Cushioning device for use with a hearing aid

A cushioning device for use with a hearing aid instrument for positioning in the ear of a user is disclosed. The cushioning device comprises a ring volume that encircles a predetermined portion of a hearing aid housing and separates the hearing aid housing from an ear canal of a user. A pliant substances is disposed within the ring volume and a reservoir which is in fluid communication with the ring volume in a manner permitting bi-directional flow of the pliant substance between the reservoir and the ring volume.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of hearing aids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hearings aids may be inserted either partially or completely into a user's ear canal. Hearing aid housings typically comprise a rigid material. However, hearing aid housings may also be constructed using a semi-rigid material.

Gaps between the material and the ear canal can decrease the effectiveness of the hearing aid. Further, some users of completely-in-the-canal (CIC) type hearing aids have reported their use as uncomfortable. Moreover, it is common for CICs to have to be returned to the lab for modifications or housing remakes for comfort. One reason for the remakes is that ear canals move, adding an additional complication to an already complicated fitting. Further, acoustic sealing within and sensitivity of the deeper bony portion of the ear canal make fitting CIC hearing aids challenging.

For non-customized fit hearing aids, a “standard” hearing aid housing can have problems providing an adequate seal inside an ear canal, given variances in bony structures, cartilage, and other occlusions.

Portions of the hearing aid may be rigid and other portions, e.g. the tip end, may be of a softer material. However, these softer tip ends may not fit or conform to a wide variety of ear canal shapes, necessitating a plurality of such softer tip ends, e.g. replaceable tip ends.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cushioning device may be used with a hearing aid instrument for positioning in the ear of a user. The cushioning device comprises a ring volume that encircles a predetermined portion of a hearing aid housing and separates the hearing aid housing from a portion of a user's ear canal. A pliant substance is disposed within the ring volume and a reservoir, which is in fluid communication with the ring volume, in a manner permitting bidirectional flow of the pliant substance between the reservoir and the ring volume.

In a first exemplary embodiment, the reservoir is disposed mainly on the outside of the housing. In a second exemplary embodiment, the reservoir is disposed at least partially within the housing, contacting against a movable door which in a closed position increases pressure of the pliant fluid within the reservoir and which in an open position allows for decreased pressure of the pliant fluid within the reservoir.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now toFIG. 1, hearing aid, generally referred as the number “10,” comprises electronics contained within a housing4. In a preferred embodiment, housing4is configured to generally conform to the shape of ear canal3, either for a specific user or for a generic shape. As shown in these exemplary embodiments, hearing aid10is generally of the type known as a completely in canal (“CIC”) hearing aid10, although the present invention is not limited to a CIC configuration.

Housing4is designed to be placed at least partially within ear canal3proximate bony sections1and cartilaginous sections2of the ear.

Cushioning device15comprises ring volume5which, in a preferred embodiment, is a generally torus-shaped ring volume, reservoir6, and tube7.

Ring volume5comprises a flexible material and encompasses a pliant substance. In a preferred embodiment, ring volume5comprises a flexible material to permit distortion of ring volume5in response to external pressure such as that exerted on ring volume5by ear canal3. Ring volume5is disposed proximate to distal tip11of housing4which is positioned proximate the user's inner ear. Ring volume5may be secured such as by glue to a predetermined outer section of housing4or otherwise attached to a predetermined outer section of housing4, e.g. fitted into a recessed channel sized to receive ring volume5.

Reservoir6may comprise a pliant material and is attached to ring volume5in a manner that supports bi-directional flow of the pliant material between ring volume5and reservoir6, e.g. by tube7. Tube7may be of any appropriate material, e.g. the same pliant material as either ring volume5or reservoir6. Reservoir6and tube7may be secured to a predetermined outer section of housing4, e.g. by glue. In an alternative embodiment, reservoir6and tube7may be the same unit, i.e. reservoir6in fluid communication substantially directly with ring volume5.

In typical configurations, reservoir6, tube7, and ring volume5create a substantially self-contained, sealed container for the pliant material. The pliant material flows bi-directionally between ring volume5and reservoir6and comprises a fluid, a liquid, a gel such as a silicone gel, or a malleable substance, or the like, or a combination thereof. Compressible gas volume8may be present within the pliant material and comprises material other than the pliant material, e.g. an air bubble, inert gas bubble, fluid other than the pliant material, and the like, or a combination thereof.

Referring now toFIG. 2, in an alternative embodiment cushioning device15comprises ring volume5which, in a preferred embodiment, is a generally torus-shaped ring volume, reservoir6, and tube7. As with the embodiment inFIG. 1, ring volume5comprises a flexible material and encompasses a pliant substance. In a preferred embodiment, ring volume5comprises a flexible material to permit distortion of ring volume5in response to external pressure such as that exerted on ring volume5by ear canal3. Ring volume5is disposed proximate to distal tip11of housing4which is positioned proximate the user's inner ear. Ring volume5may be secured such as by glue to a predetermined outer section of housing4or otherwise attached to a predetermined outer section of housing4, e.g. fitted into a recessed channel sized to receive ring volume5.

Reservoir6may comprise a pliant material and is at least partially disposed within housing4in a manner that supports bi-directional flow of the pliant material between ring volume5and reservoir6, e.g. by tube7. Tube7may be of any appropriate material, e.g. the same pliant material as either ring volume5or reservoir6.

In typical configurations, reservoir6, tube7, and ring volume5create a substantially self-contained, sealed container for the pliant material. The pliant material flows bi-directionally between ring volume5and reservoir6and comprises a fluid, a liquid, a gel such as a silicone gel, or a malleable substance, or the like, or a combination thereof. As with other embodiments, compressible gas volume8may be present within the pliant material and comprises material other than the pliant material, e.g. an air bubble, inert gas bubble, fluid other than the pliant material, and the like, or a combination thereof.

Door9comprises movable battery holder9bwhich can hold battery9a. When in a closed position, a portion of door9contacts reservoir6, e.g. either battery9a, battery holder9b, or a combination thereof. This causes pressure to be exerted on the pliant material in reservoir6. When in an open position, door9is removed at least partially from contacting reservoir6, causing pressure to be relieved on the pliant material in reservoir6.

In the operation of an exemplary embodiment, cushion15provides a comfortable seal between housing4of hearing aid10and ear canal3, especially in non-custom hearing aids10where a one size housing4is typically used.

Referring back toFIG. 1, in typical configurations, housing4is either custom made to fit a specific ear canal3or is made to be smaller in its dimension than an average ear canal3. Ring volume5is filled with pliant material and then fitted or otherwise attached, such as by gluing, to a predetermined portion of distal tip11of housing4. Ring volume5is connected with reservoir6, such as by tube7, and reservoir6is also filled with the pliant material. In a preferred embodiment, compressible gas volume8is left in reservoir6.

When hearing aid10is being inserted into ear canal3, as distal tip11goes deeper into ear canal3, excessive pliant material is displaced (step100inFIG. 3) from ring volume5into the reservoir6, e.g. through tube7. As the insertion progresses, reservoir6begins to contact ear canal3, compressing the pliant material inside reservoir6and moving the pliant material into ring volume5, back through tube7. Ring volume5inflates with the pliant material, sealing an area between distal tip11and ear canal3(step120inFIG. 3).

Compressible gas volume8is compressed as hearing aid10is inserted into ear canal3(step110inFIG. 3) and helps to avoid excessive pressure within cushion15. Compressible gas volume8acts as a spring, helping to prevent the creation of excessive pressure where ring volume5contacts ear canal3.

In an alternate embodiment, referring back toFIG. 2, hearing aid10has a different configuration. Reservoir6is located at least partially inside housing4, proximate door9. When door9is open, reservoir6is not impacted and ring volume5is not inflated (step100inFIG. 3). In this configuration, hearing aid10can be inserted into ear canal3. After hearing aid10is inserted into ear canal3, the user closes door9, allowing a predetermined portion of door9, e.g. battery9aand/or battery holder9b, to provide pressure to reservoir6, causing the pliant material to flow from reservoir6into ring volume5, e.g. through tube7. This inflates ring volume5, causing it to seal ring volume against ear canal3(step120inFIG. 3). As with other embodiments, compressible gas volume8acts as a spring and prevents against creating excessive pressure where ring volume5contacts ear canal3(step110inFIG. 3).

Alternatively, door9may be opened and closed while hearing aid10is situated in ear canal3to more comfortably fit hearing aid10within ear canal3without having to remove and/or reposition hearing aid10within ear canal3.