The stopper member 25b is fitted to the tip of the pin 25a protruding from the through hole 32 by being inserted into the opened through hole 32.
[0029]
Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the posture of the arm portion 22 and the sound output portion 23 is adjusted so that the sound output portion 23a is positioned at the entrance of the ear canal without the sound output portion 23 blocking the ear canal. . Then, it can be attached to the ear without causing discomfort due to sealing of the ear canal, and open fitting is possible.
[0030]
The hearing aid according to the present invention is normally used without sealing the ear canal, but when the sound output portions 3 and 23 are held by the ear canal, a cover formed of a soft elastic material of a continuous porous body that can ensure air permeability. The sound output parts 3 and 23 can be covered with a member. The outer shape of the cover member may be formed on an order-made basis according to the shape of the ear canal of the wearer.
[0031]
With this cover member, the sound output portions 3 and 23 can be stably held in the ear canal, and the wearer is freed from discomfort due to sealing of the ear canal by having air permeability.
[0032]
As the soft elastic material having a continuous porous body, a continuous porous body (trademark: Goretex) of tetrafluorofluoroethylene (Teflon (registered trademark)) is preferable. In addition, open-cell polyethylene foam, open-cell flexible urethane foam, or the like can be used.
[0033]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the shapes of the main body portions 6 and 26 and the battery portions 7 and 27 are cylindrical. However, these shapes may be any shapes such as a triangular prism, a quadrangular prism, and a pentagonal prism. It is not limited to.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the sound output unit can be worn without being supported by the ear canal, an open fitting that does not seal the ear canal is possible, and discomfort due to the sealing of the ear canal. Will not occur.
[0035]
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 2, it can wear easily with the wearing feeling of an earring. In addition, a hearing aid that emphasizes fashionability can be configured.
[0036]
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 3, it can wear easily by the mounting | wearing feeling of a piercing. In addition, a hearing aid that emphasizes fashionability can be configured.
[0037]
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, the hearing aid which considered the weight balance can be comprised.
[0038]
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 5, it becomes possible to reduce a support part in size and it can comprise the hearing aid which gave much importance to fashionability.
[0039]
According to the invention of claim 6, by covering the sound output part with the cover member formed of a soft elastic material of a continuous porous body that can ensure air permeability, the sound output part without feeling uncomfortable due to sealing of the ear canal Can be held in the external auditory canal, so that stable wearing can be achieved and a wearing feeling similar to that of an open fitting can be obtained, so that a comfortable wearing feeling can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wearing state of an earring type hearing aid according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an earring type hearing aid according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of an earring type hearing aid according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a wearing state of the earring type hearing aid according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a wearing state of the earring type hearing aid according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of a pierce-type hearing aid according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,21 ... Support part, 2,22 ... Arm part, 3,23 ... Sound output part, 3a, 23a ... Sound emission port, 4,24 ... Support body part, 5 ... Holding screw, 25 ... Joint part.

Claims (6)

It comprises a support part for pinching the auricle, an arm part extending from the support part, and a sound output part located at the entrance of the ear canal while having a sound emission port attached to the tip of the arm part Hearing aid to do. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the support portion constitutes an earring from a support body portion and a holding member. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the support part forms a pierce from a support body part and a joint part. The hearing aid according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein a microphone, a hearing aid processing unit, and a battery are disposed on the support unit, and an earphone is disposed on the sound output unit. The hearing aid according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein a microphone, a hearing aid processing unit, a battery, and an earphone are arranged in the sound output unit. The hearing aid according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the sound output portion is covered with a cover member formed of a soft elastic material of a continuous porous body.

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