Abstract:
A hearing aid can be inserted deep inside an auditory canal without the risk of injury. The hearing system has a hearing device that can be completely inserted into a human auditory canal, and a positioning device, which is attached to the hearing device in a self-retaining manner. The positioning device can be detached from the hearing device, when the latter is in the state where it is inserted into the auditory canal, and cannot or can only partly be inserted into the auditory canal because it serves as a stop on a section of the concha when the hearing device is being positioned. The positioning device is decoupled from the hearing device after placement and removed from the auditory canal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of German patent application DE 10 2010 006 359.2, filed Feb. 1, 2010; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a hearing system with a hearing device that can be completely inserted into a human auditory canal. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for positioning a hearing device in a human auditory canal. 
     Hearing aids are portable hearing devices used to support the hard-of-hearing. In order to make concessions for the numerous individual requirements, different types of hearing aids are provided, e.g. behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids, hearing aids with an external receiver (receiver in the canal—RIC) and in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids, for example concha hearing aids or canal hearing aids (ITE, CIC) as well. The hearing aids listed in an exemplary manner are worn on the concha or in the auditory canal. Furthermore, bone conduction hearing aids, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are also commercially available. In this case, the damaged sense of hearing is stimulated either mechanically or electrically. 
     In principle, the main components of hearing aids are an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer. In general, the input transducer is a sound receiver, e.g. a microphone, and/or an electromagnetic receiver, e.g. an induction coil. The output transducer is usually designed as an electroacoustic transducer, e.g. a miniaturized loudspeaker, or as an electromechanical transducer, e.g. a bone conduction receiver. The amplifier is usually integrated into a signal-processing unit (SPU). This basic design is illustrated in  FIG. 1  by way of the example of a behind-the-ear hearing aid. One or more microphones  2  for recording the sound from the surroundings are installed in a hearing aid housing  1  to be worn behind the ear. A signal-processing unit  3  (SPU), likewise integrated into the hearing aid housing  1 , processes the microphone signals and amplifies them. The output signal of the signal-processing unit  3  is transferred to a loudspeaker or receiver  4 , which emits an acoustic signal. If necessary, the sound is transferred to the eardrum of the equipment wearer by means of a sound tube, which is fixed in the auditory canal with an ear mold. A battery  5  (BAT), likewise integrated into the hearing aid housing  1 , supplies the hearing aid, in particular the signal-processing unit  3 , with energy. 
     CIC hearing aids are worn completely in the auditory canal, i.e. no section of the hearing aid protrudes out of the entrance to the auditory canal. The deeper the hearing aid can be inserted into the auditory canal, i.e. the closer the hearing aid output is arranged with respect to the eardrum, the better the effectiveness of the hearing aid. 
     Thus, the challenge in the case of such CIC hearing aids lies in placing these hearing aids very deeply inside the ear canal or the auditory canal, i.e., as close as possible to the eardrum. Not only is the hearing aid virtually invisible from the outside in this operational position, but also an improved acoustic performance is obtained and less amplification is required, which ultimately also leads to lower energy consumption. However, the problem here is that very deep insertion of the hearing aid into the ear canal is not easy. There is always a considerable risk of injuring the eardrum when inserting the hearing aid. 
     Currently available hearing aids must be inserted by clinically trained personnel. This is not advantageous because it involves much effort on the part of the hearing-aid wearer. If the hearing-aid wearers themselves remove the aid from the auditory canal, they cannot simply reinsert it. 
     Commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2009/0082801 A1 and its counterpart European published patent application EP 2 040 488 A2 describe a tool for inserting a receiver of a hearing device into an auditory canal. The tool has a forceps with a first and a second forceps arm, which are attached to one another at one end. At its free end, the first forceps arm has a holding apparatus, by means of which the receiver to be held should be blocked in respect of movements in at least three directions. Moreover, at least one of the two forceps arms has a stop, which protrudes substantially laterally from the forceps arm and is used for butting against a concha of the user when inserting the receiver. This firstly provides good grip of the external receiver and secondly allows the insertion thereof into the auditory canal at a defined depth. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a hearing system and method with a positioning device which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which provides for a system that allows the deepest possible insertion of a hearing device into an auditory canal, without requiring much effort and without exposing the eardrum to a high risk of injury. 
     With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a hearing system, comprising: 
     a hearing device configured for complete insertion into a human auditory canal; 
     a positioning device releasably attached to the hearing device in a self-retaining manner, wherein the positioning device is detached from the hearing device when the hearing device is inserted in the auditory canal, the positioning device cannot be inserted, or can only be partly inserted, into the auditory canal, and the positioning device serves as an insertion stop on a part of a concha at an entrance to the auditory canal during a positioning of the hearing device in the auditory canal. 
     In other words, the objects of the invention are achieved by a hearing system with a hearing device that can be completely inserted into a human auditory canal, and a positioning device, which is attached to the hearing device in a self-retaining manner, which can be detached from the hearing device when the latter is in the state where it is inserted into the auditory canal, which cannot or can only partly be inserted into the auditory canal, and which serves as a stop on a section of a concha when positioning the hearing device. 
     Moreover, the aforementioned object is achieved by a method for positioning a hearing device in a human auditory canal by attaching a positioning device to the hearing device, such that both are interconnected in a self-retaining manner, completely inserting the hearing device into the auditory canal with the aid of the positioning device until the positioning device butts against a section of the concha, and detaching the positioning device from the hearing device such that the hearing device alone remains in the auditory canal. 
     The positioning device advantageously constitutes a positioning aid for completely pressing the hearing device and, more particularly, the hearing aid into the auditory canal. The presence of a stop can ensure that the hearing device is not pressed too far into the auditory canal, which removes the risk of injuring the eardrum. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hearing device is individually fitted to the auditory canal. This can bring about an optimum seating of the hearing device in the auditory canal at a predetermined position. 
     Moreover, it is advantageous for the positioning device to be individually fitted to the form of the entrance to the auditory canal. This allows the implementation of an individualized stop of the positioning device, as a result of which, ultimately, the insertion depth of the hearing device in the auditory canal can be set precisely and can be obtained in an easily reproducible manner. 
     Moreover, the positioning device can have a tube or a bolt, and the hearing device can be detachably arranged at one end of the tube or of the bolt. The length of the tube or of the pin can easily set the individual insertion depth into the auditory canal. 
     A pin can be arranged in the tube of the positioning device, which pin is rotated about its axis or axially displaced in the tube for detaching the hearing device from the positioning device. This allows the positioning device to be detached from the hearing device by a simple movement of the hand. 
     In a special embodiment, the pin, in a first position, partly presses a ball, situated in the tube, out of the tube in a radial direction and, in a second position, provides sufficient space in the tube such that the ball is located entirely within the circumference of the tube. This brings about a deflection of an axial movement into a radial movement in a simple manner, by means of which the positioning device can be locked in the hearing device. 
     In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the pin of the positioning device has a segment, which undercuts a projection of the hearing device in the state where the positioning device is attached to the hearing device, with the undercut being released for detaching the positioning device from the hearing device. This can bring about, and rerelease, the connection between positioning apparatus and hearing device by means of a simple rotation of the pin. 
     The bolt or the tube can be inserted into a recess of the hearing device under magnetic guidance for the purpose of attaching it in the hearing device. This can simplify the process of connecting the positioning device to the hearing device when the hearing device is in the auditory canal and the user cannot see the two components. 
     In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the positioning device is detachably attached to the hearing device by negative pressure (i.e., vacuum suction) or by magnetic force. In both cases, fixing the positioning device to the hearing device is, at least primarily, not brought about by manual force, but by another physical force. 
     Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a hearing system with positioning device and corresponding positioning method, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
     The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  shows the schematic design of a hearing aid as per the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  shows a hearing system according to the invention before being inserted into the auditory canal; 
         FIG. 3  shows the hearing system from  FIG. 2  in the inserted state; 
         FIG. 4  shows the hearing system from  FIG. 3  with a detached positioning device; 
         FIG. 5  shows the hearing aid of the hearing system from  FIG. 3  in the inserted, operational state; 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross section through a hearing system in the attached state; and 
         FIG. 7  shows the hearing system from  FIG. 6  in the detached state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The exemplary embodiments described herein with reference to the drawing figures constitute preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
     As mentioned, the primary object of the present invention is related to rendering the insertion and penetration of the hearing aid, or another hearing device, into the auditory canal to be as simple and safe as possible. The basic concept is to temporarily attach a positioning device, or a positioning adaptor, to the hearing aid for inserting the latter. The two components are then attached to one another in a self-retaining manner, and so no force has to be applied from the outside for the connection thereof. 
       FIGS. 2 to 5  pictorially illustrate, step-by-step, the insertion of a CIC hearing aid, which no longer protrudes from the auditory canal in the inserted state, on the basis of the hearing system according to the invention. 
     In the present example, the entire hearing system consists of two individually produced parts: the actual hearing aid  10 , with its individually produced shell, and the positioning device  11 , which likewise has an individually produced external contour. The two components are attached to one another, as per  FIG. 2 . However, they can be decoupled from one another after the hearing aid  10  has been inserted into the auditory canal  12 . 
     In this case the positioning device  11  consists of a molded body  13 , and a bolt or a connecting rod  14 , which connects the molded body  13  to the hearing aid  10 . The connecting rod  14  connects the two components  10  and  11  in a fixed but mutually detachable manner. This means that no force has to be exerted from the outside in order to keep the two components attached to one another. It is merely for inserting the hearing aid  10  into the auditory canal  12  that the positioning device  11  is temporarily attached to the hearing aid  10 . 
     The hearing system  10 ,  11  is now inserted into the auditory canal  12  in accordance with the arrow  15 . It is inserted until the molded body  13  of the positioning device  11  butts against a section  16  of the concha  17  (cf.  FIG. 3 ). The molded body  13  has a slightly larger diameter than the auditory canal  12 . This ensures a secure stop at/around the entrance to the auditory canal. 
     The length of the connecting rod  14  between the molded body  13  and the hearing aid  10  has been selected such that the hearing aid  10  is seated at the desired depth within the auditory canal  12  when the molded body  13  butts against the entrance to the auditory canal  12 . By way of example, the hearing aid  10  is then seated at a depth such that there is a predetermined distance between the eardrum  18  and the side of the hearing aid  10  facing the eardrum  18 . This distance, and hence the space between the eardrum  18  and the hearing aid  10 , is preferably as small as possible, such that the acoustic transmission between hearing aid  10  and eardrum  18  is as efficient as possible. 
     After the hearing aid  10  has reached its final position in the auditory canal  12 , the positioning device  11  is decoupled from the hearing aid  10 , as per  FIG. 4 . This is brought about by unlocking the connecting rod  14  from the hearing aid  10 , such that it can be removed in the axial direction from the hearing aid  10  in the direction of the arrow  19  and, furthermore, from the auditory canal  12 . Finally, the hearing aid  10  remains in the desired position in the ear canal  12 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     An exemplary embodiment will now be explained with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , as to how the positioning device  11  can be coupled to the hearing aid or the hearing device  10 . It can be gathered from  FIG. 6  that the hearing aid, in this case a CIC hearing aid (as in  FIGS. 2 to 5  as well), has an individually shaped shell. It is thus fitted to the auditory canal of the hearing-aid wearer. The hearing aid  10  has a bore or a blind hole  20 , into which the connecting rod  14  of the positioning device  11  has been inserted. The connecting rod  14  is a fixed component of the positioning device  11 , and the molded body  13  is molded thereon. The molded body  13  likewise has an individual shape. More particularly, as already indicated above, it is fitted to the entrance region of the auditory canal of the hearing-aid wearer. It is used as a stop and therefore has a greater maximum diameter than the hearing aid  10 . 
     In the present example the connecting rod  14  has a tube  21  in which a pin  22  is guided in the axial direction. The molded body  13  is arranged at one end of the tube  21 , while the other end of the tube  21  is inserted in the blind hole  20  of the hearing aid  10 . 
     In the position of  FIG. 6 , the pin  22  protrudes from the tube  21  on the side of the molded body  13 , with the tube ending flush with the surface of the molded body  13 . Hence the pin  22  also protrudes from the surface of the molded body  13 . 
     The end section of the tube  21 , located in the blind hole  20  of the hearing aid  10 , has a bore  23 , which is directed radially outward and through which a ball  24  partly protrudes to the outside. That is to say, in the position of  FIG. 6 , part of the ball protrudes beyond the circumference of the tube  21  into a spherical-cap impression  25  in the blind hole  20 . The connecting rod  14  is connected to the hearing aid  10  in an interlocking manner in this position of the ball  24 . The spherical-cap impression  25  is the negative shape of a universal ball joint, constitutes an undercut in the blind hole  20  and thus permits locking of the connecting rod  14  in the blind hole  20  of the hearing aid  10 . 
     The ball  24  is kept in the locking position of  FIG. 6  as a result of the special shape of the pin  22 . To this end, the pin  22  has a support section  26 , which, provided it is below the ball  24 , presses the latter out of the bore  23  of the tube  21  and into the spherical-cap impression  25 . The support section  26  is adjoined by a depression  27  in the pin  22 , which depression develops its function in conjunction with the unlocking (cf.  FIG. 7 ). By way of example, the pin  22  is held in its locking position by an elastic force (not illustrated in any more detail in  FIG. 6 ). Here, the pin protrudes axially from the tube  21  or the molded body  13 , as mentioned, and secondly supports the ball  24  such that interlocking with the hearing aid  10  is ensured. 
     The connection mechanism between the two components must be unlocked for it to be possible to separate the positioning device  11  from the hearing aid  10 . By way of example, to this end, the pin  22  is manually pressed into the tube  21  against the elastic force. The axial displacement of the pin  22  with respect to the tube  21  leads to the ball  24  falling into the depression  27 , and thus being removed from the spherical-cap impression  25 . Hence there is no longer an interlock between the positioning device  11  and the hearing aid  10  and the connecting rod  14  of the positioning device  11  can be pulled from the blind hole  20  of the hearing aid  10 . 
     In order to remove the hearing aid  10  from the auditory canal  12 , the reverse procedure (reversed in respect of the insertion of the hearing aid as per  FIGS. 2 to 5 ) should be carried out. Thus, the positioning adapter or the positioning device  11  should be securely coupled to the hearing aid  10  to be removed. To this end, in the example of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the pin  22  should be pressed into the tube  21  such that the connecting rod  14  can be guided into the blind hole  20  of the hearing aid. If the pin  22  is released, a spring presses it outward and the special shape of the pin  22  converts this axial movement into a radial movement of the ball  24 , and so the latter is pressed into the spherical-cap impression  25 , as a result of which there is an interlock with the hearing aid  10 . The hearing aid  10  can now be pulled out of the auditory canal using the positioning device  11 . 
     In order to simplify the coupling of the positioning device  11  to the hearing aid  10 , the connecting rod  14  or the material surrounding the blind hole  20  can be magnetized. This guides the connecting rod  14  into the blind hole  20  by magnetic means, which is particularly advantageous because the coupling procedure of hearing aid  10  and positioning device  11  cannot be observed by the hearing-aid wearer. 
     As an alternative to the embodiment in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the coupling between hearing aid  10  and positioning device  11  can for example also be brought about by a bayonet cap or a swivelable hook. In the latter case the pin  22  for example has a radially protruding section, which can be swiveled into an undercut in the hearing aid  10  by rotating the pin  22  about its axis. In a further alternative embodiment, the positioning device has a hook or a self-clamping claw, by means of which it can be detachably attached to the hearing aid. It is also feasible to attach the positioning device to the hearing aid by magnetic force or by vacuum, i.e., negative pressure. Moreover, the pin  22  can also have an eccentric shape in the region of the ball  24 , and so the ball  24  is partly pressed out of the bore  23  by rotating the pin  22  about its axis. 
     The hearing system presented above, which consists of a hearing device and a positioning device, allows simple insertion of the hearing aid into the auditory canal to be made possible, which can also be carried out by the hearing-aid wearers themselves. The deep insertion of the hearing aid leads to an improved acoustic performance and moreover results in an almost invisible wearing position.