Ear probe for hearing testing

An ear probe assembly comprising a housing structure and a first transducer and a second transducer arranged in said housing structure is disclosed. The ear probe assembly further comprising a channel structure comprising at least a first transducer entrance and a second transducer entrance configured to receive first and second sound ports of the transducers, where further a tip portion is configured to engage with the channel structure in a detachable manner.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a diagnostic device for testing the functionality of the auditory system of a patient. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an improved ear probe configuration of the diagnostic device.

BACKGROUND

Within hearing diagnostics, it is of great importance to be able to perform efficient and accurate hearing test of infants as well as adults. When assessing the hearing loss of humans, a hearing diagnostic device, which is configured to be controlled to emit a sound signal and collect a response from the auditory system of the patient, is generally used. Different diagnostic devices, which are used for different hearing testing purposes, exist.

Diagnosing hearing impairment in the auditory system of infants or adults by use of e.g. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE's), Auditory Evoked potentials (AEP), Acoustic Reflectivity (AR), Otoacoustic Reflectance (OR) or Tympanometry often requires inserting an acoustic probe into the ear canal of a patient. Typically, such acoustic probes consist of at least one transducer, and sometimes two transducers, configured for generating and emitting a stimulus signal to the auditory system of the patient. The auditory system of a human may respond to the stimuli signal by reflecting an emission signal, and during OAE measurements this emission signal is measured by a third transducer of the acoustic probe. The emission signals measured are easily affected by noise introduced into the signal, therefore an acoustic probe which accurately transmits and records the signal and which limits noise introduced into the measurements, is preferable.

Current hearing diagnostic devices continuously aim at optimizing the design in order to limit especially noise introduced into the measurements. Usually the acoustic probes are connected to a handheld device either directly by forming an integrated part of the handheld device or connected to the handheld device by a cable, which cable in one end is connected to the handheld device and in the other end is connected to the acoustic probe. However, several drawbacks exist for both types of devices, which therefore need further improvements to optimize the hearing diagnostic measurement setup.

A handheld device having the acoustic probe substantially integrated into the device has been extensively used and developed to optimize the accuracy of the diagnostic measurements. However, with a handheld device there still exist the risk of introducing errors into the measurement, since a handheld device is placed directly against the patient's ear, and any movement of the handheld device while the acoustic probe is inserted into the ear increases the risk of introducing noise. A similar risk of introducing noise is present in the cable attached acoustic probe solutions, where a movement of the cable to adjust the acoustic ear probe introduces noise and instability of the transducer, which is why a proper placement of the ear probe against the ear canal is needed in order to limit the risk of introducing noise.

Furthermore, when performing diagnostic hearing measurements, the risk of cross-contamination between two patients if the device is not sufficiently cleaned after use is increased when using a handheld device. That is, a large part of the handheld device comes into contact with the skin of a patient during measurement, and therefore needs substantive cleaning after a diagnostic hearing test has been performed. In a cable attached acoustic probe solution, such cross-contamination may be limited due to the cable creating a distance between the patient and the handheld part of the device. However, such cable solutions requires a secure coupling to the ear canal, since any movement of the cable during measurement may introduced unwanted noise.

The risk of erroneous measurements is further increased when debris is allowed to enter the acoustic tubes of the acoustic ear probe. Debris, which is allowed to enter and get trapped in the acoustic tubes may block the acoustic path which influences the calibration parameters of the probe and the subsequent diagnostic measurements.

In addition, during a diagnostic hearing measurement, especially when testing infants, the space available to operate a handheld device is limited. That is, when testing e.g. an infant, the infant usually lies in the arms of a parent or a crib, and the operator needs to operate the device in a limited amount of space, which may be difficult with a large handheld device, which should be arranged closely to the ear of the infant. Therefore, a repositioning of the handheld device and the ear probe may be necessary prior to the measurements, which increases the risk of disturbing the infant and introducing noise into the subsequent measurement. Furthermore, with a handheld device having an integrated ear probe, the operator should keep the handheld device in place, while the operator at the same time should angle the device such that the measurement screen is visible.

Thus, the drawbacks of a handheld devices having an integrated acoustic ear probe or a cable attached acoustic ear probe are many, and a need therefore exists to provide a solution, which limits at least some of these drawbacks to provide an improved diagnostic device that provides more accurate measurements and a more efficient diagnostic environment setup. Therefore, there is a need to provide a solution that addresses at least some of the above-mentioned problems. The present disclosure provides at least an alternative to the prior art solutions.

SUMMARY

This and further objectives are met by an ear probe assembly comprising a housing structure having a proximal side and a distal side, wherein at least a first transducer and a second transducer are arranged in the housing structure. The first transducer comprising a first sound port and the second transducer comprising a second sound port. The ear probe assembly furthermore comprises at least one channel structure comprising at least a first transducer entrance and a second transducer entrance, configured to receive the first and second sound ports, respectively, wherein the channel structure protrudes from the proximal side of the housing structure. For guiding sound emitted by at least one of the transducers to the ear canal of a patient, the at least one channel structure forms an acoustic path between the first and second transducer and a tip portion of the ear probe assembly, where the tip portion is configured to connect with the channel structure. The tip portion furthermore comprises a set of integrated acoustic channels, which set of integrated acoustic channels are configured to connect with the channel structure in a detachable manner.

Accordingly, an ear probe, which comprises a detachable tip portion having a set of integrated acoustic channels, which are acoustically sealed and connected with the channel structure, is provided. This allows for an efficient ear probe of e.g. a diagnostic device, which limits noise and efficiently seals the acoustic path between the at least one or more transducers and the tip portion, thereby optimizing the acoustic signal emitted by the transducer and the further measurements by another transducer of a signal emitted by the auditory system of a patient.

In diagnostic devices used for hearing impairment testing, it is especially important to avoid cross-talk components introduced during the measurement, since the signals emitted by the auditory system as a response to a stimulus, are small and easily contaminated by cross-talk from the electronics of the measurement device. Thus, to reduce potential cross-talk in the acoustic probe of the diagnostic device, the ear probe assembly may in one embodiment be configured such that the first transducer comprises a first membrane and the second transducer comprises a second membrane, wherein the first and second transducers are arranged in the housing structure, such that the first membrane lies substantially perpendicular to the second membrane. Such an arrangement of the first and second transducer decreases the mechanical cross-talk in the ear probe assembly. That is, the signal produced by the second transducer (e.g. a receiver) may induce a signal (due to mechanical vibration of the receiver) in the first transducer, where the first transducer may be a measurement transducer (e.g. a microphone). Any cross-talk from the second transducer to the first transducer (i.e. a measurement transducer) may introduce an unwanted signal component in the hearing measurements performed by the hearing diagnostic device.

Furthermore, the perpendicular arrangement of the membrane of the first transducer and the membrane of the second transducer also provides and optimized space consumption within the housing structure of the ear probe assembly. With such construction, the first and second transducer can be arranged so that a limited amount of space is needed and a smaller housing structure is achieved.

Accordingly, in an embodiment of the ear probe assembly the housing structure may comprise a top end and a bottom end defining a longitudinal axis of the housing structure. Furthermore, the second transducer may comprise a top end facing the top end of the housing and a bottom end facing the bottom end of the housing. The first transducer may comprise a proximal side and a distal side facing the proximal side and the distal side of the housing structure, respectively, and defining a longitudinal axis of the sound port of the first transducer, where the longitudinal axis of the sound port is arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing structure. Thus, the first and second transducer are arranged in relation to each other such that a bottom side of the first transducer faces the top end of the second transducer and a top side of the first transducer faces the top end of the housing structure. This allows for a better sound performance in the ear probe, where less cross-talk is introduced from e.g. mechanical vibrations between the first and second transducer. Furthermore, less space in the housing structure is needed to contain the first and second transducer, which in effect provides the possibility of a smaller housing structure of the ear probe assembly that is easier to handle for an operator handling the diagnostic device.

Furthermore, in an embodiment, a distal end of the first transducer is arranged to be substantially flush with a distal side of the second transducer. Having the first and second transducer substantially flush with each allows for a substantially flat surface area on at least a distal side of the housing structure, in a space optimized solution.

In a further embodiment, a circuitry board, such as a printed circuitry board (PCB), of the housing structure is arranged so as to cover the first transducer and the second transducer. This allows for a simple assembly process of the ear probe assembly, where the risk of overheating and damaging of the transducers during soldering of electrical components to the PCB is reduced. Furthermore, by attaching a PCB directly on the transducers the first and second transducer may be easily assembled prior to connection with the remaining components of the ear probe assembly.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the first and second transducers are assembled together with the PCB and the channel structure. This combined structure is, after assembly, “clicked” into engagement with the housing structure, followed by a soldering of electrical components, such as wires to the PCB. Consequently, the components may be secured tightly in the housing by use of glue or other suitable means, such as a by mechanical fixation by adding attaching elements and/or structure to the PCB and the components, which are to be secured to the PCB.

In more detail, the circuitry board may in one embodiment, be arranged such that in a top end of the housing structure the circuitry board is connected to a distal end of the first transducer. From here, the circuitry board may extend along the longitudinal direction of the housing to a bottom end of the second transducer, where the circuitry in the bottom end is connected to the second transducer. This allows the circuitry board to follow the outer contours of the transducers, whereby space is optimized.

With the transducer arrangements in the housing structure of the ear probe assembly as described herein, a substantially longitudinal housing structure having a protruding channel structure is provided for. The substantially longitudinal housing structure allows for a better alignment of the tip portion to the ear canal of the user, since a small housing structure at least in the “width direction” defined by the direction between the proximal side of the housing structure and the distal side of the housing structure creates a small moment arm, which stabilizes the housing structure when the tip portion is inserted into the ear canal of a patient.

That is, in an embodiment, the housing structure may comprise a substantially flat surface area on the proximal side, wherein a distal side of the tip portion is configured to abut the substantially flat surface. Furthermore, the channel structure of said housing structure may extend into the acoustic channels of the tip portion, such that at least a part of the channel structure is substantially contained in the tip portion. This allows for an efficient seal between the tip portion and the channel structure, while also providing a substantially stable tip portion, which does not easily bend when the tip portion is arranged in the ear canal of a patient.

Furthermore, this also allows for a better ear probe placement in the ear in such a way that the operator does not need to stabilize the probe by holding the probe cable, which would cause noise to be induced into the measurements.

In more detail, in an embodiment, the ear probe assembly may be configured such that a distance between a proximal surface and a distal surface of the tip portion defines a length of the tip portion, wherein the channel structure is extending into the tip portion so as to take up at least half of the length of said tip portion. This allows for a substantially changing stability of the tip portion along the length thereof, such that the tip portion is more stable at the distal surface where the tip portion abuts the housing structure and less stable (i.e. more flexible) along the length of the tip portion towards the proximal side thereof.

When attaching a tip portion of the acoustic ear probe to the acoustic channels of the transducers, a correct alignment of the acoustic channels of the tip portion with the acoustic channels of the transducer should be achieved. This complexity of alignment between the tip portion and the channel structure of the ear probe assembly is alleviated with an ear probe assembly, which in one embodiment is configured such that the channel structure is formed with a substantially triangular circumference. The tip portion comprises a corresponding triangular opening configured to engage said triangular circumference of said channel structure in a detachable manner. This allows an attachment structure of the ear probe assembly, which can be attached in a one-way manner, in that the triangular shape allows for a perfect alignment between the acoustic channels of the tip portion and the acoustic path of the channel structure.

Furthermore, in an embodiment, the channel structure comprises at least two, preferably three independent and acoustically separated acoustic paths, which acoustic paths are each configured to connect with at least two, preferably three independent and acoustically separated acoustic channels of the tip portion.

In an embodiment, the channel structure may comprise at least three channels, wherein each channel comprises one of the transducer entrances, each configured to receive a corresponding acoustic channel of the tip portion in a proximal end thereof, and configured to receive the first and second sound ports of said first and second transducers in a distal end of said channel structure, wherein a filter is arranged in each of said three channels of said channel structure. This allows a sufficient damping of the impulse response of the ear probe.

In one embodiment, the filter may be a wax filter, which is configured to be exchangeable, inserted into each of the three channels of the channel structure. This allows for a disposable wax guard, which may easily be replaced by the user. Accordingly, not only does the tip portion reduce wax from entering the sound ports of the transducer, but also the wax guard of the channel structure provides an extra protection. Thus, if wax does penetrate into the channel structure, this may be stopped by the wax guard prior from entering the sound ports of the transducers.

The embodiments described herein, may furthermore comprise both an acoustic filter and a wax filter, where the wax filter ensures that debris is kept out of the acoustic channels of the channel structure to improve the acoustics of the probe, and where the acoustic filter improves the impulse response characteristics of the acoustic ear probe. The acoustic filters act as resistors to damp resonances in the frequency response of the transducers of the acoustic ear probe and thereby the length of the impulse responses. In certain measurements, such as e.g. Transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE), it is assumed that the impulse response of the acoustic ear probe has completely decayed after 2.5-4 ms in order to distinguish between speaker artefacts and an actual OAE response and if no filter is present, this would not be the case and the measurement would have a false response. Accordingly, the acoustic filters improve the accuracy of the acoustic probe measurements, by damping the resonances in the frequency response of the transducers.

In an embodiment, which is to be explained in further detail later, the channel structure may comprise a first and/or a second engagement structure, which is configured to engage with a part of said housing and/or the tip portion to provide an efficient seal and locking between the elements of the ear probe assembly.

It should be noted that, in an embodiment, the first transducer is preferably a receiver configured to emit a stimuli and the second transducer is a microphone configured to record an emitted signal from the auditory system being tested.

In accordance with embodiments described herein, the ear probe is configured to transmit an acoustic signal through one of the acoustic channels of the ear tip and to receive an acoustic signal through one of said acoustic channels and emitted by an auditory system of the person under test. Accordingly, as previously described, the acoustic channel of the channel structure and the ear tip are configured to as to be acoustically separated from each other.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the bottom end of the housing structure is preferably connected to a cable, where the cable is another end is connected to a hearing testing system configured to control a hearing test setup. Accordingly, the diagnostic hearing testing system according to embodiments herein should preferably be understood so as to comprise a handheld device, from where a cable extends in order to optimize the hearing test measurements. By such a device, substantially constructed according to the embodiments described herein, a diagnostic device, which substantially overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art is provided for.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. Several aspects of the device and methods are described by various structures, functional units, modules, components, circuits, steps etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). Depending upon the particular application, design constraints or other reasons, these elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer program, or any combination thereof.

A diagnostic device used for testing hearing impairment generally includes a handheld device and or a stationary device, to which an acoustic probe (i.e. an ear probe) is connected through e.g. a cable or integrated into e.g. the handheld device. The stationary device or handheld device comprises electronics configured to generate a stimuli signal to the acoustic ear probe, such that a stimuli signal may be transmitted into the ear canal of a patient by use of the transducers of the acoustic ear probe. Furthermore, the handheld or stationary device may comprise a processing unit configured to process a received signal, measured from the auditory system of a patient, by a second transducer of the acoustic ear probe. The processing unit may be configured to process the signal to obtain a hearing impairment characteristic of the patient being examined. Furthermore, the handheld or stationary device may comprise a display, from where an operator of the device may activate the device to send out a stimuli signal, analyze the signal measured by a measurement transducer of the acoustic ear probe etc.

It should be noted that throughout the disclosure, the wording “proximal” should be understood as defining a side of an element (e.g. tip portion, housing structure, transducers etc.) facing the opening of the ear canal of a patient, when the ear probe assembly is operated in the measurement position. Accordingly, the wording “distal” should be understood as a side opposite to the proximal side of and facing away from the opening into the ear canal of a patient.

Referring initially toFIG. 1, a general overview of an ear probe assembly according to the disclosure is illustrated. The ear probe assembly1comprises a housing structure2having a proximal side21and a distal side22. The housing structure2is configured to contain at least a first transducer and a second transducer, where the first transducer comprises a first sound port and the second transducer comprising a second sound port (not shown). Furthermore, the ear probe assembly1comprises a tip portion6, which further comprises a set of integrated acoustic channels61. The tip portion6is configured to engage with a channel structure (not shown) of the ear probe assembly1in a detachable manner. The tip portion6is configured to engagement with the channel structure, such that a side portion63(i.e. the distal side) of the tip portion abuts a part of the proximal side21of the housing structure.

The housing structure is furthermore in a bottom end24connected to a cable9, which in the opposite end connects to e.g. a handheld device configured to be operated to control a measurement of the hearing impairment measurement setup in accordance with the definitions provided herein. It should be noted that even though not illustrated in more detail, the probe tip is configured such that the probe tip6substantially contains the channel structure, such that a sufficient acoustic seal is obtained. Furthermore, the detachable probe tip6makes it easy to change from patient to patient upon performing hearing measurements, whereby cross-contamination and clogged ear tips are avoided.

Accordingly, the ear probe assembly according to the disclosure is configured to transmit an acoustic signal through one of the acoustic channels of the ear tip6and to receive an acoustic signal emitted by an auditory system of a patient through one of the acoustic channels.

In the following figures, embodiments of the ear probe assembly will be described in more detail. It should be noted that substantially same elements will be provided with the same numbering.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a partly exploded view of the ear probe assembly1according toFIG. 1, where the tip portion6has been detached from a part of the housing structure2, is illustrated. In more detail,FIG. 2illustrates a channel structure5, which forms part of the housing structure2. That is, in the embodiment shown, at least one channel structure5is configured to protrude from the proximal side21of the housing structure2. The channel structure5comprises at least a first transducer entrance and a second transducer entrance, configured to receive a first and second sound port of the first and second transducer in the housing structure, explained in further details in the following. The at least one channel structure5forms an acoustic path51from the first and second transducer to the tip portion6. The ear probe is configured to connect with the channel structure5, such that the set of integrated acoustic channels61connects with the channel structure5.

As may be best seen in at leastFIG. 1, the housing structure2comprises a substantially flat surface area on the proximal side21, wherein a distal side63of the tip portion6is configured to abut the substantially flat surface forming the proximal side21of the housing structure.

As seen inFIG. 2, the channel structure5may comprise at least three channels52,53,54, wherein each channel52,53,54is configured to receive a sound port of either the first transducer or the second transducer in the distal end thereof, and in the opposite proximal end configured to connect with a corresponding acoustic channel61of the tip portion6. Accordingly, the channels52,53,54are configured to be contained in the integrated acoustic channels61of the tip portion, whereby a sealed acoustic path between the transducers of the housing structure and the ear canal of a patient is established.

Furthermore, as seen onFIG. 2, the channel5structure further comprises an engagement structure59(also denoted a second engagement structure), which is configured to engage with the tip portion6.

With the construction ear probe assembly having the channel structure5and tip portion6as described herein, not only an efficient acoustic seal is achieved but also a sufficiently stable ear probe assembly. That is, the channel structure being substantially contained in the tip portion allows a proper alignment with the ear, since the “moment arm” of the probe tip in relation to the housing structure is minimized (to be explained in further detail). Accordingly, the risk of an unintentional bending by e.g. up and/or down movement of the ear probe causing noise, when the probe is inserted into the ear is decreased.

The ear probe according to embodiments of the disclosure is illustrated in more detail inFIG. 3, which shows an exploded view of the ear probe assembly1. As seen inFIG. 3, the ear probe assembly comprises at least a first transducer3and a second transducer4, which are arranged in the housing structure2. Preferably, a third transducer7is also arranged in connection with the first3and second transducers4. The arrangement of the transducers3,4,7is best illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5and will be explained in further detail in relation to these figures.

FIG. 3furthermore illustrates the channel structure5, which comprises at least two, preferably three independent and acoustically separated channels52,53,54, defining an acoustic path on the interior sides thereof. The acoustic paths are each configured to connect with the at least two, preferably three independent and acoustically separated acoustic channels61of the tip portion. The acoustic channels61of the tip portion6is inFIG. 3illustrated with the acoustic channels61opening into a proximal side of the tip portion6. At the distal side of the ear tip6, the acoustic channels forms openings configured to receive the acoustic separated channels52,53,54of the channels structure5.

Furthermore,FIGS. 3 and 4illustrate the channel structure5according to embodiments of the disclosure in more detail. As is seen, the channel structure5comprises a first engagement structure55configured to engage with a part of the housing structure2on an inner side27of the housing structure to lock the channel structure5in said housing structure2.

In more detail, and best illustrated in further details inFIGS. 5 and 6, the first engagement structure55of the channel structure5comprise a step-wise flange structure protruding from a base portion56of the channel structure5. In other words the base portion56of the channel structure5forms a substantially triangular base (see e.g.FIG. 4) of the channel structure5. From the distal side, a protrusion is formed, which form a first step57having a first diameter and which continues into a second step58with a second larger diameter than the first step. As best seen inFIG. 5, the transition between the first step57and the second step58of the plate shaped flange protrusion forming the first engagement member55is configured to be recessed in the housing structure2, such that the second step58abut a protrusion26in the housing structure2, whereby the first engagement member55is retained inside the housing structure upon assembly thereof.

Accordingly, the channel structure5may as illustrated be formed with a substantially triangular circumference, wherein the tip portion6comprises a corresponding triangular opening configured to engage the triangular circumference of the channel structure5in a detachable manner. In this way, a “one-fit” attachment is achieved. That is, the substantially triangular shaping of the channel structure5and the tip portion6allows an easy alignment of the acoustic channels61of the tip portion and the channels52,53,54of the channel structure5.

In a further embodiment, also illustrated inFIG. 3, the channel structure5comprises a second engagement structure59, which second engagement structure is configured to engage with the tip portion6. Accordingly and with reference to e.g.FIGS. 5 and 6, the second engagement structure59is formed as a protruding flange extending as a circular protrusion from said channel structure5. The second engagement structure59is configured to engage with a groove67of the tip portion6. Furthermore, a space between the second engagement structure59and the first step57of the first engagement structure55is configured to receive a protrusion64of the tip portion. Accordingly, the first and second engagement structures of the ear probe assembly ensures that the channel structure is tightly connected to the housing structure and furthermore that the ear tip is tightly connected to the ear tip.

Returning now toFIGS. 5 and 6, the transducer assembly will be explained in more detail. As previously mentioned, the ear probe assembly1comprises at least two transducers3,4where the first transducer3comprises a first membrane (not shown) and the second transducer4comprises a second membrane (not shown). In order to reduce cross-talk between the transducers3,4, the first3and second4transducers are arranged in the housing structure2, such that the first membrane of the first transducer3lies substantially perpendicular to the second membrane of the second transducer4. That is, the first membrane of the first transducer3substantially follows the longitudinal axis35of the first transducer defined by the longitudinal axis of the first sound port31of the first transducer4, whereas the second membrane of the second transducer4substantially follows a longitudinal axis25of the housing structure2. In this way, the first and second membrane are arranged perpendicularly to each, which at least reduces the mechanical cross-talk between the transducers.

In more detail in an embodiment, the housing structure comprises a top end23and a bottom end24defining said longitudinal axis25of the housing structure. The second transducer4comprises a top end42facing the top end23of the housing structure2and a bottom end43facing the bottom end24of the housing structure2. Furthermore, the first transducer3comprises a proximal side32and a distal side33facing the proximal side21and the distal side22of the housing structure2, respectively. The proximal side32and the distal side33of the first transducer defines said longitudinal axis35of the first sound port31of the first transducer3. Thus, the longitudinal axis35of said first sound port31is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis25of the housing structure. Furthermore, the transducers3,4are arranged such that a bottom side of the first transducer faces the top end of the second transducer and a top side of the first transducer faces the top end of the housing structure.

With the arrangement of the transducer as described herein, not only is cross-talk between the transducer is minimized, but also a space optimization is achieved. That is, when arranging the transducer as previously described a substantially flat transducer arrangement may be obtained. That is, a smaller width of the housing is achieved, allowing for a more stable ear probe assembly which is more easily aligned with the ear of a patient.

Accordingly, in a further development of this embodiment, a distal end of the first transducer is arranged to be substantially flush with a distal side of the second transducer. This creates a substantially flat surface area of the transducer assembly, whereby less space is needed for the transducers to be arranged in the ear probe housing structure2.

Accordingly, the width, indicated inFIG. 8as the dotted line28, of the housing structure2, defined by the distance between the proximal side21and the distal side22of the housing structure2may be decreased due to this substantially “flat” transducer assembly.

As illustrated in e.g.FIGS. 5 and 6, the ear probe assembly is configured such that a distance between a proximal surface and a distal surface of the tip portion defines a length (illustrated by the dotted line65) of the tip portion6. As illustrated, the channel structure5is at least in one embodiment extending into the tip portion6so as to take up at least half of the length of the tip portion6. However, it should be noted that the channel structure may extend more or less into the tip portion6. By providing the channel structure5such that it substantially extends into the tip portion, a better probe placement is allowed for in the ear, since the moment arm of the tip portion is decreased. In this way the operator of the diagnostic device does not need to stabilize the ear probe by holding the probe cable, whereby noise is reduced.

In a further embodiment, best illustrated inFIG. 6, the ear probe assembly comprises a circuitry board8, which is arranged in the housing structure2so as to substantially cover the first transducer3and the second transducer4.

In further details, in an embodiment, the circuitry board8is arranged in the housing structure2, such that in a top end23of the housing structure2, the circuitry board is connected to a distal end of the first transducer3. From here, the circuitry board8extends along the longitudinal direction of the housing structure2to a bottom end43of the second transducer4. In this bottom end43the circuitry board8is connected to the second transducer4.

Arranging the PCB in connection with the transducers as described, provides for a simplified assembly process, where the PCB is mounted to the transducers prior to insertion in to the housing structure. Furthermore, the risk of overheating and damaging the transducers during soldering is reduced.

In an embodiment best illustrated in e.g.FIGS. 5 and 6, the ear probe assembly1is as previously described configured to receive the first sound port31and second sound port41of the first3and second4transducers in a distal end of the channel structure. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, a filter66is arranged in a channel53of the channel structure5. Even though not shown in more detail in this cross-sectional view of the ear probe assembly, each of the three channels52,53,54of the channel structure5may have a filter66arranged therein. It should be noted that the ear probe assembly could be made without this filter. However, for example, the filter could be construed as a wax filter which prohibits wax from entering into the transducers of the ear probe assembly.

Furthermore, with e.g. referenceFIG. 6, the acoustic ear probe may comprise both an acoustic filter68and a wax filter66, where the wax filter ensures that debris is kept out of the acoustic channels of the channel structure to improve the acoustics of the probe, and where the acoustic filter improves the impulse response characteristics of the acoustic ear probe. The acoustic filters act as resistors to damp resonances in the frequency response of the transducers of the acoustic ear probe and thereby the length of the impulse responses. Accordingly, the acoustic filters improve the accuracy of the acoustic probe measurements, by damping the resonances in the frequency response of the transducers.

Referring now toFIGS. 7 and 8, the substantially combined structural advantages of the ear probe assembly according to embodiments described herein will be explained in view of a diagnostic setup. The ear probe assembly1is configured to be inserted into e.g. an adult or infant ear100of a patient and of which patient the functionality of the auditory system should be measured. The tip portion6of the ear probe assembly1is inserted into the ear canal103of the patient, and the housing structure2is substantially aligned with the outer contours101of the ear. Accordingly, the ear probe assembly1is constructed such that the housing structure2comprises a substantially flat surface area, which aligns with the outer contours of the ear, whereby a secure and stable alignment with the ear reducing the risk of introducing noise due to re-positioning of the ear probe is achieved.

This is substantially achieved by the ear probe assembly construction described herein, which provides a reduced moment arm102of the ear. That is, the length102(i.e. the moment arm) of the tip portion6which extends outside the ear canal, when the tip portion6is inserted into the ear canal103is minimized due to the arrangement of the channel structure5in the tip portion6as described herein. Furthermore, the tip portion is stable and not easily “bendable”, which together with the construction of the housing limits the need for re-positioning and thereby limits the introduction of noise.

It should be noted that the first transducer of the ear probe assembly preferably is a microphone, and the second and third transducers preferably are configured as receiver. The microphone is intended for measuring an acoustic response of the auditory system, which response is triggered by an emitted signal introduced into the ear canal by use of the one or more receivers.

With reference to at leastFIGS. 3 and 6, a method of assembly of the ear probe assembly according to embodiments of the disclosures will be explained. As described previously, the ear probe assembly at a top level comprises a tip portion6connected to a channel structure5protruding from a housing structure2. Upon assembly of the ear probe assembly a first step is to provide a housing structure having an opening, into which the channel structure5should be arranged. A second step includes providing the above mentioned channel structure5, and a set of transducers. In a first step of assembly, at least a first and a second transducer is connected with the channel structure. In a second step of assembly, a printed circuit board is attached to the transducers, such that a probe assembly comprises the channel structure5, the first and second transducers and a PCB is provided. Accordingly, in a third step of assembly, the channel structure5, with the PCB and transducer set attached thereto is arranged in a first shell part of the housing structure2. The first shell part comprises the opening, through which the channel structure5protrudes. Furthermore, the first shell part of the housing structure2also comprises the protrusion26(c.f.FIG. 5), which is configured to retain the first engagement member55of the channel structure5in the housing. In a fourth step of assembly, the cable9, which in one end is configured to connect with the housing structure2, and in the other end to diagnostic handheld operative device, is connected to the housing structure and the electrical wires configured to control the transducers of the housing structure2is soldered on the back of the PCB. Consequently, in a final step, the interior of the housing structure is filled with a glue to secure the different components in the housing structure2, and a second shell structure (formed as a lid) is attached to the first shell structure of the housing2. Preferably, the second shell structure is snapped into engagement with the first shell structure.

With the method described herein, especially with the subassembly of the PCB and transducers improves the assembly process and decreases assembly cost, since the transducers together with the PCB and the channel structure in this way are easily and accurately arranged in the housing.