SOFT IN-THE-EAR INSERT

Abstract

An in-the-ear plug-like insert to introduce and hold a sound signal or acoustic signal guiding and/or producing element or device respectively comprises an acoustic signal and/or sound signal output opening including portion at least partially consisting of an elastic or soft material, which portion further comprises integrated cerumen protection means, which are arranged inwardly displaced from the signal output opening within the portion.

Description

The invention shall be described in more details by way of the examples as shown within the attached figures.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an inventive plug-like insert,

FIG. 2 shows the plug-like insert from FIG. 1 in a perspective view from the front side,

FIG. 3 shows a perspective side view of the plug-like insert according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows an axial length wise sectional view trough the plug-like insert according to FIG. 1, and

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view trough the front end and the signal output opening of the plug-like insert according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows in a perspective side an inventive in-the-ear plug-like insert 1 comprising at its front end a sound signal opening 3. Inwardly displaced from the output signal opening 3 within a tube-like canal 5 arranged is a disk-like cerumen protection 7 comprising a plurality of passage openings 8 for the passage of acoustic signals or sound signals.

The plug-like insert 1 further comprising a holding compartment 13 provided for holding an acoustic guiding, amplifying or producing device or element such as e.g. a speaker, a receiver, an amplifier, etc. of an in-the-ear hearing device. The compartment 13 is interconnected with the signal output opening and the tube-like cannel 5 via an interconnection tube 15.

The plug-like insert further comprises outwardly projecting dome-like or umbrella-like shields 9 and 11, which are provided to keep the plug-like insert in position within an ear canal. Especially these dome-like or umbrella-like protections are consisting of a soft or elastic material such as an elastomeric polymer, silicon, etc. so that e.g. an acoustic device such as a speaker, receiver, an amplifier, etc. placed within the compartment 13 can be inserted into different kinds of ear channels comprising different characteristics or profiles of an ear canal. In case of having two projections as shown in FIG. 1 a firm positioning within an ear canal is possible.

Within FIG. 2 a perspective view from the front end of the inventive insert 1 is shown. The cerumen protection 7 comprising the sound signal passages 8 can be seen very clearly within the tube-like canal 5, inwardly displaced from the front end sound output opening 3.

Within FIG. 3 an other side perspective view of the plug-like insert 1 is shown with the holding compartment 13 being transparent, so that an acoustic device or element 17 can be seen. This element can be e.g. a speaker, a receiver, an amplifier, a in-the-ear hearing device, etc., which in case of FIG. 3 is connected with e.g. further acoustic or sound creating elements outside the ear via a tube 19. The further elements of the plug-like insert are provided with the same referential numbers as shown in FIGS. 2 and 1.

FIG. 4 shows a cut off or lengthwise sectional view of the plug-like insert showing the acoustic device or element 17 inserted within the holding compartment 13. An output signal or sound signal from the acoustic device or element 17 can be transferred via the intersection 15 trough the cerumen protection 7 to the signal output opening 3 of the plug-like insert.

FIG. 5 finally shows the area of the sound output opening 3 of the inventive plug-like insert in sectional view. Within the tube-like canal 5 displaced from the sound output opening the cerumen protection 7 is arranged comprising the sound passages or holes 8. In FIG. 5 it can be recognised very clearly, that any cerumen 21 is kept outside of the intersection 15 connecting the signal output opening 3 to the acoustic device or element and furthermore the deposited cerumen 21 does not cover the cerumen protection 7 and in particular the passages 8 for the passage of the sound signals. Therefore a great advantage of placing the cerumen protection 7 displaced from the front sound output opening is, that it is not covered by the cerumen.

As a consequence the plug-like insert as proposed according the present invention has to be replaced substantially less frequently as a insert as proposed in the art, where the cerumen protection is covering the front end opening.

Claims

1. In-the-ear plug-like insert to introduce and hold a sound signal or acoustic signal guiding and/or producing element or device respectively, the insert comprising an acoustic signal and/or sound signal output opening, including a portion at least partially consisting of an elastic or soft material, further comprising integrated cerumen protection means which are arranged displaced inward from the signal output opening within the portion.

2. Insert according to claim 1, the means is disk-like comprising a plurality of openings within the disk.

3. Insert according to claim 1, the means is disk-like, which disk is perforated.

4. Insert according to claim 1, the means is arranged within a tube extending through the portion of the insert connected to the signal output opening at a distance inwardly displaced from the opening.

5. Insert according to claim 1 characterized in, that at the portion in the region of the sound output opening an outwardly projecting dome-like or umbrella-like soft shield portion is arranged.

6. Insert according to claim 5 characterized in that at a distance from the sound output opening and in line with the first shield portion at least a second outwardly projecting dome-like or umbrella-like soft shield portion is arranged.

7. Insert according to claim 1, further comprising a holding compartment for the arrangement of a speaker, receiver, an amplifier unit, part of an ITE or BTE hearing device, etc.

8. Insert according to claim 7, the holding compartment consisting of an at least almost rigid material.

9. Insert according to claim 1, at least part of the insert consisting of a soft or elastic material such as an elastomeric polymer, silicon rubber, etc.

10. Insert according to claim 1, the sound output opening is circular, square-like, triangle-like, etc.

11. Insert according to claim 2 characterised in that the openings within the disk-like cerumen protecting means are mainly arranged in the center of the disk.