Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
  • H04R25/00—Electric hearing aids
  • 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
  • H04R25/606—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of acoustic or vibrational transducers acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
  • H04R2460/00—Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
  • H04R2460/13—Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers

Definitions

• the present invention generally relates to a hearing aid device by bone conduction.
• the most conventional air conduction hearing aid devices operate by amplifying the sound signal, in particular by means of a loudspeaker placed in the channel of the external ear.
• Other hearing aid devices less widespread, called bone conduction aim to excite the cochlea, by vibrating the cranial box.
• Such devices include an emitting part and a transducing receiving part comprising a vibrating element which is placed either against the skin, usually behind the ear, under a certain pressure, or even in contact with the bone in the mastoid region.
• direct bone conduction devices require surgical intervention for their placement.
• the use of such devices poses serious maintenance problems such as charging or replacement. of batteries, reaction of the bone subjected to vibrations, adjustment, replacement in the event of failure.
• the invention therefore aims to solve the new technical problem consisting in the supply of a hearing aid device by bone conduction which makes it possible to obtain a quality of reception of sounds comparable to that of known devices, but who does not suffer from the various drawbacks induced by a surgical procedure necessary for their final placement.
• a hearing aid device of the type comprising a transmitting part and a transducing receiving part comprising at least one vibrating element, characterized in that said receiving part is adapted to be fixed, preferably removably, in the mouth of its user, and in that it comprises means for supporting and holding the vibrating element, shaped to ensure in position of use the bringing said vibrating element into permanent contact with at least one tooth, and / or with the palatal bone, thereby ensuring transmission of the sounds to the inner ear by bone conduction.
• the aforementioned vibrating element comprises a thin metal plate coated on one of its faces, preferably with the exception of two lateral bands, of a piezoelectric ceramic, said plate thus coated being included in an envelope constituted by a film of biocompatible polymer, waterproof and electrically insulating, having an excess thickness at the level of said lateral bands.
• the vibrating element further comprises a portion forming a stud preferably made of the same material as the aforementioned envelope, arranged substantially in the center of said vibrating element and adapted to come into contact with a tooth in position d 'use.
• the means for supporting and maintaining the vibrating element comprise at least one hook-forming element comprising lugs for hooking to said tooth and to the two adjacent teeth and connected to at least one elemet forming a slide shaped to receive said vibrating element and to ensure its maintenance against the vestibular side of the tooth.
• these support and holding means consist of two hook-shaped elements arranged on either side of the tooth, each hook-shaped element being connected to a slide-forming element, said slide-forming elements being secured by a rigid rod.
• the two elements forming a slide are of substantially U-shaped cross-section and, by their bottom portion of said U, provide the connection to the above-mentioned hook elements.
• the means for supporting and holding the vibrating element consist of a palatal plate, possibly the palatal plate of a partial or total dental prosthesis, preferably produced in an acrylic resin and comprising a shaped housing for receiving said vibrating element and ensuring its maintenance against the palatal bone.
• the receiving part further comprises a miniaturized assembly comprising a receiver, an amplifier and batteries preferably rechargeable by inductive coupling, these elements being joined together and to said vibrating element by means of connectors. flexible.
• the aforementioned receiver, amplifier and possibly the batteries are included in an envelope made of a polymer resin, shaped to adapt, in the case of contact with a tooth, available vestibular space.
• FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vibrating element of a hearing aid device according to the invention, in the case of contact with a tooth;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the means for supporting and holding the vibrating element shown in Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 is a principle view from above iLlustrating The contacting of the vibrating element shown in Figure 1 with a tooth;
• FIG. 4 is a principle view showing the receiving part of a hearing aid device according to a first embodiment of the invention, in the case of contact with a tooth;
• FIG. 5 is a principle view illustrating the receiving part of a hearing aid device according to a second embodiment of the invention, in the case of contact with the palatal bone;
• - Figure 6 is a sectional view of the device shown in Figure 5;
• FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of detail A of Figure 6 showing the vibrating element used in this second embodiment of the invention.
• - Figures 8 and 9 are functional diagrams of an embodiment of the transmitting and receiving part of a hearing aid device according to the invention.
• a hearing aid device in accordance with the invention, consists of two separate parts, namely an extraoral emitting part and an intraoral transducing receiving part.
• the transmitting part is constituted, in a manner known per se, by a microphone connected to the input of a correc ⁇ tor amplifier modulating a conventional wireless transmission system.
• This part can be made in compact form and powered by batteries.
• the receiving part is constituted by a miniaturized assembly comprising a receiver, an amplifier and a vibrating element, these various elements being advantageously joined together by flexible electrical conductors, thus allowing great adaptability to the anatomical particularities of the mouth of each person to set sail.
• FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a vibrating element (vibrator or vibrator) of a hearing aid device according to the invention, in the case of contact with a tooth.
• This vibrating element 2 is constituted by a metallic plate 10, substantially rectangular and of small thickness coated on one of its faces with a piezoelectric ceramic 13; said plate thus coated being included in an envelope 14 constituted by a film of biocompatible polymer, waterproof and electrically insulating, such as for example a film of acrylic resin.
• the vibrating element further comprises electrical connections not shown, preferably embedded in the polymer film constituting the envelope.
• the piezoelectric ceramic layer is preferably embedded in the polymer film constituting the envelope.
• the polymer film constituting the envelope 14 has an additional thickness 15, 16 at the level of the lateral bands 11, 12 for reasons which will be explained below.
• the vibrating element 2 further comprises a portion 17 forming a stud, substantially frustoconical and preferably arranged in the center of the vibrating element 2 and intended to come into contact with the tooth, in the position of use.
• This stud 17 is preferably made of the same material as the casing 14 and can be attached or made from one material.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the means for supporting and maintaining the vibrating element shown in FIG. 1.
• These means comprise two elements 21, 22 forming a hook, intended to be arranged, in the position of use, on either side of a tooth 4 (see FIG. 3); each element 21, 22 being connected to an element forming a slide 26, the said elements forming a slide being secured by a rigid rod 25.
• This rod may be placed, in the position of use, in the vicinity of the vestibular face of the tooth 4, as in the example shown and makes it possible to avoid mechanical stresses (in particular torsion or bending) being exerted in a significant manner on the vibrating element.
• the hook elements 21, 22 can be made of nickel-chrome and ensure the attachment of the vibrating element to the tooth. To this end, these elements comprise lugs 23 for attachment to tooth 4 and 24 to adjacent teeth.
• These elements can be produced by taking an impression of tooth 4 and adjacent teeth, so as to ensure effective fixing.
• the two elements forming a slide 26 disposed at each end of the rod 25 are intended to receive the lateral edges of the vibrating element 2 and to ensure that it is held against the vestibular face of the tooth 4.
• the extra thicknesses 15, 16 of the envelope 14 of the vibrating element 2 are advantageously con ⁇ formed to the internal dimensions of the elements forming the slide 26 which have a substantially U-shaped cross section, to keep the vibrating element in the slides, without risk of bending or traction.
• the slide elements 26 further provide La
• the receiving part generally represented by the reference 1 in FIG. 4 further comprises a miniaturized assembly comprising a receiver, an amplifier and batteries.
• the receiver, the amplifier and possibly the batteries are included in an envelope made of a polymer resin, such as for example an acrylic resin, in foam form, shaped to adapt to the available vestibular space 30.
• the envelope 29 advantageously has a sealing strip 29a ensuring intimate contact, on the vestibular face of the tooth, near the free edge of the latter. This strip masking the vibrating element 2 prevents food stuffing in the space between the vibrating element and the tooth, during chewing.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the receiving part of a hearing aid device according to the invention, in the case of contact with the palatal bone.
• Teeth can be all natural, or natural for some and artificial for others.
• the teeth 37 are artificial, the three visible hooks bearing on natural teeth.
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 5 at the level of artificial teeth, while FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of detail A of FIG. 6.
• This second embodiment is particularly applicable in the case where the patient to be fitted has incomplete toothing (partial edentulousness). It should be noted that, in this hypothesis, both conduction by the palatine bone and conduction by the teeth are used.
• FIGS. 6 and 7 can also represent a sectional view of a complete prosthesis in the case of total edentulousness.
• the means for supporting and holding the vibrating element are formed by the palatal plate and the conduction is done only by the palatal bone.
• the term “contact with the palatal bone” is understood to mean the intimate contact of the intrados of the palatal plate (which may be the palatal plate of a total prosthesis) with the fibromuqueuse covering the bone. palatine through the salivary film. This film contributes to the conduction of vibrations and constitutes a conduction medium very much superior to air.
• the vibrating element 2 has a general structure identical to that described above with reference to FIG. 1.
• the means for supporting and holding the vibrating element are constituted by a palatal plate 31, preferably made of an acrylic resin and comprising a housing 32 shaped to receive the vibrating element 2 and ensuring its maintenance against the 'palatine bone.
• the dimensions of the housing 32 are such that the portion forming a stud 17 exerts pressure at the center of the wall 33 of small thickness, forming the bottom of the housing 32 in contact with the palatal bone.
• the palatal plate 31 can be that of a partial or total dental prosthesis of the "assistant" type, that is to say mobile.
• this is one of the origins of the invention which provides, in the case of partial or total edentulousness, a bifunctional device which fulfills both the role of dental prosthesis and the role hearing aid, each of the two functions does not interfere with the other.
• a palatal plate is prepared which is adapted to the shape of the palate of the patient to be fitted.
• an open housing is provided, the dimensions of which are slightly greater than those of a vibrating element 2.
• a vibrating element on the lateral edges of which are fixed hooks 34 is introduced into the housing 32 so that the vibrator comes into contact with the wall 33 forming the bottom of the housing.
• the vibrating element is placed in its housing, it is covered by a film of plastic foam 35, then by a layer of acrylic resin 36 sealingly closing the housing 32.
• the batteries, the amplifier and the receiver can be arranged inside artificial teeth 37, in the case of partial edentulousness.
• the transmitting part comprises the following elements connected in series: a sensitive microphone 101, an amplifier 102, a "low pass” filter 103, a voltage controlled oscillator 104, a second amplifier 105, a transformer 106 and an induction loop 107 .
• the operation of this transmitting part is as follows: The signal is picked up by the microphone 101, amplified by
• the amplifier 102 then limited in its bandwidth by means of the filter 103 (6 dB filter at 4.5 kHz; 70 dB min from 6.5 kHz to 50 kHz); a carrier substantially equal to the free frequency of the oscillator 104 is thus modulated by the output of the filter 103 which acts on the voltage control input of the oscillator 104 then the modulated signal is transmitted to the transformer 106, by L intermediary of the amplifier 105, to attack the induction loop 107.
• the receiving part likewise comprises the following elements: a coil 111, an amplifier 112, a demodulator (phase locked loop) 113, an amplifier 114 and the piezoelectric resonator 115.
• this receiving part is as follows: The signal is detected by the coil 111, it is amplified by The amplifier 112, the demodulator with locking loop 113 detects The carrier at 24 kHz, locks and extracts the signal which is then amplified by the amplifier 114 to attack the piezoelectric resonator 115.
• the hearing aid device which has just been described has many advantages. - It provides a very good quality of sound reception, comparable to that of known devices.
• - IT can be bifunctional because it is easily integrated into a dental prosthesis in the case of partial or total toothlessness of the person to be fitted.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Otolaryngology (AREA)
• Neurosurgery (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Details Of Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)
• Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)
• Prostheses (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

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ID=9384773

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

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• 1989
  • 1989-08-17 FR FR8910987A patent/FR2650948A1/fr active Pending
• 1990
  • 1990-08-17 DE DE69019356T patent/DE69019356T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1990-08-17 AU AU62787/90A patent/AU6278790A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1990-08-17 AT AT90912875T patent/ATE122226T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1990-08-17 ES ES90912875T patent/ES2074579T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1990-08-17 WO PCT/FR1990/000614 patent/WO1991002503A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 1990-08-17 EP EP90912875A patent/EP0487601B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1990-08-17 DK DK90912875.3T patent/DK0487601T3/da active
• 1994
  • 1994-03-24 US US08/217,068 patent/US5447489A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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