Patent Description:
Hearing device technology has progressed in recent years. First generation hearing devices were primarily Behind-The-Ear (BTE) devices. BTE devices generally include an acoustic tube connecting an externally mounted device to a molded shell placed within the ear. Now, with the advancement of component miniaturization, In-The-Ear (ITE) and Completely-In-The-Canal (CIC) hearing devices are in greater use. These devices fit within the ear canal and are mostly hidden from an external view. Furthermore, Receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing devices have also gained popularity in recent years, where RIC receivers are placed in ear canal and the receiver is attached via a wire to an external device that powers and controls the receiver.

With all of these hearing devices, one factor that can determine whether a user is willing to wear the hearing device is the fit. The fit of the hearing device is how well it fits and feels in a user's ear canal or around a user's ear. Whether a hearing device has a good or bad fit can be based on the anatomy and structure of a user's ear. Determining a good fit for a hearing device can be difficult because the shape and structure, or morphology, of an ear canal varies from person to person although some characteristics are common to all individuals, e.g., such as an ear canal with a first and second curve.

Because the anatomy of the ear canal varies from person to person, hearing device manufacturers and audiologists have employed custom manufactured devices to fit the dimensions of each user's ear canal. This frequently requires taking impressions of the user's ear canal. The resulting impression is then used to fabricate a rigid hearing device shell.

One way of improving fit rate for a hearing device is angling a spout as described in German Patent <CIT>, and titled "Earpiece for a Hearing Aid. " The German Patent describes a receiver with a spout, where the spout is angled relative to the body of a receiver. The disclosed hearing aid in the German Patent can improve a fit rate for a hearing device user.

However, hearing device users can still be unsatisfied with a fit if other parts of the hearing device pressure the interior or exterior of an ear because of the size, position, or length of a hearing device component. Accordingly, there remains a need for reliable methods and systems for improving a fit rate for a hearing device. <CIT> discloses an earpiece for a binaural hearing instrument accommodating a signal processing facility, a receiver, and an antenna. A distal section of the earpiece houses the signal processing facility and the receiver which are spatially separated. The distal section is also spatially separated from a proximal section housing the antenna. When the earpiece is inserted into the ear canal, the antenna is arranged in the region of the second bend or proximally thereto in the auditory canal such that the signal processing facility, the receiver, and the antenna are angled relative to one another when extending between the first and second bend. The antenna is then positioned closest to the eardrum, the signal processing facility has the largest distance from the eardrum, and the receiver is positioned in between the antenna and the signal processing facility. The antenna has a distal opening and a proximal opening through which a sound channel is fed through. <CIT> discloses a module for installing in a hearing aid comprising a receiver and a sound channel surrounded by a beaker-shaped mount carrying a nozzle having an end adapted to mount an earmold. The receiver may be angled relative to the sound channel at an angle of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> degrees. <CIT> discloses an in-ear utility device including a variety of sensors, e.g., an accelerometer sensor, which may be included in an electronic component package.

Hearing device designers want to include more sensors in a hearing device to enable sensing of health data near the ear or within the ear canal. However, as the number of components inside of a hearing device or an earpiece for a hearing device increases, it can become more difficult to fit a hearing device or earpiece in or around an ear because of the limited space. For example, if an earpiece includes a sensor and a receiver, where the sensor and the receiver are positioned such that the back of the receiver is physically coupled to the front of a sensor, the combination of the components is a long straight component. The length and straightness of this component may not fit well in an ear canal because the ear canal has curves.

Accordingly, the disclosed technology includes a hearing device or earpiece and a method for making that hearing device or earpiece such that it improves the fit of the hearing device or earpiece. An earpiece generally refers to a component or instrument that is placed against or inserted (partially or completely) into an outer opening of an ear or ear canal. For example, a RIC hearing aid can have an earpiece, where the earpiece includes a receiver that can be positioned in the ear canal and other components of the RIC are positioned outside of the ear canal. Alternatively, the earpiece can be an ITE or other in the ear device without components that are positioned outside the ear canal.

The earpiece can be part of a hearing device or be the entire hearing device. The earpiece comprises: an electronic package; a receiver configured to output audio signals (e.g., a loudspeaker or component to output audio signals); wherein the electronic package and the receiver are positioned at an angle alpha (α) relative to each other, where the angle alpha (α) is based on a difference between an axis of the electronic package relative to an axis of the receiver and the angle alpha (α) is between <NUM>-<NUM> degrees, preferably <NUM>-<NUM> degrees.

The receiver has a spout configured to provide sound based on the audio signals, wherein the spout is angled at an angle beta (β) relative to the axis of the receiver, where the angle beta (β) is based on a difference between the axis (e.g., central or main axis) of the receiver and an axis of the spout (e.g., central or main axis) and the angle (β) is <NUM>-<NUM> degrees, preferably <NUM>-<NUM> degrees, and most preferably <NUM> degrees. Because of the two bends based on alpha (α) and beta (beta), the electronic package and the receiver can be assembled in a single component, and wherein the single component has an S-shape. Optionally, the S-shape can be positioned within an ear canal such that it fits in a first and second bend of an ear canal. Further, optionally, the earpiece can have a housing that covers partially or completely the electronic package and the receiver, wherein the housing for the earpiece can have shape that varies according to the angle alpha (α).

The electronic package includes a sensor, wherein the sensor is a photoplethysmography (PPG), electroencephalography (EEG) sensor, electrocardiography (ECG) sensor, temperature sensor, an accelerometer, a humidity sensor, chemical sensor, proximity detector or a photo detector. The actuator can be, e.g., a receiver or an active vent configured to actuate for ventilation of the ear canal. The electronic package can have a single sensor, a single actuator, a sensor and an actuator, or multiple sensors and/or multiple actuators. The electronic package can also include electronic circuitry and be configured to communicate with other components of the hearing device.

Optionally, the electronic package and/or the receiver are configured to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise or adapt their angles relative to each other. For example, the electronic package and/or receiver can include a pin, gear, bearing, or other rotatable connector or component to enable the two components to rotate or move relative to each other. In such implementations, the wires and/or connections between the electronic package and receiver can be configured to avoid breaking or pressure during rotation. The components can be rotated or bent to, e.g., provide a different fit, curve, or angle.

Optionally, the hearing device can be a RIC hearing device, wherein the earpiece is part of the hearing device that is placed in the ear canal. Optionally, the hearing device can be a CIC hearing device, an ITE hearing device, or an earphone ("hearable device"), wherein the earpiece comprising the electronic package and the receiver that are placed within a housing of the CIC, ITE, or earphone.

The disclosed technology also includes a method for making the earpiece or hearing device, wherein the earpiece is the entire hearing device or part of the hearing device. The method includes receiving ear shape information; estimating a design of a housing configured to fit an ear shape; adjusting the design of the housing based on at least partially an angle (α) between <NUM>-<NUM> degrees, where the angle (α) is based on a difference between an axis of an electronic package relative to an axis of a receiver that will be placed inside the housing. Ear shape information can include anatomy information, slope/curve information, position of tissue or bones in or around the ear, and/or features of the ear canal and corresponding locations. The method also includes adjusting the design of the housing based on an angle beta (β) between <NUM>-<NUM> degrees relative to the axis of the receiver, where the angle beta (β) is based on a difference between the axis (e.g., central or main axis) of the receiver and an axis of the spout (e.g., central or main axis). The electronic package includes a sensor, wherein the sensor is a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, electroencephalography (EEG) sensor, electrocardiography (ECG) sensor, temperature sensor, an accelerometer, a humidity sensor, chemical sensor, proximity detector or a photo detector.

Optionally, the method can further comprise positioning, at least partially, the earpiece inside of an ear canal. The earpiece can be encapsulated within a housing and placed inside an ear canal, where the ear canal is associated with the ear shape information, wherein the ear shape information is at least partially based on an ear impression or an ear canal scan for a user.

Optionally, the method can include using an ear modeling program to enhance the design process and use the ear shape information to generate a housing for the earpiece. The method can also include taking a mold of an ear canal and generating a model of the ear based on a computer program or measuring optically the ear canal. A processor can carry out the method based on instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., the processor can implement software to execute the method as a computer-implemented method). Optionally, the method can include providing instructions to a hearing device professional for how to insert the earpiece into a person's ear (e.g., how far based on anatomy of the user's ear).

The foregoing aspects and the advantages of the disclosed will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Some components or operations may be separated into different blocks or combined into a single block for the purposes of discussion of some of the disclosed technology. Moreover, while the disclosed technology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific implementations have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the technology to the selected implementations described. Rather, the disclosed technology is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the technology as defined by the appended claims.

The following disclosure describes various embodiments of systems and associated methods for the hearing device.

<FIG> illustrates a communication environment <NUM>. The communication environment <NUM> includes hearing devices <NUM> (singular "hearing device <NUM>" or multiple "hearing devices <NUM>") and wireless communication devices <NUM> (singular "wireless communication device <NUM>" and multiple "wireless communication devices <NUM>").

A hearing device user can wear the hearing devices <NUM> and the hearing device is configured to provide audio to a hearing device user. A hearing device user can wear single hearing device <NUM> or two hearing devices <NUM>, where one hearing device <NUM> is on or in each ear. Some example hearing devices include hearing aids, headphones, earphones, earpieces, assistive listening devices, cochlear device or component, or any combination thereof, where at least a partial thereof resides in the ear canal. Hearing devices can also include both prescription devices and non-prescription devices configured to be worn on or near a human head.

In some implementations, the hearing device <NUM> is a hearing aid that provides amplification, attenuation, or frequency modification of audio signals to compensate for hearing loss or difficulty. Some example hearing aids include a BTE, RIC, ITE, CIC, or Invisible-in-the-Canal (IIC) hearing aids. In some implementations, one hearing device <NUM> can be a hearing aid and another hearing device <NUM> can be a cochlear hearing device, where the cochlear hearing device has a device component and an implant component.

The hearing devices <NUM> can be configured to binaurally communicate or bimodally communicate as shown by the double-headed black arrow <NUM>. The binaural communication can include a hearing device <NUM> transmitting information to or receiving information from another hearing device <NUM>. Information can include volume control, signal processing information (e.g., noise reduction, wind canceling, directionality such as beam forming information), or compression information to modify sound fidelity or resolution.

Binaural communication can be bidirectional (i.e.. , in both directions or between hearing devices) or unidirectional (e.g., one hearing device receiving or streaming information from another hearing device). Bimodal communication is like binaural communication, but bimodal communication includes two devices of a different type, e.g. a cochlear device communicating with a hearing aid. The hearing device can communicate to exchange information related to utterances or speech recognition. Communication can occur using a wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth™ or a proprietary protocol. Wireless communication can include using a protocol such as Bluetooth BR/EDR™, Bluetooth Low Energy™, a proprietary communication (e.g., binaural communication protocol between hearing aids based on NFMI or bimodal communication protocol between hearing devices), ZigBee™, Wi-Fi™, or an Industry of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) wireless communication standard.

The wireless communication devices <NUM> are computing devices that are configured to wirelessly communicate. Wireless communication includes wirelessly transmitting information, wirelessly receiving information, or both. The wireless communication devices <NUM> shown in <FIG> can include mobile computing devices (e.g., mobile phone), computers (e.g., desktop or laptop), televisions (TVs) or components in communication with television (e.g., TV streamer), a car audio system or circuitry within the car, tablet, an accessory electronic device, a wireless speaker, or watch. Also, as shown by double-headed bold arrows in <FIG>, the hearing devices <NUM> can communicate wirelessly, e.g., with a wireless communication device <NUM>. In some implementations, the hearing devices <NUM> include a sensor or sensors and these sensors measure data from the user's ear or ear canal. This measured information can be wirelessly communicated to the wireless communication device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view of off-axis components of an earpiece <NUM>, wherein the earpiece <NUM> can be a component of a hearing device <NUM> from <FIG> or the entire hearing device <NUM>. The earpiece <NUM> can have an electronic package <NUM> and a receiver <NUM>. The earpiece <NUM> can be positioned within an ear canal (e.g., near the ear drum) based the anatomy of the ear canal (e.g., determined from an impression or scan of the ear canal).

The electronic package <NUM> includes a sensor. The electronic package <NUM> may further include an actuator, and/or associated electronic circuitry. In some implementations, the electronic package <NUM> includes only a sensor. In other implementations, the electronic package <NUM> includes a sensor and an actuator. Determining whether to include a single sensor, or multiple sensors or at least one sensor and multiple actuators is based on the desired function of the hearing device. If the hearing device designer wants only an accelerometer to detect acceleration, then only an accelerometer is included; however, if the hearing device designer wants an accelerometer to detect acceleration and an active vent, then electronic package <NUM> can include both an accelerometer and an actuator to move the active vent (e.g., open and/or close).

The electronic package <NUM> can include a sensor for detecting or measuring health data. The sensor includes one or more of the following sensors: a photoplethysmography (PPG), electroencephalography (EEG) sensor, electrocardiography (ECG) sensor, temperature sensor, accelerometer, humidity sensor, chemical sensor, proximity detector or photo detector (e.g., to measure light, light intensity, or light frequency).

In some implementations, it may be an advantage to a have a sensor in the ear canal or at a particular position within the ear canal to detect health data that is better measured in the that location. For example, a humidity sensor may be more effective at measuring humidity in the ear canal when it placed closer to an ear drum <NUM>. As an another example, a PPG or EEG sensor may receive a better measurement when positioned at certain points along the ear canal, where the changes in electric or magnetic fields are easier to detect. The positioning can be based on whether it is easier to detect a desired measurement (e.g., pulse, light, electrical resistance). Also, the electronic package <NUM> can be a few millimeters in width, length, and/or thickness (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) depending on the sensors and/or actuators inside the electronic package <NUM>.

The receiver <NUM> provides audio signals to a user wearing the hearing device <NUM>. In some implementations, the receiver <NUM> is a loudspeaker and provides sound to the ear drum <NUM> of a user wearing the hearing device. The receiver <NUM> can be a few millimeters in width, length, and/or thickness (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>).

The receiver <NUM> has a spout <NUM> configured to provide sound based on the audio signals, and wherein the spout <NUM> is angled at an angle (β) relative to the axis of the receiver, where the angle (β) is based on a difference between the axis of the receiver and an axis of the spout <NUM>. The angle β can be <NUM>-<NUM> degrees, including a range from <NUM>-<NUM> degrees, and preferably <NUM> degrees. In general, the spout <NUM> can function as a wave guide to guide sound waves towards the ear drum <NUM>.

The receiver <NUM> can be physically coupled to a dome <NUM>. The dome <NUM> can be composed of plastic or other flexible material that fits inside of a user's ear canal. The dome <NUM> can have holes in it to enable venting or propagation of sound waves. The dome <NUM> can also reduce the buildup of ear wax on or in the receiver <NUM>. Also, as shown in <FIG>, the electronic package <NUM> can have a wire or tube that is physically and/or electronically coupled to another component of the hearing device <NUM> (e.g., a processor).

As shown in <FIG>, the electronic package <NUM> and the receiver <NUM> are positioned at an angle (α) relative to each other. The angle (α) is based on a difference between an axis of the electronic package <NUM> relative to an axis of the receiver <NUM>. An axis is generally a real or imaginary straight line that goes through the center of an object or divides an object into two equal halves. The axis can be, for example, the main axis of the electronic package <NUM> or the main axis of the receiver. The angle α can be <NUM>-<NUM> degrees, preferably between <NUM>-<NUM> degrees, and most preferably <NUM>-<NUM> degrees. The angle α varies partially based on where the earpiece <NUM> is placed within an ear canal (e.g., how close or far away from the ear drum) and based the anatomy of the ear canal (e.g., determined from an impression or scan of the ear canal). A hearing device design can use ear anatomy and/or a computer program to determine where the earpiece <NUM> can be placed within an ear canal.

The combination of the angle α and the angle β can cause the components of the hearing device to have an S-shape, where the S-shape may generally follow the shape of a portion of an ear canal. More specifically, in some implementations, the electronic package <NUM> and the receiver <NUM> can enable the shape of a housing to generally follow the shape of an ear canal with a first bend <NUM> and a second bend <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In some implementations, hearing aid design software can calculate the location of the S-shape or where the angle α occurs based on the first bend <NUM> and second bend <NUM> of an ear canal, wherein the calculation is based on an ear mold or impression or digital scan of an ear canal for a user and general anatomy of the ear and/or ear canal.

Also as shown in <FIG>, the electronic package <NUM> can be tapered or have a varying thickness as shown by the tapered edges <NUM>. The tapered edges <NUM> can be less thick than other parts of the electronic package <NUM> to have a better fit in the ear canal. The tapered edges <NUM> can also be placed at a position within the ear based on improving a function of the electronic package <NUM>. For example, the electronic package <NUM> can be tapered such that a sensor is better positioned to take a measurement from the skin of an ear canal, detect an electrical resistance or voltage potential, or measure a temperature or color of the skin in the ear canal. Also, <FIG> illustrates some components of a hearing device <NUM>, but one with ordinary skill in the art can understand the components can be encapsulated partially or entirely in a housing or other components can be positioned near or around the electronic package <NUM> and the receiver <NUM> (e.g., see housing in <FIG>). In some implementations, the housing can also have tapering that is similar to the tapering of the electronic package <NUM>.

Although not shown in <FIG>, the electronic package <NUM> and the receiver <NUM> can be covered partially or completely (e.g., encapsulated) in a housing. The housing can be plastic, metal, or a combination thereof. The housing can be configured to protect the electronic package <NUM> and/or the receiver <NUM> from the conditions inside of an ear canal. Additionally, the housing can be sloped or curved as shown in <FIG>. Further, as disclosed in <FIG>, the earpiece <NUM> can be a component of a hearing device <NUM>, where the hearing device <NUM> has its own housing.

Optionally, the electronic package <NUM> and/or the receiver <NUM> are configured to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise or bend around a joint relative to each other. For example, the electronic package <NUM> and/or receiver <NUM> can include a pin, gear, bearing, or other rotatable or movable connector or component to enable the two components to rotate or bend relative to each other. Optionally, the electronic package <NUM> and/or the receiver <NUM> can be configured to bend relative to each other based on a flexible joint or connection (e.g., a pin).

<FIG> shows a view of the earpiece <NUM> as part of a RIC hearing device (e.g., the hearing device <NUM>). As an RIC, the hearing device <NUM> has a behind-the-ear component <NUM> that is placed behind the ear and the earpiece <NUM> with a dome <NUM> that is inserted inside of an ear canal. The behind-the-ear component <NUM> can include a processor, battery, microphone, and/or other electronic circuitry configured to communicate with the earpiece <NUM> via the wire <NUM>. The earpiece <NUM> also has a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> can be plastic, metal, or a combination thereof. The housing <NUM> can be configured to protect the electronic package <NUM> and/or the receiver <NUM> from the conditions inside of an ear canal. Additionally, the housing <NUM> can be sloped or curved as shown in <FIG> to approximately match shape of the earpiece <NUM> (e.g., shape according to angle α and the angle β such that the housing <NUM> has an S-shape).

<FIG> are a schematic view of a housing of a hearing device including the earpiece <NUM> (not shown in the Figures). The <FIG> shows an ITE device with a custom shell. A custom shell generally means the shell was designed from measurements of a user's ear canal. For example, a hearing device designer can take an impression of a user's ear and/or ear canal and then use this impression or a digital scan of the ear canal to generate a computer model of the user's ear and/or ear canal. The model can also include information related to ear anatomy and aggregate data collected from other impressions or models (e.g., a large data set of ear impressions or molds). In some implementations, the ear impression is a partial impression of the ear canal and a software can use that partial impression to design an entire shell or shape of an ear canal. In other implementations, the ear impression can be a full impression or an ear canal or ear.

As shown in <FIG>, the hearing device is an ITE with a housing <NUM>, where the housing can be a plastic, metal (e.g., titanium), a combination of plastic and metal, or other material compatible with an ear or ear canal. The housing <NUM> can have a curve <NUM> that is associated with the angle alpha (α) and the angle beta (β). As shown in <FIG>, the electronic package <NUM> and receiver <NUM> can be placed inside of a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> has a curve <NUM> related to the angle alpha (α) and/or the angle beta (β). The housing <NUM> can be part of an In-the-Ear hearing aid with a retention <NUM>, where the retention <NUM> can be used to access or position the In-the-Ear hearing aid. As shown in <FIG>, the electronic package <NUM> and receiver <NUM> can be placed inside of a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> has a curve <NUM> related to the angle α. The housing <NUM> can be an earpiece <NUM> as part of a RIC hearing aid were the wire <NUM> electrically connects with another component of the hearing aid (e.g., on the outside of the ear).

Claim 1:
An earpiece (<NUM>), the earpiece (<NUM>) comprising:
an electronic package (<NUM>);
a receiver (<NUM>) configured to output audio signals; wherein the electronic package (<NUM>) and the receiver (<NUM>) are positioned at a first angle (α) relative to each other, where the first angle (α) is based on a difference between an axis of the electronic package (<NUM>) relative to an axis of the receiver (<NUM>), and the first angle (α) is between <NUM>-<NUM> degrees; and the receiver (<NUM>) has a spout (<NUM>) configured to provide sound based on the audio signals, and wherein the spout (<NUM>) is angled at a second angle (β) relative to the axis of the receiver, where the second angle (β) is based on a difference between the axis of the receiver and an axis of the spout, characterized in that the second angle (β) is <NUM>-<NUM> degrees; wherein the electronic package (<NUM>) includes a sensor, wherein the sensor is a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, electroencephalography (EEG) sensor, electrocardiography (ECG) sensor, temperature sensor, an accelerometer, a humidity sensor, chemical sensor, proximity detector or a photo detector.