EP2824940A1 - Adaptateur pour tube de sonde pour prothèse auditive - Google Patents

Adaptateur pour tube de sonde pour prothèse auditive Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2824940A1
EP2824940A1 EP13175858.3A EP13175858A EP2824940A1 EP 2824940 A1 EP2824940 A1 EP 2824940A1 EP 13175858 A EP13175858 A EP 13175858A EP 2824940 A1 EP2824940 A1 EP 2824940A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
adapter
hearing aid
body member
aid device
attached
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP13175858.3A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Julie Tantau
Ben Crook
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bernafon AG
Original Assignee
Bernafon AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bernafon AG filed Critical Bernafon AG
Priority to EP13175858.3A priority Critical patent/EP2824940A1/fr
Publication of EP2824940A1 publication Critical patent/EP2824940A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • H04R25/30—Monitoring or testing of hearing aids, e.g. functioning, settings, battery power
    • H04R25/305—Self-monitoring or self-testing
    • 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
    • H04R25/70—Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to an adapter for connecting a probe tube to a hearing aid device.
  • the invention more particularly relates to an adapter that is suitable for being used in an in-situ audiometry Real Ear Coupler Difference (RECD) measurement.
  • RECD Real Ear Coupler Difference
  • a variety of hearing aid devices configured to correct the hearing of users having different degrees of hearing impairments are available on the market today. In several situations it is, however, required to individually adjust a hearing aid device in order to make it work in an optimal way. These types of adjustments are in particular important for children and people having a high degree of hearing impairment.
  • REM real-ear measurement
  • US 6832663 B2 discloses a one-piece ear coupler for use with hearing evaluation.
  • the ear coupler includes an annular side wall and a bottom wall forming an acoustic chamber.
  • a flexible adhesive-backed flange is disposed on the periphery of the ear coupler so that the flange is configured to be attached to the head of a person, in such a way that the ear coupler is kept in place over the ear.
  • EP2107831 A2 discloses an apparatus for a hearing assistance device housing intended for use in a REM.
  • the apparatus has an opening to receive a sound tube for a REM and providing an opening for connection of a sound hook to a housing of the hearing assistance device.
  • EP 1011566 B1 discloses a disposable element for an ear phone assembly for hearing screening (to test infants for hearing impairments).
  • the ear phone assembly includes a reusable cover including a back wall having a perimeter, a side wall extending from the perimeter to define a cavity for receiving an infant's ear.
  • the ear phone assembly moreover includes a port in the cover to receive and support a transducer and a disposable element that is adhesive coated on two sides to be secured to the cover and to the patient's head.
  • a liner is used to cover the disposable element adhesive sides to protect them from contamination during packaging and prior to use.
  • the hearing assistance apparatus comprises a hearing assistance device housing, a microphone within the housing, an ear hook connected to the housing, and a flexible tube.
  • the house has a first opening for guiding sound into the housing to the microphone.
  • the housing and the connected ear hook form an interface, where the ear hook has a shape to provide a slot near the interface of the housing and the ear hook.
  • the tube guides sound, and has a first end and a second end. The first end of the flexible tube and the slot of the ear hook cooperate to retain the first end of the flexible tube in the slot of the ear hook and flush with the housing to provide a sound-tight connection with the first opening.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide an adapter that is suitable for performing RECD measurements and that is configured to be attached to and used with almost any type of hearing aid device.
  • the adapter according to the invention is an adapter configured to be attached to a hearing aid device and to receive a probe tube and keep the probe tube in a fixed position relative to the hearing aid device.
  • the adapter comprises a flexible body member and an adhesive attachment member that is configured to be attached to the hearing aid device, where the adhesive attachment member is attached to the body member.
  • the adapter according to the invention is suitable for performing RECD measurements at different types of hearing aid devices since the adapter is configured to be attached to and used with almost any type of hearing aid device.
  • the adapter according to the invention is easy to attach to a hearing aid device and the adapter is cheap to manufacture. Moreover the adapter is easy to remove from a hearing aid device.
  • the adapter is configured to receive a standard probe tube, typically having a circular cross-section.
  • the adapter is intended to keep the probe tube in a fixed position relative to the hearing aid device by use of either mechanical means or other suitable means. It is possible to keep the probe tube in a fixed position relative to the hearing aid by means of a press fit connection.
  • flexible body member is meant a body member that is configured to change its shape depending on the geometry of the surface to which it is attached. In this way it is possible to attach the body member to hearing aid devices of different types and shapes. The body member will simply take the shape of the surface to which it is attached so that a reliable and secure attachment can be provided.
  • the adhesive attachment member may be a separate adhesive element; however, the attachment member may also be an adhesive layer that is attached to the body member e.g. in form of applied adhesive layer.
  • the adhesive may be any suitable type of adhesive. It is however, preferred that the adhesive both allows for providing a firm attachment of the adapter to the hearing aid device and allows for removal of the adapter from the hearing aid device subsequently.
  • the body member is basically plate shaped and comprises a front side and a backside, where the adhesive attachment member is attached to the backside of the body member.
  • the adapter comprises a connection member that is attached to the front side of the body member, where the connection member comprises an opening configured to receive a probe tube and keep the probe tube in a fixed position relative to the hearing aid device.
  • connection member can guide the probe tube and keep the probe tube in a fixed position relative to the hearing aid device.
  • connection member may be a separate member that is attached to the body member of the adapter.
  • connection member may also be integrated into the body member of the adapter so that the body member and the connection member constitute a one-piece body.
  • connection member is basically cylindrical and that the opening is basically cylindrical, preferably centrally arranged.
  • connection member comprises a protruding member provided with a basically cylindrical opening, where the protruding member protrudes from the connection member.
  • the body member comprises a holding member adapted to be griped about (by the thumb and the index-finger) when the adapter is attached to a hearing aid device or when the adapter is removed from a hearing aid device.
  • no adhesive is provided at the holding member. In this way it becomes easier to use the holding member to attach the adapter to a hearing aid device and to remove the adapter from a hearing aid device.
  • the body member is shaped as a circular plate.
  • the body member has a diameter that is significantly larger than the thickness of the body member.
  • a thin adapter can be provided.
  • Hit may be an advantage that the body member of the adapter has a thickness of approximately 1-5 mm, preferably 2-4 mm, such as about 3 mm.
  • a thin adapter having the required mechanical strength can be provided.
  • the holding member extends as an extension of the body member at a first end of the body member and that a protruding member protrudes as an extension of the connection member at a second end of the body member, preferably the opposite end of the body member.
  • An adapter of this construction is easy to use.
  • the body member is a sticker having an adhesive backside and a non-adhesive front side. Such adapter is easy to produce and use.
  • the body member and the holding member is a one-piece body.
  • the production process may be simplified.
  • connection member and the protruding member are shaped as a one-piece body.
  • the production process may be simplified.
  • the adapter is configured seal around a microphone inlet of the hearing aid device while being attached to the hearing aid device.
  • FIG. 1 an adapter 2 according to the invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 .
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an adapter 2 according to the invention attached to a hearing aid device 14 comprising a body 18.
  • the adapter 2 comprises a flat basically plate shaped circular body member 4 and a connection member 6 configured to receive and maintain a probe tube 8 attached to the body member 4.
  • the adapter 2 moreover comprises a holding member 16 adapted to be griped during attachment of the adapter 2 to the body 18 of the hearing aid device 14 and to be griped when removing the adapter 2 again if required.
  • the adapter 2 is attached to the body 18 of the hearing aid device 14 by means of adhesive provided on the backside of the adapter 2.
  • the body member 4 of the adapter 2 is made in a flexible and stretchable material so that the body member 4 of the adapter 2 can be attached to almost any hearing aid device.
  • the first end of the probe tube 8 is connected to the connection member 6, while the second end (not shown) of the probe tube 8 is intended to be coupled the ear of a patient, and more specifically to the volume in front of the tympanic membrane, while an ear mould or a hearing aid device is placed in the ear (see Fig. 2 ).
  • Such setup is necessary during real ear measurements and RECD measurements.
  • the adapter 2 may be very thin and disposable. Instead of using a specific adapter for each hearing aid device 14 or special components that have to be attached in a certain way, the adapter 2 according to the invention is configured to stick onto the hearing aid device 14 and seal around the microphone inlet (not shown).
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a person 20 wearing a hearing aid device 14 to which an adapter 2 according to the invention is attached.
  • the hearing aid device 14 is fixed around the ear 22 of the person 20.
  • the adapter 2 has been attached to the hearing aid device 14 by means of a circular sticking body member 4 of the adapter 2.
  • a hole is provided in the central part of the body member 4.
  • a small basically cylindrical connection member 6 having a protruding member 28 with an opening through which a probe tube 8 is connected to the adapter 2, is attached to the adapter 2.
  • the connection member 6 is configured to hold the probe tube 8 directly over the front microphone (not shown) of the hearing aid device 14.
  • the connection member 6 may be made in a plastic material or silicone by way of example.
  • An ear hook 26 connects the body 18 of the hearing aid device 14 to an ear mould 24 that is arranged in the ear canal of the person 20 wearing the hearing aid device 14. It can be seen that the probe tube 8 extends from the adapter 2 into the ear canal next to the ear mould 24, along the periphery of the ear 22.
  • the adapter 2 is easy to attach to the body 18 of the hearing aid device 14 and the adapter 2 may easily be removed again from the body 18 of the hearing aid device 14.
  • Fig. 3 a illustrates a side view of a hearing aid device 14 and an adapter 2 that is attached to the body 18 of the hearing aid device 14.
  • Fig. 3 b illustrates a close-up view of the adapter 2 shown in Fig. 3 a ).
  • the adapter 2 comprises a thin plate shaped body member 4 having a holding member 16 attached to it.
  • the holding member 16 is an integrated part of the body member 4 so that the holding member 16 and the body member 4 constitute a one-piece body.
  • the adapter 2 is attached to the body 18 of the hearing aid device 14 by means of an attachment member 12 that is fixed to the backside of the body member 4 of the adapter 2.
  • the attachment member 12 may be a thin sticker or a thin adhesive layer provided at the backside of the body member 4.
  • the holding member 16 is configured to be used when the adapter 2 is attached to the body 18 of the hearing aid device 14 or when the adapter 2 has to be removed from the body 18 of the hearing aid device 14.
  • the adapter 2 can be removed from the body 18 of the hearing aid device 14 simply by pulling it of the body 18 of the hearing aid device 14.
  • connection member 6 is provided at the front side of the body member 4 of the adapter 2.
  • the connection member 6 is configured to receive a probe tube 8 and maintain the probe tube 8 in a fixed position relative to the body member 4 of the adapter 2.
  • the connection member 6 can be used to keep the probe tube 8 positioned in a fixed position above the front microphone (not shown) of the hearing aid device 14.
  • the body member 4 of the adapter 2 is made in a flexible and stretchable material that makes the body member 4 fit to different surface geometries. In this way it is possible to attach the adapter 2 to hearing aid devices of different types and shapes.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective close-up view of an adapter 2 according to the invention.
  • the adapter 2 comprises a basically circular plate shaped body member 4 having an elongated holding member 16 of the same thickness attached to it.
  • the holding member 16 extends radially from the periphery of the body member 4 as an extension of the body member 4.
  • the body member 4 has a front side 30 and a backside 32.
  • An attachment member 12 is provided at the backside 32 of the body member 4 of the adapter 2.
  • the attachment member 12 is a thin circular member (e.g. a sticker) that has a slightly smaller radius than the body member 4.
  • the attachment member 12 may be an adhesive layer that is attached to the backside 32 of the body member 4 of the adapter 2.
  • the attachment member 12 may also be double adhesive tape attached to the backside 32 of the body member 4 of the adapter 2.
  • the holding member 16 extends as an extension of the body member 4 at a first end 34 of the body member 4.
  • a protruding member 28 protrudes as an extension of the connection member 6 at a second end 36 of the body member 4.
  • the second end 36 is the opposite end of the body member 4 than the first end 34.
  • the body member 4 of the adapter 2 is made in a flexible and stretchable material so that the adapter 2 can be attached to hearing aid devices of different types and shapes.
  • the body member 4 is capable of adapting its shape to the surface to which it is attached.
  • a probe tube 8 has been inserted into a basically cylindrical connection member 6 that is adapted to receive and maintain the probe tube 8 in a fixed position relative to the body member 4 of the adapter 2.
  • the connection member 6 comprises a cylindrical protruding member 28 having a longitudinal axis Y that extends basically perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the connection member 6.
  • the longitudinal axis Y of the protruding member 28 extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis Z of the body member 4.
  • the connection member 6 is used for keeping the probe tube 8 positioned in a fixed position above the front microphone (not shown) of the hearing aid device at which the adapter 2 is intended to be attached.
  • Fig. 5 a illustrates a schematically perspective view of another embodiment of an adapter 2 according to the invention.
  • the adapter 2 is almost similar to the adapter 2 shown in Fig. 4 ; however, it comprises no protruding member.
  • the adapter 2 comprises a basically circular plate shaped body member 4.
  • the adapter 2 has an elongated radially extending holding member 16 attached to it.
  • the body member 4 has a front side 30 provided with a connection member 6 with a centrally arranged cylindrical opening 10 and a backside 32 provided with an attachment member 12.
  • the attachment member 12 may be a thin sticker or an adhesive layer or double adhesive tape that is attached to the backside 32 of the body member 4 of the adapter 2.
  • the opening 10 is configured to receive a probe tube 8.
  • the body member 4 of the adapter 2 is made in a flexible and stretchable material so that the adapter 2 can be attached to hearing aid devices of different types and shapes.
  • the body member 4 is shaped as a flat circular plate having a diameter D that is significantly larger than its thickness T.
  • a probe tube 8 has been inserted into a basically cylindrical connection member 6 that is adapted to receive and maintain the probe tube 8 in a fixed position relative to the body member 4 of the adapter 2.
  • the connection member 6 is used for keeping the probe tube 8 positioned in a fixed position above the front microphone (not shown) of the hearing aid device at which the adapter 2 is intended to be attached.
  • Fig. 5 b) illustrates a schematical view of the adapter shown in Fig. 5 a) in a state in which a probe tube 8 has been inserted into the connection member 6.
  • the probe tube 8 has been inserted into the connection member 6 through the opening 10 in the connection member 6.
  • the connection member 6 shown in Fig. 5 a) and in Fig. 5 b) may have an alternative orientation so that the probe tube 8 can be attached to the connection member 6 while extending basically parallel to the longitudinal axis Z of the adapter 2.
  • the body member 4 of the adapter 2 may have a thickness of approximately 1-5 mm, such as about 3 mm.
  • the adapter 2 according to the invention is suitable for being used as an in-situ RECD adapter. Due to the simple structure, the adapter 2 may be disposable. The adapter 2 may be attached and be reused or be thrown away.

Landscapes

  • 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)
  • Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)
EP13175858.3A 2013-07-10 2013-07-10 Adaptateur pour tube de sonde pour prothèse auditive Withdrawn EP2824940A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13175858.3A EP2824940A1 (fr) 2013-07-10 2013-07-10 Adaptateur pour tube de sonde pour prothèse auditive

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13175858.3A EP2824940A1 (fr) 2013-07-10 2013-07-10 Adaptateur pour tube de sonde pour prothèse auditive

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2824940A1 true EP2824940A1 (fr) 2015-01-14

Family

ID=48747462

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13175858.3A Withdrawn EP2824940A1 (fr) 2013-07-10 2013-07-10 Adaptateur pour tube de sonde pour prothèse auditive

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2824940A1 (fr)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030037988A1 (en) * 2001-08-27 2003-02-27 Warring Jessica Ash Ear coupler
EP1011566B1 (fr) 1997-05-22 2005-05-04 Natus Medical, Inc. Element jetable utilisable dans un dispositif de depistage auditif
US20050259829A1 (en) * 2004-05-24 2005-11-24 Cochlear Limited Stand-alone microphone test system for a hearing device
EP1726185A1 (fr) * 2004-03-18 2006-11-29 Widex A/S Procede et dispositif de mesures sur oreille
EP1983802A2 (fr) 2007-04-17 2008-10-22 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Système de mesure sur oreille utilisant un tuyau mince
EP2107831A2 (fr) 2008-03-31 2009-10-07 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Adaptateur de mesure sur oreille doté d'un conduit du son interne

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1011566B1 (fr) 1997-05-22 2005-05-04 Natus Medical, Inc. Element jetable utilisable dans un dispositif de depistage auditif
US20030037988A1 (en) * 2001-08-27 2003-02-27 Warring Jessica Ash Ear coupler
US6832663B2 (en) 2001-08-27 2004-12-21 Natus Medical Inc. Ear coupler
EP1726185A1 (fr) * 2004-03-18 2006-11-29 Widex A/S Procede et dispositif de mesures sur oreille
US20050259829A1 (en) * 2004-05-24 2005-11-24 Cochlear Limited Stand-alone microphone test system for a hearing device
EP1983802A2 (fr) 2007-04-17 2008-10-22 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Système de mesure sur oreille utilisant un tuyau mince
EP2107831A2 (fr) 2008-03-31 2009-10-07 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Adaptateur de mesure sur oreille doté d'un conduit du son interne

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3198891B1 (fr) Tampon de prise d'empreinte
US7882928B2 (en) Acoustic measurement tip
US9155494B2 (en) Hearing testing probe apparatus with digital interface
US5826582A (en) Ear phone assembly for use with a hearing screener
US20140303521A1 (en) Electronic device
CN1926921B (zh) 用于真耳测试的方法和设备
US20120257774A1 (en) Ear plug for a hearing aid and a hearing aid
JP2004520748A5 (fr)
EP2207366A3 (fr) Système pour estimer le niveau de pression sonore sur le tympan au moyen de mesures éloignées du tympan
JP2005501580A (ja) 耳カプラ
US20070161924A1 (en) Ear probe and disposable ear tip system
EP2135481B1 (fr) Dispositif d'écoute à microphone détachable
JP2005501644A (ja) カスタマイズ可能な分離ステム聴診器
EP2824940A1 (fr) Adaptateur pour tube de sonde pour prothèse auditive
US9615778B2 (en) Hearing test probe
US20150010161A1 (en) Adapter for real ear measurements
US9137615B2 (en) Ear strap for a probe tube
CN210375427U (zh) 耳温枪帽组件及耳温枪设备
EP4294052A1 (fr) Ébauche d'une enveloppe de boîtier pour un écouteur comprenant une fenêtre dans un mur, enveloppe de boîtier, écouteur et son procédé de production
CN103155600B (zh) 耳耦合器和听力测试系统
EP2645747B1 (fr) Élément ayant une surface adhésive
US20140128767A1 (en) Ear coupler
EP3086573B1 (fr) Dispositif auditif conçu pour etre place dans le canal auditif d'un utilisateur
JPS6232002Y2 (fr)
CN101180918A (zh) 用于助听器的钩状物

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20130710

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20150715