Method of mounting a hearing device component inside a hearing device

Abstract

Provided is a method of mounting at least one hearing device component (14) inside a hearing device shell (12). Said method comprises the steps of threading a fixture means (16) through a hole (18) formed in the wall of the hearing device shell (12) and attaching the hearing device component (14) to the end of the portion of the fixture means (16) protruding into the inside of the hearing device shell (12). The method further comprises manipulating the portion of the fixture means (16) protruding to the outside of the hearing device shell (12) such to position the hearing device component (14) in a predetermined position, and fixing the positioned hearing device component (14) to the inner wall of the hearing device shell (12).

Claims

1. A method of mounting at least one hearing device component inside a hearing device shell, the method comprises the steps of: threading a first end of a filament through a hole formed in a side wall of the hearing device shell; attaching the hearing device component to the first end of the filament protruding into an inside cavity formed by the hearing device shell; manipulating filament to position the hearing device component in a predetermined position in the inside cavity of the hearing device shell; fixing the positioned hearing device component to an inner surface of the side wall of the hearing device shell; cutting off a portion of the filament protruding outside of the hearing device shell, such that a second end of the filament resulting from the cutting of the filament penetrates into at least a part of the hole; and sealing the hole, wherein sealing the hole comprises attaching the second end of the filament still penetrating into the hole with the sealed hole.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the hole is created during a digital shell manufacturing process.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of fixing the positioned hearing device component comprises applying adhesive to the positioned hearing device component.

4. A hearing device comprising: a hearing device shell forming a cavity accommodating a hearing device component; filament holding the hearing device component inside the cavity, wherein the filament comprises: a first end that penetrates through at least a part of a hole formed in a side wall of the hearing device shell and is sealed within the hole; a second end that is attached to the hearing device component; and a spacer, wherein the spacer provides a spaced apart positional relationship between the hearing device component and the hearing device shell or between the hearing device component and another hearing device component.

5. The hearing device according to claim 4, wherein the hole is positioned in a portion of the hearing device shell which in use rests against a wall of an ear canal of a user when the hearing device is worn by the user.

6. The hearing device according to claim 4, wherein the first end of the filament is substantially flush with an outer surface of the hearing device shell.

7. The hearing device according to claim 4, wherein the filament is made of a plastic material.

8. The hearing device according to claim 4, wherein the hearing device component comprises at least one of a coil, an antenna, a microphone, a processor, a receiver, and a sensor.

9. The method according to claim 3, wherein the hearing device shell is filled with the adhesive.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the filament comprises a plastic material.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined position is in a lower portion of the hearing device shell distal from an opening in the cavity formed by the hearing device shell.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising attaching a faceplate to the hearing device shell to close an opening.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein attaching the second end of the filament still penetrating into the hole with the sealed hole comprises sealing the hole such that the second end is sealed in place in the hole.

14. The hearing device according to claim 4, wherein the filament has a diameter in a range of approximately 0.2 to 2 millimeters.

15. The hearing device according to claim 4, wherein the cavity comprises an opening and the hearing device further comprises a faceplate configured to close an opening and separate the cavity formed by the hearing device shell from an outside.

16. A method of positioning a hearing device component in a hearing device shell, the method comprising: threading a first end of a filament through a hole formed in a side wall of the hearing device shell; attaching the hearing device component to the first end of the filament protruding into an inside cavity formed by the hearing device shell; manipulating filament to position the hearing device component in a position in the inside cavity of the hearing device shell; fixing the positioned hearing device component to an inner surface of the side wall of the hearing device shell; and attaching the second end of the filament still penetrating into the hole with the sealed hole comprises sealing the hole such that the second end is sealed in place in the hole.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the hole is created during a digital shell manufacturing process.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein fixing the positioned hearing device component comprises applying adhesive to the positioned hearing device component.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the filament has a diameter in a range of approximately 0.2 to 2 millimeters.

20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising attaching a faceplate to the hearing device shell to close an opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawing jointly illustrating various exemplary embodiments which are to be considered in connection with the following detailed description. What is shown in the figures is:

(2) FIG. 1 depicts a method of mounting a hearing device component inside a hearing device shell according to the present invention,

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the hearing device component fixed to the inner wall of the hearing device shell according to the method of the present invention, and

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating hearing device components fixed to a hearing device shell according to the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a hearing device 10 taken along the length direction thereof. The hearing device 10 comprises a hearing device shell 12 depicted in hatched lines. The hearing device shell 12 is modelled such to substantially conform to the ear canal geometry of a user. FIG. 1 exemplary illustrates the inventive method of mounting a hearing device component 14 inside the hearing device shell 12. An antenna 14 is used to exemplify one of a plurality of hearing device components. While not shown, the hearing device component can be exemplified by further components, means, elements, etc., for example a coil, a microphone, a receiver, a processor, a sensor, etc. The antenna 14 is attached to an end of a portion of a fixture means 16, which portion protrudes into the inside of the hearing device shell 12. The fixture means 16 is threaded through a hole 18 created in the wall of the hearing device shell 12. The method further comprises manipulating the portion of the fixture means 16 protruding to the outside of the hearing device shell 12 such to position the antenna 14 in a predetermined position. By pulling the fixture means 16 (as indicated in the FIG. 1 by an arrow), the antenna 14 is positioned inside the hearing device shell 12 in a predetermined position. Advantageously, the exact orientation of the antenna 14 is corrected by applying a torsional force to the fixture means 16, if necessary.

(6) Subsequently, the antenna 14 is fixed to the inner wall of the hearing device shell 12 by means of a fixing step as best shown in FIG. 2. The step of fixing the antenna 14 to the inner wall of the hearing device shell 12 comprises applying adhesive 20. In particular, adhesive 20 is applied to the antenna 14 such to glue the antenna 14 to at least the inner wall of the hearing device shell 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a spacer 22 is interposed between the antenna 14 and a further hearing device component exemplified by a receiver 24. Said spacer 22 is interposed such to provide a spaced apart positional relationship between the antenna 14 and the receiver 24. Hence, influences caused by interferences can be reduced substantially. While not shown, at least one further spacer can be sandwiched between the antenna 14 and the inner wall of the hearing device shell 12 such to provide a spaced apart positional relationship between the antenna 14 and the hearing device shell 12.

(7) The hole 18 is created/modelled in the sidewall of the hearing device shell 12. In particular, the hole 18 is disposed such to allow for proper positioning and fixing the antenna 14 in a lower portion of the hearing device shell 12, for example, as indicated in the FIG. 2. Hence, the inner space of the hearing device shell 12 is utilized efficiently. Therefore, voids (i.e. unused volumes into the hearing device shell 12) can be reduced or rather eliminated, resulting in reduced size of the hearing device 10 as a whole.

(8) Once the adhesive 20 is cured, the fixture means 16 can be cut off. To be more precise, the portion of the fixture means 16 protruding to the outside of the shell 12 is cut off from the remainder portion of the fixture means (i.e. at least a portion of the fixture means extending into the hole 18) as schematically indicated by a scissors. The hearing device 10 further comprises a sound tube 26 interposed between an output of the receiver 24 and a sound output port of the hearing device 10. Further, microphones 28, 28 are disposed on and fixed to the inner surface of a faceplate 30. The term inner surface of a faceplate refers to the surface of the faceplate facing the interior of the hearing device shell 12. Further comprised is a battery 32, which can be easily replaced with a new battery by means of opening/closing a door 34 hinged to the outer surface of the faceplate 30. As schematically depicted in the FIG. 2, a plurality of the hearing device components mentioned above are electrically connected to a processor 36 by means of wirings. The processor 36 is at least adapted to input/output control of respective operationally connected components.

(9) As shown in the FIG. 2, the antenna 14 is fixed to the inner wall of the hearing device shell 12 while the receiver 24 is fixed to the antenna 14 as well as to the inner wall of the hearing device shell 12, too. Fixture is attained by means of the adhesive 20. Further, the antenna 14 and the receiver 24 are spaced apart from each other by means of the spacer 22 being sandwiched between the antenna 14 and the receiver 24. While not shown, further hearing device components can be fixed to respective portions of the inner wall of the hearing device shell 12 and/or can be fixed to further components of the plurality of the hearing device components. For example, the processor 36 can be fixed to the inner wall of the hearing device shell 12 by the inventive mounting method.

(10) The antenna 14 and receiver 24 are shown fixed to the inner wall of the hearing device shell 12 locally. This method of fixing provides for increased flexibility. However, while not shown, a plurality or rather all hearing device components can be integrally fixed to each other by adhesive. In other words, subsequent to proper positioning of a plurality of hearing device components, the hearing device shell 12 can be filled with adhesive. This aspect of fixing the positioned hearing device components provides for increased stability and sealing while (local) flexibility is impaired.

(11) FIG. 3 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a hearing device 100 comprising hearing device components fixed according to the prior art. The hearing device 100 comprises a hearing device shell 112 confining the hearing device 100 interior. An antenna 114 as well as two microphones 128, 128, which are exemplifying ones of a plurality of hearing device components, are shown fixed to an inner surface of a faceplate 130. The faceplate 130 terminates the hearing device 100 interior to the outside. Further, a receiver 124 is fixed to the hearing device shell 112 via a sound tube 126. The sound tube 126 penetrates through an sound output port of the hearing device shell 112 on a first end side and is fixed to an output of the receiver 124 on a second end side. A battery 132 is mounted to the hearing device 100 by means of a battery support (not shown). Replacement of the battery 132 can be accomplished by opening a battery door 134 hinged to an outer surface of the faceplate 130. Further, a processor 136 is positioned and fixed to the inner surface of the faceplate 130 as well.

(12) According to the prior art as exemplary shown in FIG. 3, the inner surface of the faceplate 130 facing towards the interior of the hearing device shell 112 acts as supporting means used to provide support for a large number of further hearing device components, for example the antenna 114, the processor 136, etc. In other words, in the prior art, while not shown, a huge plurality of hearing device components are fixed to and supported by the faceplate 130. In the prior art, since the faceplate 130 is used as supporting means, the faceplate 130 assumes an increased size. In other words, the necessity to support the large number of hearing device components, inevitably results to increased size of the faceplate 130. Disadvantageously, the increased size of the faceplate 130 results to increased size of the hearing device 100 as a whole. This in turn results to in the hearing device 100 according to the prior art does not fit into all ear canals. Further, resulting from the dense packaging of the hearing device components on the inner surface of the faceplate 130, performances of some hearing device components are inferior due to interferences among each other.