Patent Description:
To attach a sound processor of a hearing aid on the head of a user via a magnet solution, it is required to provide different magnet strengths. Patients using the hearing device may have different skin thicknesses. Therefore, the required magnet strength for attaching a sound processor on the head of the patient is a trade-off between keeping the sound processor on the head and keeping the patient safe. Using too strong magnet strength might influence the blood flow or injure the patients.

Therefore, there is a need to provide a solution that allows for preventing patients to get injured by a magnet strength while keeping the sound processor safely attached to the head of a user.

Furthermore, when using a hearing aid (e.g., when changing a battery of a hearing aid), a locking mechanism is used several times and thereby becomes worn, which results in a noticeable play in the locking mechanism. Locking the battery lid with a magnet may prevent the play in the battery system. The battery lid may be closed always without any play.

Document <CIT> describes a magnet positioning in an external device. Document <CIT> describes a modular speech processor headpiece. Document <CIT> describes headpieces and implantable cochlear stimulation systems including headpieces. Document <CIT> describes a hearing aid for placement on the head of a user.

According to an aspect, a hearing aid for placement on the head of a user is provided. The hearing aid comprises a first part comprising an acoustic input transducer adapted to convert an ambient sound picked up at an ear of the user to an electric signal, a signal processor adapted to process the electric signal according to specifications of the user into a processed electric signal, and an output transducer adapted to convert the processed electric signal into a transmission signal. Furthermore, the hearing aid comprises a second part linkable to said first part by magnetic forces and comprising a receiver adapted to receive the transmission signal and convert the transmission signal to an output signal perceivable as sound by the user. The first part further comprises a receptacle adapted to receive an insert element. The insert element comprises at least one protrusion configured for engaging with a recess of said first part by rotating the insert element relative to said first part.

The first part of the hearing aid comprises a receptacle adapted to receive an insert element, wherein the insert element comprises at least one protrusion configured for engaging with a recess of said first part by rotating the insert element relative to said first part. By rotating the insert element relative to the first part of the hearing aid, the insert element is secured by the engaging of its protrusion(s) with the recess(es) of the first element.

According to the aspect, said output transducer comprises a transmission coil configured to inductively transmit said transmission signal to a reception coil in said receiver of said second part, and said receptacle is arranged in said first part such that said transmission coil surrounds said insert element.

According to yet another aspect, the insert element has a cylindrical shape, and the receptacle of the first part has a cylindrical shape corresponding to the cylindrical shape of the insert element.

By ensuring that the shape of the insert element corresponds to the shape of the first part it is secured that the insert element perfectly matches in the receptacle of the first part. According to another aspect, the insert element comprises a plate on a first axial end surface extending in a radial direction beyond the cylindrical surface of the insert element, wherein the plate is configured to be flush with a head contacting surface of the first part. According to yet another aspect, the insert element and the first part comprises protrusions and recesses to form a bayonet connection.

According to another aspect, the at least one protrusion of the insert element is provided on a second axial end surface of the insert element protruding away from the insert element in an axial direction and forming a bayonet claw.

According to yet another aspect, more than one protrusion is provided on the insert element and the protrusions are equally spaced apart from each other in a circular direction. According to another aspect, the insert element and the first part are connectable by means of a male/female thread to be screwed together.

According to the aspect, the connection between the insert element and the first part comprises at least one groove extending in an axial direction along the peripheral surface of the insert element or the first part. The first part or the insert element comprises at least one resilient rib arranged on the outer peripheral surface and the at least one resilient rib is configured to engage with the at least one groove when the insert element is positioned in the receptacle of the first part, wherein the resilient rib is adapted to be pushed out from the groove when rotating the insert element. The resilient rib may be adapted to be pushed out from the groove when rotating the insert element to a second position which is different from a first position where the resilient rib is arranged within the groove.

According to another aspect, the rotation of the insert element is locked by inserting the resilient rib into one of the at least one grooves.

According to yet another aspect, the insert element is introduced into the receptacle from the head side of the first part.

According to another aspect, the insert element is a magnet module consisting of a magnet holder preferably made of plastic, a seal ring and a magnet.

By using an insert element as a magnet module, the magnet module becomes an interchangeable part. By the use of a seal ring, it is ensured that no dirt enters from the skin side of the hearing aid into the magnet module.

According to yet another aspect, the magnet is column shaped.

According to another aspect, an outer shape of the magnet is equal to an inner shape of the magnet holder and wherein the magnet is glued into the magnet holder.

By using an outer shape of the magnet, which is equal to an inner shape of the magnet holder the magnet is guided in the hearing aid. Moreover, by gluing the magnet into the magnet holder, the magnet is also secured in the hearing aid.

According to yet another aspect, the magnet is solid or has an inner hole extending in the axial direction of the column shape, wherein the diameter of the hole is selected, so as to set the overall magnet strength.

Varying the diameter of the hole of the magnet allows for varying the overall magnetic strength of the insert element, and thereby ensuring the safety of the user of a hearing aid.

However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practised without these specific details.

A hearing device may include a hearing aid that is adapted to improve or augment the hearing capability of a user by receiving an acoustic signal from a user's surroundings, generating a corresponding audio signal, possibly modifying the audio signal and providing the possibly modified audio signal as an audible signal to at least one of the user's ears. The "hearing device" may further refer to a device such as an earphone or a headset adapted to receive an audio signal electronically, possibly modifying the audio signal and providing the possibly modified audio signals as an audible signal to at least one of the user's ears. Such audible signals may be provided in the form of an acoustic signal radiated into the user's outer ear, or an acoustic signal transferred as mechanical vibrations to the user's inner ears through bone structure of the user's head and/or through parts of middle ear of the user or electric signals transferred directly or indirectly to cochlear nerve and/or to auditory cortex of the user.

The hearing device is adapted to be worn in any known way. This may include i) arranging a unit of the hearing device behind the ear with a tube leading air-borne acoustic signals into the ear canal or with a receiver/ loudspeaker arranged close to or in the ear canal such as in a Behind-the-Ear type hearing aid, and/ or ii) arranging the hearing device entirely or partly in the pinna and/ or in the ear canal of the user such as in a In-the-Ear type hearing aid or In-the-Canal/ Completely-in-Canal type hearing aid, or iii) arranging a unit of the hearing device attached to a fixture implanted into the skull bone such as in Bone Anchored Hearing Aid or Cochlear Implant, or iv) arranging a unit of the hearing device as an entirely or partly implanted unit such as in Bone Anchored Hearing Aid or Cochlear Implant.

A "hearing system" refers to a system comprising one or two hearing devices, and a "binaural hearing system" refers to a system comprising two hearing devices where the devices are adapted to cooperatively provide audible signals to both of the user's ears. The hearing system or binaural hearing system may further include auxiliary device(s) that communicates with at least one hearing device, the auxiliary device affecting the operation of the hearing devices and/or benefitting from the functioning of the hearing devices. A wired or wireless communication link between the at least one hearing device and the auxiliary device is established that allows for exchanging information (e.g. control and status signals, possibly audio signals) between the at least one hearing device and the auxiliary device. Such auxiliary devices may include at least one of remote controls, remote microphones, audio gateway devices, mobile phones, public-address systems, car audio systems or music players or a combination thereof. The audio gateway is adapted to receive a multitude of audio signals such as from an entertainment device like a TV or a music player, a telephone apparatus like a mobile telephone or a computer, a PC. The audio gateway is further adapted to select and/or combine an appropriate one of the received audio signals (or combination of signals) for transmission to the at least one hearing device. The remote control is adapted to control functionality and operation of the at least one hearing devices. The function of the remote control may be implemented in a SmartPhone or other electronic device, the SmartPhone/ electronic device possibly running an application that controls functionality of the at least one hearing device.

In general, a hearing device includes i) an input unit such as a microphone for receiving an acoustic signal from a user's surroundings and providing a corresponding input audio signal, and/or ii) a receiving unit for electronically receiving an input audio signal. The hearing device further includes a signal processing unit for processing the input audio signal and an output unit for providing an audible signal to the user in dependence on the processed audio signal.

The input unit may include multiple input microphones, e.g. for providing direction-dependent audio signal processing. Such directional microphone system is adapted to enhance a target acoustic source among a multitude of acoustic sources in the user's environment. In one aspect, the directional system is adapted to detect (such as adaptively detect) from which direction a particular part of the microphone signal originates. This may be achieved by using conventionally known methods. The signal processing unit may include amplifier that is adapted to apply a frequency dependent gain to the input audio signal. The signal processing unit may further be adapted to provide other relevant functionality such as compression, noise reduction, etc. The output unit may include an output transducer such as a loudspeaker/ receiver for providing an air-borne acoustic signal transcutaneously or percutaneously to the skull bone or a vibrator for providing a structure-borne or liquid-borne acoustic signal. In some hearing devices, the output unit may include one or more output electrodes for providing the electric signals such as in a Cochlear Implant.

Now referring to <FIG>, which illustrates, in top view, a first part <NUM> of a hearing aid according to an aspect of the disclosure. The shown shape of the first part <NUM> of the hearing aid is an example only, and other shapes may be possible. In the embodiment, the first part <NUM> has the form of a flattened drop having a round bodied upper part and a thinner, tapering lower part. Both parts are seamlessly integrated with each other. Moreover, in the middle of the round bodied upper part a top cover is provided, covering e.g., the circuitry of the first part. In addition, the top cover is configured to be flush with the remaining body of the upper part of the first part <NUM>. The first part <NUM>, which is for example a sound processor, of the hearing aid is attached to the head of a user of the hearing aid. The first part comprises an acoustic input transducer (not shown), which converts a sound into an electric signal. The sound is picked up at an ear of the user. Furthermore, the first part <NUM> comprises a signal processor (not shown), which processes the electric signal according to specifications of the user into a processed signal. Moreover, the first part <NUM> comprises an output transducer (not shown), which converts the processed electric signal into a transmission signal. The transmission signal is then transmitted to a second part (not shown) of the hearing aid. The second part (e.g., an internal processor of the hearing aid and the like) is implanted into the head of a user, wherein the second part comprises a receiver receiving the transmission signal from the first part <NUM> of the hearing aid. Furthermore, the second part converts the received transmission signal to an output signal, which is perceivable as sound by the user.

The output transducer of the first part <NUM> comprises a transmission coil, which is configured to inductively transmit the transmission signal to a reception coil in the receiver of the second part.

<FIG> illustrates a bottom view of the first part <NUM> of the hearing aid according to the embodiment, wherein an insert element <NUM> is mounted into a receptacle <NUM> (e.g., an available space) of the first part <NUM>. The receptacle <NUM> is arranged in the first part <NUM> of the hearing aid such that the transmission coil of the first part surrounds the insert element <NUM>. The illustrated surface of the first part <NUM> faces the head (skin) of the user. In other words, the insert element <NUM> is introduced into the receptacle <NUM> from the head side of the first part <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view on the first part <NUM> of the hearing aid according to the embodiment.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view on the insert element <NUM> according to the embodiment. The insert element <NUM> has a cylindrical shape and comprises three protrusions <NUM> (in the following commonly referred to as protrusion <NUM>). Each protrusion <NUM> is configured for engaging with a recess <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG>) of the first part <NUM> of the hearing aid by rotating the insert element <NUM> relative to the first part <NUM>. Furthermore, the protrusion <NUM> is provided on a (upper) axial end surface of the insert element <NUM> and protrudes away from the insert element <NUM> in an axial direction. In addition, one or plural protrusions <NUM> may be provided on the insert element <NUM>, wherein the protrusions <NUM> may be equally spaced apart from each other in a circular direction. Furthermore, each protrusion <NUM> may form a bayonet claw. In an embodiment, the insert element <NUM> is a magnet module consisting of a magnet holder <NUM>, which is preferably made of plastic, a seal ring <NUM> (e.g., an O-ring) and a magnet <NUM>. The seal ring <NUM> suppresses dirt from entering on the skin side of the first part <NUM>. The outer shape of the magnet <NUM> is equal to an inner shape of the magnet holder <NUM>. Furthermore, the magnet <NUM> is glued into the magnet holder <NUM>. The use of an inner shape of the magnet holder <NUM>, which is equal to an outer shape of the magnet <NUM>, allows to guide and secure the magnet <NUM> in the magnet holder <NUM>. In addition, gluing the magnet <NUM> into the magnet holder <NUM> may even enhance the security. Moreover, the insert element <NUM> of the embodiment comprises two grooves 24a, 24b extending in an axial direction along the peripheral surface of the insert element <NUM>. Furthermore, the insert element <NUM> comprises a plate <NUM> on another (lower) axial end surface. The plate <NUM> extends in a radial direction beyond the cylindrical surface of the insert element <NUM>. The plate <NUM> is thereby configured to be flush with a head contacting surface <NUM> of the first part <NUM> of the hearing aid. Together with the cylindrical wall and the plate <NUM>, the cup-shape of the insert element <NUM> is defined. Moreover, the plate <NUM> has a notch <NUM> on its outer edge. The notch may allow for use of a service tool <NUM> to lock the insert element <NUM> into the receptacle <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a bottom view of the first part <NUM> of the hearing aid with the receptacle <NUM> and the non-inserted insert element <NUM> according to the embodiment. The insert element <NUM> is inserted into the receptacle <NUM> from the head side of the first part <NUM>. After the insertion, the insert element <NUM> firstly remains unlocked in the first part <NUM> of the hearing aid (<FIG>). In this position, the groove 24a is engaged with a rib <NUM>, which will be described with respect to <FIG>.

Then, by the use of the service tool <NUM>, the insert element <NUM> is rotated (e.g., by inserting the service tool <NUM> into the notch) and thereby fixed into the first part <NUM> of the hearing aid (<FIG>). After rotating, the other groove 24b is engaged with the rib <NUM>.

In order to vary the overall magnetic strength of the insert element <NUM>, the shape of the magnet <NUM> assembled in the magnet holder <NUM> may be changed. According to the embodiment the magnets <NUM> are designed as rings, except for the strongest (largest) magnet, which is a disc filling the complete space of the receptacle <NUM> of the magnet holder <NUM> (solid magnet), to provide the largest possible magnetic strength. The larger an inner diameter of the ring (e.g., the hole in the magnet), the smaller the remaining magnetic strength. In <FIG> cross sectional views of six example insert elements <NUM> with different magnet sizes are illustrated, wherein <FIG> shows a solid magnet (the magnet with the largest magnetic strength). In the order from <FIG>, the overall magnetic strength is decreasing, as the inner diameter of the ring is increasing. In this embodiment each magnet <NUM> may be column shaped.

However, it is possible to choose other magnet sizes, wherein the solid magnet remains the magnet with the largest possible magnetic strength. Other possible magnet sizes can be acquired by adapting the inner diameter of the magnet <NUM>, wherein the inner diameter does not interfere with anything in the assembly and thereby the assembly process of such a new magnet remains the same.

<FIG> illustrate example implementations of the insert element <NUM> with different magnets <NUM> varying in inner diameter, wherein the strength of the magnet is decreasing with the growth of the inner diameter. <FIG> illustrate another view of the example insert elements <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a view into the receptacle <NUM> of the first part <NUM> of the hearing aid according to the embodiment. The first part <NUM> of the hearing aid comprises the receptacle <NUM>, wherein the receptacle <NUM> has a cylindrical shape corresponding to the cylindrical shape of the insert element <NUM>. This allows an easy inserting of the insert element <NUM> into the receptacle <NUM> of the first part <NUM> and ensures a flush resulting surface. Further, the shape and size of the receptacle <NUM> substantially correspond to that of the transmission coil of the first part <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view on the insert element <NUM> according to the embodiment. In the following, an example assembly of the insert element <NUM> into the first part <NUM> is described.

According to the embodiment, the insert element <NUM> slides into the first part <NUM> using a resilient rib <NUM> (e.g., click feature) inside the first part <NUM> as a guide. In other words, the insert element <NUM> is inserted into the receptacle <NUM> while the groove 24a engages with the resilient rib <NUM>. The insert element <NUM> is inserted until the plate <NUM> comes to rest on the edge of the receptacle <NUM>, i.e., so as to be flush with the head contacting surface <NUM> of the first part <NUM>. By rotating the insert element <NUM> relative to the first part <NUM>, the recess <NUM> of the first part <NUM> engages with the protrusion <NUM>, thereby forming a bayonet connection. When the bayonet connection is established, the resilient rib <NUM> again assumes its initial position by entering the second groove 24b. In order for allow for the rotation of the insert element <NUM> relative to the first part <NUM>, the rib <NUM> is resilient, i.e., it is arranged so that it can retreat in radial direction. The rotation of the insert element <NUM> is thus locked by inserting (pushing out) the resilient rib <NUM> into the other groove 24b.

Since the rotation requires a certain torque for pushing the resilient rib <NUM> out of the way, the service tool <NUM> of <FIG> may be used to ease the rotation of the insert element <NUM>. When designing groove 24b with sidewalls extending in radial direction, one can provide the insert element <NUM> with an irreversible locking of the rotation position of the insert element <NUM>. With the groove 24b as shown in <FIG> the side walls of the grooves 24a, 24b are inclined, which allows for releasable locking.

Alternatively, the insert element <NUM> and the first part <NUM> may also be connected by means of a male/female thread to be screwed together. In this case, also the locking function may be used.

In an inverted arrangement, the connection between the insert element <NUM> and the first part <NUM> may comprise at least one groove extending in an axial direction along the peripheral surface of the insert element <NUM> or the first part <NUM>. The first part <NUM> or the insert element <NUM> may comprise at least one resilient rib <NUM> arranged on the outer peripheral surface. Furthermore, the at least one resilient rib <NUM> is configured to engage with the at least one groove 24a, 24b when the insert element <NUM> is positioned in the receptacle <NUM> of the first part <NUM>. Moreover, the resilient rib <NUM> is adapted to be pushed out from the groove 24a, 24b when rotating the insert element <NUM> towards its final position. In other words, the insert element <NUM> and/or the first part <NUM> may have complementary resilient ribs, grooves, protrusions and/or recesses. In summary, the same functions as described above can be obtained by this inverse arrangement.

With regard to the battery change, the present embodiment comprises a magnetic fixing of a battery lid, closing a battery compartment. For this the hearing aid comprising the first part <NUM> (e.g., a sound processor) with or without the receptacle <NUM> may be used. The sound processor <NUM> has a battery receptacle <NUM> and a battery lid <NUM> for closing the receptacle, wherein at least one of the sound processor <NUM> or the battery lid <NUM> is provided with at least one magnet <NUM>, <NUM> to fix the battery lid <NUM> in the closed position.

The sound processor <NUM> has a recess for receiving a magnet therein, which recess is closed to the outside by a magnet cap <NUM>.

Furthermore, the battery lid <NUM> is attractable by magnetic forces and adapted to slide over the battery receptacle <NUM> and being held in the closed position by forces of said magnet in the sound processor <NUM>.

In addition, the battery lid <NUM> has a recess for receiving a magnet plate <NUM> arranged to be opposite said magnet <NUM>, when the lid <NUM> is in closed position.

The magnet <NUM>, <NUM> can be positioned in either of the battery lid <NUM> and the sound processor <NUM>, while the other part has a magnetically attractable portion.

<FIG> illustrates a first part <NUM> of a hearing aid with closed battery lid <NUM> according to another embodiment of the disclosure. In <FIG>, the first part <NUM> of the hearing aid is illustrated with opened battery lid <NUM>. The battery lid <NUM> is designed such that it forms a smooth surface with the remainder of the first part <NUM>. The first part <NUM> comprises the battery receptacle <NUM>, which has a curved shape and converges closer to the radially outer end. In the front of the battery receptacle a recess is provided, configured to receive a magnet <NUM> or a magnetically attractable portion (e.g., a metal sheet). The middle axis of the recess extends substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the battery compartment. The recess including the magnet <NUM> may be closed by a magnet cap <NUM> of non-magnetic material, e.g., plastic. The battery lid <NUM> may also comprise a magnet plate <NUM>, which is attractable by magnet <NUM>. The magnet plate <NUM> can be a magnet itself or is of a ferromagnetic material.

If the first part <NUM> does not comprise a magnet <NUM>, only the battery lid <NUM> may comprise a magnet plate <NUM>. However, it is also possible, that both the first part <NUM> and the battery lid <NUM> each comprise a magnet. Moreover, in another embodiment, the battery lid <NUM> comprises a magnetically attractable portion and the first part <NUM> comprises the magnet <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the first part <NUM> of the hearing aid with a cross-sectional view in the battery lid area. The battery lid <NUM> is attracted by magnetic forces and slides over the battery receptacle <NUM> to close it. When closing the battery receptacle <NUM> the magnet plate <NUM> is positioned opposite to the magnet <NUM> of the first part <NUM>, wherein the magnet cap <NUM> is positioned between them. The battery lid <NUM> is held in the closed position by magnetic forces of the magnet <NUM> in the first part <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the first part <NUM> of the hearing aid with the battery lid <NUM> in exploded view showing the order of appearance of the elements of the magnet <NUM>, the magnet cap <NUM> and the magnet plate <NUM> with the battery lid <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A hearing aid for placement on the head of a user comprising:
a first part (<NUM>) comprising:
an acoustic input transducer adapted to convert an ambient sound picked up at an ear of the user to an electric signal,
a signal processor adapted to process the electric signal according to specifications of the user into a processed electric signal, and
an output transducer adapted to convert the processed electric signal into a transmission signal and transmit the transmission signal inductively, and the output transducer includes a transmission coil configured to inductively transmit said transmission signal, and
a second part linkable to said first part (<NUM>) by magnetic forces, and where the second part is configured to be implanted into the head of the user, and the second part comprising:
a receiver including a receiver coil adapted to receive the transmission signal inductively and convert the transmission signal to an output signal perceivable as sound by the user, and
wherein said first part (<NUM>) further comprises a receptable (<NUM>) adapted to receive an insert element (<NUM>), and where the receptable (<NUM>) is arranged in said first part such that said transmission coil surrounds said insert element, said insert element (<NUM>) comprising at least one protrusion (<NUM>) configured for engaging with a corresponding recess (<NUM>) of said first part (<NUM>) by rotating the insert element (<NUM>) relative to said first part (<NUM>), and said insert element (<NUM>) is a magnet module consisting of a magnet holder,
characterized in that the connection between the insert element (<NUM>) and the first part (<NUM>) comprises at least one groove (24a, 24b) extending in an axial direction along a peripheral surface of the insert element (<NUM>) or the first part (<NUM>) and wherein the first part (<NUM>) or the insert element (<NUM>) comprises at least one resilient rib (<NUM>) arranged on an outer peripheral surface and wherein the at least one resilient rib (<NUM>) is configured to engage with the at least one groove (24a, 24b) when the insert element (<NUM>) is positioned in the receptacle (<NUM>) of the first part (<NUM>), wherein the at least one resilient rib (<NUM>) is adapted to be pushed out from the at least one groove (24a, 24b) when rotating the insert element (<NUM>).