Patent Grant
10887706
The present disclosure relates to auditory communication devices and more specifically to auditory communication devices having transducer modules such as on-ear speaker components.
Some conventional auditory communication devices, such as some hearing aid devices, include a behind-the-ear (BTE) component that houses all of the electronic components. For example, a behind-the-ear component of a behind-the-ear hearing device will generally include processing circuitry, a microphone, a receiver (also referred to as a speaker), and a battery. The receiver is generally connected to a hollow acoustic tube that traverses a user's head and is inserted in an ear canal of the user.
Because the receiver and microphone are within the same housing, in the behind-the-ear hearing aid device, electroacoustic feedback is created. Electroacoustic feedback is undesirable because it produces a high squealing noise that is uncomfortable for the user. Further, the housing for behind-the-ear hearing aid devices is bulky and unattractive, in part, because it includes all the electronic components. These issues engendered the development of a hearing aid device configured differently. That different configuration includes locating the receiver in a component in the ear canal instead of in the behind-the-ear component. This type of hearing aid device is commonly referred to as a “receiver-in-canal” (RIC) device. RIC devices are disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,621, entitled, “HYBRID BEHIND-THE-EAR AND COMPLETELY-IN-CANAL HEARING AID” to Reiter et. al., patented Feb. 25, 1997 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,139,404, entitled “BTE/CIC AUDITORY DEVICE AND MODULAR CONNECTOR SYSTEM THEREFOR” to Feeley et. al., patented Nov. 21, 2006; the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. The RIC device includes a behind-the-ear component having a microphone and processing circuitry that is electrically connected via a cable to the receiver disposed within a component that is placed in the user's ear canal. While the RIC hearing aid device addressed the feedback problem and allowed for the reduction of the size of the behind-the-ear component, among other advantages, improvements in the design and effectiveness of auditory communication devices are always desired.
Notwithstanding the significant contribution the development of the RIC hearing aid devices brought to the field of auditory communication devices, there are some limitations in the capabilities of these types of devices. For example, a user's ear canal, in which the receiver of a RIC device is placed, has a relatively small orifice and this requires that the receiver component should be limited in size (i.e. it must be small enough to fit in the ear canal of the user) and the small orifice offers little space to maneuver and fit the receiver component within the ear canal. Additionally, RIC hearing aid devices may sometimes be more difficult to fit to a user because different users may require connectors of different lengths to fit between a behind-the-ear component and an in-canal component or completely-in-canal component.
The present invention is directed to systems and methods in which an auditory communication device such as a hearing aid is configured such that elements normally disposed in the typical behind-the-ear component are instead disposed in a different component attached to the behind-the-ear component. For example, in embodiments of the invention, a speaker and a microphone are disposed in separate housings without disposing that speaker in the ear canal. Rather, in embodiments of the invention, the speaker is disposed in a housing located on the ear of the user while the microphone remains in the behind-the-ear component. Further, in embodiments of the invention, the microphone is disposed in a housing located on the ear of the user while the speaker remains in the behind-the-ear component. Further yet, in embodiments, an antenna may be disposed in a housing located on the ear of the user and the speaker, or microphone, or both may be located in the behind-the-ear component. Also, with the antenna in the on-ear component, either the speaker or the microphone may be located with the antenna in the on-ear housing.
Embodiments of the invention include an on-ear speaker component for an auditory communication device, such as a hearing aid. The on-ear speaker component may include an on-ear speaker housing, a speaker disposed in the on-ear speaker housing, and an electrical connection. The electrical connection may be adapted to attach the speaker to a microphone in a housing different from the on-ear speaker housing.
Embodiments of the invention include an auditory communication device such as a hearing aid having a behind-the-ear component that may include a microphone disposed in a behind-the-ear component housing. The behind-the-ear component may be adapted to be disposed behind the ear of a user in operation of the auditory communication device. The auditory communication device may also have an on-ear speaker component that includes a speaker disposed in an on-ear speaker component housing. The on-ear speaker component may be adapted to be disposed on the ear of the user in operation of the auditory communication device. The auditory communication device may also have an electrical connection between the microphone and the speaker when the on-ear speaker component and the behind-the-ear component are coupled together. The auditory communication device's behind-the-ear component housing and on-ear speaker housing are different housings.
Embodiments of the invention include an on-ear transducer component for an auditory (e.g., hearing aid, monitor, etc.) device. The on-ear transducer component may include a transducer housing and an antenna disposed in or that extends from the transducer housing. The transducer component may also include an electrical connection adapted to attach the antenna to processing circuitry in a housing different from the transducer housing.
Embodiments of the invention may include a kit of different types of hearing aid components or providing this kit, where combinations of the hearing aid components, when assembled, each forms at least one RIC type device and at least one acoustic type device (i.e., receiver is external from canal). The kit may include a plurality of behind-the-ear components. The plurality of behind-the-ear components each may have a microphone and processing circuitry. The plurality of behind-the-ear components may also include behind-the-ear components of different electronic functionalities. The kit may also include a plurality of on-ear speaker components, where the plurality of on-ear speaker components have one or more speakers and the plurality of on-ear speaker components are adapted to mechanically and electronically couple to any of the plurality of behind-the-ear components. The plurality of on-ear speaker components may include on-ear speaker components of different electronic and/or acoustic functionalities. The kit may also include a plurality of sound tubes, where the plurality of sound tubes are adapted to couple to any of the plurality of on-ear speaker components, the plurality of sound tubes includes sound tubes of different lengths. The kit may further include a plurality of in-canal components and/or a plurality of completely-in-canal components, where each of the plurality of in-canal components and plurality of completely-in-canal components includes a speaker. Further yet, the kit may include a plurality of electrical connectors; where each of the electrical connectors is adapted to mechanically and electrically couple any of the plurality of behind-the-ear components, to any of the in-canal components and any of the plurality of completely-in-canal components, the plurality of electrical connectors may include connectors of different lengths.
Embodiments of the invention include an on-ear speaker component for an auditory communication device that may include a speaker housing shaped to fit around the ear of a user so that when in use a first portion of the speaker housing is positioned behind the ear, a second portion on top of the ear and a third portion in front of the user's ear. The on-ear speaker component includes a speaker disposed in the speaker housing and may include an electrical connection adapted to communicatively couple the speaker to a microphone and/or signal processing circuitry in a housing different from the speaker housing.
Embodiments of the invention include a communication device having a behind-the-ear component that may include a microphone disposed in a behind-the-ear component housing. The behind-the-ear component may be adapted to be disposed behind the ear of a user in operation of the communication device. The communication device may also include a transducer module component that includes a speaker disposed in a transducer module component housing. The transducer module component may be adapted to be disposed on the ear of the user in operation of the communication device. The communication device may further include an electrical connection between the microphone and the speaker when the transducer module component and the behind-the-ear component are coupled together. In embodiments, the behind-the-ear component housing and the transducer module component housing are different housings.
Embodiments of the invention include a communication device having a behind-the-ear component that includes a processing circuitry disposed in a behind-the-ear component housing. The behind-the-ear component may be adapted to be disposed behind the ear of a user in operation of the communication device. The communication device may include a transducer module component that includes an antenna disposed in the transducer module component housing. The transducer module component may be adapted to be disposed on and/or around the ear of the user in operation of the communication device. The communication device may further include an electrical connection between the behind-the-ear component and the transducer module component when the transducer module component and the behind-the-ear component are coupled together. In embodiments, the behind-the-ear component housing and the transducer module component housing are different housings.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:
The following description sets forth example embodiments having various features for auditory communication devices and components of auditory communication devices according to embodiments of the invention. Certain features shown in the various figures may be utilized together (e.g., as illustrated), and in many cases one or more features may be left out of some embodiments. Many of the embodiments discussed below are discussed in the context of a hearing aid device. However, the use of the features described herein may also be applicable to other types of auditory communication devices such as earphones, feedback headphones, headsets, monitors, IFB devices, etc. Further, many of the embodiments describe a transducer component that is an on-ear speaker component. However, in embodiments, alternatively or additionally, the transducer component may include other transducers such as one or more microphones or one or more antennas. For example, the transducer component may be an on-ear microphone component (that includes a microphone) for a hearing aid in which the speaker, for example, may be disposed in the behind-the-ear component. Considering another example, the transducer component may be an on-ear antenna component (that includes an antenna) for a hearing aid that, for example, may have the speaker and microphone in a behind-the-ear component.
Speaker 101 also includes speaker sound port 103 to which sound tube 115 (a soft acoustic tube) is coupled. Sound tube 115 is held between walls 117 (extensions from on-ear speaker housing 100). Walls 117 also helps to create a sealed pocket area labelled as space 116. Coupling sound tube 115 to sound port 103 allows sound from speaker 101 to propagate through sound tube 115 and into acoustic channel 118. Acoustic channel 118 is formed by the on-ear speaker component housing 100. A sound tube may be attached to sound port 113 of on-ear speaker component housing 100 to channel sound from acoustic channel 118 to the ear canal of the user. For example, a cylindrically shaped sound port may be configured to fit into or fit over a cylindrically shaped sound tube that receives sound from speaker 101 and on-ear speaker component housing 100 and conducts that sound from speaker 101 and housing 100 to the ear canal of the user. Although a cylindrical shape would not be required. The sound tube that leads from on-ear speaker component 10 to the ear canal of the user may be selected from a plurality of sound tubes of different lengths to meet the requirements of the user.
As
Depending on the shape and volume of the internal space of on-ear speaker component housing 100, air movement caused by speaker 101 may engender additional air movement around speaker 101 and thereby create a different frequency response as compared to speaker 101 operating without this space. For example, when sound is playing in lower frequency ranges, additional air may be displaced by speaker 101 as result of space 116, which creates a particular frequency response. Thus, providing a speaker with additional airspace (e.g. space 116, a sealed inner cavity in on-ear speaker component housing 100) may improve the frequency response capabilities of speaker 101 and the auditory communication device in which it is operating. In some instances, speaker 101 may also incorporate cleared vented portions behind the rear of the speaker (on the opposite side of the output of the speaker) to further facilitate air movement.
Based on the above description of space 116 may be used according to embodiments of the invention, on-ear speaker 101 may be configured to emit sound of a particular frequency response characteristic. In other words, on-ear speaker 101 and space 116 around on-ear speaker 101, in on-ear speaker housing 100, may be configured to cooperate to produce a sound of a particular frequency response. In sum, because on-ear speaker housing 100 may have some physical space at the rear side of on-ear speaker 101, away from sound port 103, on-ear speaker component 10 can generate additional low range frequencies or amplify sound from the low range because of air movement within on-ear speaker housing 100.
In embodiments, speaker 101 may not have a sound port so sound tube 115 may be attached to the body of speaker 101 so that sound flows from speaker 101 and through sound tube 115. Because speaker 101 is attached to sound tube 115, sound tube 115 keeps speaker 101 suspended in space 116 such that speaker 101 does not touch inner wall 114. Suspending speaker 101 in this way by sound tube 115 provides the following benefits: (1) shock protection—if the device is dropped it helps prevent damage to speaker 101, mechanical isolation—reduces mechanical feedback that can be caused from vibration of speaker 101 through the housing to microphones in the behind-the-ear component or in on-ear speaker component housing 100, and provides additional air space (space 116) that can provide additional output from a vented speaker (e.g. speaker 101). Additionally or alternatively, in embodiments of the invention, space 116 may be filled or partially filled with material (e.g. a gel, foam etc.) that provides mechanical isolation between speaker 101 and another element such as a microphone disposed in another component of a hearing aid, where on-ear speaker component 10 is disposed in that hearing aid.
In embodiments of the invention, on-ear speaker component 10 is disposed within on-ear speaker housing 100 in a manner such that it is oriented toward a desired sound propagation direction. For example, on-ear speaker 101 may be directed downward towards channel 118, which receives the sound from on-ear speaker 101 and propagates the sound downward into a sound tube attached to sound port 113 and, in turn, the sound tube propagates the sound into the user's ear canal.
When on-ear speaker component 10 is positioned in the area proximate to the apex of the pinna, on-ear speaker component 10 may serve as an ear-hook for auditory communication device 20. Thus, the extent to which on-ear speaker component 10 is on or in front of the ear may be implemented for device retaining purposes (e.g. the further on-ear speaker component 10 extends around the ear, the more secure the device may be). On-ear speaker component 10 may be shaped to fit on the ear of the user to secure on-ear speaker component 10, as well as one or more other components attached to on-ear speaker component 10, to the user's ear. As shown in
In embodiments of the invention, on-ear speaker component 10 may be configured to affect the electroacoustic performance of auditory communication device 20 as a whole. For example, the shape, or length, or both of on-ear speaker component 10 may be configured to provide a sufficient distance between speaker 101 in on-ear speaker component 10 and other electronic elements in other components attached to on-ear speaker component 10. For example, the length of on-ear speaker component 10 and position of speaker 101 within on-ear speaker component 10 may be such that the distance between speaker 101 and a microphone and other processing circuitry (e.g. signal processing circuitry) in behind-the-ear component 200 is sufficient to prevent electroacoustic feedback (described above). In embodiments, on-ear speaker component 10 may extend further around the ear than behind-the-ear component 200. In other words, in some embodiments, on-ear speaker component 10 is longer than behind-the-ear component 200.
Behind-the-ear component 300 is adapted to fit behind the lower section of the ear of the user. Behind-the-ear component 300 includes behind-the-ear component housing 3000, which may be made materials selected from: plastic, acrylic, rubber, elastomer, metal, composite materials (e.g., carbon fiber composites, engineered materials, etc.), the like and combinations thereof. Behind-the-ear component 300 may have elements such as microphone port 3001, one or more microphones 3002, one or more communications links 3005, processing circuitry 3003 (which may include sound processing circuitry), a power source 3004 (e.g. a battery), and combinations thereof. Processing circuitry may include one or more amplifiers (e.g. multi-channel and programmable, one or more compressors, one or more filters, packetizing circuitry, de-packetizing circuitry, modulation circuitry, conversion circuitry, the like, and combinations thereof). The processing circuitry may include analog, programmable analog, digital circuitry, and combinations thereof.
In embodiments of the invention, behind-the-ear component 300 may be a connector that connects the auditory communication device to a device remote from behind-the-ear component 300, e.g. a musician's monitor wired cable. In such embodiments, behind-the-ear component 300 operates as a wired communication link. In embodiments of the invention, behind-the-ear component 300 may be a wireless connector that connects the auditory communication device to a device remote from behind-the-ear component 300. In such embodiments, behind-the-ear component 200 operates as a wireless communication link.
As shown in
In embodiments of the invention, connector 102, which, as noted above includes electrical connectors 102A and insulating portion 102B, is adapted to electrically and physically mate with a corresponding receptacle 3007 and electrical sockets 3006 of behind-the-ear component 300. Connector 102 may be single-pronged or multi-pronged.
Electrical connector 102A of on-ear speaker component 10 and electrical sockets 3006 of behind-the-ear component 300 provide an electrical connection between speaker 101 and the electronic elements disposed in behind-the ear component 300 (e.g. microphone 3002, processing circuitry 3003, and power source 3004). As noted above, behind-the-ear component 300 includes electrical sockets 3006 for receiving electrical connectors 102A (prongs) of on-ear speaker component 10. In embodiments of the invention, connector 102 may also include latching mechanism 102C/3009 that secures the physical connection between on-ear speaker housing 100 and behind-the-ear component 300 of behind-the-ear hearing aid device 30. Alternatively or additionally, connector 102 may be configured such that a friction fit secures the physical connection.
In embodiments of the invention, insulating portion 102B may act as an electrical insulator as well as it may be configured to seal and protect electrical connector 102A, sockets 3006, and the interface between electrical connector 102A and sockets 3006 from materials such as dirt and moisture, which may emanate from a user as a result of everyday wear of hearing aid device 30. Insulating portion 102B seals and protects by having a close fit with receptacle 3007 to keep out unwanted elements such as dirt and water.
In embodiments of the invention, insulating portion 102B may also be adapted to be an acoustical insulating seal that prevents sound leaking from speaker 101 out toward the connection interface between electrical connectors 102A and sockets 3006. In embodiments of the invention, insulating portion 102B is adapted to prevent sound leakage by being made of material such as elastomer and configured to be received in a receptacle area 3007 of behind-the-ear component 300. In this way insulating portion 102B reduces feedback from speaker 101 into microphone 3002 located in behind-the-ear component 300 or other components located in ear, in canal, or external component positioned in close proximity to the ear of the user.
Further, in embodiments of the invention, connector 102 is designed to reduce mechanical feedback, such as vibrations that may propagate from on-ear speaker housing 101 toward processing circuitry 3003, or microphone 3001 or both. This may be achieved by making insulating portion 102B of vibration insulating material (e.g. materials that include butyl rubber, silicone, elastomer, and foam) being configured to be disposed between on-ear speaker housing 100 and behind-the-ear component 300, as shown in
Connector 102 could be implemented in other ways than as illustrated in the figures, such as with a single coaxial connector and/or with a magnetic coupling component. The figures illustrate that connector 102 has a male end disposed on on-ear speaker component 10, but some embodiments may include a female end in on-ear speaker component 10 that is configured to receive a corresponding male connection from behind-the-ear component 300.
An advantage of the configuration of hearing aid device 30 results from speaker 101 being in a separate housing (on-ear speaker housing 100) from behind-the-ear component 300, which includes microphone 3002 and processing circuitry 3003. As shown in
In addition to behind-the-ear component 300, sound tube 301 may be attached to on-ear speaker component. Sound tube 301 has a hollow portion formed by walls that may be made of materials selected from: nylon, plastic, rubber, elastomer, metal, composite materials (e.g., carbon fiber composites, engineered materials, etc.), the like and combinations thereof. One end of sound tube 301 tightly and communicatively connects to sound port 113 to conduct sound from on-ear speaker 101 and channel 118 to an ear canal of the user. The other end of sound tube 301 may include ear piece 302 for holding sound tube 301 within the ear canal. Ear piece 302 may be a part of sound tube 301 or an attachment to sound tube 301.
On-ear speaker component housing 100 may be shaped such that it facilitates its physical connection to sound tube 301 (e.g. by providing a snap mechanism, latching mechanism or a friction fit, or combinations thereof). In some aspects, the shape of on-ear speaker component housing 100 (sound port 113) at the connection point with sound tube 301 may be such that it facilitates acoustically sealing sound that propagates from on-ear speaker 101 so that all or most of the sound is directed into sound tube 301. In embodiments of the invention, sound tube 301 may have a thickened portion, which assists in securing the physical connection (e.g. to provide the friction fit or snap fit) between sound tube 301 and on-ear speaker housing 100).
Embodiments of the invention may include multiple speakers in an auditory communication device such as a hearing aid to accomplish various purposes. For example, different speakers may be utilized to provide different frequency response and output amongst the speakers. In some embodiments, a first speaker may be disposed in the on-ear speaker housing, while a second speaker is disposed remotely.
As mentioned above, electrical cable 500 connects speaker 501, disposed in a user's ear canal, to electrical connector 102A of on-ear speaker housing 100. As illustrated in
Auditory communication devices according to embodiments of the invention may include a plurality of different types of speakers placed in different positions within the device for purposes other than achieving adequate high, mid, and low frequency response, as described above. For example, a first speaker may be utilized to provide sound from different sources such as microphone inputs, wireless transmissions, other inputs from a processor such as noise cancellation frequencies, etc. Further, the ability to use a smaller speaker in the ear canal of a user may facilitate or improve the overall comfort level of a device being worn by a user.
In embodiments of the invention, to improve sound directionality of a hearing aid device, the on-ear transducer component, may include one or more microphones 108-110, as shown in
In embodiments of the invention, the position of microphone(s) 108-110 within on-ear speaker housing 100 and the shape of on-ear speaker housing 100 facilitate a specific alignment to obtain directional microphone performance for hearing aid 60. Such alignment of the microphones may be made with one or more of microphones 108-110 within on-ear speaker housing 100. In embodiments, at least one of microphones 108-110 positioned in on-ear speaker component housing 100 will be aligned with a microphone 3002 in behind-the-ear component 300 or in an in canal component or other component of the auditory communication device. In embodiments of the invention, the position of the microphone in the transducer component (e.g. on-ear speaker component 10) is in a predetermined alignment with the microphone on the behind-the-ear component (e.g. behind-the-ear component 300) to create a predetermined directional pattern when the transducer component and the behind-the-ear component are electrically and communicatively coupled together. It should be noted that in some embodiments there are no microphones in on-ear speaker component 10.
Additionally, hearing aid device 70 may include other monitoring devices such monitor 111 and 112 in on-ear speaker component 10 and monitor 701 located at the end of sound tube 305 so that it is disposed in the user's ear canal in use. These monitors may be adapted to measure vital information relating to, e.g., pulse, temperature, pressure, etc. The measurements may be relayed to circuitry in on-ear speaker component 10 or behind-the-ear component 300, which may process this information and communicate the information to the user, for example, via a screen of a different device that is wirelessly connected to hearing aid device 70 or by speaker 101 from hearing aid device 70. When monitors 701, 111, and 112 are included, the electrical connections of these devices may be accommodated by connector 102. Further, processing circuitry 3003 of hearing aid 70 may be configured to monitor and analyze the types of connections present in order to facilitate the functionality of the various connected devices. For example, upon receiving connections to multiple speakers, the processing circuitry understands that different equalizer settings between the speakers and dipper amplification may be preferably utilized.
As
In that regard, the kit of hearing aid components for assembling a hearing aid may include other hearing aid components such as a plurality of behind-the-ear components, a plurality of sound tubes, a plurality of connectors, a plurality of ear molds, a plurality of in canal components having speakers, a plurality of completely-in-canal components having speakers, and combinations thereof. Each of these plurality of components may have different electronic or physical features, or both so that components can be selected (“mix and matched”) to form the hearing aid to achieve the best fit for the user electronically and physically.
An advantage in the modularity of hearing aid 30 according to embodiments of the invention is that the kit may be used to create different types of devices. For example, an audiologist trying to fit a patient with a hearing aid may want to try various types of hearing aids. In such a fitting, according to embodiments of the invention, behind-the-ear component 300 may be connected to on-ear speaker component 10 and sound tube 301 to yield an acoustic tube-style device. Further, the audiologist is able to connect behind-the-ear component 300 with an electrical connector and in canal or completely in canal component having a speaker to yield a RIC-style device. The versatility presented by embodiments of the present invention assists with many practical concerns such as providing better inventory controls, and functional concerns such as being able to account for different degrees of hearing loss using different devices.
In sum, in embodiments of the invention, a user, distributor, or dispenser may assemble a hearing aid device to electronically and physically tailor the device to the user by selecting and combining the electronic and physical features, to tailor to a user, from the following components: on-ear components, behind-the-ear components, sound tubes, completely-in-canal components, in-canal components, electrical connectors, hybrid electrical connector/sound tubes, and combinations thereof.
For example, the plurality of behind-the-ear components may include components of different types, shapes, sizes, functional capabilities, different sound processing circuitry, microphone of different performance characteristics, and combinations thereof. The different features of the in-canal components and the completely in-canal components may include: shape of component, size of component, amount of speakers, speakers with different performance characteristics, processing circuitry of different performance characteristics such as one or more microphones, and combinations thereof. The different features of the ear pieces may include: materials, size, shape, vented, unvented and combinations thereof.
Embodiments of invention including a kit as mentioned above are discussed in more detail in relation to
Kit 80 may also include a plurality of a plurality of on-ear speaker components (e.g. on-ear speaker components 10-1-10-n). Each of on-ear speaker components 10-1-10-n includes a speaker. On-ear speaker components 10-1-10-n are adapted to mechanically and electronically couple to any of behind-the-ear components 300-1-300-n. On-ear speaker components 10-1-10-n may include on-ear speaker components of different functionalities. Those functionalities may include different electronic functionalities such as speakers with different performance characteristics, processing circuitry with different performance characteristics, microphones with different performance characteristics, presence of monitor devices and combinations thereof. The different functionalities of on-ear speaker components 10-1-10-n may include differences in any feature of on-ear speaker components described herein, e.g. the electronic functionalities, size, shape, internal volume, presence channels, presence of vents, and combinations thereof.
Kit 80 may also include a plurality of a plurality of sound tubes (e.g. sound tubes 301-1-301-1-n). Sound tubes 301-1-301-1-n are adapted to couple to any of on-ear speaker components 10-1-10-n. Sound tubes 301-1-301-1-n may have different functionalities. The different functionalities may include differences in features of sound tubes described herein such as sound tubes of, different shapes, different lengths, different internal diameters, and different outer diameters.
Kit 80 may also include a plurality of in-canal components and/or a plurality of completely-in-canal components (e.g. in-canal components and completely-in-canal components 701-1-701-n). Each of the plurality of in-canal components and plurality of completely-in-canal components includes speaker 101. In-canal components and completely-in-canal components 701-1-701-n may have different functionalities. Those functionalities may include electronic functionalities of the in-canal or completely-in-canal components such as different performance characteristics, processing circuitry with different performance characteristics, microphones with different performance characteristics, presence of monitor devices, and combinations thereof. The different functionalities of in-canal components and completely-in-canal components 701-1-701-n may include difference in any feature of in-canal components described herein such as size, shape, presence of vents, and combinations thereof.
Kit 80 may also include a plurality of electrical connectors (e.g. electrical connectors 401-1-401-n). Each of electrical connectors 401-1-401-n may be adapted to mechanically and electrically couple to any of behind-the-ear components 300-1-300-n and to any of in-canal components and completely-in-canal components 701-1-701-n. Electrical connectors 401-1-401-n may have different functionalities. The different functionalities may include differences in features of electrical connectors described herein such as electrical connectors of different lengths.
Kit 80 may also include a plurality of a plurality of a plurality of hybrid sound tube/in-canal or completely-in-canal speaker device. (e.g. hybrid sound tube/in-canal or completely-in-canal speaker 502-1-502-n). Each of hybrid sound tube/in-canal or completely-in-canal speaker 502-1-502-n may be adapted to mechanically and electrically couple to any of behind-the-ear components 300-1-300-n. Hybrid sound tube/in-canal or completely-in-canal speaker 502-1-502-n may have different functionalities. Those functionalities may include electronic functionalities such as speakers with different performance characteristics, processing circuitry with different performance characteristics, presence of monitor devices, and combinations thereof. The different functionalities of hybrid sound tube/in-canal or completely-in-canal speaker 502-1-502-n may include differences in any feature of hybrid sound tube/in-canal or completely-in-canal speaker described herein such as sound tubes or electrical connectors of, different shapes, different lengths, different internal diameters, and different outer diameters.
Kit 80 may include a plurality of ear molds (e.g. ear molds 601-1-601-n). Ear pieces 601-1-601-n may be adapted to be attached to sound tubes 301-1-301-1-n, in-canal components and completely-in-canal components 701-1-701-n, hybrid sound tube/in-canal or completely-in-canal speaker 502-1-502-n, and combinations thereof. Ear molds 601-1-601-n may have different functionalities. The different functionalities may include differences in features of ear molds described herein such as ear molds of different shapes and sizes. As illustrated in
Kits according to embodiments of the invention may include any subset of components or types of components of kit 80. A distributor, audiologist or user can use components of kit 80 to make different types of hearing aids that are tailored physically and electronically to the user. In other words different combinations of components of kit 80 may be selected and assembled to cooperate with each other to meet the requirements of the user (e.g. the functionalities and features of each component in the selected combination cooperates to produce a hearing aid specifically tailored to the user). For example, behind-the-ear component 300-1, electrical connector 401-1, in-canal component 701-1, and ear piece 601-3 may be selected and combined to form a RIC type hearing aid device. Likewise, behind-the-ear component 300-1, on-ear component 10-2, sound tube 301-1, and ear piece 601-1 may be selected and combined to form an acoustic type device. Further, behind-the-ear component 300-2, on-ear component 10-2, hybrid sound tube/in-canal or completely-in-canal 502-1, and ear piece 601-2 may be selected and combined to form hybrid sound acoustic/RIC type hearing aid device.
In embodiments of the invention, the length of on-ear speaker component 100 may vary. For example,
In embodiments such as hearing aid 20 in which the on-ear speaker component is relatively long, the sound tube that leads from the on-ear speaker component may advantageously adapted to be relatively large (a relatively large inner diameter, e.g. like the size of a typical behind-the-ear hearing device ear hook) and the ear mold to which the sound tube is attached may be an open fit, closed fit, or partially vented ear piece. For the relatively larger tubes, the on-ear speaker component may wrap around the ear, e.g. see
In embodiments of the invention, in the assembly process, after assembling electrical connector 102 from connector sub assembly 102B-1 and electrical connectors 102A, two half housings 100-1 are clamped together to enclose the elements of on-ear speaker component 10 shown in
As described above, embodiments of the invention involve a transducer component that occupies the typical position of an ear hook of a conventional behind-the-ear hearing aid device. In this way, elements traditionally place in the behind-the-ear component can be removed from that component and placed in the transducer component and thereby make the behind-the-ear component smaller. At the same time, the transducer component, in the form of an ear hook is not any bigger than the typical ear hook of the conventional behind-the-ear hearing aid. In this way, the transducer components according to embodiments of the invention utilize space of the hearing aid more efficiently. In other words, conventional behind-the-ear hearing aids waste space in the ear hook.
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the present disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/186,280, filed Jun. 29, 2015 and entitled “TRANSDUCER MODULE FOR COMMUNICATION DEVICE,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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