HEARING DEVICE WITH A PASSIVE UNIT SEATED DEEP IN THE AUDITORY CANAL

• US 20110286616A1
• Filed: 05/23/2011
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte Ltd (WS Audiology A/S)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte Ltd (WS Audiology A/S)
• Inventors: RASS, UWE, NAUMANN, FRANK, BECK, FRANK
• Application Number:
  US13/113,273
• Publication Number:
  US 20110286616A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/315
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/023 Completely in the canal [CIC] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/65 Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture

Abstract

Hearing devices and, more particularly hearing aids, can be inserted into the auditory canal in an improved fashion. A hearing device has a first unit, which can be completely inserted within a human auditory canal. The first unit has a first housing into which a sound-recording element, a receiver and, connected therebetween, an amplifier are integrated. The hearing device moreover has a second unit, which is outside of the first housing and can be inserted into the human auditory canal in addition to the first unit. The second unit is galvanically connected to the first unit and configured for wireless energy absorption and for supplying the first unit with current. Hence, the first unit, together with the second unit, does not require a battery as an energy source and can thus have a smaller configuration, and therefore it can optionally be introduced further into the auditory canal.

Claims

1. A hearing device, comprising:

a first unit which can be completely inserted within a human auditory canal, said first unit having a sound-recording element, a receiver, an amplifier connected between said sound-recording element and said receiver, and a first housing, said sound-recording element, said receiver and said amplifier integrated in said first housing; and

a second unit disposed outside of said first housing and can be inserted into the human auditory canal in addition to said first unit, said second unit galvanically connected to said first unit, said second unit configured for wireless energy absorption and for supplying said first unit with current.

2. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein said sound-recording element is a silicon microphone.

3. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein said second unit is configured for wireless data transmission.

4. The hearing device according to claim 3, wherein commands can be received wirelessly by said second unit, and the commands can be carried out by said first unit.

5. The hearing device according to claim 3, wherein said second unit is configured for wireless reception of adjustment parameters for said first unit.

6. The hearing device according to claim 1, further comprising a third unit physically separated from said first unit and said second unit, said third unit can be worn in or on an outer ear, and is configured for wireless emission of energy to said second unit.

7. The hearing device according to claim 6, wherein said third unit has a processor and a bidirectional data interchange between said first unit and said third unit is made possible via said second unit such that raw data from said first unit can be processed in said third unit and processed data can be transmitted back to said first unit.

8. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein said second unit has an annular antenna with an air-cored coil.

9. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein said second unit has a casing with a handle section, by means of which said first and second units can be pulled out of the human auditory canal.