Abstract
A hearing aid device configured to communicate wirelessly with an external device is disclosed. The hearing aid device comprises a housing with a microphone, an amplifier, where the hearing aid device comprises an antenna and either: a) a tube configured to deliver sound acoustically from a receiver in the housing to an ear mould or a dome or electrically to a receiver in an ear mould or a dome or b) a hook configured to deliver sound acoustically from a receiver in the housing to an ear mould or a dome. The antenna extends along at least a portion of the tube or the hook.
Claims
1. A hearing aid device configured to communicate wirelessly with an external device, the hearing aid device comprising: a housing with a microphone and an amplifier, the housing being configured to be positioned behind an ear of a user; a hook attached to the housing; an output electrode configured for being implanted in a cochlea of the user; and an antenna formed in the housing, wherein the antenna extends from said housing, and the antenna is received in the hook, wherein a recess extends along substantially the length of the hook, and at least part of the antenna extends into the recess.
2. A hearing aid device configured to communicate wirelessly with an external device, the hearing aid device comprising: a housing with a microphone and an amplifier, the housing being configured to be positioned behind an ear of a user; a hook attached to the housing; an output electrode configured for being implanted in a cochlea of the user; and an antenna formed in the housing, wherein the antenna extends from said housing, and the antenna is received in the hook, wherein the antenna comprises several separate antenna members that are electrically connected to each other to form one interconnected antenna, wherein one separate antenna member is formed in the hook connected to the housing, and wherein a recess extends from a distal end of the hook to a proximal end of the hook and the one separate antenna member extends in the recess.
3. The hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein the hook has an upper side, a lower side, a proximal end configured for connection to the housing and a distal end that is open and configured for connection to an ear mould, and the hook is provided with a through-going bore to deliver sound acoustically from a receiver in the housing to the ear of the user via the ear mould.
4. The hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is a rod-shaped antenna.
5. The hearing aid device according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is a flat antenna.
6. The hearing aid device according to claim 2, wherein the hook has an upper side, a lower side, a proximal end configured for connection to the housing and a distal end that is open and configured for connection to an ear mould, and the hook is provided with a through-going bore to deliver sound acoustically from a receiver in the housing to the ear of the user via the ear mould.
7. The hearing aid device according to claim 2, wherein the antenna is a rod-shaped antenna.
8. The hearing aid device according to claim 2, wherein the antenna is a flat antenna.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below. The accompanying drawings are given by way of illustration only, and thus, they are not limitative of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings:
(2) FIG. 1A shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a hearing aid device according to the disclosure;
(3) FIG. 1B shows schematically views of another hearing aid device according to the disclosure;
(4) FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of a BTE hearing aid device according to the disclosure;
(5) FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of another BTE hearing aid device according to the disclosure;
(6) FIGS. 3A-3D shows schematically cross-sectional views of four different hooks according to the disclosure;
(7) FIG. 4A shows schematically a perspective view of an antenna according to the disclosure;
(8) FIG. 4B shows schematically a perspective view of a hook of a hearing aid device according to the disclosure;
(9) FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a BTE hearing aid device according to the disclosure;
(10) FIG. 5B shows another perspective view of the BTE hearing aid device shown in FIG. 5A;
(11) FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of a hearing aid device according to the disclosure;
(12) FIG. 6B shows schematically a perspective view of a tube and a connection member of the type that is intended to be used in a RITE hearing aid device like the one shown in FIG. 6A;
(13) FIG. 7A shows a cross-sectional view of a tube of a hearing aid according to the disclosure;
(14) FIG. 7B shows a cross-sectional view of another tube of a hearing aid device 2 according to the disclosure;
(15) FIGS. 8A-8D shows schematically a cross-sectional exploded view of a RITE hearing aid device according to the disclosure;
(16) FIG. 9A shows schematically a cross-sectional view of connection member and a corresponding tube for a hearing aid device according to the disclosure;
(17) FIG. 9B shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a connection member similar to the one shown in FIG. 9A;
(18) FIG. 10A shows schematically a front view of a tube of a RITE hearing aid device according to the disclosure;
(19) FIG. 10B shows schematically a side view of the tube shown in FIG. 10A;
(20) FIG. 10C shows schematically a front view of another tube of a RITE hearing aid device according to the disclosure;
(21) FIG. 10D shows schematically a side view of the tube shown in FIG. 10C;
(22) FIG. 10E illustrates schematically a cross-sectional side view of a tube according to the disclosure;
(23) FIG. 11A illustrates schematically a cross-sectional side view of another tube according to the disclosure;
(24) FIG. 11B illustrates schematically a cross-sectional front view of the tube shown in FIG. 11A;
(25) FIG. 12A shows schematically a cross-sectional front view of a tube according to the disclosure;
(26) FIG. 12B shows schematically a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the tube shown in FIG. 12A;
(27) FIG. 13A shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a tube and a head member according to the disclosure;
(28) FIG. 13B shows schematically a cross-sectional view of another tube according to the disclosure;
(29) FIG. 13C shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a further tube according to the disclosure;
(30) FIG. 14A shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a tube according to the disclosure;
(31) FIG. 14B shows schematically a side view of a housing of a hearing aid according to the disclosure and
(32) FIGS. 15A-15B shows two schematically cross-sectional views of a tube according to the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
(33) Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, different views of a hearing aid device 2 according to the disclosure is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B.
(34) FIG. 1A illustrates schematically a cross-sectional view of a hearing aid device 2 according to the disclosure. The hearing aid device is a BTE hearing aid device 2 comprising a housing 4 with a microphone member 22, an amplifier 24 and a receiver 26. A hook 6 is mechanically attached to the housing 4.
(35) The hook 6 has an upper side 18, a lower side 16 and a distal end 28. The distal end 28 is configured to receive an ear mould (see FIG. 5B). The hook 6 is provided with a through-going bore 40 through which air-borne acoustic sound is transferred from the receiver 26 to the ear of the user via the ear mould (see FIG. 6B).
(36) The antenna 20 extends along the upper side 18 of the hook 6. It is possible to embed (e.g. by a moulding process) the antenna 20 into the wall 124 of the hook 6 or to provide an alternative attachment. The antenna 20 is required in order to perform wireless communication with an external device 44 (e.g, a mobile phone).
(37) FIG. 1B illustrates schematically a view of another hearing aid device 2 according to the disclosure. The hearing aid device 2 is a RITE hearing aid device 2 comprising a housing 4 and a tube 24 that is connected to the housing via a connection member 42 attached to the housing 4. A dome 32 is attached to the distal end of the pipe 34.
(38) An antenna (not shown) extends from the housing 4 through the proximal portion of the tube 34 (see FIG. 13C) and FIG. 14B). Accordingly, the hearing aid device 2 is configured to communicate wirelessly with the external device 44′.
(39) The hearing aid devices 2 may be configured to communicate wirelessly by using any wireless technology, however, it may be an advantage to apply a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances such as Bluetooth applying short-wavelength radio transmissions in the ISM band from 2400-2480 MHz.
(40) FIGS. 2A-2B illustrates two schematically views of a hearing aid devices 2 according to the disclosure. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a BTE hearing aid device 2 comprising a relative long antenna 20 that is embedded into wall 124 of the hook 6.
(41) The hearing aid device 2 corresponds basically to the one shown in FIG. 1A and it comprises a housing 4 with a microphone member 22, an amplifier 24, a receiver 26 and a hook 6 that is mechanically attached to the housing 4.
(42) The hook 6 has an upper side 18; a lower side 16 and a distal end 28 that is open and is configured to receive an ear mould (see FIG. 5B). The hook 6 is provided with a through-going bore 40 for transferring air-borne acoustic sound from the receiver 26 to the ear of the user via the ear mould (see FIG. 6B).
(43) FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of another BTE hearing aid device 2 comprising a relative short antenna 10 that is embedded into the wall 124 of the hook 6. The only difference between the two hearing aid devices 2 shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B is the length of the antennas 10, 20.
(44) FIGS. 3A-3D illustrates schematically cross-sectional views of four different hooks 6 according to the disclosure. The hooks 6 are configured to be used in BTE hearing aid devices 2 like the ones illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B.
(45) The hooks 6 comprise an upper side 18 (that is concave in FIGS. 3A-3D) and a lower side 16 (that is convex in FIGS. 3A-3D). The hooks 6 have a proximal end 36 provided with a connection body 46 configured to be inserted into a housing of a BTE hearing aid like illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B. The hooks 6 moreover comprise a distal end 28 configured to receive an ear mould (see FIG. 5B). Besides, each of the hooks 6 are provided with a through-going bore 40.
(46) FIG. 3A illustrates a first hook 6 provided with a long, thin rod-shaped antenna 20 extending along the periphery of the upper side 18 of the hook 6. The antenna 20 comprises a protruding member 48 that protrudes from the proximal end 36 of the hook 6. The protruding member 48 is configured to be connected to the housing of a BTE hearing aid device.
(47) FIG. 3B illustrates a second hook 6 provided with a short, flat antenna 10 that extends along the periphery of the upper side 18 of the hook 6. The antenna 20 comprises a protruding member 48 that protrudes from the proximal end 36 of the hook 6. The protruding member 48 is adapted to be connected to the housing of a BTE hearing aid device.
(48) FIG. 3C illustrates a third hook 6 provided with a long, thin and flat antenna 20 that extends along the periphery of the upper side 18 of the hook 6. The antenna 20 comprises a protruding member 48 configured for connection with the housing of a BTE hearing aid device.
(49) FIG. 3D illustrates a fourth hook 6 provided with a short rod-shaped antenna 10 that extends along the periphery of the upper side 18 of the hook 6. The antenna 20 has a protruding member 48 that protrudes from the proximal end 36 of the hook 6 and that is configured to be connection with the housing of a BTE hearing aid device.
(50) The antennas 10, 20 may be arranged within the hooks 6 during the manufacture of the hooks (e.g. by means of injection moulding). It is also possible to attach the antenna 10, 20 within the hook 6 afterwards e.g. by means of a mechanical attachment, gluing or by applying another suitable attachment method.
(51) FIG. 4A illustrates schematically a perspective view of an antenna 20 provided as a coaxial sleeve 54 arranged outside a tube 34. The antenna 20 is connected to a ring-shaped ring member 50 and the coaxial sleeve 54 is electrically connected to a connection member 52 adapted for being connected to a hearing aid device. The tube 34 may be provided within a hook 6 of a BTE hearing aid device or be arranged in a RITE hearing aid.
(52) FIG. 45 illustrates schematically a perspective view of a hook 6 of a hearing aid device according to the disclosure. The hook 6 is provided with a recess 56 configured to receive an antenna 20. The recess 56 extends from the distal end 28 of the hook 6 to the proximal end 35 of the hook 6. A basically cylindrical connection member 46 is provided at the proximal end 35 of the hook 6.
(53) An antenna 20 is indicated by a dotted line. Three ribs 58 are provided along the recess 56. The ribs 58 are configured to keep the antenna 20 in place within the recess 56.
(54) FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a BTE hearing aid device 2 according to the disclosure. The BTE hearing aid device 2 comprises a housing 4 and a hook 6 having a distal end 28 configured to receive an ear mould 66 (see FIG. 5B). An add on part 4.1 is shown connected to the housing 4. The add on part 4.1 may comprise a radio transceiver means or may comprise direct audio input connection means adapted to be connected to a wired audio source. The add on device may utilize the antenna of the hearing aid such that the add on device may be kept at a limited size.
(55) FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of the BTE hearing aid device 2 shown in FIG. 5A. A tube 60 is attached to the distal end 28 of the hook 6. The tube 60 is configured to transfer acoustic sound from the receiver within the housing 4 of the BTE hearing aid device 2. An ear mould 66 having a ventilation opening 64 and a sound outlet 62 is attached to the distal end of the tube 60. Air-borne acoustic sound from the receiver is transferred to ear of the user of the hearing aid device 2 through the sound outlet 62, when the ear mould 66 is arranged in the ear of the user.
(56) The antenna is not visible in FIGS. 5A-5B since it extends within the hook 6. It would, however, be possible to let the antenna extend along a portion of the tube 60 e.g. by using an antenna as illustrated in FIG. 4B.
(57) FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of a hearing aid device 2 according to the disclosure. The hearing aid device 2 is a RITE hearing aid device 2 comprising a housing 4 and a connection member 42 that is attached to the housing 4.
(58) The housing 4 comprises a volume control 70, microphone openings 68, 68′ and a battery door 74.
(59) A tube 34 enters the housing 4 of the hearing aid device 2 via the connection member 42. A dome 32 is attached to the distal end of the tube 34. Moreover, a retention strip 72 is provided at the distal end of the tube 34. An antenna may be arranged in the hearing aid device 2 in different ways.
(60) FIG. 6B illustrates schematically a perspective view of a tube 34 and a connection member 42 of the type that is intended to be used in a RITE hearing aid device 2 like the one shown in FIG. 6A.
(61) A basically cylindrical head member 76 is provided at the proximal end of the tube 34. Outer threads 78 are provided at the outer surface of the head member 76. Accordingly, the head member 76 is configured to be detachably attached to the connection member 42 as indicated by the arrow 71.
(62) The connection member is provided with a cavity 80 configured to receive the head member 76. Thus, the geometry of the cavity 80 fits the geometry of the head member 42. Moreover, the cavity 80 is provided with inner threads 82 that are adapted to receive the outer threads 78 of the head member 76. Accordingly, the head member 76 can be screwed into the connection member 42 so that a firm and reliable attachment of the head member 76 to the connection member 42 can be provided in an easy and secure manner.
(63) The connection member 42 comprises a support arm 84 that is provided as extension of the connection member 42. The support arm 84 is configured to be mechanically (detachably) attached to the tube 34 by means of two holding arms 86, 86′ that are provided at the distal end of the support arm 84. Each of the holding arms 86, 86′ are shaped as a portion (about one third or 120 degrees) of a hollow circular cylinder. The holding arms 86, 86′ are arranged in such a way that they constitute an attachment space 88 provided between the holding arms 86, 86′. The attachment space 88 is configured to receive and hereby secure the tube 34 to the support arm 84.
(64) An antenna 20 extends along the length of the support arm 84. The antenna 20 extends through the connection member 42 and has further more a protruding portion 90 protruding from the proximal end of the connection member 42. The protruding portion 90 is configured to be electrically connected to interior members of the housing 4 of a hearing aid device 2.
(65) The antenna 20 may be attached to the support member by any suitable means. The antenna 20 may be attached to the support member by means of gluing by way of example. The antenna 20 may be integrated into the support member 84 and the connection member 42 while injection moulding the support member 84 and the connection member 42 by way of example.
(66) FIG. 7A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a tube 34 of a hearing aid according to the disclosure. The tube 34 has a circular cross-section and may be a tube in a RITE hearing aid device 2 or in a BTE hearing aid device. A thin antenna 20 is provided at the inner surface of the tube 34. The antenna 20 may be provided as a film.
(67) The antenna 20 may be attached to the tube 34 in any suitable way. The tube 34 may be produced by extrusion.
(68) FIG. 7B illustrates a cross-sectional view of another tube 34 of a hearing aid device 2 according to the disclosure, e.g. a RITE hearing aid device 2 or in a BTE hearing aid device 2. The tube 34 has a basically circular cross-section, however it is provided with an increased thickness portion 92 in which a first thin lead 10, a second thin lead 10′ and a third thicker antenna 20 are provided. The leads 10, 10′ and the antenna 20 are embedded in the wall of the tube and extend along the length of the tube 34.
(69) FIGS. 8A-8D illustrates schematically a cross-sectional exploded view of a RITE hearing aid device 2 according to the disclosure.
(70) FIG. 8A illustrates schematically a cross-sectional view of the housing 4 of the hearing aid device 2. The members housed in the housing (receiver, amplifier, microphone) are removed for illustrative purposes. In practice the housing 4 would contain a number of essential elements like the one illustrated in FIG. 1A and in FIGS. 2A-2B.
(71) FIG. 8C illustrates schematically a cross-sectional view of a tube member 34 having a head member 76 provided with outer threads 78. An antenna 10 covers a portion of the threads 78 of the head member 76. This antenna 10 is electrically connected to an antenna 10′ that is attached to the outer surface of the tube 34.
(72) FIG. 8B illustrates schematically a cross-sectional view of a connection member 42 having a first open end configured to be attached to the housing 4. The connection member 42 has a second open end and a cavity 80 configured to receive the tube 34. The cavity 80 is provided with inner threads 82 configured to receive the threads 78 of the head member 76. A first antenna 20′ is provided at the proximal and central portion of the upper inside surface of the connection member 42. The first antenna 20′ is electrically connected to a second antenna 20″ that covers a portion of threads 82 of the connection member 42.
(73) A groove member 98 is provided in the first antenna 20′ and this groove member 98 is configured to receive a corresponding tongue member 100 provided in the antenna 20 of the housing 4. A tongue member 96 is provided in the proximal end of the connection member 42 and a groove member 94 corresponding to the tongue member 96 is provided in the housing 4. The connection member 42 is configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to the housing 4 of the hearing aid device 2 by means of the tongue members 96, 100 and the corresponding groove members 94, 98.
(74) When the hearing aid device 2 is assembled, the antennas 20, 20′, 20″, 10, 10′ are electrically connected to form one large antenna capable for being used to perform wireless communication with an external device (e.g. a mobile phone).
(75) Some of the tongue members 96, 100 and the corresponding groove members 94, 98 may be replaced by other attachment members or plug members.
(76) FIG. 8D illustrate a perspective view of a male connection member 102 and a corresponding female connection member 104 configured to receive the male connection member 102. This connection may replace the connection between the antenna 20 and the antenna 20′ shown in FIG. 8A. In practice various other means may be used to connect the antenna 20 and the antenna 20′.
(77) FIG. 9A illustrates schematically a cross-sectional view of connection member 42 and a corresponding tube 34 for a hearing aid device according to the disclosure.
(78) The connection member 42 has a first opening end configured to be attached to a housing of a hearing aid device. The connection member 42 has a second open end and a cavity 80 configured to receive the head member 76 of the tube 34. The cavity 80 is provided with inner threads 82 configured to receive the threads 78 of the head member 76. A first antenna 20′ is provided at the proximal and central portion of the lower inside surface of the connection member 42. The first antenna 20 is electrically connected to a second antenna 20′ that extends along the threads 82 of the connection member 42.
(79) A first antenna 10 extends along the threads 78 of the head member 76 and is electrically connected to a second antenna 10′ that is attached to the tube 34. The tube 34 is attached to the connection member 42 by screwing the head member 42 into the cavity 80 of the connection member 42.
(80) FIG. 9B illustrates schematically a cross-sectional view of a connection member 42 similar to the one shown in FIG. 9A and another corresponding tube 34 for a hearing aid device according to the disclosure.
(81) The tube 34 is attached to a head member 76 provided with threads 78 configured to be received by the inner threads 82 of the connection member 42. A first antenna 10 extends along the threads 78 of the head member 76 and is electrically connected to a second antenna 10′ that is provided at the outside surface of the tube 34. The second antenna 10′ is twisted around the tube 34 to form a coil-like member. Hereby, the second antenna 10′ takes up less space than the straight second antenna 10′ shown in FIG. 9A.
(82) The second antenna 10′ may be attached to the tube 34 by any suitable means. The second antenna 10′ may be attached to the tube 34 by means of glue, mechanical attachment means or simply be the compressive (radial inwardly directed) forced provided when twisting the antenna 10′ around the tube 34.
(83) FIG. 10A illustrates schematically a front view of a tube 34 of a RITE hearing aid device according to the disclosure. The tube 34 has a circular cross-section and an antenna 20 is provided at the outside surface of the tube 34.
(84) The antenna 20 extends along the length of the tube (see FIG. 10B). The antenna coves basically the one half of the outside surface of the tube 34. The antenna 20 may be ITO coating or any other suitable type of antenna.
(85) FIG. 10B illustrates schematically a side view of the tube 34 shown in FIG. 10A. It can be seen that the antenna 20 extends from the head member 76 along the proximal portion of the tube 34.
(86) FIG. 10C illustrates schematically a front view of another tube 34 of a RITE hearing aid device according to the disclosure. The tube 34 has a circular cross-section and an antenna 20 covers the entire outside surface of the tube 34. Thus, the antenna 20 encloses the tube 34. The antenna 20 may be an ITO coating or any other suitable type of antenna.
(87) FIG. 10D illustrates schematically a side view of the tube 34 shown in FIG. 10C. The head member 76 is provided outside the antenna 20. Accordingly, the antenna 20 extends along the inside of the head member 76 and extends further along the proximal portion of the tube 34.
(88) FIG. 10E illustrates schematically a cross-sectional side view of a tube 34 according to the disclosure. The tube 34 corresponds to the one illustrated in FIG. 10C and in FIG. 10D. An antenna 20 that may be shaped as an ITO coating is attached to the outside of the tube 34. It can be seen that the antenna 20 extends under the head member 76 with the threads 78.
(89) The head member 76 is open at its distal end and in this portion of the tube 34 a number of electrically conductive members 106 and electrically insulating members 108 are provided side by side. This end portion of the head member 76 is configured to be connected to a corresponding plug member (not shown) provided at the connection member (not shown).
(90) FIG. 11A illustrates schematically a cross-sectional side view of a tube 34 according to the disclosure. The tube 34 is flexible and comprises an increased thickness portion 92 at its distal end. A flat plate-shaped antenna 20 is embedded in the wall 112 of the increased thickness portion 92 of the tube 34.
(91) A box-shaped 110 connection body 110 is attached to the underside of the distal portion of the antenna 20. The distal end surface of the antenna 20 and the connection body 110 are aligned. The connection body 110 may be a gold pad.
(92) FIG. 11B illustrates schematically a cross-sectional front view of the tube 34 shown in FIG. 11A. It can be seen that the antenna 20 is rather flat and plate-shaped and that it is centrally arranged within the wall 112 of the increased thickness portion 92 of the tube 34. The box-shaped connection body 110 is centrally attached to the lower side of the distal portion of the antenna 20.
(93) FIG. 12A illustrates schematically a cross-sectional front view of a tube 34 according to the disclosure. The tube 34 comprises walls 112 and has a circular cross-section and comprises a centrally arranged antenna 20 having a circular cross-section. A space 114 is provided in the tube 34. The antenna 20 may be a litz wire antenna 20. The mid axis A is indicated with a vertical dotted line.
(94) FIG. 12B illustrates schematically a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal axis X of the tube 34 shown in FIG. 12A. The cross-section is made at the mid axis A indicated in FIG. 12A. It can be seen that the antenna 20 is centrally arranged and that a space 114 is provided in the tube 34. The space 114 is configured to transfer air-borne acoustic sound.
(95) FIG. 13A illustrates schematically a cross-sectional view of a tube 34 and a head member 76 according to the disclosure. The head member 76 is provided with threads 78 for being screwed into a threaded connection member (not shown). The head member 76 is attached to a cylindrical pipe member 118. An antenna 20 is attached to the pipe member 118. The antenna 20 is arranged in the pipe 34 and a knife member 116 has been inserted into the wall 112 of the tube 34. The pipe member 118 may be made in an electrically conductive material in order to provide an electrical connection to the housing of the hearing aid device. The head member 76 may comprise an electrical connection portion suitable of providing an electrical connection to the housing of the hearing aid device.
(96) FIG. 13B illustrates schematically a cross-sectional view of another tube 34 according to the disclosure. The tube 34 has a basically circular cross-section. The tube 34 is, however, provided with a flat portion 122 configured to receive a plate-shaped antenna 20. The antenna 20 is attached to the flat portion 122 of the tube 34 by means of glue 120. Accordingly, the antenna 20 extends along the outside surface of the tube 34.
(97) It is possible to provide the antenna 20 with a coating, e.g. a protective coating (not shown).
(98) FIG. 13C illustrates schematically a cross-sectional view of yet another tube 34 according to the disclosure. The tube 34 is flexible and has been bend into an S-shape. The tube 34 comprises a wall 112 and an antenna 20. The antenna 20 may comprise so-called “Kevlar antenna wire” comprising continuous filament aramid and tinned copper wire braid. The antenna 20 may comprise metal fibres and para-aramid synthetic fiber (known as the registered trademark Kevlar).
(99) The antenna 20 may be embedded in the wall 112 of the tube or be attached to the wall 112 of the tube 34 either inside or outside the tube 34. Any suitable attachment method may be used.
(100) FIG. 14A illustrates schematically a cross-sectional view of a tube 34 according to the disclosure. The tube 34 has a basically circular cross-section. A pair of holding arms 86, 86′ are provided at the outer surface of the tube 34. The holding arms 86, 86′ are configured to receive and maintain an antenna 20 secured to the tube 34.
(101) The antenna 20 has a circular cross section and is attached to the tube 34 by pressing the antenna 20 into the space provided between the two holding arms 86, 86′ by means of a interference fit.
(102) FIG. 14B illustrates schematically a side view of a housing 4 of a hearing aid according to the disclosure. A connection member 42 is attached to the housing 4 and a tube 34 is inserted into the housing 4 through the connection member 42. An antenna 20 extends from the housing 4, through the connection member 43 and further along the proximal portion of the tube 34. The antenna 20 is indicated with a dotted line.
(103) FIGS. 15A-B illustrates two schematically cross-sectional views of a tube 34 according to the disclosure. The tube 34 comprise a first half 122 and a second half 122′ that are configured to be joint.
(104) A first recess 56 is provided in the first half 122 and a second recess 56′ is provided in the second half 122′. An antenna 20 having a circular cross section is shown.
(105) In FIG. 15A the two half's 122, 122′ are completely separated from each other and the antenna 20 is arranged between the two half's 122, 122′.
(106) In FIG. 15B the two half's are put together to form a tube 34 in which the antenna 20 is attached. It is possible to glue the two half's together or to join the by using any other suitable method.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
(107) 2 Hearing aid device 4 Housing 4.1 add on device 6 Hook 8 Microphone 10, 10′ Antenna 12 Receiver 14 Battery 16 Lower side 18 Upper side 20, 20′, 20″ Antenna 22 Microphone 24 Amplifier 26 Receiver 28 End 30 Hook 32 Dome 34 Tube 36 Proximal end 38 Ear mould 40 Bore 42 Connection member 44, 44′ External device 46 Connection body 48 Protruding portion 50 Ring member 52 Connection member 54 Coaxial sleeve 56, 56′ Recess 58 Rib 60 Tube 62 Sound outlet 64 Ventilation opening 66 Ear mould 68, 68′ Microphone opening 70 Volume control 72 Retention strip 74 Battery door 76 Head member 78 Thread 80 Cavity 82 Thread 84 Support arm 86, 86′ Holding member 88 Attachment space 90 Protruding portion 92 Increased thickness portion 94 Groove member 96 Tongue member 98 Groove member 100 Tongue member 102 Male connection member 104 Female connection member 106 Electrically conductive member 108 Electrically insulation member 110 Connection body 112 Wall 114 Sound space 116 Knife member 118 Pipe member 120 Glue 122, 122′ Half 124 Wall A Axis X Longitudinal axis
