ELEMENT COMPRISING A PHYSICAL FILTER

Abstract

Disclosed is a method, a hearing device, and an element configured to be releasably attached to a housing of a hearing device for a user, wherein the element is exchangeable by the user, wherein the element has a dimension which provides that the element is exchangeable by the user's fingers, wherein the element is exchangeable by the user without using a tool, and wherein the element comprises a physical filter configured to be arranged in front of an opening in the housing, when the element is attached to the housing.

Claims

1. An element configured to be releasably attached to a housing of a hearing device for a user, the element comprising: a physical filter configured to be arranged in front of an opening at the housing of the hearing device, when the element is attached to the housing; and a retention member configured for retention of the hearing device with respect to an ear of the user; wherein the element has a dimension which allows the element to be attached to, and detached from, the housing of the hearing device by fingers of the user without using a tool.

2. The element according to claim 1, wherein the physical filter provides protection against earwax, water, dirt, or any combination of the foregoing.

3. The element according to claim 1, further comprising a main body.

4. The element according to claim 1, wherein the physical filter is integrated in the main body of the element.

5. The element according to claim 3, wherein the physical filter and the main body are made from the same material.

6. The element according to claim 3, wherein the physical filter and the main body are made from different materials.

7. The element according to claim 1, wherein the element is configured to attach to the housing of the hearing device by a locking mechanism and/or a connection element.

8. The element according to claim 1, wherein the retention member is shaped as an open-ended wing, or as a closed-end hoop.

9. The element according to claim 1, wherein the element comprises a main body made from a first material, wherein the retention member is made from a second material, and wherein the first material is harder than the second material.

10. A hearing device configured to be arranged in an ear of a user, the hearing device comprising: a housing; and an element configured to be releasably attached to the housing, wherein the element has a dimension which allows the element to be attached to, and detached from, the housing by fingers of the user without using a tool; wherein the element comprises a physical filter configured to be arranged in front of an opening at the housing, when the element is attached to the housing; and wherein the element comprises a retention member configured for retention of the hearing device with respect to the ear of the user.

11. The hearing device according to claim 10, wherein the opening at the housing is a microphone inlet for a microphone of the hearing device.

12. The hearing device according to claim 11, wherein the physical filter is configured to provide acoustical tuning for the microphone of the hearing device.

13. The hearing device according to claim 10, wherein the opening at the housing is an vent opening for a vent channel of the hearing device.

14. The hearing device according to claim 13, wherein the physical filter is configured to provide acoustical tuning for the vent channel of the hearing device.

15. A method for exchanging a physical filter of a hearing device, wherein the physical filter is integrated in an element configured to be releasably attached to a housing of the hearing device, wherein the element has a dimension which allows the element to be manipulatable by fingers of a user without using a tool, and wherein the element comprises a retention member configured for retention of the hearing device with respect to an ear of the user, wherein the method comprises: detaching the element comprising the physical filter from the housing of the hearing device using the fingers without using the tool; and attaching a new element comprising a new physical filter to the housing of the hearing device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] The above and other features and advantages will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art by the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0075] FIG. 1a) schematically illustrate an exemplary hearing device 6 for a user, where an element 2 is releasably attached to a housing 4 of the hearing device.

[0076] FIGS. 1b), 1c), 1d), 1e), 1f) and 1g) also schematically illustrate exemplary hearing devices for a user, as FIG. 1a), where an element is releasably attached to a housing of the hearing device, and where the element comprises a physical filter configured to be attached in front of an opening in the housing. FIG. 1b)-1g) illustrates different examples of the element.

[0077] FIG. 2a) schematically illustrates an exemplary element 2 configured to be releasably attached to a housing of a hearing device for a user.

[0078] FIGS. 2b), 2c) and 2d) schematically illustrate exemplary elements, locking mechanisms and/or connection elements for the housing of the hearing device.

[0079] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary element 2 comprising a retention member 20.

[0080] FIG. 4a) schematically illustrates an exemplary hearing device 6 to be arranged in an ear of a user, where the hearing device 6 comprises a housing 4, and where the housing comprises one or more openings 10.

[0081] FIGS. 4b) and 4c) schematically illustrate exemplary elements comprising one or more physical filters arranged at one or more different positions corresponding to different positions on the housing where openings are arranged.

[0082] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary flow chart for a method 100 for exchanging a physical filter of a hearing device for a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.

[0084] FIG. 1a) schematically illustrates an exemplary hearing device 6 for a user, where an element 2 is releasably attached to a housing 4 of the hearing device. In the shown example, the hearing device 6 is embodied as an earbud 6, however, one or more features described herein may be equally applicable to other hearing devices, such as a headset, headphone, earphone, earbud, hearing aid, a personal sound amplification product (PSAP), an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing device, a hearing protection device, a one-size-fits-all hearing device, a custom hearing device or another head-wearable hearing device. Hearing devices can include both prescription devices and non-prescription devices. FIG. 1a) illustrates an exemplary element 2 configured to be releasably attached to a housing 4 of a hearing device 6 for a user. The element 2 is exchangeable by the user. The element 2 has a dimension which provides that the element 2 is exchangeable by the user's fingers. The element 2 is exchangeable by the user without using a tool. The element 2 comprises a physical filter 8 configured to be arranged in front of an opening (not shown) in the housing 4, when the element 2 is attached to the housing 4.

[0085] A dome 26 may be attached to the housing, where the dome is configured to be placed at least partly in the ear canal of the user's ear, when the user is wearing the hearing device in its intended position in the ear.

[0086] The element may be attached to the housing of the hearing device by means of a locking mechanism and/or a connection element. The locking mechanism and/or a connection element may be provided on the element and/or on the housing of the hearing device. The locking mechanism and/or connection element may be a belly-band, a snap-fit, a recess, adhesive, adhesive, glue, friction fit, snap/hook, press fit, sticker attachment, protrusion etc.

[0087] FIGS. 1b)-1g) also schematically illustrate exemplary hearing devices for a user, as FIG. 1a), where an element is releasably attached to a housing of the hearing device, and where the element comprises a physical filter configured to be attached in front of an opening in the housing. FIG. 1b)-1g) illustrates different examples of the element.

[0088] FIG. 1b) schematically illustrates an example where the element is attached to the housing as a belly band, i.e. the element may extend as a loop around the entire perimeter of the housing, e.g. in the center part of the housing, which may be the thickest part of the housing.

[0089] FIG. 1c) schematically illustrates an example where the element is attached to the housing and extends around the entire perimeter of the housing and covers the housing from about the center part of the housing and down to where the dome is attached the housing.

[0090] FIG. 1d) schematically illustrates an example where the element is attached to the housing and extends around the entire perimeter of the housing and covers the housing from about the center part of the housing and up to the top of the housing.

[0091] FIG. 1e) schematically illustrates an example where the element is attached to the housing and extends around the entire perimeter of the housing and covers the housing from about the center part of the housing and down to also cover the dome.

[0092] FIG. 1f) schematically illustrates an example where the element is attached to the housing and extends around the entire perimeter of the housing and covers the housing from the top part of the housing and down to where the dome is attached the housing.

[0093] FIG. 1g) schematically illustrates an example corresponding to FIG. 1a) where the element is attached to the housing at about or below the center part of the housing, and where the element is a small strip, and where the element does not extend around the entire perimeter of the housing, but only covers a part, such as half, of the perimeter of the housing.

[0094] FIG. 2a) schematically illustrates an exemplary element 2 configured to be releasably attached to a housing (not shown) of a hearing device (not shown) for a user. The element 2 is exchangeable by the user. The element 2 has a dimension which provides that the element 2 is exchangeable by the user's fingers. The element 2 is exchangeable by the user without using a tool. The element 2 comprises a physical filter 8 configured to be arranged in front of an opening (not shown) in the housing, when the element 2 is attached to the housing.

[0095] The element 2 may be attached to the housing of the hearing device by means of a locking mechanism and/or a connection element. The locking mechanism and/or the connection element may be provided on the element 2 and/or on the housing of the hearing device. The locking mechanism and/or connection element may be a belly-band, a snap-fit, a recess, adhesive, friction fit, snap/hook, press fit, sticker attachment, protrusion etc.

[0096] FIG. 2a) further shows that the element 2 may comprise one or more protrusions 24 for attaching the element 2 to the housing of the hearing device. The protrusions 24 are preferably formed with complementary shapes to one or more recesses formed in the housing of the hearing device, to thereby provide a mechanical connection between the housing and the element 2.

[0097] In FIG. 2a), the element 2 is shown to be curved to fit the outer curved shape of the housing of the hearing device. The element 2 may be curved in a shape of a half-circle.

[0098] In FIG. 2a) two protrusions 24 are shown, one in each end of the curved element 24.

[0099] FIGS. 2b), 2c) and 2d) schematically illustrate exemplary elements, locking mechanisms and/or connection elements for the housing of the hearing device.

[0100] FIG. 2b) schematically illustrates an example corresponding to FIG. 2a), where the locking mechanisms and/or connection elements are protrusions of the element. The protrusions provide a snap fit or press fit connection to the housing.

[0101] FIG. 2c) schematically illustrates an example, where the locking mechanisms and/or connection elements is a belly-band or other implementation where the element extends around the entire perimeter of the housing, such as shown in FIGS. 1a)-1f). This provides an attachment being a compression of the element around the housing.

[0102] FIG. 2d) schematically illustrates an example, where the locking mechanisms and/or connection elements is an adhesive, glue, sticker etc., whereby the element is attached to the housing by means of adhesive forces.

[0103] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary element 2 comprising a retention member 20. The retention member is for retention of the hearing device 6 in the user's ear.

[0104] The retention member 20 is shaped as a closed-end hoop in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the retention member 20 may be shaped as an open-ended wing, cf. FIG. 4a.

[0105] FIG. 3 further shows the main body 22 of the element 2, and the physical filter 8 integrated into the main body 22.

[0106] Like FIGS. 2a) and 2b), FIG. 3 further shows that the element 2 may comprise one or more protrusions 24 for attaching the element 2 to the housing of the hearing device.

[0107] In FIG. 3, the main body 22 of the element 2 is shown to be curved to fit the outer curved shape of the housing of the hearing device. The element 2 may be curved in a shape of a half-circle.

[0108] In FIG. 3 two protrusions 24 are shown, one in each end of the curved main body 22 of the element 24.

[0109] FIG. 4a) schematically illustrates an exemplary hearing device 6 to be arranged in an ear of a user. The hearing device 6 comprises a housing 4. The housing comprises one or more openings 10.

[0110] The one or more openings may be one or more microphone inlets 12 for a microphone 14 in the hearing device 2.

[0111] The one or more openings 10 may be one or more vent openings 16 for a vent channel 18 in the hearing device.

[0112] An element 2 comprising a physical filter (see FIGS. 4b) and 4c below) is configured to be arranged in front of the one or more openings 10 in the housing 4, when the element 2 is attached to the housing 4.

[0113] FIG. 4a) further shows that the element 2 comprises a main body 22 attached to the housing 4 and a retention member 20 extending from the main body 22. The retention member 20 is shaped as an open-ended wing.

[0114] FIGS. 4b) and 4c) schematically illustrate exemplary elements comprising one or more physical filters arranged at one or more different positions corresponding to different positions on the housing where openings are arranged.

[0115] For example, as shown in FIG. 4b), the element 2 may comprise one physical filter 8 configured to be arranged in front of an opening in the housing (see FIG. 4a) above).

[0116] For example, as shown in FIG. 4c), the element 2 may comprise two physical filters 8 and 8′, where a first filter 8 may be arranged in front of an opening being a microphone inlet in the housing (see FIG. 4a) above), and a second filter 8′ may be arranged in front of an opening being a vent opening in the housing (see FIG. 4a) above).

[0117] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary flow chart for a method 100 for exchanging a physical filter of a hearing device for a user. The physical filter is integrated in an element configured to be releasably attached to a housing of the hearing device. The element is exchangeable by the user. The element has a dimension which provides that the element is exchangeable by the user's fingers. The element is exchangeable by the user without using a tool.

[0118] The method comprises the step of detaching 102 a present element comprising a physical filter from the housing of the hearing device. The method comprises the step of attaching 104 a new element comprising a physical filter to the housing of the hearing device.

[0119] Although particular features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

[0120] Items: [0121] 1. An element (2) configured to be releasably attached to a housing (4) of a hearing device (6) for a user, [0122] wherein the element (2) is exchangeable by the user, [0123] wherein the element (2) has a dimension which provides that the element (2) is exchangeable by the user's fingers, [0124] wherein the element (2) is exchangeable by the user without using a tool, and [0125] wherein the element (2) comprises: [0126] a physical filter (8) configured to be arranged in front of an opening (10) in the housing (4), when the element (2) is attached to the housing (4). [0127] 2. The element according to any of the preceding items, wherein the opening (10) in the housing is a microphone inlet (12) for a microphone (14) in the hearing device. [0128] 3. The element according to any of the preceding items, wherein the opening (10) in the housing is an vent opening (16) for a vent channel (18) in the hearing device. [0129] 4. The element according to items 2 or 3, wherein the physical filter provides acoustical tuning for the vent channel and/or the microphone. [0130] 5. The element according to any of the preceding items, wherein the physical filter provides protection against earwax, water and/or dirt. [0131] 6. The element according to any of the preceding items, wherein the element comprises a main body (22) and the physical filter. [0132] 7. The element according to the preceding item, wherein the physical filter is integrated in the main body of the element. [0133] 8. The element according to items 6 or 7, wherein the physical filter and the main body are made of the same material. [0134] 9. The element according to items 6 or 7, wherein the physical filter and the main body are made of different materials. [0135] 10. The element according to any of the preceding items, wherein the element is attached to the housing of the hearing device by means of a locking mechanism and/or a connection element. [0136] 11. The element according to any of the preceding items, wherein the element comprises a retention member (20) for retention of the hearing device in the user's ear. [0137] 12. The element according to the preceding item, wherein the retention member is shaped as an open-ended wing, or as a closed-end hoop. [0138] 13. The element according to items 11 or 12, wherein the element is made in a first material and the retention member is made in a second material, and wherein the first material is harder than the second material. [0139] 14. A hearing device to be arranged in an ear of a user, the hearing device comprises: [0140] a housing; and [0141] an element configured to be releasably attached to the housing, wherein the element is exchangeable by the user, and wherein the element has a dimension which provides that the element is exchangeable by the user's fingers, and wherein the element is exchangeable by the user without using a tool; and [0142] wherein the element comprises a physical filter configured to be arranged in front of an opening in the housing, when the element is attached to the housing. [0143] 15. A method for exchanging a physical filter of a hearing device, wherein the physical filter is integrated in an element configured to be releasably attached to a housing of the hearing device, wherein the element is exchangeable by the user, and wherein the element has a dimension which provides that the element is exchangeable by the user's fingers, and wherein the element is exchangeable by the user without using a tool, wherein the method comprises: [0144] detaching a present element comprising a physical filter from the housing of the hearing device; [0145] attaching a new element comprising a physical filter to the housing of the hearing device.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0146] 2 element [0147] 4 housing [0148] 6 hearing device [0149] 8 physical filter [0150] 8′ physical filter [0151] opening [0152] 12 microphone inlet [0153] 14 microphone [0154] 16 vent opening [0155] 18 vent channel [0156] retention member [0157] 22 main body [0158] 24 protrusion [0159] 26 dome [0160] 100 method [0161] 102 method step of detaching a present element comprising a physical filter from the housing of the hearing device [0162] 104 method step of attaching a new element comprising a physical filter to the housing of the hearing device