MECHANISM FOR EXTERNAL MULTI-FUNCTIONAL CABLE RETENTION FOR A HEARING DEVICE

A hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer includes a first housing component defining a recess, a second housing component configured to attach to the first housing component to define an enclosure, and a conductor, and a multi-function cable. The multi-function cable includes a blunt feature and an outer jacket of a multi-function cable. The outer jacket extends through the first housing component. A passage is defined by the blunt feature and the outer jacket, and the conductor extends through the passage. The hearing device further includes a plurality of fibers secured to an inner surface of the passage and an inner surface of the enclosure. The fibers extend through the passage and are configured to transfer mechanical forces from the multi-function cable to the first housing component.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to ear-worn electronic hearing devices.

BACKGROUND

Hearing devices provide auditory stimuli to wearers. Some examples of hearing devices include headsets, hearing aids, speakers, cochlear implants, bone conduction devices, and personal listening devices. Hearing aids provide amplification to compensate for hearing loss by transmitting amplified sounds to a wearer's ear drums. Hearing devices may be capable of performing wireless communication with other devices, such as receiving streaming audio from a streaming device via a wireless link. Wireless communication may also be performed for programming the hearing device and transmitting information from the hearing device. For performing such wireless communication, hearing devices can include a wireless transceiver and an antenna.

SUMMARY

Advancements in hearing device technology have resulted in a reduction in the overall size of hearing devices and/or the available internal space due to the desire to incorporate a greater number of components that provide for a greater array of capabilities. Those space constraints and/or 2.4 GHz antenna functionality predicate that some or all of a conductor (e.g., an antenna) and/or electronic components (e.g., sensors) to be located outside of the ear/hearing device, therefore exposing those components to different types of mechanical loading during normal customer usage.

For example, a wearer attempting to remove a hearing device from the ear canal may pull a multi-function cable of the hearing device. During this process, the wearer may apply (e.g., via the multi-function cable) tensile and rotational forces to the hearing device, subjecting one or more components of the hearing device to mechanical forces that lead to mechanical failure. For example, if a conductor (e.g., an antenna, a conductor for power or signals of electronic components, etc.) of the hearing device are integrated (e.g., embedded) into the multi-function cable, pulling the multi-function cable of the hearing device may subject the conductor, as well as other fragile components of the hearing device, to mechanical forces, increasing the likelihood of the hearing device breaking.

Among other techniques, this disclosure describes techniques for transferring mechanical forces from more fragile components of a hearing device, such as the conductor to more durable components of the hearing device, such as a housing component (e.g., a faceplate and/or a shell) of the hearing device. The housing components of the hearing device may define a cavity containing various internal components of the hearing device.

In one example, a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer, the hearing device comprising: a first housing component; a second housing component configured to attach to the first housing component to define an enclosure for containing a plurality of hearing device components; a conductor; a multi-function cable comprising: a blunt feature, and an outer jacket of a multi-function cable, wherein: the outer jacket of the multi-function cable extends through the first housing component; a passage is defined by the blunt feature and the outer jacket; the conductor extends through the passage; and the blunt feature is integrated into the outer jacket and is configured to mechanically interface with a recess defined by the first housing component to prevent rotation of the blunt feature within the recess; and a plurality of fibers, secured to an inner surface of the passage and an inner surface of the enclosure, wherein: the plurality of fibers extends through the passage defined by the blunt feature and the outer jacket of the multi-function cable; and the plurality of fibers is configured to transfer mechanical forces from the multi-function cable to the first housing component.

In another example, a method of assembling a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer, the method comprising: extending a conductor through a passage defined by a blunt feature and an outer jacket of a multi-function cable; inserting a blunt feature, integrated into the outer jacket, into a recess on a housing component of the hearing device, wherein the blunt feature is configured to mechanically interface with the recess of the housing component to prevent rotation of the blunt within the recess; extending a plurality of fibers through the passage; and securing the plurality of fibers to an inner surface of the passage, wherein the plurality of fibers is configured to transfer mechanical forces from the multi-function cable to the plurality of fibers.

In another example, this disclosure describes a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer, the hearing device comprising: a housing component; a multi-function cable having an outer jacket that extends through the housing component; and an electronic component connected to the multi-function cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1is a conceptual diagram illustrating various components of an example hearing device in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. As shown in the example ofFIG.1, a hearing device100may include a faceplate102, a shell104, a conductor106, a multi-function cable108, and a plurality of fibers110. Faceplate102and shell104are two different housing components of hearing device100. Thus, faceplate102and shell104may be first and second housing components, or vice versa.

In the example ofFIG.1, hearing device100includes faceplate102and shell104, which may be attached to one another to define an enclosure within which internal components of hearing device100are disposed. The internal components of hearing device100may include one or more processors (e.g., microprocessors, integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, digital signal processors (DSPs), etc.), memory circuitry, power management circuitry, one or more communication devices (e.g., a radio, a near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) device), one or more antennas, one or more microphones, receivers/speakers, bone conduction transceivers, sensors, switches and the like.

Hearing device100may incorporate a long-range communication device, such as a Bluetooth® transceiver or other type of radio frequency (RF) transceiver. A communication device (e.g., a radio or NFMI device) of hearing device100may be configured to facilitate communication between a left ear device and a right ear device of hearing device100.

Hearing device100may incorporate conductor106. In examples where conductor106is an antenna, conductor106may be coupled to a high-frequency transceiver, such as a 2.4 GHz radio. For example, the RF transceiver may conform to an IEEE 802.11 (e.g., WiFi®) or Bluetooth® (e.g., BLE, Bluetooth® 4.2 or 5.0) specification. However, hearing device100may employ other transceivers or radios, such as a 900 MHz radio. In some examples, conductor106may conduct power to electronic components, such as one or more sensors. In some examples, conductor106may conduct signals to or from the electronic components. In some examples, there may be multiple conductors, one of which may be an antenna and one or more for conducting power or data to electronic components.

In examples where conductor106is an antenna, hearing device100may be configured to receive data, such as streaming audio (e.g., digital audio data or files) from an electronic or digital source, via the antenna. Example electronic/digital sources (e.g., accessory devices) include an assistive listening system, a TV streamer, a radio, a smartphone, a laptop, a cell phone/entertainment device (CPED) or other electronic device that serves as a source of digital audio data or other types of data files.

Hearing device100may be configured to effect bi-directional communication (e.g., wireless communication) of data with an external source via the antenna, such as a remote server via the Internet or other communication infrastructure. For example, hearing device100may include a left ear device and a right ear device configured to implement ear-to-ear communication between the left and right ear devices, thereby effecting bi-directional communication (e.g., wireless communication) therebetween.

Hearing device100may include a wide variety of ear-level electronic devices that aid a wearer with impaired hearing. Hearing device100may also include a wide variety of devices that produce processed sound for wearers with normal hearing. For example, hearing device100may include hearables (e.g., wearable earphones, headphones, earbuds, virtual reality headsets), hearing aids (e.g., hearing instruments), bone-conduction devices, and the like. Hearing device100may include, but are not limited to in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), invisible-in-canal (IIC), receiver-in-canal (RIC), receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) or completely-in-the-canal (CIC) type hearing devices or some combination of the above. Hearing device100may include systems including a single left ear device, a single right ear device, or a combination of a left ear device and a right ear device.

Faceplate102may be a surface to which internal components of hearing device100are secured. For example, a processor, memory circuitry, power management circuitry, one or more communication devices, one or more antennas, one or more microphones, and a receiver/speaker, and the like may be secured to faceplate102. In general, when a wearer wears hearing device100, faceplate102faces outward from the midline of the wearer. In other words, faceplate102faces outward from the ear canal of the wearer.

Hearing device may include a shell104configured to attach to faceplate102to define an enclosure in which internal components of hearing device100are disposed. Shell104may be molded into a shape that can be worn in an ear of a wearer. For instance, shell104may be molded into a shape suitable (e.g., to fit the unique anatomy of a wearer's ear and/or ear canal) for insertion into an ear canal of a wearer. Shell104may be made of a flexible material or an elastomer, such as silicone rubber or other flexible material. Shell104may have different shapes and styles than that shown in the example ofFIG.1. For example, hearing device100may be an in-the-ear device and shell104may be molded for wear outside an ear canal of a wearer. In other examples, the shape of shell104is not specific to the wearer.

While a portion of conductor106may be within the enclosure defined by faceplate102and shell104, the remaining portion of conductor106may protrude from the enclosure. The portion of conductor106protruding from the enclosure may be integrated into multi-function cable108(e.g., a pull-out handle, a pull-out string, etc.). For example, conductor106may be embedded within multi-function cable108. Conductor106, and thus also multi-function cable108, may be secured to a component of hearing device (e.g., faceplate102, shell104, etc.).

Multi-function cable108may aid the wearer in removing hearing device100. For example, the wearer may pull multi-function cable108to remove hearing device100from the ear canal. Multi-function cable108may be formed to abut part of the concha at the antitragus when hearing device100is positioned in or at the ear canal. This configuration may help retention of hearing device100in the ear canal while the wearer is moving and/or if the shape of the ear canal is changing (e.g. while the wearer is chewing, yawning, etc.). In some examples, multi-function cable108may include an electrically non-conductive material, such as plastic or nylon.

Advancements in hearing device technology have resulted in a reduction in the overall size of hearing devices and/or the available internal space due to the desire to incorporate a greater number of components that provide for a greater array of capabilities. Those space constraints and/or 2.4 GHz antenna functionality may predicate that some or all of a conductor (e.g., an antenna) and/or electronic components (e.g., sensors, switches, etc.) to be located outside of the ear/hearing device therefore, making those components exposed to different types of mechanical loading during normal customer usage. As a result, one or more components (e.g., the conductor) of the hearing devices may be more liable to experience mechanical failure, frustrating wearers of the hearing devices.

For example, a wearer attempting to remove a hearing device from the ear canal may pull a multi-function cable of the hearing device. During this process, the wearer may apply (e.g., via the multi-function cable) mechanical forces such as tensile and rotational forces to the hearing device, subjecting one or more components of the hearing device to mechanical forces that lead to mechanical failure. For example, if a conductor (e.g., an antenna) and/or electronic components (e.g., sensors) of the hearing device is integrated (e.g., embedded) into or otherwise associated with the multi-function cable, pulling the multi-function cable of the hearing device may subject the conductor and/or electronic components, as well as other fragile components of the hearing device, to mechanical forces, increasing the likelihood of those components of the hearing device breaking.

In accordance with aspects of this disclosure, hearing device100may transfer mechanical forces that may otherwise be applied to more fragile components of hearing device100, such as conductor106, to more durable components of hearing device100, such as faceplate102and/or shell104of hearing device100. Configuring hearing device100in this way may improve the durability of hearing device100by distributing at least some of the mechanical forces applied by an external force (e.g., a user of hearing device100) across the larger surface areas of at least one of faceplate102or shell104. As a result, techniques of this disclosure may protect conductor106and/or electronic components integrated within the multi-function cable108from these mechanical forces, reducing the likelihood of the more fragile components of hearing device100(e.g., conductor106, electronic components within and/or associated with multi-function cable108, etc.) from experiencing mechanical failure.

Multi-function cable108of hearing device100may include an outer jacket112. Outer jacket112may protect conductor106by covering (e.g., enveloping) conductor106. Outer jacket112may extend through a housing component, such as faceplate102or shell104. Outer jacket112may include a thermoplastic elastomer and may be resistant to ultraviolent radiation and may have a lower durometer rating for increased user comfort.

Multi-function cable108may further include a blunt feature114. Blunt feature114may be integrated into outer jacket112. For instance, blunt feature114may be molded-in to outer jacket112, outer jacket112may be postprocessed to form blunt feature114, or blunt feature114may otherwise be integrated with outer jacket112. Blunt feature114may be embedded into an end of outer jacket112extending through the housing component (e.g., faceplate102, shell104, etc.). Blunt feature114may define, in conjunction with outer jacket112, a passage116through which conductor106and other components of hearing device100extend. A face of blunt feature114may be substantially polygonal. Further, the face of blunt feature114and/or the shape of blunt feature114in general may not be blunt. For example, the end of blunt feature114may have well-defined edges. In other examples, one or more edges of blunt feature114may have blunted edges. In yet other examples, blunt feature114may be a plug configured to mechanically interface with a recess or components defined by the housing component (e.g., faceplate102or shell104). Blunt feature114may, at least in part, help retain the shape of conductor106. In the example ofFIG.1, the recess is defined by faceplate102and many examples in this disclosure describe the recess as being defined by faceplate102. However, such examples may be applicable to other housing components of hearing instrument100, such as shell104.

Blunt feature114, particularly the end of blunt feature114, may be configured to mechanically interface with a recess defined by faceplate102to transfer mechanical forces (e.g., rotational force, linear force, etc.) applied to multi-function cable108to faceplate102. The recess of faceplate102may be similar in geometry (e.g., substantially polygonal) to the face of blunt feature114so that blunt feature114may be fixedly inserted into the recess of faceplate102. In this way, blunt feature114may transfer mechanical forces from multi-function cable108to faceplate102to prevent rotation of blunt feature114, and to some extent multi-function cable108, within the recess of faceplate102. In some examples, blunt feature114may be, at least in part, secured to the recess of faceplate102by using an adhesive, a fastener, or the like. In some examples, the recess defined by faceplate102may be defined by one or more protrusions that extend inward from an inner surface of faceplate102toward a center of the cavity defined by faceplate102and shell104. In other examples, the recess defined by faceplate102may be formed as an area sunk within faceplate102toward an outer edge of faceplate102.

Similarly, shell104may define a recess such that blunt feature114may mechanically interface with the recess of shell104to transfer mechanical forces to shell104. Like with faceplate102, in some examples, the recess defined by shell104may be defined by one or more protrusions that extend inward from an inner surface of shell104toward a center of the cavity defined by faceplate102and shell104. In other examples, the recess defined by shell104may be formed as an area sunk within shell104toward an outer edge of shell104. Thus, the recess may be sunken into an inner surface of a housing component, such as faceplate102or shell104.

Hearing device100may include a plurality of fibers110configured to transfer mechanical forces (e.g., tensile force). Fibers110may include or be included in a material with a tensile modulus of elasticity of about 65 to 115 gigapascals (GPa). For example, fibers110may include Aramid fibers, such as Kevlar®. However, it should be understood that fibers other than Aramid fibers are contemplated by this disclosure. Fibers110may, at least in part, help retain the shape of conductor106.

Fibers110may be secured (e.g., by using an adhesive, fastener, etc.) to an inner surface of passage116defined by outer jacket112and blunt feature114to transfer mechanical forces from multi-function cable108. Fibers110may also be secured (e.g., by using an adhesive, fastener, etc.) to an inner surface of the enclosure defined by faceplate102and shell104to transfer mechanical forces to at least one of faceplate102or shell104. As such, fibers110may transfer mechanical forces from more fragile components of hearing device100to more durable components of hearing device100. Moreover, fibers110may transfer mechanical forces without experiencing mechanical failure because of the relatively high tensile modulus of elasticity of fibers110.

Thus, by configuring hearing device100to include blunt feature114and fibers110in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure, hearing device100may transfer mechanical forces that would otherwise be applied to more fragile components of hearing device100. For example, blunt feature114may transfer rotational force from multi-function cable108to faceplate102, and fibers110may transfer tensile force to at least one housing component, such as faceplate102or shell104, reducing the likelihood of the more fragile components of hearing device100(e.g., conductor106within and/or associated with multi-function cable108, outer jacket112, etc.) from experiencing mechanical failure.

FIG.2is a conceptual diagram illustrating in greater detail an example hearing device with a structure200configured to secure a blunt feature114in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. In the example ofFIG.2, structure200protrudes from an inner surface of a housing component202, such as faceplate102or shell104. Structure200may be configured to abut blunt feature114on one or more sides of blunt feature114and, in this way, prevent rotation of blunt feature114. One or more fibers110may be attached to structure200. Thus, in the example ofFIG.2, component202may act as at least a partial substitute for a recess defined by the housing component. In other examples, housing component202may include one or more additional structures like structure200to further define a recess and prevent rotational motion of blunt feature114.

FIG.3is a conceptual diagram illustrating in greater detail an example hearing device with a conductor incorporating a plurality of fibers110that fold into a compartment300in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. As shown in the example ofFIG.3, hearing device100defines a compartment300between blunt feature114and a wall of a recess301of a housing component302, such as faceplate102or shell104.

As described above, fibers110may be secured to an inner surface of passage116defined by outer jacket112and blunt feature114to transfer mechanical forces that would otherwise be applied to conductor106to housing component302. In some examples, the contact area between fibers110and housing component302may be increased to improve the transfer of mechanical forces. For example, fibers110may be splayed across a surface of housing component302to increase a contact area between the plurality of fibers and the surface of housing component302. Fibers110may be secured to the surface of housing component302using an adhesive, fastener, and the like. In other examples, such as the example ofFIG.3, fibers110may be configured to fold into compartment300between blunt feature114and a wall of the recess of housing component302, in this way distributing at least some of the mechanical forces applied by an external force (e.g., a user of hearing device100) across the larger surface areas (e.g., the surface area of the wall of the recess) of housing component302).

FIG.4is a conceptual diagram illustrating one or more example protrusions400from a housing component402, where protrusions400are configured to resist rotational motion of blunt feature114. As shown in the example ofFIG.4, one or more protrusions400may extend inward from an inner surface of housing component402toward a center of the cavity defined by housing component402and one or more other housing components, such as faceplate102and/or shell104. Thus, protrusions400that extend inward from an inner surface of housing component402may define a recess126that receives blunt feature114. Recess126may be shaped so as to resist rotational motion of blunt feature114.

In the example ofFIG.4, recess126may be similar in geometry (e.g., substantially polygonal) to the face of blunt feature114so that blunt feature114may be fixedly inserted into recess126. In this way, blunt feature114may transfer mechanical forces that would otherwise be applied to multi-function cable108to faceplate102. In other examples, the geometry of recess126may differ from a geometry of blunt feature114so long as the geometry of recess126is sufficient to resist rotation of blunt feature114.

FIG.5is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example compression element500configured to secure a blunt feature114in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. In some examples, hearing device100may include a compression element500configured to compress blunt feature114into a housing component502, such as faceplate102or shell104. In other words, blunt feature114may be sandwiched between compression element500and an inner surface of housing component502such that friction resists linear and rotational motion of blunt feature114.

Compression element500may define an opening504to a passage through which conductor106and fibers110may pass. Opening504may be sufficiently narrow that, when fibers110and conductor106are within opening504, friction resists removal of fibers110and/or conductor106from opening504. In the example ofFIG.5, fibers110may be compressed between compression element504and housing component502. Compression element500may be glued or otherwise affixed to the surface of housing component502.

FIG.6is a flowchart illustrating an example method of assembling hearing device100in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. In the example ofFIG.6, hearing device100may be assembled to transfer mechanical forces that would otherwise be applied to more fragile components of a hearing device, such as a conductor (e.g., an antenna), to more durable components of the hearing device, such as faceplate102and/or shell104of hearing device100. Although described with respect to hearing device100, methods similar to those ofFIG.6may be applied to any hearing device, or any combination of hearing devices, described herein.

As shown in the example ofFIG.6, hearing device100may be assembled by extending conductor106through passage116defined by outer jacket112and blunt feature114of multi-function cable108(600). In examples where conductor106is an antenna, conductor106may be coupled to a high-frequency transceiver, such as a 2.4 GHz radio. For example, the RF transceiver may conform to an IEEE 802.11 (e.g., WiFi®) or Bluetooth® (e.g., BLE, Bluetooth® 4.2 or 5.0) specification. However, hearing device100may employ other transceivers or radios, such as a 900 MHz radio. In some examples, conductor106may include one or more wires, optical fibers, printed conducting traces, or other components for conducting power and/or data.

Furthermore, in examples where conductor106is an antenna, conductor106may be configured to perform radio frequency (RF) communication. In some examples, conductor106may conduct signals (e.g., electrical signals, optical signals, etc.) from one or more electronic components, such as sensors, included in or attached to multi-function cable108. While a portion of conductor106may be within the enclosure defined by faceplate102and shell104, the remaining portion of conductor106may protrude from the enclosure. Conductor106may be integrated into multi-function cable108(e.g., a pull-out handle, a pull-out string, etc.). For example, conductor106may be embedded within multi-function cable108. Conductor106, and thus also multi-function cable108, may be secured to a housing component of hearing device (e.g., faceplate102, shell104, etc.).

Blunt feature114of multi-function cable108may be inserted into a recess on the housing component of hearing device100(602). In other examples, blunt feature114may be positioned to abut a component (e.g., component200) of the housing component that prevents rotation of blunt feature114. Blunt feature114may be integrated into outer jacket112. For example, blunt feature114may be embedded into an end of outer jacket112extending through the housing component. Blunt feature114may define, in conjunction with outer jacket112, passage116through which conductor106and other components (e.g., fibers110) of hearing device100extend. A face of blunt feature114may be substantially polygonal.

Blunt feature114, particularly an end of blunt feature114, may be configured to mechanically interface with a recess defined by the housing component to transfer mechanical forces (e.g., rotational force) to the housing component. The recess may be defined by protrusions (e.g., protrusions124) extending inward from an inner surface of the housing component. In other examples, the recess may be a sunken portion of housing component extending outward from a cavity defined by the housing component and one or more other housing components (e.g., faceplate102and shell104). The recess of the housing component may be similar in geometry (e.g., substantially polygonal) to the end of blunt feature114so that blunt feature114may be fixedly inserted into the recess of housing component. In this way, blunt feature114may transfer mechanical forces from multi-function cable108to faceplate102to prevent rotation of blunt feature114, and to some extent multi-function cable108, within the recess of the housing component. In some examples, blunt feature114may be, at least in part, secured to the recess of the housing component by using an adhesive, a fastener, and the like.

Fibers110may be extended through passage116defined by outer jacket112and blunt feature114(604). Fibers110may be configured to transfer mechanical forces (e.g., tensile force) applied to multi-function cable108to the housing component. Fibers110may include or be included in a material with a relatively high tensile modulus of elasticity (e.g., a tensile modulus of elasticity of about 65 to 115 GPa). For example, fibers110may include Aramid fibers, such as Kevlar®. However, it should be understood that fibers other than Aramid fibers are contemplated by this disclosure. Fibers110may be outside of, inside of, or interwoven with conductor106. In some examples, fibers110may be splayed across a surface of the housing component. Fibers may be secured to the surface of the housing component using an adhesive, fastener, and the like. In other examples, fibers110may be configured to fold into compartment300between blunt feature114and a wall of the recess of the housing component.

Fibers110may be secured (e.g., by using an adhesive, fastener, etc.) to an inner surface of passage116defined by outer jacket112and blunt feature114and to at least one of housing component (e.g., faceplate102or shell104) (606). In this way, fibers110may be configured to transfer mechanical forces that may otherwise be applied to more fragile components (e.g., conductor106) of hearing device100to more durable components (e.g., faceplate102, shell104, etc.) of hearing device100. Moreover, fibers110may transfer mechanical forces without experiencing mechanical failure because of the relatively high tensile modulus of elasticity of fibers110.

In some examples, fibers110may be configured to fold into compartment300(FIG.3) between blunt feature114and a wall of the recess of the housing component. In this way, fibers110may distribute at least some of the mechanical forces applied by an external force (e.g., a user of hearing device100) across the larger surface areas, such as the surface area of the wall of the recess of the housing component.

In some examples, hearing device100may include compression element500configured to secure blunt feature114to the housing component, such as one of faceplate102or shell104. Compression element500may define opening504to a passage for insertion of conductor106. Opening504may be sufficiently narrow that, after insertion of conductor106, friction resists removal of conductor106within opening504. In some examples, the dimensions of opening504may be changed (e.g., increased in size, decreased in size, etc.) to facilitate insertion of fibers110, to facilitate removal of fibers110, to secure fibers110(e.g., to resist linear and/or rotational motion of fibers110), and/or the like. In some examples, compression element500may also compress fibers110against the housing component.

FIG.7is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example hearing device100having a multi-function cable108that includes an electronic component700, in accordance with one or more aspects of this disclosure. As shown inFIG.7, multi-function cable108may include a first portion130and a second portion132. In some examples, first portion130may extend through a passage of a housing component. In the example ofFIG.7, first portion130extends through a passage of faceplate102. In other examples where multi-function cable108extends through a passage of shell104, first portion130may extend through the passage of shell104. First portion130may include a first (inner) end of multi-function cable108. The first end may include blunt feature114. Although multi-function cable108is shown as being straight inFIG.7and elsewhere in this disclosure, multi-function cable108may be curved in some examples. For instance, one or more wires in multi-function cable108may be heat-treated to form a curved shape, e.g., to better match the curvature of a user's ear.

Second portion132may be free such that a user of hearing device100may grasp second portion132to use one or more functions of multi-function cable108. Second portion132may include a second (outer) end of multi-function cable108. In some examples, the second end may include an electronic component700. In other examples, electronic component700is situated between the first end and the second end, or at the first end. For example, electronic component700may be a switch, a sensor, and/or the like. Example types of switches include capitative switches, mechanical switches, pressure-based switches, optical switches, and so on. Example sensors may include pressure sensors, light sensors, humidity sensors, heat sensors, and so on. Conductor106may conduct signals generated by electronic component700to internal components of hearing device100and/or may conduct power to electronic component700. In examples where electronic component700includes a switch, electronic component700being located on second portion130of multi-function cable108may enable a user to more easily control hearing device100, improving the user experience. In some examples, conductor106is an optical conductor (e.g., a light pipe) that guide light and electronic component700is an optical switch. For instance, in such examples, electronic component700may include a light source and a light detector. The light source may be a light emitting diode (LED) or other type of light emitting device. Electronic component700may be positioned at an internal end of conductor106(e.g., within a shell104of hearing device100). The light source of electronic component700may produce light that the optical conductor guides to an outer end of the optical conductor. In such examples, the light detector of electronic component700may detect reflections of the light produced by the light source propagating back through the optical conductor from the outer end of the optical conductor. These reflections may occur when, e.g., a user places a finger over the outer end of the optical conductor. The optical switch may generate a signal or perform another action in response to detecting the reflections. Thus, electronic component700may be configured to act as a switch that the user can control by placing a finger at the outer end of the optical conductor. Thus, the hearing device100ofFIG.7may comprise a housing component (e.g., faceplate102or shell104); a multi-function cable108having an outer jacket112that extends through the housing component; and an electronic component700connected to multi-function cable108.

Various aspects of the techniques may enable the following examples.Example 1: A hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer, the hearing device comprising: a first housing component; a second housing component configured to attach to the first housing component to define an enclosure for containing a plurality of hearing device components; a conductor; a multi-function cable comprising: a blunt feature, and an outer jacket of a multi-function cable, wherein: the outer jacket of the multi-function cable extends through the first housing component; a passage is defined by the blunt feature and the outer jacket; the conductor extends through the passage; and the blunt feature is integrated into the outer jacket and is configured to mechanically interface with a recess defined by the first housing component to prevent rotation of the blunt feature within the recess; and a plurality of fibers, secured to an inner surface of the passage and an inner surface of the enclosure, wherein: the plurality of fibers extends through the passage defined by the blunt feature and the outer jacket of the multi-function cable; and the plurality of fibers is configured to transfer mechanical forces from the multi-function cable to the first housing component.Example 2: The hearing device of example 1, wherein the plurality of fibers is splayed across a surface of the first housing component to increase a contact area between the plurality of fibers and the surface of the first housing component.Example 3: The hearing device of any of examples 1-2, wherein the plurality of fibers is configured to fold into a compartment between the blunt feature and a wall of the recess of the first housing component.Example 4: The hearing device of any of examples 1-3, wherein the first housing component defines a compartment configured to receive a set of fibers of the plurality of fibers and secure the set of fibers therein.Example 5: The hearing device of any of examples 1-4, wherein the plurality of fibers is comprised of a material with a tensile modulus of elasticity of about 65 to 115 gigapascals (GPa).Example 6: The hearing device of any of examples 1-5, wherein the plurality of fibers is comprised of Aramid fibers.Example 7: The hearing device of any of examples 1-6, wherein the outer jacket is comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer.Example 8: The hearing device of any of examples 1-7, wherein the blunt feature is at least in partly secured to the recess of the first housing component by using at least one of an adhesive or fastener.Example 9: The hearing device of any of examples 1-8, wherein a face of the blunt feature is substantially polygonal.Example 10: The hearing device of any of examples 1-9, wherein the conductor is an antenna.Example 11: The hearing device of any of examples 1-9, wherein the hearing device further comprises an electronic component connected to the multi-function cable and the conductor conducts signals from the electronic component or conducts power to the electronic component.Example 12: The hearing device of example 11, wherein the electronic component is at least one of a sensor or a switch.Example 13: The hearing device of any of examples 1-12, wherein the first housing component is a faceplate of the hearing device.Example 14: The hearing device of any of examples 1-12, wherein the first housing component is a shell of the hearing device.Example 15: The hearing device of any of examples 1-14, wherein the hearing device further comprises a compression element configured to secure the blunt feature by compressing the blunt feature into the first housing component.Example 16: The hearing device of any of examples 1-15, wherein the first housing component has one or more structures that protrude from an inner surface of the first housing component, the one or more structures at least partially defining the recess, and the blunt feature abutting the one or more structures.Example 17: The hearing device of any of examples 1-15, wherein the recess is sunken into an inner surface of the first housing component.Example 18: A method of assembling a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer, the method comprising: extending a conductor through a passage defined by a blunt feature and an outer jacket of a multi-function cable; inserting a blunt feature, integrated into the outer jacket, into a recess on a housing component of the hearing device, wherein the blunt feature is configured to mechanically interface with the recess of the housing component to prevent rotation of the blunt feature within the recess; extending a plurality of fibers through the passage; and securing the plurality of fibers to an inner surface of the passage, wherein the plurality of fibers is configured to transfer mechanical forces from the multi-function cable to the plurality of fibers.Example 19: The method of example 18, wherein the plurality of fibers is splayed across a surface of the housing component to increase a contact area between the plurality of fibers and the surface of the housing component.Example 20: The method of any of examples 18-19, wherein the plurality of fibers is configured to fold into a compartment between the blunt feature and a wall of the housing component.Example 21: The method of any of examples 18-20, wherein the plurality of fibers is comprised of a material with a tensile modulus of elasticity of about 65 to 115 gigapascals (GPa).Example 22: The method of any of examples 18-21, wherein the plurality of fibers is comprised of Aramid fibers.Example 23: The method of any of examples 18-22, wherein the blunt feature is at least in part secured to the recess of the housing component by using one or more of an adhesive or fastener.Example 24: The method of any of examples 18-23, wherein a face of the blunt feature is substantially polygonal.Example 25: The method of any of examples 18-24, wherein the conductor is an antenna.Example 26: The method of any of examples 18-24, wherein the hearing device further comprises an electronic component connected to the multi-function cable and the conductor conducts signals from the electronic component or conducts power to the electronic component.Example 27: The method of any of examples 18-26, wherein the electronic component is at least one of a sensor or a switch.Example 28: The method of any of examples 18-27, wherein the housing component is a faceplate of the hearing device.Example 29: The method of any of examples 18-28, wherein the housing component is a shell of the hearing device.Example 30: The method of any of examples 18-29, wherein the hearing device further comprises a compression element configured to secure the blunt feature by compressing the blunt feature into the housing component.Example 31: The method of any of examples 18-30, wherein the first housing component has one or more structures that protrude from an inner surface of the first housing component, the one or more structures at least partially defining the recess, and the blunt feature abutting the one or more structures.Example 32: The method of any of examples 18-30, wherein the recess is sunken into an inner surface of the first housing component.Example 33: A hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer, the hearing device comprising: a housing component; a multi-function cable having an outer jacket that extends through the housing component; and an electronic component connected to the multi-function cable.Example 34: The hearing device of example 33, wherein the hearing device is configured according to any of examples 1-17.Example 35: A method of assembling the hearing instrument of any of examples 33-34.