ACOUSTICALLY PROBED OVER-THE-EAR HEARING ASSESSMENT DEVICES AND METHODS

• US 20170245787A1
• Filed: 09/16/2015
• Published: 08/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: BROWN, James D., ELY, Jacob H., WURM, Michael G.
• Granted Patent: US 10,617,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/123 subjective methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/14 external, e.g. earcaps or earmuffs
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1008 Earpieces of the supra-aural or circum-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/406 microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/15 Determination of the acoustic seal of ear moulds or ear tips of hearing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/00 Monitoring arrangements; Testing arrangements for hearing aids H04R25/30; detection of loudspeaker connection H04R5/04; sound-field adaptation dependent on speaker detection H04S7/308
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/001 for loudspeakers H04R29/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/005 for combining the signals of two or more microphones specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407

Abstract

An over-the-ear hearing assessment device and a method for evaluating the performance of over-the-ear hearing devices are described. An exemplary over-the-ear hearing assessment device includes an ear cup defining an interior volume and positionable at least partially over the ear of a user. The ear cup includes a shell, a cushion, and an acoustic port extending from an exterior to the interior volume of the ear cup. The acoustic port is sealably engagable with a microphone.

Claims

1. An over-the-ear hearing assessment device, comprising:

an ear cup defining an interior volume and configured to be positioned at least partially over an ear of a user, the ear cup including a shell, a cushion and an acoustic port extending from an exterior to the interior volume of the ear cup;

wherein the acoustic port comprises a first mating feature sealingly engagable with a microphone.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the acoustic port passes through the shell of the ear cup.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the acoustic port passes through the cushion of the ear cup.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the acoustic port is self-sealing.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the acoustic port comprises a tube extending through the ear cup.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the tube comprises a distal end proximate the interior volume of the ear cup, and the tube extends a distance (d) into the interior volume.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the cushion is removably attachable to the shell.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a first microphone, wherein the microphone includes a second complementary mating feature, and the microphone and the acoustic port are attachable at the first and second complementary mating features.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a second microphone configured to detect an exterior sound level.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second microphones share a common housing.

11. A method of evaluating performance of an over-the-ear device, comprising:

positioning an over-the-ear hearing device in a position of use over at least one ear of a user, the over-the-ear hearing device comprising an ear cup defining an interior volume and comprising a shell, a cushion, and an acoustic port extending from an exterior to the interior volume of the ear cup;

exposing the hearing device to at least one test sound; and

comparing an interior sound level detected through the acoustic port by a microphone in sealing engagement with the acoustic port and an exterior sound level detected proximate the exterior of the hearing device.

12. The method claim 11, wherein the acoustic port passes through the shell of the ear cup.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the acoustic port passes through the cushion of the ear cup.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the acoustic port is self-sealing.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the acoustic port comprises a tube extending through the ear cup.

16. The method claim 15, wherein the tube comprises a distal end proximate the interior volume of the ear cup, and the tube extends a distance (d) into the interior volume.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the cushion is removably attachable to the shell.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising positioning a first microphone in sealing engagement with the acoustic port configured to detect the interior sound level.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising positioning a second microphone proximate an exterior of the over-the-ear hearing device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first and second microphones share a common housing.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein the cushion comprises cellular foam, and the acoustic port extends through the cellular foam.

22. An over-the-ear hearing device cushion, comprising:

a cellular foam material defining an opening;

an attachment ring attached to the cellular foam material and having a mating feature configured for replaceable attachment to an ear cup; and

an acoustic port comprising a tube passing through the cellular material.