This application claims priority of German application No. 10 2006 043 153.7 filed Sep. 14, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
The invention relates to a cleaning tool for a hearing device, with which a cerumen protector can be applied into a hearing device and removed again therefrom. The invention also relates to a kit, having the inventive cleaning tool and a container to hold used cerumen protectors.
The acoustic output signal of a hearing device is typically routed by way of a channel or tube into the auditory canal. The tube or channel is regularly contaminated by cerumen in this process. To eliminate this problem numerous cerumen protection devices are known in the field, which are intended to prevent the penetration of cerumen into the tube or channel of the hearing device. These cerumen protection devices do not however provide a complete seal so over time cerumen can still pass into the opening of the hearing device. For this reason and also because the cerumen protector can also be damaged, it is necessary to replace the cerumen protector from time to time. The unexamined patent application WO 00/03561 describes such a cerumen protection system and an associated application tool for removing a used cerumen protector and applying a new cerumen protector. The cerumen protector is introduced in an opening of an acoustic output channel or an opening in the hearing device housing and consists essentially of a tubular element, which is tailored to the opening and has a barrier for retaining cerumen. The associated application tool is a rod-shaped tool with a pin for applying a new cerumen protector at one end and a latching element to latch with a used cerumen protector for subsequent removal.
Despite the use of a cerumen protector cerumen can still pass into the opening. This cerumen can dry thereon and is difficult to remove. Simply replacing the cerumen protector does not have a cleaning effect. The cerumen in the opening of the hearing device increases the probability of infection and is therefore not acceptable for hygiene and cosmetic reasons.
The object of the present invention is therefore to create a cleaning tool, which allows both the replacing of the cerumen protector and the cleaning of the opening of the hearing device. The cleaning tool should be as simple as possible to operate, so that it can be used easily, even by elderly hearing device wearers for example.
According to the invention the object is achieved by a cleaning tool and a kit as claimed in the claims.
The inventive cleaning tool has the following features:
The means for inserting the cerumen protector preferably has a holder for an (unused) cerumen protector. The means for inserting the cerumen protector can for example be configured as an essentially cylindrical or pin-type projection, on which a cerumen protector can be held.
The means for removing the cerumen protector can have a hook, a latching element or another non-slip connection, to grip the used cerumen protector located in the opening or to latch with it. In the case of a cerumen protector provided with a membrane or cover, it is also possible to provide a means for removing the cerumen protector, which can push through the membrane or cover, with the used cerumen protector being destroyed during removal as a result.
According to a further preferred aspect of the invention the means for removing the cerumen protector is attached to the cleaning tool in a detachable manner. It can be attached to the cleaning tool for example by means of a latching connection (e.g. pushed onto a pin). According to a preferred aspect of the present invention the means for removing the cerumen protector is attached to the cleaning tool by means of a rupture point so that it can be broken off.
The means for removing cerumen from the opening preferably has a cleaning element that can be introduced into the opening of the hearing device, said cleaning element preferably being able to have a scraping edge or other cleaning unit for removing cerumen from the opening. Alternatively the cleaning element could also be configured in the manner of a brush. Frequently the opening of the hearing device, in which the cerumen protector is held, has a somewhat larger diameter than the hearing tube or sound channel, through which the acoustic signal leaves the hearing device. To prevent cerumen passing into the sound channel during cleaning, it is preferable for a pin or similar element to be provided on the cleaning element that can be introduced into the opening, said pin or similar element being inserted into the opening of the sound channel during cleaning. This prevents cerumen being able to pass into the opening of the sound channel during cleaning. The pin can be dimensioned in such a manner that it is positioned in a rotatable manner in the smaller opening of the sound channel when the cleaning element is introduced into the opening of the hearing device, in which the cerumen protector is held, so that cleaning can be effected by means of a rotational movement of the cleaning tool in relation to the hearing device, with cerumen being detached from the opening provided to hold the cerumen protector using the scraping edge provided, so that it can be removed.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the means for removing the cerumen protector is attached to the cleaning element of the cleaning tool by means of a rupture point so that it can be broken off.
According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention the cleaning tool has a plurality of arms, at the ends of which the means for inserting the cerumen protector and/or the means for removing the cerumen protector and/or the means for removing cerumen are provided.
The cleaning tool preferably has three arms, which are disposed in a T or Y shape.
The invention also relates to a kit, which comprises an inventive cleaning tool and a container, which has at least one compartment to hold used cerumen protectors. The container can also preferably have a further compartment with a supply of unused cerumen protectors. The first compartment preferably has an opening, which is configured so that the means for removing the cerumen protector can be separated in an interaction with the opening.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which:
It is emphasized that the embodiments illustrated are only examples and other configurations and arrangements are also possible with regard to the arrangement of the means for removing the cerumen protector, cleaning the opening and attaching a new cerumen protector.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2006 043 153.7 | Sep 2006 | DE | national |