HEARING AID WITH SPEAKER UNIT AND DOME

Abstract

A hearing aid with an earpiece for placement in the ear canal, and a dome, are disclosed. The earpiece comprises a speaker unit comprising: a receiver extending along an axis between an outlet surface perpendicular to the axis and a bottom surface perpendicular to the axis, a receiver outlet directed towards the ear canal of the user when the earpiece is mounted in the ear canal, a microphone having an inlet surface and a bottom surface, wherein the microphone is placed in connection with the receiver, a microphone inlet directed towards the ear canal of the user when the earpiece is mounted in the ear canal, wherein the receiver outlet is placed side by side with the microphone inlet, and wherein the microphone inlet and receiver outlet are separated by a wall, the earpiece further comprising a dome for placement on the speaker unit, the dome comprising: a speaker unit interface connecting a tip of the speaker unit to the dome such that when connected, the microphone inlet and receiver outlet are separated all the way into the ear canal, and an outer dome portion, wherein the dome comprises a two-component material in which the interface comprises a harder material, and the outer dome portion comprises a softer material.

Claims

1. A hearing aid with an earpiece for placement in the ear canal, the earpiece comprising: a speaker unit comprising: a receiver extending along an axis between an outlet surface perpendicular to the axis and a bottom surface perpendicular to the axis, a receiver outlet directed towards the ear canal of the user when the earpiece is mounted in the ear canal, a microphone having an inlet surface and a bottom surface, wherein the microphone is placed in connection with the receiver, a microphone inlet directed towards the ear canal of the user when the earpiece is mounted in the ear canal, wherein the receiver outlet is placed side by side with the microphone inlet, and wherein the microphone inlet and receiver outlet are separated by a wall, the earpiece further comprising: a dome for placement on the speaker unit, the dome comprising: a speaker unit interface connecting a tip of the speaker unit to the dome such that when connected, the microphone inlet and receiver outlet are separated all the way into the ear canal, and an outer dome portion, wherein the dome comprises a two-component material in which the interface comprises a harder material, and the outer dome portion comprises a softer material.

2. A hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the speaker unit interface further comprises a fine meshed wax filter integrated in the harder material.

3. A hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the dome further comprises a wax umbrella placed on top of the speaker unit interface.

4. A hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the speaker unit and the speaker unit interface have a rounded shape to be more comfortable in the ear canal of the user.

5. A hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the microphone is placed at one side of the receiver such that the microphone inlet surface is closer to the receiver than what the microphone bottom surface.

6. A hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the microphone is placed at one side of the receiver such that the microphone bottom surface is closer to the receiver than what the microphone inlet surface.

7. A hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the microphone is placed at the bottom surface of the receiver.

8. A hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the microphone is placed at the outlet surface of the receiver.

9. A hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the speaker unit has an indentation for enabling a snap-on connection between the dome and the speaker unit.

10. A hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the speaker unit interface of the dome and the receiver unit are configured to provide a snap-on connection between the dome and the receiver unit that ensures separation of the receiver outlet and the microphone inlet.

11. A hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the speaker unit interface of the dome is configured to provide that the microphone inlet is arranged around the receiver outlet.

12. A hearing aid according to claim 10 wherein the outer dome portion comprises a wax umbrella covering the speaker outlet and the microphone inlet of the dome, and wherein the dome is configured to allow sound to enter the microphone inlet and escape from the receiver outlet, while separating inlet sound from outlet sound.

13. A dome for placement on a speaker unit, the dome comprising: a speaker unit interface connecting a tip of the speaker unit to the dome such that when connected, the microphone inlet and receiver outlet are separated all the way into the ear canal, and an outer dome portion, wherein the dome comprises a two-component material in which the interface comprises a harder material, and the outer dome portion comprises a softer material.

14. A hearing aid according to claim 2, wherein the tip of the speaker unit and the speaker unit interface have a rounded shape to be more comfortable in the ear canal of the user.

15. A hearing aid according to claim 3, wherein the tip of the speaker unit and the speaker unit interface have a rounded shape to be more comfortable in the ear canal of the user.

16. A hearing aid according to claim 2, wherein the microphone is placed at one side of the receiver such that the microphone inlet surface is closer to the receiver than what the microphone bottom surface is.

17. A hearing aid according to claim 3, wherein the microphone is placed at one side of the receiver such that the microphone inlet surface is closer to the receiver than what the microphone bottom surface is.

18. A hearing aid according to claim 4, wherein the microphone is placed at one side of the receiver such that the microphone inlet surface is closer to the receiver than what the microphone bottom surface is.

19. A hearing aid according to claim 2, wherein the microphone is placed at one side of the receiver such that the microphone bottom surface is closer to the receiver than what the microphone inlet surface is.

20. A hearing aid according to claim 3, wherein the microphone is placed at one side of the receiver such that the microphone bottom surface is closer to the receiver than what the microphone inlet surface is.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0072] The aspects of the disclosure may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they just show details to improve the understanding of the claims, while other details are left out. Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts. The individual features of each aspect may each be combined with any or all features of the other aspects. These and other aspects, features and/or technical effect will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the illustrations described hereinafter in which:

[0073] FIG. 1A shows an earpiece according to an aspect of the application,

[0074] FIG. 1B shows an earpiece according to an aspect of the application,

[0075] FIG. 2 shows an earpiece according to an aspect of the application,

[0076] FIG. 3 shows an earpiece according to an aspect of the application,

[0077] FIG. 4 shows an earpiece according to an aspect of the application,

[0078] FIG. 5A shows an earpiece aid according to an aspect of the application,

[0079] FIG. 5B shows an earpiece and its cross sections according to an aspect of the application,

[0080] FIG. 5C shows different cross sections according to an aspect of the application, and

[0081] FIG. 6 shows a snap-on feature according to an aspect of the application.

[0082] The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they just show details which are essential to the understanding of the disclosure, while other details are left out. Throughout, the same reference signs are used for identical or corresponding parts.

[0083] Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only. Other embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0084] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. Several aspects of the apparatus and methods are described by various blocks, functional units, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). Depending upon particular application, design constraints or other reasons, these elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer program, or any combination thereof.

[0085] The electronic hardware may include micro-electronic-mechanical systems (MEMS), integrated circuits (e.g. application specific), microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, printed circuit boards (PCB) (e.g. flexible PCBs), and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure, e.g. sensors, e.g. for sensing and/or registering physical properties of the environment, the device, the user, etc. Computer program shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0086] The present application relates to the field of hearing aids. More specifically, it relates to earpieces for receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing styles.

[0087] FIGS. 1A and 1B show an earpiece 1 according to an aspect of the application. The earpiece, when used, is placed in the ear canal of the user. The earpiece may be connected to a behind the ear portion of the hearing aid (not shown). The earpiece 1 comprises two main portions; a speaker unit 2 and a dome 8. The dome 8 is to be mounted on the speaker unit 2. FIG. 1A shows the un-mounted earpiece. FIG. 1B shows the earpiece 1 when the dome 8 is mounted on the speaker unit 2. The speaker unit 2 comprises a receiver 4. The receiver (speaker) 4 extends along an axis A. The receiver has an outlet surface O and a bottom surface B, and the axis A extends between the outlet surface O and the bottom surface B. The speaker unit 4 has a receiver outlet 6. The receiver outlet 6 is placed such that when the earpiece is mounted in the ear canal, the receiver outlet 6 is directed towards the ear canal, thereby acting as a sound channel to the user. A microphone 3 is placed in connection with the receiver 4. The microphone 3 has an inlet surface I (which comprises the sound inlet of the microphone) and a bottom surface S. Preferably, the microphone 3 is a MEMS microphone. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the microphone 3 is placed on one side of the receiver 4, with the microphone inlet surface I facing the receiver 4. Other placements of the microphone 3 is equally plausible, as will be apparent in the following figures. The speaker unit 2 further comprises a microphone inlet 5 in connection with the microphone 3 through which sound is picked up. When the earpiece is mounted in the ear, the microphone inlet 5 is directed towards the ear canal. It is to be noted, that the microphone inlet 5 and the receiver outlet 6 are essentially two channels or canals. These channels 5 and 6 are directed towards the ear canal when the hearing aid is mounted in the ear canal. The phrase ‘towards the ear canal’ should be interpreted as ‘essentially pointing into the ear canal and towards the tympanic membrane’. The receiver outlet 6 and the microphone inlet 5 are placed side by side, as seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The outlet 6 and inlet 5 are however separated by a wall 7. The wall 7 comprises a material such as a polymer based material, or any other suitable material. The earpiece 1 further comprises a dome 8. The dome 8 is to be mounted on top of the speaker unit 2 when in use. When mounted, as in FIG. 1B, the microphone inlet 5 and receiver outlet 6 are separated all the way into the ear canal. The dome 8 comprises a speaker unit interface 9. The interface 9 comprises a hard material, such as a polymer based material, or any other suitable material. The dome 8 further comprises an outer dome portion 10. The outer dome portion 10 of the dome 8, comprises a softer material (i.e. softer than the interface 9) such as a polymer material, or any other suitable material. Thus, the dome 8 comprises a two-component (2K) material which allows for a sufficient snap-on connection between the dome 8 and the speaker unit 2. When the user is mounting (i.e. connecting) the dome 8 and the speaker unit 2, the harder material of the interface 9 allows for a “clicking” sensation. This alleviates the user of wondering if the earpiece is correctly, and safely, mounted. The snap-on connection is further ensured by indentations 14 in the tip 13, as seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The indentation in theses figs. is represented by a slight indentation in the ‘neck’ of the tip 13. However, other indentations are also plausible, such as various shaped recesses for example at the uppermost part of the tip 13. The snap-on feature is further described with reference to FIG. 6. The earpiece 1 can further comprise a fine meshed wax filter 11 for protecting against wax and other debris. The filter 11 is integrated in the interface 9. The dome 8 can also further comprise a wax umbrella 12 placed on top of the interface 9. The wax umbrella 12 provides a first shield against wax and other debris, and can be replaced without having to replace the entire dome 8. The wax umbrella 12 illustrated in this application has a symmetrical smooth shape, but other shapes and profiles are plausible, such as a wave edge profile. In a 2K dome as described above, the wax umbrella comprises the softer material. The tip 13 of the speaker unit 2 and the interface 9, as can be seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, can preferably have a rounded shape. By having a rounded shape and avoiding sharp edges, the earpiece is more comfortable for the user. As can be seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the microphone 3 is placed such that the microphone inlet surface I is facing towards the receiver 4, i.e. the inlet surface I is closer to the receiver 4 than what the microphone bottom surface S is. As will become apparent from the following figures, the microphone can also be placed reversed, i.e. such that the bottom surface S is facing the receiver 4. Where the tip 13 of the speaker unit 2 meets the interface 9 of the dome 8, extra sealing in the form of a silicone layer can be provided to ensure no leakage occurs between the two channels 5 and 6. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the microphone inlet 5 an receiver outlet 6 are illustrated as having the same size, however it is possible that the two channels are asymmetric in size to prioritize the capacities of the channels or to accommodate for a specific number of apertures (holes) in the filter 11 of the dome 8.

[0088] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show a mounted earpiece which is similar to the one in FIG. 1B. In FIG. 2, the microphone 3 is placed on the side of the receiver 4 (similarly to FIGS. 1A and 1B), however, the microphone is now placed such that the microphone inlet I faces away from the receiver 4 and the axis A. Thus, in FIG. 2, the microphone bottom surface S is closer to the receiver 4 than what the inlet surface I is. This could provide for a slightly slimmer earpiece 1. In FIG. 3, the microphone 3 is now placed at the bottom surface B of the receiver 4. In FIG. 3 the microphone inlet surface I is facing the receiver 4, but it could equally be placed such that the microphone bottom S was facing the receiver 4. By placing the microphone 3 at the bottom of the receiver, a slimmer but longer earpiece is achieved. FIG. 4 shows the microphone 3 being placed at the outlet surface O of the receiver 4. In FIG. 4 the microphone inlet surface I is facing away from the receiver 4, but it could equally be placed facing towards the receiver 4. This placement of the microphone 3 allows for the shortest microphone inlet path. This could be advantageous because it avoids resonance and increased moving mass that could potentially interfere with the microphone response. This will also keep the microphone inlet resonance at higher frequencies>8 kHz.

[0089] FIG. 5A shows a cross-section of an earpiece 100 according to another aspect of the application. The earpiece 100 is similar to the ones shown in respect to FIGS. 1-4 but shows another option for the dome 8. The interface between the dome 8 and the speaker unit 2 is also different from the embodiment in FIGS. 1-4. In FIG. 5A, the microphone 3 is placed at the bottom of the receiver 4. It is to be noted, that the microphone 3 could be placed anywhere in the speaker unit 2, for example on the sides or at the top, as in FIGS. 1-4. A cross-section of the interface 90 can be seen in FIG. 5B. The interface 90 in FIGS. 5A and 5B has a middle section 15 forming a receiver outlet 60, and another outer section 16. The space between the sections 15 and 16 forms a microphone inlet 50. The outlet 60 and inlet 50 are separated by the middle section 15 which acts a wall, similar to the wall in FIGS. 1-4. The outlet 15 has a slightly bent profile that corresponds to a structure 17 in the speaker unit 2. This allows for a “clicking” snap-on mounting between the dome 8 and the speaker unit 2. The structure 17 in the speaker unit portion of the earpiece is angled to match the interface 90 and enable the snap-on. The earpiece 100 in FIGS. 5A and 5B is shown with a wax umbrella 120 attached to the dome 8. The wax umbrella 120 is attached to the interface 90 so as to allow sound from the receiver outlet 60 to be guided into the ear canal.

[0090] FIG. 5B shows cross-sections of the earpiece 100 in FIG. 5A as seen from above. Here, the receiver outlet 60 and microphone inlet 50 are clearly shown. A cross-section of the receiver 4 and microphone 3 can also be seen. It is important to note that the particular shape of the cross-sections could be varied and are not limited to the ones shown in FIG. 5B. The speaker unit interface 9 in FIGS. 5A and B also has a wax filter 11 integrated in the interface 9.

[0091] FIG. 5C shows two potential versions of cross-sections (referred to as ‘A’ in FIG. 5B) of the earpiece 100. These two cross-sections show two alternative ways of splitting the receiver outlet and microphone inlet.

[0092] FIG. 6 shows a snap-on feature according to the aspect as described in FIGS. 1-4. In the figure, a cross-section of a dome 8 can be seen mounted onto the speaker unit 2 by “clicking” the speaker unit interface 9 onto the tip portion 13 of the speaker unit 2. The tip portion 13 has a slanted profile to enable a good aligning. The tip 13 further comprises indentations 14 to enable the “snap-on”. In the left portion of the figure, the dome 8 can be seen radially misaligned relative to the tip 13 of the speaker unit 2. In the middle portion of the figure, the dome 8 is guided along the tapered surface of the tip 13. In the right portion, the dome 8 is correctly aligned onto the speaker unit 2. The use of a 2K dome, i.e. a dome 2 comprising two materials with different properties (i.e. a speaker unit interface 9 with a harder material relative to the outer portion 10) enables the snap-on, i.e. a tactile click. This tactile click signals to the user that the dome 8 is correctly mounted. The removal of the dome 8 can be done by either wedging a thin instrument between the interface 9 and the indentations 14, or by pinching the dome 8 between two fingers and pulling. FIG. 6 further shows a sealing lip 18. The sealing lip 18 can be a part of the dome 8 and ensures acoustic sealing in all 360 degrees. The sealing lip 18 blocks sound leaking from the two channels 5 and 6. To further ensure acoustic sealing in 360 degrees, an added layer of silicone can be added on the circumference around the lower part of the tip 13. This added silicone layer interferes with the sealing lip 18 and provides a “tight” seal. The cross section of this silicone layer 19 is illustrated in FIG. 6 as a small “dot”. The dome 8 shown in FIG. 6 is illustrated with a wax umbrella 12, but as previously stated, the umbrella 12 is optional.

[0093] It is intended that the structural features of the devices described above, either in the detailed description and/or in the claims, may be combined with steps of the method, when appropriately substituted by a corresponding process.

[0094] As used, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well (i.e. to have the meaning “at least one”), unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element but an intervening element may also be present, unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The steps of any disclosed method is not limited to the exact order stated herein, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0095] It should be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “an aspect” or features included as “may” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined as suitable in one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

[0096] The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more.