Low-radiation electromagnetic earpiece

• US 20060013432A1
• Filed: 07/15/2005
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sivantos Gmbh (WS Audiology A/S)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Husung, Kunibert
• Granted Patent: US 7,639,829 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/396
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/49 Reducing the effects of electromagnetic noise on the functioning of hearing aids, by, e.g. shielding, signal processing adaptation, selective (de)activation of electronic parts in hearing aid
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils

Abstract

In an electromagnetic earpiece with a housing in which a coil through which an energizing current flows as well as a membrane are arranged such that the membrane can be excited to vibrate as a result of the energizing current, the parasitic leakage field generated by the electromagnetic earpiece is be reduced. This is accomplished by internally-running connection lines optimally close together between the ends of the coil and the electrical connections of the electromagnetic earpiece so that the leakage field thereby generated is kept optimally low according to the physical principle of a double conductor, producing an advantageous electromagnetic earpiece in a hearing aid device.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic earpiece, comprising:

a housing comprising electrical connections;

a coil configured to conduct energizing current flowing through it, the coil comprising coil ends;

a membrane configured to oscillate as a result of the energizing current; and

internal connection lines that are routed from the coil ends of the coil to the electrical connections on the housing, wherein a first internal connection line is located at a substantially proximate distance to a second internal connection line for a major portion of either the first internal connection line or the second internal connection line routing from the coil ends to the electrical connections;

wherein the coil, the membrane, and the internal connection lines are located within the housing.

2. The electromagnetic earpiece according to claim 1, wherein the substantially proximate distance is a distance sufficient to cause the magnetic fields created thereby to largely compensate one another.

3. The electromagnetic earpiece according to claim 1, wherein the internal connection lines are twisted together at least in sections.

4. The electromagnetic earpiece according to claim 3, wherein the sections comprise substantially all of a region from a first coil end to one of the electrical connections on the housing.

5. A method for utilizing an electromagnetic earpiece, the earpiece comprising:

a housing comprising electrical connections;

a coil configured to conduct energizing current flowing through it, the coil comprising coil ends;

a membrane configured to oscillate as a result of the energizing current; and

internal connection lines that are routed from the coil ends of the coil to the electrical connections on the housing, wherein a first internal connection line is located at a substantially proximate distance to a second internal connection line for a major portion of either the first internal connection line or the second internal connection line routing from the coil ends to the electrical connections;

wherein the coil, the membrane, and the internal connection lines are located within the housing;

the method comprising;

combining the earpiece device in an electro-acoustic apparatus.