Flexible adaptive hearing aid

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible adaptive hearing aid characterized by comprising: a part made of rigid material (1) which will contain the electronic circuit of the hearing aid, and a part made of flexible adaptive material (2) which will have at least one annular flange (3) which will improve the fit between the assembly and the internal auditory canal of the user. The part made of flexible material will cover at least a portion (4) of the surface of the part of rigid material. It will additionally have a cover to assure assembly tightness.

Claims

1. A flexible adaptive hearing aid, comprising: at least one rigid portion defining a hollow body configured to house an electronic circuit, a cover placed on a first end of the housing, and a channel coupled to a second end of the housing and being configured for inserting into an ear canal; and a flexible portion having a cylindrical-shape configured to be removably mounted over an outer surface of said channel; wherein the flexible portion includes a plurality of annular hook-shaped flanges configured to engage an inner surface of the ear canal, each one of said annular hook-shaped flanges protrudes outwardly from said flexible portion and having an identical outer diameter; and wherein said channel defines a recess on said outer surface, and wherein said flexible portion is configured to entirely fit in said recess.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) To complement the description being made and for the purpose of helping to better understand the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description in which the following is depicted with an illustrative and non-limiting character:

(2) FIG. 1 shows general views of the hearing aid.

(3) FIG. 2 shows detail views of the part made of rigid material.

(4) FIG. 3 shows detail views of the part made of flexible material.

BEST WAY TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

(5) Based on the attached drawings, a preferred configuration of the invention is described below.

(6) More specifically, the object of the present specification is characterized by comprising: a part made of rigid material (1) which will contain the electronic circuit of the hearing aid, and a part made of flexible adaptive material (2) which will have at least one annular flange (3) which will improve the fit between the assembly and the internal auditory canal of the user. The part made of flexible material will cover at least a portion (4) of the surface of the part of rigid material. It will additionally have a cover to assure assembly tightness. An example of the hearing aid can be seen in FIG. 1.

(7) The part made of rigid material (1) will be hollow to enable housing in its interior (5) the electronic circuit in charge of amplifying the sound reaching the microphone, emitting it by means of the built-in loudspeaker. Furthermore, it will have a cover to assure that the assembly is leak-tight and that the electronic circuit cannot be damaged by external or ambient conditions, placed at the beginning of the assembly (6). A detail of the rigid part of the hearing aid can be seen in FIG. 2.

(8) This part will contain a recess where the part made of flexible material will be placed covering a portion of the surface (4).

(9) The part made of adaptive flexible material (2) will be annular-shaped to enable housing in its interior (7), at least a portion of the aforementioned part, such that it will be in charge of assuring a perfect fit between the entire assembly and the auditory canal of the user.

(10) To that end, it will have at least one hook-shaped flange (3) that will facilitate the introduction of the hearing aid into the inner ear canal and assure the contact and fit between same, preventing any type of play.

(11) The flexible part (2) may be disassembled with respect to the rigid part (1), such that it allows the easy substitution in the event of wear or hardening, assuring high system durability.

(12) This hearing aid may be adapted to any type of user, since both the number of flanges and the entire shape of the soft part may be customized to suit the needs of each case. The sound is therefore not altered and no annoying noises are produced.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

(13) The industrial application of the invention is clear, as it allows obtaining a hearing aid with a high durability because the parts forming it can be changed. It assures complete system functionality, assuring full comfort for the user. It also prevents problems with unwanted movements or distorted sounds, providing a perfect fit which eliminates any play that may arise, stabilizing hearing.