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
• • 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
  • H04R25/607—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of earhooks
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
  • H04R3/00—Circuits for transducers
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
  • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
  • H04R2225/021—Behind the ear [BTE] hearing aids
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
  • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
  • H04R2225/43—Signal processing in hearing aids to enhance the speech intelligibility
• • 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
  • H04R2460/17—Hearing device specific tools used for storing or handling hearing devices or parts thereof, e.g. placement in the ear, replacement of cerumen barriers, repair, cleaning hearing devices
• • 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
  • H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
  • H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
  • H04R25/656—Non-customized, universal ear tips, i.e. ear tips which are not specifically adapted to the size or shape of the ear or ear canal

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to a method for providing a visual marking on a connector for connecting a behind the ear component and an in the ear component of a hearing device.
• the present disclosure further relates to a connector for connecting a behind the ear component and an in the ear component of a hearing, wherein the connector comprises removable visual markings, and to a hearing device comprising such a connector.
• One of the more common form factors for hearing devices comprise a behind the ear (BTE) component, an in the ear (ITE) component, and a connector connecting the BTE- and ITE-components. Insertion of the ITE component into the ear canal is typically challenging for new hearing device users. It is difficult, especially for inexperienced users, to estimate the correct insertion depth of the ITE component, a factor that directly impacts the accuracy of insertion gain and therefore quality of sound and the amplification benefit that a hearing device can provide to its wearer. Thus, there is a need to provide users with guidance in order to ensure that the hearing device is arranged correctly.
• a connector for a hearing aid comprising a behind the ear (BTE) component adapted to be arranged behind the ear of the user and an in the ear (ITE) component adapted to be arranged in the ear canal of the user, the connector comprising a proximal end adapted to be connected to the ITE component, a distal end adapted to be connected to the BTE component, and a flexible member extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the flexible member having a length, wherein the connector further comprises removable visual markings arranged along at least a part of the length of the flexible member.
• BTE behind the ear
• ITE in the ear
• a hearing device comprising a behind the ear (BTE) component adapted to be arranged behind the ear of the user, an in the ear (ITE) component adapted to be arranged in the ear canal of the user, and a connector according to the second aspect of the invention.
• BTE behind the ear
• ITE in the ear
• an individual user may have the connector of the hearing device customized with a visual marking, wherein the visual marking visually marks the portion of the connection member which should be inserted into the ear canal for the user to achieve the correct insertion depth for the ITE component.
• HCP hearing care professional
• audiologist a hearing care professional
• fitting is the term used for customizing settings such as gain and compression settings according to the user's particular hearing loss in specific frequency bands so that the hearing aid electronics may process captured or streamed audio to compensate for the user's hearing loss.
• the initial process also requires that the correct hardware is chosen for the user. This may be choosing an ITE component with a receiver, i.e., the term used for the loudspeaker, capable of producing the sound pressure needed to compensate for the user's hearing loss, but it also requires choosing a connector with the correct length according to the user's physiology, i.e., the shape of the user's outer ear and ear canal, so that the connector can connect the BTE and ITE components, and so that the ITE component can reach the correct insertion depth.
• a receiver i.e., the term used for the loudspeaker
• this process may involve the method of the invention so that the hearing care professional may customize the connector with a visual marking for the individual user, whereby the user subsequently may use the visual marking to assist them when inserting the ITE component in the ear canal and achieve the correct insertion depth without the need for human assistance.
• the hearing device may be a hearing aid.
• the hearing device may be a Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing device, a Receiver-in-Ear (RIE) hearing device, or Microphone-and-Receiver-in-Ear (MaRIE) hearing device.
• BTE Behind-the-Ear
• RIE Receiver-in-Ear
• MaRIE Microphone-and-Receiver-in-Ear
• These devices comprise a behind the ear (BTE) component configured to be worn behind the ear of the user and an in the ear (ITE) component configured to be inserted into the user's ear canal.
• BTE component may comprise at least one input transducer, a power source, and a processing unit. It is noted that the term BTE hearing device is not to be confused with the term BTE component.
• BTE hearing device refers to a hearing device where the receiver, i.e., the output transducer, is comprised in the BTE component and sound is guided to the ITE component via a sound tube, i.e., the connector for a BTE hearing device, connecting the BTE and ITE components
• RIE and MaRIE devices refer to hearing devices where the receiver is comprised in the ITE component, which is coupled to the BTE component via a connector configured for transferring electric signals between the BTE and ITE components.
• the hearing device may comprise one or more input transducers.
• the one or more input transducers may comprise one or more microphones.
• the one or more input transducers may comprise one or more vibration sensors configured for detecting bone vibration.
• the one or more input transducer(s) may be configured for converting an acoustic signal into a first electric input signal.
• the first electric input signal may be an analogue signal.
• the first electric input signal may be a digital signal.
• the one or more input transducer(s) may be coupled to one or more analogue-to-digital converter(s) configured for converting the analogue first input signal into a digital first input signal.
• the hearing device may comprise one or more wireless communication unit(s).
• the one or more wireless communication unit(s) may comprise one or more wireless receiver(s), one or more wireless transmitter(s), one or more transmitter-receiver pair(s), and/or one or more transceiver(s).
• At least one of the one or more wireless communication unit(s) may be coupled to the one or more antenna(s).
• the wireless communication unit may be configured for converting a wireless signal received by at least one of the one or more antenna(s) into a second electric input signal.
• the hearing device may be configured for wired/wireless audio communication, e.g., enabling the user to listen to media, such as music or radio, and/or enabling the user to perform phone calls.
• the wireless signal may originate from one or more external source(s) and/or external devices, such as spouse microphone device(s), wireless audio transmitter(s), smart computer(s), and/or distributed microphone array(s) associated with a wireless transmitter.
• the wireless input signal(s) may origin from another hearing device, e.g., as part of a binaural hearing system, and/or from one or more accessory device(s), such as a smartphone and/or a smart watch.
• the hearing device may include a processing unit.
• the processing unit may be configured for processing the first and/or second input signal(s).
• the processing may comprise compensating for a hearing loss of the user, i.e., apply frequency dependent gain to input signals in accordance with the user's frequency dependent hearing impairment.
• the processing may comprise performing feedback cancelation, beamforming, tinnitus reduction/masking, noise reduction, noise cancellation, speech recognition, bass adjustment, treble adjustment, fade balancing, and/or processing of user input.
• the processing unit may be a processor, an integrated circuit, an application, functional module, etc.
• the processing unit may be implemented in a signal-processing chip or a printed circuit board (PCB).
• the processing unit may be configured to provide a first electric output signal based on the processing of the first and/or second input signal(s).
• the processing unit may be configured to provide a second electric output signal.
• the second electric output signal may be based on the processing of the first and/or second input signal(s).
• the hearing device may comprise an output transducer.
• the output transducer may be coupled to the processing unit.
• the output transducer may be a receiver. It is noted that in this context, a receiver is the term used for a loudspeaker, whereas a wireless receiver is a device configured for processing a wireless signal. The receiver may be configured for converting the first electric output signal into an acoustic output signal.
• the output transducer may be coupled the processing unit via the magnetic antenna.
• the output transducer may be comprised in an ITE component or in a BTE component, of the hearing device.
• One or more of the input transducer(s) may be comprised in an ITE component.
• the wireless communication unit may be configured for converting the second electric output signal into a wireless output signal.
• the wireless output signal may comprise synchronization data.
• the wireless communication unit may be configured for transmitting the wireless output signal via at least one of the one or more antennas.
• the hearing device may comprise a digital-to-analogue converter configured to convert the first electric output signal, the second electric output signal, and/or the wireless output signal into an analogue signal.
• the hearing device may comprise a power source.
• the power source may comprise a battery providing a first voltage.
• the battery may be a rechargeable battery.
• the battery may be a replaceable battery.
• the power source may comprise a power management unit.
• the power management unit may be configured to convert the first voltage into a second voltage.
• the power source may comprise a charging coil.
• the charging coil may be provided by the magnetic antenna.
• the connector may be configured to be releasably connected to the BTE component and/or the ITE component.
• releasably connected it is meant that the connector may comprise an interface with attachment means adapted to mate with complementary attachment means on the BTE component and/or on the ITE component and it is intended that a user or HCP may release the connection without the use of excessive force.
• the connector may be configured to be non-releasably connected to the BTE component and/or the ITE component.
• non-releasably connected it is meant that the connector is connected to the BTE component and/or ITE component with attachment means that require specialized tools and/or excessive force to detach. Examples of non-releasable connections are soldering, glue, welding, or that the connector is integrated, i.e., at least partly made from the same material, with the BTE component and/or the ITE component.
• the connector may comprise removable visual markings arranged along at least a part of the length of the flexible member.
• the step of providing the visual marking may comprise removing a portion of the removable visual markings, wherein the portion of the removable visual markings is removed from the exposed portion, the covered portion, or between the exposed and the covered portions.
• the step of providing the visual marking may comprise adding a visible color to the flexible member.
• the method may be carried out by providing visual markings on a regular connector as known in the prior art without premade removable visual markings or by providing a connecter according to the invention provided with removable visual markings.
• the step of removing the removable visible markings may comprise curing the dye and/or the first material by exposing the portion of the removable visual markings on the exposed portion to light with the first wavelength.
• This provides a method for providing the visual marking which can be done simply and safely by a hearing care professional, an audiologist, or another healthcare professional, where the hearing device is placed in its operational position so that the ITE component is inserted at the correct insertion depth, whereby the covered portion is also inside the ear canal while the exposed portion is outside the ear canal.
• the exposed dye and/or first material of the exposed portion may be cured by exposure to light at the first wavelength, while the dye and/or first material of the covered portion remains unexposed as it is covered in the ear canal.
• the dye used to provide the removable visual markings 130 is substantially stable when exposed to light at wavelengths between 380 nanometers and 700 nanometers so that it does not cure/bleach when exposed to sunlight. It is noted that even stable dyes may bleach if exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time, which is why the dye is described as substantially stable above.
• the dye used to provide the removable visual markings 130 has the property that it bleaches when exposed to light at a first wavelength, the first wavelength preferably being in the UV or infrared ranges.
• the dye can be easily cured by a hearing care professional by radiating the exposed portion with light at the first wavelength. Additionally, the dye won't spontaneously cure if exposed to light in the visible spectrum as it is photostable at these wavelengths.
• the colored bands may be flexible and may have a minor footprint so as not to impede ideal insertion at first fitting.
• the hearing care professional can remove the segments of the colored bands by pulling on the tabs, exposing the original color of the connector 100 (transparent, translucent, or skin-tone). This way the HCP can customize the visual marking as an insertion guide for the specific user. For example, the HCP can leave colored bands on only for the covered portion 106 of the connector 100, while removing the rest. If properly inserted the user should not see the remaining colored bands from outside. If colored bands are visible to the user, it is an indication that the insertion is not deep enough.
• Fig. 6b shows a hearing device according to the invention arranged at and in the ear 400 of a user.
• the covered portion 106 of the connector 100 will be inside the ear canal while the exposed portion 108 will be outside the user's ear 400.
• the removable visual markings 130 on the exposed portion 108 may be removed. In the shown embodiment, this step comprises removing the colored bands from the exposed portion 108, while leaving the colored bands on the covered portion 106 as shown in Fig. 6c .
• Figs. 7a-d illustrate the steps of a method according to the invention.
• the hearing device shown in Figs. 7a-d comprise a connector 100 similar to the one shown in fig. 4 , wherein the connector 100 comprises removable visual markings 130 provided by a dye coated onto at least part of the length of the flexible member 110.
• the hearing device is arranged in its operational position, wherein the BTE component 300 is arranged behind the ear 400 of the user and the ITE component 200 is arranged at an insertion depth in the ear canal whereby the connector 100 has a covered portion 106 in the ear canal and an exposed portion outside the ear 400.
• Fig. 7b shows the step of removing the part of the removable visual markings 130 on the exposed portion 108 by curing the dye on the exposed portion 108.
• the curing process is done by radiating light at the first wavelength on the connector 100 so that the dye on the exposed portion 108 is exposed to the light so that the dye on the exposed portion 108 is cured, while the dye on the covered portion 106 is not exposed to the light so that it is not cured and retains its color.
• the light may be provided by a handheld light source 400, such as a UV source or infrared source depending on which wavelength the dye is configured to be cured at.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Neurosurgery (AREA)
• Otolaryngology (AREA)
• Headphones And Earphones (AREA)

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Publications (2)

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• 2022
  • 2022-03-25 EP EP25212688.3A patent/EP4686228A3/fr active Pending

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