Patent Grant
11765521
This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, Danish Patent Application No. PA 2020 70513 filed on Aug. 5, 2020. The entire disclosure of the above application is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The present disclosure relates to a hearing device, such as an earbud, a headset, a hearing aid, etc., with occlusion reduction capability.
Occlusion has for long been recognized as a problem for some hearing aid users, and continuous efforts have been made to reduce the occlusion effect.
Known solutions to reduce the occlusion effect provide a vent in the earpiece or earmold in order to allow pressure equalization between the ear canal and the surroundings.
Further, active occlusion reduction (AOR) systems have been developed. The AOC system has an ear canal microphone for detecting sound in the ear canal. The ear canal microphone is provided together with the receiver in an earpiece. Microphone signal from the ear canal microphone can be processed to reduce an effect of the occlusion.
Despite the known solutions, there is still a need for improved occlusion reduction or cancellation in hearing devices.
For example, when a hearing aid is inserted into the ear, it will result in increased occlusion. Occlusion can be reduced either by having a vent, or by using an active occlusion reduction system (AOR) system to reduce or cancel out the voice of the user. Such a system may need a receiver (e.g., loudspeaker) that can produce a high Low Frequency (LF) output, in order to be able to reduce or cancel out the occlusion signal. A hearing aid may use a balanced armature receiver, which is power efficient. However, such solution may have limited low frequency capabilities, especially if there is a leak between the hearing aid and an ear canal, or if the hearing aid has a vent that is too small.
In some cases, a passive unit (e.g., a passive resonator/radiator) may be employed to unload the low frequency demands for the receiver. Besides improving the AOR functionality, the passive unit may also ensure a better LF capability of the system, which will improve LF performance, such as in music playback. To make such a system work, the resonance of the passive unit may be tuned to a low frequency (e.g., below 1000 Hz, below 200 Hz, in the range of 20 Hz-200 Hz, etc.). At such low frequencies, the passive unit may be required to move a lot of air compared to the receiver (e.g., more than twice the volume velocity may be needed).
In some cases, to implement such a passive unit, a diaphragm may be placed perpendicularly relative to an axis of an occlusion relieve vent of a hearing device to cover the vent. However, because the vent may have a small cross-sectional dimension, the diaphragm of such passive unit may not have sufficient diaphragm area to handle large excursion or air volume velocity.
Accordingly, an earpiece with unique diaphragm features is provided.
The earpiece includes: a first end; a second end opposite from the first end; a first channel extending from a first location that is closer to the first end than to the second end, to a second location that is closer to the second end than to the first end; and a first diaphragm, wherein the first diaphragm has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface of the diaphragm configured to be in fluid communication with a lumen in the first channel, wherein the first diaphragm extends in a direction that is parallel to, or that forms an acute angle with, a longitudinal axis of the first channel.
Optionally, the direction in which the first diaphragm extends forms a non-perpendicular angle with the longitudinal axis of the first channel.
Optionally, the first channel is configured to reduce an occlusion effect, and/or to provide pressure equalization between a first space in an ear canal and a second space outside the ear canal when the earpiece is worn by a user.
Optionally, the first diaphragm is made from silicone, expanded PTFE, aluminum, carbon, or a combination of two or more of the foregoing.
Optionally, the first surface of the diaphragm is water permeable, and wherein the second surface of the diaphragm is water impermeable.
Optionally, the first diaphragm is configured to cope with an air volume velocity that is 10 mm{circumflex over ( )}3/s or less.
Optionally, the first diaphragm is a part of a unit that is configured for insertion into an opening of the earpiece.
Optionally, the unit comprises a tube having a first tube end, a second tube end, and a tube body extending between the first tube end and the second tube end, wherein the first tube end has a first partial cover, wherein the second tube end has a second partial cover, and wherein the first diaphragm is coupled between the first partial cover at the first tube end and the second partial cover at the second tube end.
Optionally, the unit is detachably coupled to a part of the earpiece.
Optionally, the earpiece further includes a second diaphragm.
Optionally, the earpiece further includes a second channel, wherein the second diaphragm extends in a direction that is parallel to, or that forms an acute angle with, a longitudinal axis of the second channel.
Optionally, the second channel is parallel to, or forms an acute angle with, the first channel.
Optionally, the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are arranged in series along the longitudinal axis of the first channel.
Optionally, the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are tuned to different respective ranges of resonance frequencies.
Optionally, the first diaphragm is tuned to a first resonance frequency corresponding with speech sound, and the second diaphragm is tuned to a second resonance frequency corresponding with non-speech sound.
Optionally, the first diaphragm is tuned to a first resonance frequency that is anywhere from 80 Hz to 1000 Hz, and the second diaphragm is tuned to a second resonance frequency that is anywhere below 80 Hz.
Optionally, the first diaphragm is tuned to a resonance frequency that is anywhere between 80 Hz to 1000 Hz.
Optionally, the earpiece is an earbud, or is a part of a headset.
Optionally, the earpiece is a hearing aid, or is a part of the hearing aid.
Optionally, the earpiece comprises an earmold.
Optionally, the earpiece is an in-the canal (ITC) earpiece, or an in-the-ear (ITE) earpiece.
Optionally, the earpiece further includes a receiver.
Optionally, the earpiece further includes a first microphone configured to receive sound from an environment, and a processing unit coupled to the first microphone, wherein the processing unit is configured to provide an output signal based on a microphone signal from the first microphone.
Optionally, the earpiece further includes a second microphone configured to receive ear canal sound, wherein the second microphone is a part of an active occlusion reduction system.
Optionally, the active occlusion reduction system is configured to be active above a threshold frequency, and the first diaphragm has a resonance frequency below the threshold frequency.
Optionally, the threshold frequency is 80 Hz.
Optionally, the processing unit comprises an occlusion reduction unit.
A hearing aid includes the earpiece, and a behind-the-ear (BTE) unit, wherein the BTE unit comprises a first microphone configured to receive sound from an environment, and a processing unit coupled to the first microphone.
Optionally, the hearing aid further includes a second microphone configured to receive ear canal sound, wherein the second microphone is a part of an active occlusion reduction system.
A hearing aid includes the earpiece, and a behind-the-ear (BTE) unit, wherein the BTE unit comprises a first microphone configured to receive sound from an environment, a processing unit coupled to the first microphone, and a receiver coupled to the processing unit.
A component for an earpiece, includes: a tube having a first tube end, a second tube end, and a tube body extending between the first tube end and the second tube end, wherein the first tube end has a first partial cover, wherein the second tube end has a second partial cover; and a diaphragm is coupled between the first partial cover at the first tube end and the second partial cover at the second tube end; wherein at least a part of the tube is sized and shaped for insertion into an opening of the earpiece.
Optionally, the diaphragm divides a lumen within the tube into a first space and a second space.
Optionally, the first space is for fluid communication with a channel in the earpiece when the tube is inserted into the opening of the earpiece.
Optionally, the first diaphragm is tuned to a resonance frequency.
Optionally, the resonance frequency of the first diaphragm is tuned by changing a mass of the first diaphragm.
Optionally, the resonance frequency of the first diaphragm is tuned by adding or removing a mass to form the first diaphragm.
Other and further aspects and features will be evident from reading the following detailed description.
The above and other features and advantages will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art by the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.
As shown in the figure, the earpiece 10 has a first surface 42 configured to face towards an eardrum of a user of the earpiece 10, and a second surface 44 configured to face an environment outside the user. In some cases, the second surface 44 may be a part of an endplate for the earpiece 10. The first surface 42 may be a rectilinear surface or may be a curvilinear surface. Similarly, the second surface 44 may be a rectilinear surface or may be a curvilinear surface.
The earpiece 10 also includes an output 50 for outputting sound. The output 50 may be an opening, a sound channel, etc. In the case in which the output 50 is a sound channel, the channel may be defined by part(s) of a hearing device housing, by part(s) of a deformable structure (e.g., an eardome, a sleeve, etc.), or by a tube that is accommodated in the earpiece 10.
In the illustrated embodiments, the first diaphragm 100 extends in a direction that is parallel to a longitudinal axis 130 of the first channel 18. In other embodiments, the first diaphragm 100 may extend in a direction that forms a non-zero acute angle with the longitudinal axis 130 of the first channel 18. In some embodiments, the direction in which the first diaphragm 100 extends forms a non-perpendicular angle with the longitudinal axis 130 of the first channel 18.
The longitudinal axis 130 of the first channel 18 is illustrated as being parallel to an ear canal axis 60. In other embodiments, the longitudinal axis 130 of the first channel 18 may form a non-zero acute angle with respect to the ear canal axis 60. In some cases, the ear canal axis 60 may be parallel to an ear-to-ear axis of a user of the earpiece 10.
In the illustrated embodiments, the first channel 18 is configured to reduce an occlusion effect, and/or to provide pressure equalization between a first space in an ear canal and a second space outside the ear canal when the earpiece 10 is worn by a user.
The first diaphragm 100 may be made from any suitable material. For examples, in some embodiments, the first diaphragm 100 may be made from silicone, PTFE (e.g., expanded PTFE), aluminum, carbon, or a combination of two or more of the foregoing. In other embodiments, the first diaphragm 100 may be made from other materials in other embodiments.
In some embodiments, the first surface of the diaphragm 100 may be water permeable, and the second surface opposite from the first surface of the diaphragm 100 may be water impermeable.
In some embodiments, the first diaphragm 100 may be made from a mesh. In such cases, a first surface of the mesh may be water permeable, and a second surface opposite from the first surface of the mesh may be water impermeable.
In some embodiments, the first diaphragm 100 is configured to cope with an air volume velocity that is 10 mm{circumflex over ( )}3/s or less. In other embodiments, the first diaphragm 100 is configured to cope with an air volume velocity that I higher than 10 mm{circumflex over ( )}3/s.
In some embodiments, the first diaphragm 100 may be configured to have a resonance frequency. For example, in some embodiments, the first diaphragm 100 may be configured to have a first resonance frequency that is anywhere from 10 to 1000 Hz (e.g., anywhere from 10 to 100 Hz), or preferably anywhere from 80 to 1000 Hz. In other embodiments, the first diaphragm 100 may be configured to have a resonance frequency that is anywhere below 80 Hz (e.g., anywhere below: 50 Hz, 30 Hz, 10 Hz, 5 Hz, 1 Hz, etc.). In some cases, the first diaphragm 100 may be configured to have a resonance frequency that is 30 Hz+/−5 Hz. In other embodiments, the first diaphragm 100 may be configured to have different respective resonance frequencies that are different from the above examples. Also, in some embodiments, the first diaphragm 100 may be configured to have a resonance frequency that corresponds with speech sound. In other embodiments, the first diaphragm 100 may be configured to have a resonance frequency that corresponds with non-speech sound (such as chewing, walking, etc.).
In some embodiments, the diaphragm 100 is configured to have a certain resonance frequency by having a certain dimension(s) (e.g., length, width), thickness, material, or any combination of the foregoing. The diaphragm 100 may have an uniform thickness, or it may have a variable thickness in order for it to be tuned to have certain resonance frequency. Also, in some embodiments, materials adding mass/weight to the diaphragm 100 may be deposited on the diaphragm 100 to achieve certain resonance frequency for the diaphragm 100. In other embodiments, materials may be removed from the diaphragm 100 to change the mass of the diaphragm 100. In addition, in some embodiments, the diaphragm 100 may be made to have certain stiffness (e.g., bending stiffness) that corresponds with certain resonance frequency.
In some embodiments, the diaphragm 100 may have a two dimensional area that is larger than a cross-sectional area of the first channel 18. For example, if the first channel 18 has a circular cross section with a diameter of 3 mm, then the diaphragm 100 may have a two dimensional area that is larger than pi*1.5*1.5=7.07 mm{circumflex over ( )}2. By means of non-limiting examples, the area of the diaphragm 100 may be at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, etc., larger than the cross-sectional area of the first channel 18. In some embodiments, the diaphragm 100 may have a surface area that is anywhere from 2 mm{circumflex over ( )}2 to 50 mm{circumflex over ( )}2, such as an area that is larger than 7.1 mm{circumflex over ( )}2.
During use of the earpiece 10, the earpiece 10 is inserted at least partly into an ear canal of a user of the earpiece 10. At least a circumferential part of the earpiece 10 forms a seal against a circumferential wall of the ear canal. The output 50 of the earpiece 10 provides sound for reception by an eardrum of the user. To address an occlusion effect associated with the user of the earpiece 10, the first channel 18 provides some pressure relief. The diaphragm 100 is configured to have certain resonance frequency or frequency range so that it will reflect sound waves at the resonance frequency or within the frequency range. In some embodiments, the diaphragm 100 is configured to reflect sound waves corresponding with speech, while allowing sound waves corresponding with non-speech to pass therethrough. In other embodiments, the diaphragm 100 may be configured to allow sound waves corresponding with speech to pass therethrough.
In the illustrated embodiments, the first diaphragm 100 is a part of the component 20 (a unit) that is configured for insertion into an opening 30 of the earpiece 10. The opening 30 may be located at a faceplate, or may be located at other part of the earpiece 10. As shown in
In the illustrated embodiments, the tube 200 has a circular cross-section. In other embodiments, the tube 200 may have other cross-sectional shapes. For example, in other embodiments, the cross-section of the tube 200 may be elliptical (
In some embodiments, the tube 200 may have a cross-sectional dimension that is larger than a cross-sectional dimension of the first channel 18. In other embodiments, the tube 200 may have a cross-sectional dimension that is the same as the cross-sectional dimension of the first channel 18. In further embodiments, the tube 200 may have a cross-sectional dimension that is smaller than a cross-sectional dimension of the first channel 18.
In the illustrated embodiments, the component 20 is detachably coupled to a part of the earpiece 10. This allows the component 20 to be replaced (e.g., by a user of the earpiece 10, by a hearing aid professional, or by a provider of the earpiece 10) if needed. In other embodiments, the component 20 may be permanently or temporarily secured within the earpiece 10. For example, during manufacturing, the component 20 may be inserted into the opening 30 of the earpiece 10, so that the first space 242 is in fluid communication with the lumen 120 of the first channel 18 via the first opening 232 at the first tube end 202. The component 20 may then be secured to one or more parts of the earpiece 10 using a connection, such as an adhesive, glue, a mechanical connector, etc. Examples of mechanical connector may include snap-fit connector, frictional connector, anchor, screw, etc.
In other embodiments, the component 20 may not include the tube 200. For example, in other embodiments, the component 20 may include the diaphragm 100 that is secured to one or more parts of the earpiece 10. Also, in other embodiments, the diaphragm 100 may be oriented to form a non-zero acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 130 of the first channel 18. The angle may be any angle that is larger than 0° and less than 45°.
In some embodiments, the component 20 may optionally further include a vent tube coupled to the tube 200. The vent tube may be sized and shaped for insertion into one or more components of the earpiece 10. The vent tube is configured to implement the first channel 18. In some embodiments, the vent tube is connected to the tube 200 via an adhesive or a mechanical connector. In other embodiments, the vent tube may extend from the tube 200, and the vent tube and the tube 200 may be formed together to have an unity configuration.
In some embodiments, the earpiece 10 may be a part of a hearing device, such as a hearing aid. For example, as shown in
In other embodiments, the earpiece 10 may include the receiver 340 (
In some embodiments, the earpiece 10, the hearing aid 300 of
Also, in some embodiments, the earpiece 10 itself may be a hearing device 300, such as a hearing aid. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, the earpiece 10/hearing device 300 of
In some embodiments, the active occlusion reduction system may be configured to be active (e.g., to provide occlusion reduction) above a certain threshold frequency, and the first diaphragm 100 may be configured to have a resonance frequency below the threshold frequency. In some embodiments, the threshold frequency may be below 200 Hz, such as below 100 Hz (e.g., 80 Hz). In other embodiments, the threshold frequency may be other values.
It should be noted that in the embodiments in which the earpiece 10/hearing device 300 includes an occlusion reduction unit for providing active occlusion reduction (or more preferably active occlusion cancellation), the diaphragm 100 is advantageous. In particular, because the diaphragm 100 is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the channel 18, the diaphragm 100 can be made to have a larger diaphragm area (i.e., larger than the cross-sectional area of the channel 18). This technical feature helps to unload the receiver in the AOC system. This is because due to the larger diaphragm surface area, the diaphragm 100 will be able to handle large excursion or air volume velocity. As a result, the receiver may not be required to produce a high LF output to reduce or cancel out the occlusion signal. Additionally, the air mass in front and back of the diaphragm 100 will be larger (compared to a design in which the diaphragm 100 is oriented perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis of the channel 18), which makes it easier to tune the diaphragm 100 to a low resonance frequency without the need to provide a diaphragm suspension that is too compliant. Furthermore, the component 20 described herein is advantageous because it provides protection for the diaphragm 100.
In some embodiments, if the component 20 is not inserted into the opening 30 of the earpiece 10, the earpiece 10 or the hearing device 300 with the earpiece 10 will still work (like a normal hearing device), but with reduced LF capability.
In one or more embodiments described herein (e.g., in the embodiment of
In one or more embodiments described herein (e.g., in the embodiment of
Also, in one or more embodiments described herein, the processing unit 330 may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination of both. Examples of hardware that may be used to implement the processing unit 330 include processor, amplifier, capacitor, resistor, integrated circuit, or any combination of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the processing unit 330 may have hearing loss compensation capability. For example, in some embodiments, the processing unit 330 may include a hearing loss compensation unit configured to perform signal processing to compensate for a hearing loss of a user. In other embodiments, the processing unit 330 may not have any hearing loss compensation capability. Also, in some embodiments, the processing unit 330 may include a noise reduction unit.
In some embodiments, the earpiece 10 may include two diaphragms 100. For example, as shown in
In the illustrated embodiments, the components 20a, 20b are identical to each other. In other embodiments, the components 20a, 20b may be different from each other. For example, in other embodiments, the first diaphragm 100a and the second diaphragm 100b may have different physical attributes, such as different dimensions (e.g., length, width, etc.), different thicknesses, different materials, different shapes, etc. Also, in some embodiments, the components 20a, 20b may have different configurations (e.g., different shapes, dimensions, etc.).
As shown in
Also, as shown in
The first channel 18a and/or the second channel 18b may correspond to the ear-canal axis 60. For example, the first channel 18a and/or the second channel 18b may be parallel to, or may form a non-zero acute angle with, the ear-canal axis 60.
In other embodiments, the first diaphragm 100a and the second diaphragm 100b may be arranged in series so that they operate in series with respect to each other. For example, as shown in
As shown in the figure, the first diaphragm 100a and the second diaphragm 100b may be implemented as respective parts of the components 20a, 20b, which are configured for insertion into the opening 30 of the earpiece 10 one after the other. The first diaphragm 100a of the first component 20a has one surface 102a that is in fluid communication with the lumen of the channel 18 via the opening 232 of the first component 20a, and an opposite surface 104a that is in fluid communication with a space in the second component 20b via the opening 234 of the first component 20a. The second diaphragm 100b of the second component 20b has a surface 102b that is in fluid communication with a space in the first component 20a via the opening 232 of the second component 20b, and an opposite surface 104b that is in fluid communication with the environment outside a user of the earpiece 10 (e.g., the environment lateral with respect to the end 14) via the opening 234 of the second component 20b. Accordingly, during use, sound pressure from within the ear canal will enter into the second component 20b via the opening 234 of the second component 20b. Part of the sound pressure will be filtered out by the second diaphragm 100b, and other part of the sound pressure will pass through the second diaphragm 100b, will exit through the opening 232 of the second component 20b, and will enter into the first component 20a via the opening 234 of the first component 20a. This other part of the sound pressure will at least partially be filtered out by the first diaphragm 100a. Any remaining sound pressure not filtered by the first diaphragm 100a will exit the first component 20a via the opening 232 of the first component 20a into the channel 18.
In the illustrated embodiments of
In the illustrated embodiments, the components 20a, 20b are identical to each other. In other embodiments, the components 20a, 20b may be different from each other. For example, in other embodiments, the first diaphragm 100a and the second diaphragm 100b may have different physical attributes, such as different dimensions (e.g., length, width, etc.), different thicknesses, different materials, different shapes, etc. Also, in some embodiments, the components 20a, 20b may have different configurations (e.g., different shapes, dimensions, etc.).
As shown in
In other embodiments, the earpiece 10 may include more than two diaphragms 100a, 100b. For example, in other embodiments, the earpiece 10 may include three diaphragms 100 arranged in parallel or in series. If the diaphragms 100 are arranged in parallel, then they are configured to be in fluid communication with respective channels in the earpiece 10. The three diaphragms may be configured to have different respective resonance frequencies. Alternatively, two or more of the diaphragms may be configured to have the same resonance frequency.
It should be noted that the earpiece 10 may have different shapes and form factors in different embodiments. In some embodiments, the earpiece 10 may have an earmold (like that shown in
In other embodiments, the earpiece 10 may not include an earmold. For example, in other embodiments, the earpiece 10 may include a housing 900 (e.g., a hearing device housing, a hearing aid housing, a receiver housing, etc.) containing a receiver 340, and a deformable eardome 902 coupled to the receiver housing 900 (
During use, the housing 900 with the eardome 902 is inserted into an ear canal of a user. The eardome 902 is deformable to conform to a shape of the ear canal, and provides a seal against a circumferential wall of the era canal. In some embodiments, the housing 900 may be configured to be at least partially placed in the ear canal. In other embodiments, the housing 900 may be configured to be placed completely in the ear canal. In further embodiments, the housing 900 may be placed in the ear canal so that it appears invisible. The receiver 340 is configured to generate sound that is output into the ear canal via the channel 922. Sound pressure and/or occlusion effect may be relieved or reduced via the channel 18.
In some embodiments, the earpiece 10 itself may be an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing device, completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing device, or invisible-in-the-canal (IIC) hearing device. The hearing device may be a hearing aid, an earbud for listening to media, a communication device, or a part of a headset.
In some embodiments, the earpiece 10 of
In addition, in some embodiments, the earpiece of
It should be noted that the earpiece 10 is not limited to having the configurations shown in the above examples, and that the earpiece 10 may have other configurations in other embodiments.
Also, in the above embodiments, the component 20 is described as having a diaphragm 100. In other embodiments, the component 20 may include multiple diaphragms 100, such as two diaphragms, three diaphragms, four diaphragms, etc. The diaphragms 100 may be arranged in the component 20 so that they are parallel to each other. Alternatively, two or more of the diaphragms 100 in the component 20 may form a non-zero acute angle. The component 20 may have a housing configured to house the plurality of diaphragms 100.
In further embodiments, the hearing device 300 may be a headset, and the earpiece 10 may be part of the headset. For example as shown in
In any of the embodiments of
In any of the embodiments described herein, the channel 18 may be configured to function as a pressure equalization channel. For example, in some embodiments, when the component 20 is not inserted into the opening 30 of the earpiece 10, then the channel 18 may function as an unblocked vent to equalize pressures between the ear canal and the external environment.
In other embodiments, any of the earpiece 10 described herein may include a pressure equalization channel 1200 that is in addition to the channel 18 (
In further embodiments, the component 20 may at least partially define a pressure equalization channel 1200 (
Also, in other embodiments, the diaphragm 100 may include a small hole 1250 for providing pressure equalization (
It should be noted that the techniques for providing pressure equalization described with reference to
Disclosed are earpieces, hearing aids, and components according to any of the following items and aspects.
Item 1. An earpiece comprising:
a first end;
a second end opposite from the first end;
a first channel extending from a first location that is closer to the first end than to the second end, to a second location that is closer to the second end than to the first end; and
a first diaphragm, wherein the first diaphragm has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface of the diaphragm configured to be in fluid communication with a lumen in the first channel, wherein the first diaphragm extends in a direction that is parallel to, or that forms an acute angle with, a longitudinal axis of the first channel.
Item 2. Earpiece according to item 1, wherein the direction in which the first diaphragm extends forms a non-perpendicular angle with the longitudinal axis of the first channel.
Item 3. Earpiece according to any of items 1-2, wherein the first channel is configured to reduce an occlusion effect, and/or to provide pressure equalization between a first space in an ear canal and a second space outside the ear canal when the earpiece is worn by a user.
Item 4. Earpiece according to any of items 1-3, wherein the first surface of the diaphragm is water permeable, and wherein the second surface of the diaphragm is water impermeable.
Item 5. Earpiece according to any of items 1-4, wherein the first diaphragm is configured to cope with an air volume velocity that is 10 mm{circumflex over ( )}3/s or less.
Item 6. Earpiece according to any of items 1-5, wherein the first diaphragm is a part of a unit that is configured for insertion into an opening of the earpiece.
Item 7. Earpiece according to item 6, wherein the unit comprises a tube having a first tube end, a second tube end, and a tube body extending between the first tube end and the second tube end, wherein the first tube end has a first partial cover, wherein the second tube end has a second partial cover, and wherein the first diaphragm is coupled between the first partial cover at the first tube end and the second partial cover at the second tube end.
Item 8. Earpiece according to any of items 1-7, further comprising a second diaphragm, wherein the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are tuned to different respective ranges of resonance frequencies.
Item 9. Earpiece according to any of items 1-8, wherein the first diaphragm is tuned to a resonance frequency that is anywhere between 80 Hz to 1000 Hz.
Item 10. Earpiece according to any of items 1-9, further comprising a receiver.
Item 11. Earpiece according to any of items 1-10, further comprising a first microphone configured to receive sound from an environment, and a processing unit coupled to the first microphone, wherein the processing unit is configured to provide an output signal based on a microphone signal from the first microphone.
Item 12. Earpiece according to item 11, further comprising a second microphone configured to receive ear canal sound, wherein the second microphone is a part of an active occlusion reduction system.
Item 13. Earpiece according to item 12, wherein the active occlusion reduction system is configured to be active above a threshold frequency, and the first diaphragm has a resonance frequency below the threshold frequency.
Item 14. Earpiece according to any of items 12-13, wherein the processing unit comprises an occlusion reduction unit.
Item 15. A hearing aid comprising the earpiece of any of items 1-14, and a behind-the-ear (BTE) unit, wherein the BTE unit comprises a first microphone configured to receive sound from an environment, and a processing unit coupled to the first microphone.
Item 16. H earing aid according to item 15, further comprising a second microphone configured to receive ear canal sound, wherein the second microphone is a part of an active occlusion reduction system.
Item 17. Hearing aid comprising the earpiece of any of items 1-14, and a behind-the-ear (BTE) unit, wherein the BTE unit comprises a first microphone configured to receive sound from an environment, a processing unit coupled to the first microphone, and a receiver coupled to the processing unit.
Item 18. A component for an earpiece, comprising:
a tube having a first tube end, a second tube end, and a tube body extending between the first tube end and the second tube end, wherein the first tube end has a first partial cover, wherein the second tube end has a second partial cover; and
a diaphragm is coupled between the first partial cover at the first tube end and the second partial cover at the second tube end;
wherein at least a part of the tube is sized and shaped for insertion into an opening of the earpiece.
Item 19. Component according to item 18, wherein the diaphragm divides a lumen within the tube into a first space and a second space.
Item 20. The component according to item 19, wherein the first space is for fluid communication with a channel in the earpiece when the tube is inserted into the opening of the earpiece.
Aspect 1. An earpiece comprising:
a first end;
a second end opposite from the first end;
a first channel extending from a first location that is closer to the first end than to the second end, to a second location that is closer to the second end than to the first end; and
a first diaphragm, wherein the first diaphragm has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface of the diaphragm configured to be in fluid communication with a lumen in the first channel, wherein the first diaphragm extends in a direction that is parallel to, or that forms an acute angle with, a longitudinal axis of the first channel.
Aspect 2. The earpiece of aspect 1, wherein the direction in which the first diaphragm extends forms a non-perpendicular angle with the longitudinal axis of the first channel.
Aspect 3. The earpiece of aspect 1, wherein the first channel is configured to reduce an occlusion effect, and/or to provide pressure equalization between a first space in an ear canal and a second space outside the ear canal when the earpiece is worn by a user.
Aspect 4. The earpiece of aspect 1, wherein the first surface of the diaphragm is water permeable, and wherein the second surface of the diaphragm is water impermeable.
Aspect 5. The earpiece of aspect 1, wherein the first diaphragm is configured to cope with an air volume velocity that is 10 mm{circumflex over ( )}3/s or less.
Aspect 6. The earpiece of aspect 1, wherein the first diaphragm is a part of a unit that is configured for insertion into an opening of the earpiece.
Aspect 7. The earpiece of aspect 6, wherein the unit comprises a tube having a first tube end, a second tube end, and a tube body extending between the first tube end and the second tube end, wherein the first tube end has a first partial cover, wherein the second tube end has a second partial cover, and wherein the first diaphragm is coupled between the first partial cover at the first tube end and the second partial cover at the second tube end.
Aspect 8. The earpiece of aspect 1, further comprising a second diaphragm, wherein the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm are tuned to different respective ranges of resonance frequencies.
Aspect 9. The earpiece of aspect 1, wherein the first diaphragm is tuned to a resonance frequency that is anywhere between 80 Hz to 1000 Hz.
Aspect 10. The earpiece of aspect 1, further comprising a receiver.
Aspect 11. The earpiece of aspect 10, further comprising a first microphone configured to receive sound from an environment, and a processing unit coupled to the first microphone, wherein the processing unit is configured to provide an output signal based on a microphone signal from the first microphone.
Aspect 12. The earpiece of aspect 11, further comprising a second microphone configured to receive ear canal sound, wherein the second microphone is a part of an active occlusion reduction system.
Aspect 13. The earpiece of aspect 12, wherein the active occlusion reduction system is configured to be active above a threshold frequency, and the first diaphragm has a resonance frequency below the threshold frequency.
Aspect 14. The earpiece of aspect 12, wherein the processing unit comprises an occlusion reduction unit.
Aspect 15. A hearing aid comprising the earpiece of aspect 11, and a behind-the-ear (BTE) unit, wherein the BTE unit comprises a first microphone configured to receive sound from an environment, and a processing unit coupled to the first microphone.
Aspect 16. The hearing aid of aspect 15, further comprising a second microphone configured to receive ear canal sound, wherein the second microphone is a part of an active occlusion reduction system.
Aspect 17. A hearing aid comprising the earpiece of aspect 1, and a behind-the-ear (BTE) unit, wherein the BTE unit comprises a first microphone configured to receive sound from an environment, a processing unit coupled to the first microphone, and a receiver coupled to the processing unit.
Aspect 18. A component for an earpiece, comprising:
a tube having a first tube end, a second tube end, and a tube body extending between the first tube end and the second tube end, wherein the first tube end has a first partial cover, wherein the second tube end has a second partial cover; and
a diaphragm is coupled between the first partial cover at the first tube end and the second partial cover at the second tube end;
wherein at least a part of the tube is sized and shaped for insertion into an opening of the earpiece.
Aspect 19. The component of aspect 18, wherein the diaphragm divides a lumen within the tube into a first space and a second space.
Aspect 20. The component of aspect 19, wherein the first space is for fluid communication with a channel in the earpiece when the tube is inserted into the opening of the earpiece.
Although particular exemplary hearing devices have been shown and described, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the claimed inventions to the exemplary hearing devices, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed inventions. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed inventions are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.
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|---|---|---|---|
| PA 2020 70513 | Aug 2020 | DK | national |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220046362 A1 | Feb 2022 | US |
