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(11) | EP 1 755 361 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Sound guiding system, tube for guiding sound, support member for a sound guiding tube and method for adapting a sound guiding tube to the ear of a user. |
| (57) The invention regards a method for adapting a sound guiding tube (1) to the ear of
a hearing aid user, whereby the tube (1) at a proximal end thereof (2) is connectable
to a sound producing device (4) like a hearing aid, and whereby a support member (5)
is mounted slidably along the tube (1) at a distal part (3) thereof and where the
length of the tube system from the sound producing device to the support member is
adjusted by sliding the tube (1) with respect to the support member (5) to allow a
the support member and a distal part of the tube to extend into the ear canal when
the proximal end of the tube is connected to a sound producing device. Further the
invention concerns a tube, a support member and a sound guiding system.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] In resent years hearing aids with very thin tubes and open fittings have been introduced for mild hearing losses. The thin tubes are preferred by many hearing aid users, as they are less conspicuous. Also the open fitting whereby no ear plug is used, but where the tube end is retained by a simple canal device retainer is in high demand. Current thin tube solutions are marketed by Widex under the name "Elan" and by GN-Resound under the name "Air". These known devices require a set of pre-fabricated tubes covering many sizes in order to always have a tube that approximately fits the customer's ear. This is a logistic problem, since the reordering process is quite time consuming and complicated and stock have to be build up at production, sales companies, distributors and acousticians. Also the tubes only fit one specific instrument type, so acousticians will soon be flooded with tube kits.
[0002] Also some of these tubes need many manual processes to be produced, and they are made of a stiff, uncomfortable material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The invention basically consist of:
- An easy to handle adaptation method for the length of the tube,
- A tube out of soft material e.g. silicone that is shaped in a way to reduce reflections and shininess,
- A tube that can be produced in an injection tool,
- The tube end part can be designed to fit any kind of ear canal device holders,
[0004] Advantages:
- Due to the lengths adaptation only one tube is needed for each sold hearing aid, and this ensures logistical simplicity compared to known systems.
- The tube is produced in an automated processes whereby consistent and reproducible shape is achieved,
- Further a less shiny surface is achieved due to the shape of the tube and the injection process used in the production,
- The material used for the tube is more comfortable and adaptable.
[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention a sound guiding tube system is provided which comprises a soft bendable tube with a proximal end adapted for connection with a sound source, and a distal end adapted for connection with an ear canal device holder, whereby an essentially un-bendable support member is provided along the length of at least a part of the tube. By providing the tube and the support member as two separate elements it becomes possible to make the final adaptation of the tube length at the dispenser, where the hearing aid is being adapted audiologically to the individual user. Thus only one tube and one holder need to be produced to each ear.
[0006] Preferably the support member is arranged externally with respect to the soft bendable tube. The support member has the prime task of holding the tube in a predefined shape and thus a support member extending inside the tube is possible, but for handling reasons it is preferred that the support member is provided externally of the tube.
[0007] Various shapes of support members are possible, but in an embodiment the support member is a sheath member which surrounds at least a part of the soft bendable tube. This gives a good and secure holding force between the support member and the tube and the support member may be shaped to hold the tube in place both with respect to rotation and length movements.
[0008] In a further embodiment, the bendable tube is arranged to extend inside the sheath member, such that the tube at the distal end is covered by the sheath member and at the proximal end is not covered by the sheath, whereby length adjustment of the proximal end of the tube is facilitated by sliding the distal end of the tube with respect to the sheath member. This construction is very simple and a straight forward length adjustment is facilitated.
[0009] In order to further simplify the adjustment of the tube length, the tube may have axially placed markings indicating different positions of the placement of the support member. Thereby the hearing care professional can determine the length required by reading the marking at which the tube fits the patient's ear size. The reading is simply conducted with the hearing aid an tube placed at the ear, and the tube hanging down in front of the ear canal opening. This gives the hearing care professional the possibility to adjust the lengths at a later stage based on the recorded marking.
[0010] In an embodiment of the system the tube has a non-circular cross section. It has been shown that a non-circular system is less prone to reflect light, and thus a non-circular tube will appear less conspicuous when mounted at the ear of a user.
[0011] Preferably the tube has an outer periphery with an essentially triangular cross section. The triangular cross section is particular well suited for prevention of light reflections from the tube.
[0012] Preferably the sheath member has an internal cross section which matches the external circumference of the tube member. This construction gives a very good grip between the tube and the sheath and prevents the tube from twisting relative to the sheath.
[0013] The invention also comprises a tube for use as a sound guide between a sound producing element and an ear of a user. Prior art tubes for guiding sound between the sound producing element and the ear of a user are made with uniform external and internal cross section, and are usually produced by extrusion. According to the present invention a tube adapted for production by injection moulding is provided. The tube is soft and bendable and it has a proximal end adapted for connection to a sound source, and a distal end adapted for connection with an ear canal device holder. The tube may be produced such that the inner and/or outer cross section of the tube varies along at least a part of the length of the tube.
[0014] In an embodiment the sound guiding tube has an inner cross section, which is constant along the length of the tube, and an outer cross section, which changes along the length of the tube.
[0015] Preferably the proximal end of the tube has a larger outer cross section than the distal end of the tube.
[0016] In an embodiment of the invention the distal end of the tube has a uniform outer cross section along at least an outer part thereof. This construction facilitates sliding connection between the tube and a support element, which will aid to ensure, that the end of the tube is pointed into the ear canal of a user.
[0017] Preferably the tube is essentially transparent. This makes the tube as un- conspicuous as possible.
[0019] The invention further comprises a support member for a sound guiding tube and a method for adapting a tube to fit the length between a sound producing device and the ear canal.
[0020] The tube may also hold wires that pass from a device on the ear to another device at the distal end of the tube, for example in case the sound source is place in the ear and is connected to a hearing aid behind the ear. In this case the tube would not need to be hollow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021]
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a hearing aid with a sound conduction tube according to the invention,
Fig. 2 is a 3D drawing of the part of the tube adapted for insertion into the ear, whereby a the lower part of the tube is shown in section to allow visibility of internal features,
Fig. 3 is the same parts as shown in fig. 2 but seen from a different angle,
Fig. 4 shows different embodiment of the holder element according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] The construction shown in fig. 1 comprises a hearing aid 4, a tube 1 and a holder element 5. The tube 1 has a proximal end 2 near the hearing aid 4 adapted for connection with the sound source inside the hearing aid 4. The centre of the tube 1 is hollow as seen in fig. 3, with a circular cross section in order to facilitate the transmission of sound waves from a sound source inside a hearing aid 4 to the ear. At the distal end 3 of the tube 1 the holder element 5 is mounted to the tube 1. The holder element 5 may be constructed to look like a hollow boomerang or sheath member 5 that can slide upon the tube 1.
[0023] When the acoustician is to adapt the tube system to an individual, he places the sheath 5 over the tube 1 at the distal end thereof at the right height relative to the hearing aid 4. Possibly the most distal part of the tube will then extend beyond the sheath 5 at the ear wise end thereof corresponding to the position 7 in fig. 3. This loose end can then be cut off. The ear canal device holder 6 can now be inserted into the tube 1 at the distal end 7 thereof. The triangular shape of the outer perimeter of the tube 1, best seen in fig. 3 assures the right positioning of the sheath 5.
[0024] Because the original tube 1 is straight at the distal end it can easily be produced in an injection tool. The bend from vertical direction into the ear canal at the distal end of the tube 3 is shaped and maintained by the sheath 5.
[0025] The outer diameter and geometry of the tube 1 changes along its length and this facilitates changing rigidity of the tube 1 along its length. The injection moulding process in this way allows the tube to obtain stiffness in some areas, while simultaneously adequate flexibility is facilitated in other parts.
[0026] The bend at the proximal end 2 over the ear and to the connection part with the hearing aid 4 is stiff due to selection of a higher wall thickness, and this aids to assure positioning of the instrument on the ear. Thus the tube 1 is rather flexible at the distal end 3 and somewhat more rigid at the proximal end 2 thereof.
[0027] The tube 1 is made of a soft, transparent and comfortable material e.g. silicone. Through the positioning of the holding sheath 5 the tube will be adapted to the shape of the individual ear.
[0028] The tube 1 will be less shiny than current tubes, since it will be made by injection moulding which allows the roughness of the surface to be adjusted by treatment of the tool surface, and due to the triangular shape of the outer perimeter the reflection from the tube 1 are minimized. The diameter of the tube may wary from 1mm to 5 mm. The firmer top section, or hook, of the tube system is anatomically preformed to fit the natural curve shape of the upper ear.
[0029] As described, the tube 1 is conducted through a sheath part 5 at the distal end 3 thereof, and the sheath part 5 shown in figs. 2 and 3 is formed of a hard, thermoplastic part. In fig. 4 a metal sheath is shown which performs the same function. The sheath in fig. 4 is more open and as it is shaped from a metal part, it allows the acoustician to make a final adjustment of the curvature of the curved part in order to achieve an exact fit to the customer's ear. The sheath part gives the fmal shape to the tube system and allows for the simple length adjustment and customization of the hearing aid. Through the described method, a fully customized, aesthetic hearing aid solution is created with only one left and one right tube piece.
[0030] In order to avoid rotation between the tube 1 and the sheath 5, the tube's cross section, and the sheath's hole, should match and be of a non-circular shape. This non-circular shape will prohibit any rotation between the two pieces. This non-circular shape may be oval, triangular or any other non-circular shape. In the embodiment displayed in figs. 1 - 3 an equilateral triangle with constant width whose sides and edges are rounded is used. This shape enables a firm, aligned assembly of the tube and the sheath. Furthermore, this special tube geometry also reduces the reflection of light so that the hearing aid tube is less noticeable on the wearer.
[0031] By cutting the tube at the end of the sheath after length adjustment, then inserting the pipe part 9 of the ear canal device holder 6 in the distal end of the tube, the tube wall will be pinched between the inner walls of the sheath part and the hard pipe of the ear device holder 6. This action accomplishes the length adjustment of the tube, and ensures a good firm assembly of the three parts: tube 1, sheath 5 and ear canal device holder 6.
1. Sound guiding system comprising a soft bendable tube (1) with a proximal end (2) adapted
for connection with a sound source (4), and a distal end (3) adapted for connection
with an ear canal device holder (6), whereby an essentially un-bendable support member
(5) is provided along the length of at least a part of the tube (1).
2. Sound guiding system as claimed in claim 1 whereby the support member is arranged
externally with respect to the soft bendable tube
3. Sound guiding system as claimed in claim 2, whereby the support member is a sheath
member which surrounds at least a part of the soft bendable tube.
4. Sound guiding system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 whereby the bendable tube is
arranged to extend inside the sheath member such that the tube at the distal end is
covered by the sheath member and at the proximal end is not covered by the sheath
whereby length adjustment of the distal end of the tube is facilitated by sliding
the distal end of the tube with respect to the sheath member.
5. Sound guiding system as claimed in any of the above claims, whereby the tube has a
non-circular cross section.
6. Sound guiding system as claimed in any of the above claims, whereby the tube has an
outer periphery with an essentially triangular cross section.
7. Sound guiding system as claimed in claim 2, whereby the sheath member has an internal
cross section which matches the external circumference of the tube member.
8. Tube (1) for guiding sound whereby the tube (1) is soft and bendable and has a proximal
end (2) adapted for connection to a sound source (4), and a distal end (3) adapted
for connection with an ear canal device holder (6), whereby the inner and/or outer
cross section of the tube changes along at least a part of the length of the tube.
9. Tube for guiding sound as claimed in claim 8, whereby the tube has axially placed
markings indicating different tube lengths.
10. Tube for guiding sound as claimed in claim 8, whereby the inner cross section of the
tube is constant along the length of the tube, and whereby the outer cross section
of the tube changes along the length of the tube.
11. Tube for guiding sound as claimed in claim 8, whereby the tube is essentially transparent.
12. Tube for guiding sound as claimed in claim 8, whereby the tube is non-circular in
cross section, and preferably has an essentially triangular outer cross section.
13. Support member for a sound guiding tube, whereby the support member has a first essentially
straight part (8) and a second essentially straight part (7) arranged in angular relationship
with respect to the first straight part, and where a curved part interconnects the
two straight parts (7,8) and where the support member has means for holding a sound
guiding tube such that an angular relation between a proximal and a distal part of
the sound guiding tube is retained by the support member.
14. Support member as claimed in claim 13, and further comprising a sheath member having
an inner cross section corresponding essentially to the outer cross section of the
tube.
15. Method for adapting a sound guiding tube (1) to the ear of a user, whereby the tube
(1) at a proximal end thereof (2) is connectable to a sound producing device (4) like a hearing aid, and whereby a support member (5) is mounted slidably along the tube (1) at a distal part (3) thereof and where the length of the tube system from the sound producing device to the support member is adjusted by sliding the tube (1) with respect to the support member (5) to allow a the support member to extend into the ear canal when the proximal end of the tube is connected to a sound producing device.