CANAL HEARING DEVICE WITH ELONGATE FREQUENCY SHAPING SOUND CHANNEL

• US 20160080872A1
• Filed: 09/14/2015
• Published: 03/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: K/S HIMPP
• Original Assignee: iHEAR Medical, Inc. (Innerscope Hearing Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Valenzuela, Victor, Shennib, Adnan
• Granted Patent: US 9,788,126 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/025 In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/31 Aspects of the use of accumulators in hearing aids, e.g. rechargeable batteries or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/456 mechanically
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/48 using constructional means for obtaining a desired frequency response H04R25/652 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/60 Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles ear wax retarders, e.g. mounting thereof H04R25/654
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/602 of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/654 Ear wax retarders

Abstract

Examples of canal hearing devices including a lateral section having a frequency shaping sound port system are disclosed. A lateral section includes an elongate sound channel for receiving an incoming sound and producing a frequency-shaped sound output. The hearing device includes a microphone, a speaker for transmitting sound to the eardrum, and a sound port to receive the frequency-shaped sound output from the elongate sound channel and provide a pathway for the frequency-shaped sound output to reach the microphone.

Claims

1. A canal hearing device comprising:

a lateral section comprising;

a housing configured to accommodate a battery cell at least partially within, the housing comprising an elongate sound channel configured to receive an incoming sound from a sound channel inlet and provide a frequency-shaped sound output at a sound channel outlet; and

a main section comprising;

a microphone;

a speaker for transmitting sound to the eardrum; and

a sound port acoustically coupling the frequency-shaped sound output to the microphone,

wherein the lateral section is at least partially disengageable from the main section.

2. The canal hearing device of claim 1, wherein the elongate sound channel is horn-shaped.

3. The canal hearing device of claim 1, wherein the sound port comprises a manifold configured to acoustically couple the sound channel outlet with the microphone.

4. The canal hearing device of claim 1, further comprising a debris barrier coupled to the elongate sound channel.

5. The canal hearing device of claim 4, wherein the debris barrier comprises any of a mesh, a screen, or a membrane.

6. The canal hearing device of claim 4, wherein the debris barrier comprises alternating microstructures.

7. The canal hearing device of claim 1, wherein the elongate sound channel comprises any of hydrophobic, oleophobic, and oleophilic properties.

8. The canal hearing device of claim 4, wherein the debris barrier is provided by a maze structure within the elongate sound channel.

9. The canal hearing device of claim 1, wherein the frequency-shaped sound output provides at least 3 dB of gain at a frequency within the range of 3-6 kHz.

10. The canal hearing device of claim 1, wherein a partial disengagement of the lateral section from the main section provides the canal hearing device in an OFF condition.

11. The canal hearing device of claim 1, wherein the lateral section is removably coupled to the main section.

12. The canal hearing device of claim 1, further comprising the battery cell and wherein one side of the elongate sound channel is at least partially formed by the battery cell.

13. The canal hearing device of claim 1, further comprising the battery cell and wherein the battery cell is integrated into the lateral section.

14. The canal hearing device of claim 1, wherein the elongate sound channel is provided at least partially along an inner surface of the housing.

15. The canal hearing device of claim 1, wherein the sound channel inlet is positioned lateral to a cavity configured to accommodate the battery cell therein.

16. The canal hearing device of claim 1, further comprising a handle.

17. The canal hearing device of claim 16, wherein the sound channel inlet is incorporated within the handle.

18. The canal hearing device of claim 17, wherein the sound channel inlet is positioned proximate to a base of the handle.

19. The canal hearing device of claim 1, wherein the elongate sound channel is at least 4 mm in length.

20. The canal hearing device of claim 1, wherein an average cross sectional area of the elongate sound channel is in the range of 1-2 mm².

21. A canal hearing device comprising:

a battery cell;

a housing configured to accommodate the battery cell at least partially within; and

a sound port system comprising an elongate sound channel formed at least partially by an inner surface of the housing, and an incoming sound inlet for receiving incoming sound, wherein the elongate sound channel is configured to produce at least a 3 dB boost at a frequency within the range of 3-6 kHz, and wherein the incoming sound inlet is positioned lateral to the battery cell.

22. The canal hearing device of claim 21, wherein the sound port system further comprises a debris barrier.

23. The canal hearing device claim 21 further comprising a handle.

24. The canal hearing device of claim 21, wherein the sound port system is configured to reduce feedback.

25. The canal hearing device of claim 21, wherein the elongate sound channel is at least 4 mm in length.

26. The canal hearing device of claim 21, wherein an average cross sectional area of the elongate sound channel is in the range of 1-2 mm².

27. A battery module for use with a canal hearing device, the battery module comprising:

a housing;

a handle provided on a lateral end of the housing;

a battery cell integrated within the battery module; and

a sound port system comprising an elongate sound channel and an incoming sound inlet, the sound port system configured to receive an incoming sound, wherein the elongate sound channel is configured to perform frequency shaping of the incoming sound, and wherein the incoming sound inlet is positioned lateral to the battery cell.

28. The battery module of claim 27, wherein the sound port system comprises a debris barrier.

29. The battery module of claim 27, wherein the incoming sound inlet and the elongate sound channel are configured to reduce feedback.

30. A canal hearing device comprising:

a housing;

a battery cell integrated, at least partially, within the housing; and

a sound port system comprising an elongate sound channel and an incoming sound inlet positioned lateral to the battery cell, the sound port system configured to receive an incoming sound through the incoming sound inlet, wherein the elongate sound channel is formed by an outer surface of the battery cell and an inner surface of the housing.

31. A battery module for a canal hearing device, the battery module comprising:

a battery cell;

a housing configured to accommodate the battery cell at least partially within, the housing comprising a sound channel including a sound channel inlet positioned lateral to the battery cell and a sound channel outlet positioned medial to the battery cell; and

an air tab at least partially inserted within the sound channel, wherein the air tab is attached to the battery cell blocking an air inlet of the battery cell.

32. The battery module of claim 31, wherein the air tab is removably attached to the battery cell.

33. The battery module of claim 31, wherein the air tab comprises a first portion attached to the battery cell and a second portion attached to the first portion and extending from the sound channel outlet of the lateral section.

34. The battery module of claim 31, further comprising a debris barrier.