Patent Publication Number: US-9426583-B2

Title: Member with an adhesive surface

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of European patent application No. 12161498.6, filed on Mar. 27, 2012, pending, and Danish patent application No. PA 2012 70151, filed on Mar. 27, 2012, pending, the disclosures of both of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     FIELD OF THE APPLICATION 
     A new member is provided for use in a test box for testing hearing aids. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is known to test hearing aid in a test box for quality control and/or for adjustment purposes. 
     In the test box, the sound output of the hearing aid to be tested is connected to a test microphone in a soundproof manner using an adaptor and a coupler such as a 2 cc coupler. One or more loudspeakers in the test box generate sound during the test for reception and processing by the hearing aid to be tested and the sound output by the hearing aid is guided towards test microphone in the test box. A reference microphone is positioned adjacent a microphone of the hearing aid to be tested in order to measure the actual level of the sound received by the hearing aid. 
     The test box is sound proof so that sound from the surroundings is prevented from interfering with the testing of the hearing aid. 
     SUMMARY 
     In order to properly test a hearing aid, it is important that the sound output of the hearing aid to be tested is connected to the test microphone in a soundproof manner. 
     A behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid has a hearing aid housing worn behind the pinna of the user during use, and a sound tube for acoustical or electrical transmission of sound from a sound output of the hearing aid housing to an earpiece shaped for insertion into the ear canal of the user. The hearing aid housing may accommodate a receiver for outputting sound for acoustic transmission to the earpiece; or, the receiver may be accommodated in the earpiece in which case an electronic sound signal output by a processor in the hearing aid housing is transmitted electrically to the receiver in the earpiece inserted in the ear canal of the user during use. 
     During test of a BTE hearing aid, an output end of the sound tube is connected to an metal guiding member (which may comprise a 2 cc coupler) in the test box that guides sound generated by the hearing aid towards the test microphone. In an embodiment, the metal guiding member may be made of brass with dull chromium. The connection between the sound tube and the guiding member has to be sound proof so that sound generated by the test box does not enter the guiding member directly, and so that sound generated by the hearing aid cannot avoid entering the guiding member. 
     The guiding member is provided with an metal adaptor comprising an opening substantially larger than the average output end of the sound tube in order to accommodate a wide range of output ends. The diameter of the opening of the adaptor may be twice the diameter of the average output end. In order to obtain a sound proof connection between the sound tube and the guiding member, the insertion of the output end of the sound tube with or without the earpiece as desired in the adaptor is achieved using a suitable wax, such as Blu tack, which is a reusable putty-like pressure-sensitive adhesive used for attaching paper items to walls. The adhesive material is applied to the output end of the sound tube and fixed to the adaptor around the opening when the output end of the sound tube has been inserted into the opening of the adaptor. The adaptor is subsequently inserted into the guiding member in a snap fit coupling. 
     In order to obtain a sound proof connection, a skilled person has to apply the suitable wax, and applying the suitable wax is tedious, labour-intensive and time-consuming. A skilled person may achieve the sound proof connection in 2-4 minutes. 
     After interconnecting the sound tube and the adaptor, the hearing aid housing may also be attached to the adaptor using more of the suitable wax to fix the housing to the adaptor. The reference microphone is positioned adjacent the current position of the microphone of the hearing aid. 
     Thus, there is a need for an improved way of interconnecting a sound output of a BTE hearing aid with a test microphone in a test box in a reproducible and repeatable manner. Further, the suitable wax is normally reused and therefore becoming contaminated by the multiple usages. This may pose a health risk to the skilled person applying the suitable wax and a health risk to the patient (or the next patient). Thus, there is also a need to provide a more sterile testing of the hearing aid. Additionally, the reuse of the suitable wax may change the transmission properties of the suitable wax. Thus, there is a further need to make testing of the hearing aid reproducible and repeatable. 
     Accordingly, a member is provided with a fastener for removable fixation of a housing of a hearing aid, and a hole for removable insertion of a sound tube of the hearing aid in sealing engagement with the member. The member may replace the abovementioned adaptor in order to ensure a sound proof connection between the member and the guiding member. Using the member, interconnection of the sound tube and the member and fixation of the housing to the member may be accomplished in under a minute e.g. in the order of 30 seconds. 
     The fastener may comprise mechanical fastening means for removably gripping and holding the hearing aid housing around a part of the housing, for example shaped as a fork. 
     The fastener may comprise an adhesive used for forming an adhesive surface of the member, such as a planar adhesive surface, suitable for removably mounting the hearing aid housing to the adhesive surface. 
     The adhesive is preferably a reusable, pressure-sensitive adhesive so that the hearing aid housing is easily and safely fixed to the adhesive surface simply by pressing the housing lightly onto the adhesive surface thereby eliminating the need to non-reproducibly attaching the housing to the guiding member using blu-tack. Further, in combination with the hole for removable insertion of a sound tube in a sound proof engagement, the need for blu-tack is eliminated. 
     Further, the adhesive of the adhesive surface is preferably a low-tack adhesive that allows the hearing aid housing to be easily attached to and removed from the adhesive surface without leaving marks or residue on the hearing aid housing. 
     In order to protect the adhesive surface from contamination and to maintain the desired adhesive features of the adhesive surface during storage, the adhesive surface is preferably provided with a protection sheet during manufacture of the member. The protection sheet is easily removed from the adhesive surface before fixation of the hearing aid housing to the adhesive surface. In an embodiment, the protective sheet is made of paper coated with polyethylene. In another embodiment, the protective sheet is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyethylene (PE). 
     The adhesive may for example be formed by a double coated foam tape as for example manufactured by 3M. 
     For a BTE hearing aid with the receiver in the earpiece, i.e. a RIE hearing aid (RIE=Receiver In the Ear), the earpiece is inserted in the hole of the member, while for a BTE hearing aid with the receiver in the hearing aid housing, the output end of the sound tube may have a connector mating the earpiece so that the earpiece is removably fastened to the sound tube, and the connector may be inserted in the hole of the member for testing of the hearing aid without the earpiece. In both cases, an output end of the sound tube is said to be inserted into the hole of the member for sound proof interconnection of the sound tube with the member. 
     The output end of the sound tube, e.g. a connector for an earpiece, or the earpiece itself, may be made of a flexible and resilient material, such as silicone, etc, so that an outer circumference of the output end of the sound tube is automatically fitted to the shape of the hole, during insertion of the output end of the sound tube into the hole, whereby the output end is connected to the member in a sound proof way in a simple and easy operation. 
     A part of the member accommodating the hole may be made of a flexible and resilient material, such as thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, silicone, rubber, etc, so that the hole is flexible and may expand and automatically fit to the output end of the sound tube when the sound tube is inserted in the hole, whereby the output end is connected to the member in a sound proof way in a simple and easy operation without the need for applying suitable wax, such as Blu Tack, for provision of a sound proof interconnection. 
     The part of the member made by a flexible and resilient material may be surrounded and held by a part of the member made of a hard material, such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polycarbonate Acrylonite Butadiene Styrene (PC/ABS), nylon, Polyamide (PA), etc. 
     For example, a hard part of the member may be made of ABS while the flexible and the resilient part of the member may be made of a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     A part of the member or all parts of the member may be made by injection moulding. 
     The two parts of the member, i.e. the hard part and the flexible and resilient part, may be fixed to each other by injection moulding one part onto the other part; or the two parts of the member may be fixed to each other by gluing, ultrasound welding, bonding, etc. 
     For example, the flexible and resilient material may be injection moulded onto the hard material. 
     At least a part of an outer surface of the member is constituted by an adhesive surface, for example a part of the member made of a hard material may have the adhesive surface while a part of the member made of a flexible and resilient material and containing the hole has a non-adhesive surface. 
     The member may be a planar member with a maximum height that is less than half its maximum width, e.g. shaped like a disc, a plate, etc. 
     The member may have a substantially circular circumference. 
     In the test box, sound output from the output end of the sound tube has to be guided to the test microphone without disturbances from other sounds, such as the sound generated by the loudspeaker(s) in the test chamber or sounds from the surroundings of the test chamber. Therefore, a guiding member is provided in the test box, typically a tubular guiding member with a circular cross-section, positioned so that the test microphone is located and enclosed at one end of the guiding member, while the member is mounted to the other end of the guiding member in a sound proof way. 
     The member may have a central protrusion comprising the hole, wherein the central protrusion is configured for insertion into a tubular member in a sound proof way for conduction of sound emitted from the sound tube inside the tubular member towards the test microphone. 
     The central protrusion may have a circumferential ridge protruding from the surface abutting a surface of the guiding member when the member is mounted to the guiding member, whereby the member and the guiding member are interconnected with a press fit. 
     The member has a central depression comprising the hole whereby the plane of the central depression may be different from the plane of the member containing the fastener whereby mutually non-interfering mounting is facilitated of the hearing aid housing to the fastener and the output end of the sound tube in the hole of the member. 
     Part of the central depression may be made of the hard material. 
     Preferably, the central depression is non-adhesive. 
     The central depression may define an inner circumference of the adhesive surface. 
     The inner circumference may be substantially circular. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a member includes a fastener for removable fixation of a housing of a hearing aid, and a hole for removable insertion of a sound tube of the hearing aid in sound proof engagement with the member. 
     Other and further aspects and features will be evident from reading the following detailed description of the embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate the design and utility of embodiments, in which similar elements are referred to by common reference numerals. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In order to better appreciate how the advantages and objects described herein are obtained, a more particular description of the embodiments will be rendered, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only typical embodiments and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art BTE hearing aid with an earpiece, and the sound tube, 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of internal components of at test box, 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of internal components of at test box seen from another angle, 
         FIG. 4  shows various views of a new member, and 
         FIG. 5  is a photo of utilisation of a new member in a test box. 
         FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the new member containing the protective sheet. 
         FIG. 7  shows an embodiment in which multiple parts of the new member are shown individually and in combination. 
         FIG. 8  shows an embodiment where the fastener is embodied as a clamp. 
         FIG. 9  shows an embodiment, wherein the new member encloses the guiding member (comprising a 2 cc coupler). 
         FIG. 10  shows an embodiment of the guiding member  52  in  FIGS. 2 and 3  together with the new member of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. The claimed invention may be embodied in different forms not shown in the accompanying drawings, and the claimed invention should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated. 
     The new member will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various examples are shown. 
       FIG. 1  shows in perspective a BTE hearing aid  110  of the well-known type wherein sound signals propagate as acoustic signals from a receiver positioned in a hearing aid housing  112  worn behind the ear and through a sound tube  114  into the ear canal. Such a BTE hearing aid  110  is for example disclosed in EP 1 448 014. 
     The hearing aid housing  112  contains a battery, a microphone, a processor, and a receiver (not shown) for generating sound that is input into the sound tube  114 . 
     In order to position the sound tube  114  securely and comfortably in the ear canal, an earpiece  116  is attached to the sound tube  114  for insertion into the ear canal of the user. 
     The sound tube  114  has a pre-formed shape for conducting sound from the hearing aid housing  112  to the ear canal (not shown). The pre-formed shape of the sound tube  114  includes a first bend  118  extending from the case over the top of the ear of the user and a second bend  120  extending from an outside of the ear into an ear canal of the user when the hearing aid  110  is worn by the user. 
     The earpiece  116  is configured to fit within the ear canal and, preferably, allows sounds outside and within the ear to pass through the ear canal around the earpiece. 
     A first end of the sound tube  114  is attached to a first connector  122  for coupling of the sound tube  114  to the BTE housing  112  containing the electronics of the hearing aid  110 , and a second end of the sound tube  114  is attached to a second connector  124  for coupling of the sound tube  114  to the earpiece  116 . The sound tube  114  is flexible so that the sound tube  114  is allowed to bend and provide the required arcuate propagation path of the sound from the receiver output. 
     The second connector  124  comprises a plug to be connected with the earpiece  116  for attachment of the sound tube  114  to the earpiece. 
     Further, the hearing aid  110  has an arcuate, preferably resilient, fibre  126  with one end that is connected to the second connector  124 . The fibre  126  is adapted for abutting a surface of the outer ear when the earpiece  116  has been inserted in the ear canal thereby providing retention of the earpiece  116  in the ear canal of the user. 
     From different viewing angles,  FIGS. 2 and 3  show internal parts mounted in a test box for quality control and/or for adjustment of hearing aids. The walls of the test box have been left out so that the internal parts are visible. 
     The test box  50  comprises a test microphone (not visible) positioned below a guiding member  52  possibly comprising a 2 cc coupler, for reception and recording sound output by the hearing aid  110  to be tested. 
     The member  10  is positioned at the upper end of the guiding member  52  and, except for the hole  14 , closes the upper end of the guiding member  52  in a soundproof manner by insertion of a protrusion  24  inside the guiding member  52 . 
     The hearing aid housing  112  is positioned on a planar adhesive surface  16  of the member  10  and the second connector  124  of the sound tube  114  is inserted into the hole  14  of the member  10  in a soundproof way and thereby sound output by the hearing aid  110  is transmitted without disturbances to the test microphone of the test box. 
     The adhesive is a reusable, pressure-sensitive adhesive so that the hearing aid housing  112  is easily and safely fixed to the adhesive surface  16  simply by pressing the housing  112  lightly onto the adhesive surface  16 . 
     Further, the adhesive of the adhesive surface is preferably a low-tack adhesive that allows the hearing aid housing  112  to be easily attached to and removed from the adhesive surface  16  without leaving marks or residue on the hearing aid housing  112 . 
     In order to protect the adhesive surface  16  from contamination and to maintain the desired adhesive features of the adhesive surface  16  during storage, the adhesive surface  16  is preferably provided with a protection sheet during manufacture of the member. The protection sheet is easily removed from the adhesive surface  16  before fixation of the hearing aid housing  112  to the adhesive surface  16 . 
     The adhesive may for example be formed by a double coated foam tape as for example manufactured by 3M. 
     When the test has been finished, the second connector  124  is easily retracted from the hole  14 , and the hearing aid housing  112  is easily removed from the adhesive surface  16 . The member  10  may be re-used for testing of another hearing aid; or, the member  10  may be discarded after use. 
     A front loudspeaker  54  and a rear loudspeaker  56  are positioned in the test box to generate sound during the test for reception and processing by the hearing aid  110  to be tested and the sound output by the hearing aid  110  is guided towards the test microphone. A reference microphone (not visible) is positioned at the end of a flexible hose  58  containing electrical wires for transmission of electrical signals from the reference microphone, so that the reference microphone can be positioned adjacent a microphone of the hearing aid  110  to be tested in order to measure the actual level of the sound received by the hearing aid  110 . 
     The test box  50  is sound proof so that sound from the surroundings is prevented from interfering with the testing of the hearing aid  110 . 
     Thus, the member  10  facilitates easy and convenient soundproof interconnection of a sound output of a BTE hearing aid  110  with a guiding member for guiding sound output by the hearing aid to the test microphone in the test box  50  and simultaneous fixation of the hearing aid housing  112  in an appropriate position in the test box  50  with relation to loudspeakers and the reference microphone in the test box thereby facilitating repeatable measurements. 
       FIG. 5  shows a photograph of a test box containing a guiding member  52 , a hearing aid housing  112  and sound tube  114 , a new member having an adhesive surface  16 , and a loudspeaker  54 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the member  10  in more detail in various side and elevational views and in perspective and cross-section, i.e.  FIG. 4( a )  is a bottom view of the member  10 ,  FIG. 4( b )  is a top view of the member,  FIG. 4( c )  is a side view of the member,  FIG. 4( d )  shows a bottom view of the member  10  in perspective, and  FIG. 4( e )  shows the part  22  made of flexible material in cross-section.  FIG. 6  shows an image of the member  10  comprising a protective sheet  18  removably positioned on an adhesive surface to be removed before fixation of the housing  112  to the member  10 . 
     The illustrated member  10  has the shape of a circular disc with protrusions and depressions and an outer circumference  20 . The hole  14  of the member  10  is formed centrally in the member  10 , and a part  22  of the member  10  accommodating the hole  14  is made of a flexible, resilient thermoplastic elastomer, so that the circumference of the hole  14  is flexible and may expand and automatically fit to the second connector  124  of the sound tube  114  when the sound tube  114  is inserted in the hole  14 , whereby the output end of the sound tube  114  is connected to the member  10  in a sound proof way and in a simple and easy operation without the need for applying further material, such as Blu Tack, for provision of a sound proof interconnection. 
     The central part  22  of the member made by a flexible and resilient thermoplastic elastomer is surrounded and held by a part of the member made of the hard material ABS. 
     The member  10  is made by injection moulding. 
     The two parts of the member  10  are fixed to each other by injection moulding one part onto the other part. 
     The member  10  has a central protrusion  24  comprising the hole  14 , wherein the central protrusion  24  is configured for insertion into a guiding member  52  in a sound proof way for conduction of sound emitted from the sound tube  114  inside the tubular member  52  towards the test microphone. 
     The central protrusion  24  may have a circumferential ridge  34  protruding from the circumferential surface  36  abutting a surface of the guiding member  52  when the member  10  is mounted to the guiding member  52 , whereby the member  10  and the guiding member  52  are interconnected with a press fit (snap fit). In an embodiment, the guiding member  52  may have a groove matching the ridge  34  of the member  10  such that when the central protrusion  24  is inserted into the guiding member  52 , the ridge  34  of the central protrusion  24  and the groove of the guiding member  52  may act as a tongue and groove. In an embodiment, the guiding member comprises a groove in which an O-ring may be contained such that when the central protrusion  24  is inserted into the guiding member  52 , the ridge  34  of the central protrusion  24  and O-ring in the groove of the guiding member  52  may interconnect in a sound proof manner. 
     The member  10  has a central depression  26  comprising the hole  14  whereby the surface of the part of the member comprising the hole  14  is separated from the surface of the adhesive surface  16  whereby mutually non-interfering mounting is facilitated of the hearing aid housing  112  to the member  10  and the second connector  124  of the sound tube  114  in the hole  14  of the member  10 . 
     Part of the central depression  26  surrounding the flexible material with the hole  14  is made of the hard material ABS. The surface of the central depression  22  is non-adhesive. 
     In  FIG. 4( b ) , the central depression  26  defines an outer circumference  32  of the non-adhesive flexible and resilient surface  22 . Reference  12  in  FIG. 4( b )  may be a fastener such as an adhesive surface  16 . 
       FIG. 4( c )  shows the hard material such as ABS in reference  99 . 
     In  FIG. 4( e ) , the inserted second connector  124  of the sound tube  114  is inserted such that it is flush with an end  98  of the member  10  facing the microphone positioned in the guiding member  52 . Thereby is achieved a reproducible distance between the inserted second connector and the microphone positioned in the guiding member  52 . 
       FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the member  10  containing a protective sheet  18 . The hard material part is shown as reference  99 . The outer circumference of the member is referenced  20 . The flexible material part is reference  22 . The protrusion of the member is reference  24 , and the central depression of the member is referenced  26 . 
       FIG. 7  shows parts of the member  10  individually and in combination in perspective.  FIG. 7( a )  shows a protective sheet  18 .  FIG. 7( b )  shows a double coated foam tape  97  providing at one side an adhesive surface  16  and at another side, opposite to the adhesive surface  16 , a second adhesive surface for fixing the double coated foam tape  97  to a surface  716  of the hard material part  99  of the member  10 .  FIG. 7( c )  shows a hard material part  99  of the member  10 , a flexible material part  22  of the member  10  and a hole  14 . The holes  96  placed in a concentric circle in the hard material part  99  of the member  10  are in an embodiment provided to prevent suction in the hard material part  99 .  FIG. 7( d )  shows an embodiment of the member  10  comprising the protective sheet  18 , the double coated foam tape  97 , the hard material part  99 , the flexible material part  22 , and the hole  14 . 
       FIG. 8  shows the member  10  in more detail in various side and perspective views in an embodiment wherein the fastener comprises mechanical fastening means for removably gripping and holding the hearing aid housing around a part of the housing. In this embodiment, the fastener is embodied as a clamp  12 . In  FIG. 8 ,  52  represents the guiding member,  112  the hearing aid housing and  116  the earpiece inserted into the hole  14  in a soundproof manner. 
       FIG. 9  shows an embodiment, wherein the member  10  encloses the guiding member  52  in various side and perspective and cross-sectional views. In this embodiment, the guiding member  52  is inserted into the member  10  which thereby encloses the guiding member  52  in a sound proof manner when a earpiece  116  of a hearing aid is inserted into the hole  14  of the member  10 . In this embodiment,  112  represents the housing,  114  represents the sound tube,  116  represents the earpiece,  99  represents the hard material part of the member  10 ,  16  represents the adhesive material surface,  22  represents the flexible and resilient part of the member  10 ,  80  represents the test microphone,  81  represents a 2 cc volume i.e. a 2 cubic centimeter volume of a 2 cc coupler contained in the guiding member  52 . 
     The member  10  comprises a circumferential protrusion  924  made of the same material as the hard material part  99 . The guiding member  52  is inserted into the member  10 . In an embodiment, the guiding member  52  comprises a groove  934  in which an O-ring may be contained. Thereby, an inner surface of the circumferential protrusion  924  and the guiding member  52  may interconnect in a sound proof manner via the O-ring, when the member  10  encloses the guiding member  52 . 
     In an embodiment, the protrusion  924  may comprise a circumferential ridge  934  corresponding to the O-ring above. The circumferential ridge  934  may protrude from the inner surface of the circumferential protrusion  924 . In this embodiment, the guiding member  52  comprises a groove matching the ridge of the protrusion  924  such that when the member  10  encloses the guiding member  52 , the ridge  934  of the outer circumferential protrusion  924  and the groove of the guiding member  52  may act as a tongue and groove. 
       FIG. 10  shows an embodiment of the guiding member  52  of  FIGS. 2 and 3  together with the new member of  FIG. 4  in cross-sectional view. 
       14  represents the hole in the new member  10 ,  16  represents the adhesive surface,  22  represents the flexible and resilient material part,  99  represents the hard material part,  81  represents the 2 cubic centimeter volume of the 2 cc coupler of the guiding member  52 ,  1005  represents a housing containing the test microphone  80 ,  1002  represents a part of the housing  1005  containing the test microphone  80 ,  1003  represents a volume/space for wires and/or cables from the microphone  80  to the test box, the connection between which is accommodated by a connector  1006 ,  1004  represents an O-ring providing sound proof connection between the housing  1005  containing the test microphone  80  and the test box,  1001  represents a coupler between the two cubic centimeter volume  81  and the test microphone  80 ,  1007  represents fixation means for fixing the microphone  80  to the housing  1005  such as e.g. tape and/or glue and/or a clamp.  934  represents the sound proof interconnection between the member  10  and the 2 cc coupler part of guiding member  52 . 
     In an embodiment, the O-ring  1004  may be substituted by a ridge in the housing  1005  matching a groove in the test box in a tongue and groove manner such as to ensure a sound proof connection between the housing  1005  and the test box. 
     Aspects of one or more embodiments are disclosed in the following items: 
     1. A member ( 10 ) with a fastener ( 12 ) for removable fixation of a housing ( 112 ) of a hearing aid ( 110 ), and a hole ( 14 ) for removable insertion of a sound tube ( 114 ) of the hearing aid ( 110 ) in sound proof engagement with the member ( 10 ). 
     2. A member ( 10 ) according to item 1, wherein the fastener ( 12 ) comprises an adhesive. 
     3. A member ( 10 ) according to item 2, wherein the fastener ( 12 ) comprises a planar adhesive surface ( 16 ). 
     4. A member ( 10 ) according to item 3, with a protection sheet ( 18 ) removably positioned on the adhesive surface ( 16 ) to be removed before fixation of the housing ( 112 ). 
     5. A member ( 10 ) according to any of the previous items, wherein at least a part of the member ( 10 ) accommodating the hole ( 14 ) is made of a resilient material so that the hole ( 14 ) is flexible and may expand and adapt to the sound tube ( 114 ) when the sound tube ( 114 ) is inserted in the hole ( 14 ). 
     6. A member ( 10 ) according to item 5, wherein the resilient material is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, silicone, and rubber. 
     7. A member ( 10 ) according to item 5 or 6, wherein a part of the member ( 10 ) defining an outer circumference ( 20 ) of the member ( 10 ) is made of a hard material, and wherein the part ( 22 ) of the member made of resilient material is fixed to the hard material. 
     8. A member ( 10 ) according to item 7, wherein the part of the member ( 10 ) made of a hard material encloses the part ( 22 ) of the member made of resilient material. 
     9. A member ( 10 ) according to item 7 or 8, wherein the adhesive surface ( 16 ) is contained on a surface of the member ( 10 ) made of hard material. 
     10. A member ( 10 ) according to any of items 7-9, wherein the hard material is selected from the group consisting of ABS, PC/ABS, nylon, and PA. 
     11. A member ( 10 ) according to item 10, wherein the hard material is ABS and the resilient material is a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     12. A member ( 10 ) according to any of the previous items, wherein at least a part of the member ( 10 ) is made by injection moulding. 
     13. A member ( 10 ) according to item 12, wherein the resilient material is fixed to the hard material by injection moulding the resilient material onto the hard material. 
     14. A member ( 10 ) according to any of the previous items, wherein the member ( 10 ) is a planar member ( 10 ) with a maximum height that is less than half its maximum width. 
     15. A member ( 10 ) according to item 14, wherein the member ( 10 ) is substantially circular. 
     16. A member ( 10 ) according to any of the previous items, having a central protrusion ( 24 ) comprising the hole ( 14 ), and wherein the central protrusion ( 24 ) is configured for insertion into a tubular member for conduction of sound emitted from the sound tube ( 114 ) inside the tubular member. 
     17. A member ( 10 ) according to any of the previous items, having a central depression ( 26 ) comprising the hole ( 14 ). 
     18. A member ( 10 ) according to item 17 as dependent on item 5, wherein part ( 28 ) of the central depression is made of the hard material. 
     19. A member ( 10 ) according to item 17 or 18, wherein the central depression ( 26 ) is non-adhesive. 
     20. A member ( 10 ) according to any of items 17-19, wherein the central depression ( 26 ) defines an inner circumference ( 30 ) of the adhesive surface ( 16 ). 
     21. A member ( 10 ) according to any of items 17-19, wherein the central depression defines an outer circumference ( 32 ) of a non-adhesive surface ( 16 ). 
     22. A member ( 10 ) according to item 20 or 22, wherein the inner circumference ( 30 ) is substantially circular.