Patent Description:
Custom hearing aids are hearing aids molded specifically for the ear canal of the specific user. The customized shell means that the internal volume of the hearing aid will be different for each hearing aid, which in turn means that the internal placement of components can be a difficult three-dimensional puzzle to solve.

<CIT> discloses a hearing aid for placement in a user's ear canal. Said document shows a module in Fig. <NUM> formed by support structure <NUM> comprising a charge port <NUM> and a microphone <NUM>. It lacks to disclose that said module comprises a coil as claimed.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose further embodiments of hearing aids for placement in a user's ear canal.

It is an object of the present disclosure to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and solve at least the above-mentioned problem.

In one aspect, one or more of the above objects are achieved by means of a hearing aid, as claimed in the associated independent claim, preferred variants thereof being defined in associated dependent claims.

According to a first aspect there is provided a hearing aid for placement in a user's ear canal according to claim <NUM>, the hearing aid having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being the end of the hearing aid that is inserted into the user's ear canal and facing the tympanic membrane when inserted, the distal end being the opposite end, the hearing aid comprising a shell customised for the user's ear canal, the shell comprising an inner space configured for at least partly receiving a rechargeable battery, a charging arrangement, at least one microphone arrangement, and an integrated circuit, a faceplate comprising an upper face and a lower face and a circumference, the upper face being exposed at the distal end of the hearing aid when the shell is placed in the user's ear canal, the faceplate being configured for closing the inner space of the shell, wherein the integrated circuit is arranged between the faceplate and the proximal end, the charging arrangement being situated at the distal end of the hearing aid and the battery being situated between the integrated circuit and the proximal end.

The charging arrangement and at least one microphone arrangement are produced as one module.

According to some embodiments, the faceplate comprises a cavity at its lower face for at least partly receiving the module, the faceplate cavity being configured for facing the inner space of the shell.

The charging arrangement comprises a coil.

According to some embodiments, the charging arrangement comprises terminals extending at the upper face of the faceplate.

According to some embodiments, the button arrangement comprises a plunger, which is operable through the upper face of the faceplate.

According to some embodiments, the coil comprises one or more windings, the one or more windings are provided circumferential of an inner cavity of the coil with respect to a center axis of the coil.

According to some embodiments, the plunger is configured to extend through said inner cavity of the coil along the coil center axis.

According to some embodiments, one or more of the windings of the coil is/are configured to extend radially and/or axially around the inner cavity of the coil.

According to some embodiments, the plunger is configured as a control knob adapted to activate the integrated circuit when turned and/or pushed.

According to some embodiments, the button arrangement is configured to control and/or activate and/or deactivate the hearing aid.

The coil is configured for wireless communications and/or wireless charging the battery. According to some embodiments, the coil is an antenna for wireless communication and configured for charging the battery wirelessly.

According to some embodiments, the hearing aid comprises at least two microphone arrangements.

According to some embodiments, the coil comprises a body having a cross-section being oval in a plane perpendicular to the center/longitudinal coil axis. According to some embodiments, the coil body has a cross-section being oval and/or circular and/or elliptical in a plane perpendicular to the center/longitudinal coil axis.

According to some embodiments, the coil and its body allow the microphone arrangements to be situated outside the oval, circular and/or cylindrical body. According to some embodiments, the coil and its body allow the microphone arrangements to be situated offcenter and/or outside the oval and/or circular and/or cylindrical and/or elliptical shape of the body. In some embodiments, the coil is a planar coil. According to some embodiments, the coil is configured for extending in an axial direction along a center axis of the coil.

According to some embodiments, the plunger in at least one position extends through and beyond/past the length of the coil and/or the inner cavity of the coil for engaging the integrated circuit. According to some embodiments, the plunger is at least partly made of a material being magnetizable.

Further objects and features of the present invention will appear from the following definitions of aspects/examples/embodiments thereof. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and appended claims, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise.

Terminology -- The term "outside" is to be interpreted as meaning that an entity is at least partly or fully (wholly) placed or arranged outside or externally of another entity.

The disclosure may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments/examples. 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 embodiment/-s even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.

The present description provides an improved hearing aid <NUM> for placement in a user's ear canal, a charging station <NUM> and a method of producing a charging station. According to an example embodiment there is provided a hearing aid <NUM> for placement in a user's ear canal The hearing aid <NUM> has a proximal end <NUM> and a distal end <NUM>. The proximal end <NUM> is the end of the hearing aid <NUM> that is inserted into the user's ear canal and facing the tympanic membrane when inserted, the distal end <NUM> is the opposite end. The hearing aid <NUM> comprises a shell <NUM> customised for the user's ear canal. The shell <NUM> comprises an inner space <NUM> configured for at least partly receiving a rechargeable battery <NUM> and a charging arrangement <NUM>. The shell <NUM> comprises an inner space <NUM> configured for at least partly receiving at least one microphone arrangement <NUM>. In some embodiments, not all, the inner space <NUM> is configured for facing and/or at least partly receiving at least one microphone arrangement <NUM> and/or facing and/or at least partly receiving one audio channel <NUM>. The shell <NUM> comprises an inner space <NUM> configured for at least partly or wholly/fully receiving an integrated circuit (IC) <NUM>. In some embodiments, the inner space <NUM> is configured for facing and/or at least partly receiving at least one microphone arrangement <NUM> and/or at least partly receiving one audio channel <NUM>. One or more audio channels <NUM> is provided to guide sound to the microphone/- s of the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM>. The shell <NUM> comprises an opening or orifice <NUM> at and facing towards the distal hearing aid end <NUM>. The hearing aid <NUM> comprises a faceplate <NUM> comprising an upper face <NUM> and a lower face <NUM> and a circumference. The upper face <NUM> is exposed at the distal end <NUM> of the hearing aid <NUM> when the shell <NUM> is placed in the user's ear canal. The faceplate <NUM> is configured for closing the inner shell space <NUM>. The IC <NUM> is configured to be arranged between the faceplate <NUM> and the proximal hearing aid end <NUM>. The charging arrangement <NUM> is configured to be situated at the distal hearing aid end <NUM>. The battery <NUM> is configured to be situated between the IC <NUM> and the proximal end <NUM>. The shell opening/orifice <NUM> is configured to be closed off by the faceplate <NUM> when assembled against the shell <NUM> at the distal hearing aid end <NUM> to make up the whole hearing aid <NUM>. The shell opening/orifice <NUM> is configured to be closed off by the faceplate <NUM> and these entities are sealingly assembled when/after making up the hearing aid <NUM>.

The charging arrangement <NUM> and the at least one microphone arrangement <NUM> are produced as one module M, see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. According to an example, the faceplate <NUM> comprises a cavity <NUM> at its lower face <NUM> for at least partly or fully/wholly receiving said module <NUM>, <NUM>, M. If the faceplate cavity <NUM> wholly/fully receives the module M, module M could be flush with the lower face <NUM> of the face plate <NUM>. The faceplate cavity <NUM> is configured for facing and/or closing the inner space <NUM> of the shell <NUM> similar to a lid then being sealed. The charging arrangement <NUM> comprises a coil <NUM>. The coil <NUM> is configured for wireless communication and/or wireless charging of the battery <NUM>. According to an example, the charging arrangement <NUM> comprises terminals <NUM> extending at the upper face <NUM> of the faceplate <NUM>. According to an example, the hearing aid <NUM> comprises a button arrangement <NUM> that in turn comprises a plunger <NUM> being operable through the upper face <NUM> of the faceplate <NUM>. In an embodiment, the plunger <NUM> is adapted to activate one or more push buttons <NUM> on the IC <NUM> when the plunger/-s is/are pushed towards the IC. According to an embodiment, the button arrangement <NUM> comprises the plunger/-s <NUM> and/or the push button/-s <NUM>. In an embodiment, the plunger/-s <NUM> and push button/-s <NUM> are part of the same entity or integral parts that could be fixed or movable at least somewhat relative each other. In an embodiment, the plunger/-s <NUM> and/or push button/-s <NUM> are part of the faceplate <NUM> or integrated in the faceplate. In an embodiment, the plunger/-s <NUM> and/or push button/-s <NUM> are part of the faceplate <NUM> or integrated in the faceplate and movable at least somewhat relative each other and/or the face plate <NUM> to ensure their engagement and disengagement with the IC <NUM> for its control and/or activation/deactivation.

According to an example, the coil <NUM> comprises one or more windings <NUM>. The one or more windings <NUM> are provided circumferential of an inner cavity <NUM> of the coil <NUM> with respect to a center or longitudinal axis CC of the coil. According to an example, the plunger <NUM> is configured to extend through the inner coil cavity <NUM> along the coil center/longitudinal axis CC. The plunger <NUM> is in one example a single push button. In one example, the plunger <NUM> is a rocker arm with two circuits or the like. According to an example, one or more of the windings <NUM> of the coil <NUM> is/are configured to extend radially and/or axially around the inner coil cavity <NUM>. As examples, the plunger/-s <NUM> is a push button preferably being spring biased to be forced back to its initial position after the pushing force ends. An alternative for the plunger/-s <NUM> is a rocker arm. A rocker arm <NUM> is a flexible and/or jointed/hinged arm, which will spring back to its initial position once the pushing force is gone. The plunger/-s <NUM> and/or rocker arm may either activate a push button <NUM> on the IC <NUM> or have a metallic tip which closes a circuit when coming into contact with an opposite part of a switch or the like on the IC.

According to an example, the plunger <NUM> is configured as a control knob adapted to activate the IC <NUM> when turned. According to an example, the button arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is configured to activate or deactivate the hearing aid <NUM> and/or control it to change program and/or change audio filtering and/or volume (down/up) and/or power (down/up) and/or turn it on or off via the IC <NUM> or the like component/-s, such as further control units <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to an example, the coil <NUM> is an antenna <NUM> for wireless communication.

The coil <NUM> is configured for charging the battery <NUM> wirelessly. According to an example, the coil <NUM> is an antenna <NUM> for wireless communication and configured for charging the battery <NUM> wirelessly.

According to an example, the hearing aid <NUM> comprises at least two microphone arrangements <NUM>. According to examples, one, both or each microphone arrangement <NUM> comprises at least one audio channel <NUM>, see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

According to an example, the coil <NUM> comprises a body <NUM> having a cross-section being oval in a plane perpendicular to its center/longitudinal axis CC and/or the center/longitudinal axis CP of the plunger <NUM>, see e.g. <FIG>, <FIG>.

According to an example, said coil body <NUM> has a cross-section being circular and/or elliptical in a plane perpendicular to the center/longitudinal axis CC, see e.g. <FIG> and <FIG>.

The orientation and/or extension of the cross-sectional plane of the coil <NUM> could be diverging from/in relation to the center/longitudinal coil axis CC and/or the center/longitudinal axis CP of the plunger <NUM> at any other angle besides about <NUM>° or exactly <NUM>°, e.g. at an angle of between about <NUM>° to <NUM>° or between <NUM>° to <NUM>°; or at an angle of between about <NUM>° to <NUM>° or between <NUM>° to <NUM>°; or at an angle of between about <NUM>° to <NUM>° or between <NUM>° to <NUM>°; or at an angle of between about <NUM>° to <NUM>° or between <NUM>° to <NUM>°; or at an angle of about <NUM>° or exactly <NUM>°.

According to an example, the coil <NUM> has a radial/(physical) extension perpendicular to its centre axis CC being larger/greater than its longitudinal/(physical) extension along or in parallel with its centre axis CC.

According to an example, the coil <NUM> has a larger/greater width/breadth/thickness W/T as measured in a plane perpendicular to its centre axis CC than its length/height L/H as measured in a plane along or in parallel with its centre axis CC, see e.g. <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>.

According to an unclaimed embodiment, the shell <NUM> is adapted after a user's auditory canal such that each hearing aid <NUM> when placed in the ear is always orientated in a specifically predetermined position so that the time delay between sound received by the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> and audio channel/-s <NUM> give/-s an indication of direction from where the sound originate.

According to an embodiment, the coil <NUM> and its body <NUM> allow the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> to be situated off-center and/or outside the body. According to an embodiment, the coil <NUM> and its body <NUM> allow the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> to be situated off-center and/or outside the cylindrical body. According to an embodiment, the coil <NUM> and its body <NUM> allow the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> to be situated off-center and/or outside the oval shape. According to an embodiment, the coil <NUM> with body <NUM> allow the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> to be situated off-center and/or outside the circular and/or elliptical shape of the body.

According to an embodiment there is provided a hearing aid <NUM>, wherein the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> are essentially situated horizontally during use. The horizontal orientation of the hearing aid <NUM> is defined relative an ear-to-ear axis being essentially parallel to or parallel to the users face, i.e. when the hearing aid <NUM> is positioned at its operational position at the ear/-s of a user.

According to an embodiment, the plunger <NUM> in at least one position extends through and beyond/past the length/height/thickness L/H of the coil <NUM> for engaging the IC <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the plunger <NUM> is at least partly or wholly made of a material being magnetizable. According to an example, the plunger <NUM> is at least partly or wholly made of a magnetic material. This improves the performance of the coil <NUM> and associated entities when the coil is used as a magnetic induction antenna.

According to an embodiment, the coil <NUM> has a radial/ extension W/T perpendicular to its center axis CC being larger/greater than its longitudinal/extension L/H along or in parallel with its centre axis.

According to an unclaimed embodiment there is provided a charging station <NUM> comprising a body <NUM> and a lid <NUM>, wherein the charging station is configured to charge one or more hearing aids <NUM> simultaneously and/or in parallel and/or in series and/or one by one and/or only one or two at a time according to any of disclosed aspects/examples by means of induction when the hearing aid/-s is/are coupled to the charging station.

According to an embodiment, the charging arrangement <NUM> comprises a coil <NUM> configured for magnetizing the plunger <NUM> and thereby charging the hearing aid <NUM> when the charging station <NUM> is coupled to the hearing aid.

According to an unclaimed aspect there is provided a method of producing a charging station <NUM> comprising the steps of manufacturing a body <NUM> of the charging station; providing the body <NUM> with a cavity <NUM> being essentially shaped as the hearing aid's shell <NUM>; manufacturing a lid <NUM> of the charging station <NUM>; providing the lid with a cavity <NUM> for abutting and/or contacting/touching and/or engaging and/or enclosing and/or covering and/or receiving the hearing aid's faceplate <NUM>; providing the lid with a charging device <NUM>, the charging device <NUM> and the lid <NUM> being adapted to mate such that the charging device <NUM> is able to charge the hearing aid <NUM> when the lid <NUM> is closed.

According to an unclaimed embodiment, said method comprises the steps of manufacturing a body <NUM> of the charging station <NUM>; providing said body with a cavity <NUM> being essentially shaped as the hearing aid's shell <NUM>; manufacturing a lid <NUM> of the charging station; providing said lid <NUM> with a cavity <NUM> being essentially shaped for receiving the hearing aid's face plate <NUM>; providing said lid with a charging device <NUM>, said charging device <NUM> and said lid <NUM> being adapted to mate such that said charging device <NUM> is able to charge the hearing aid <NUM> when the lid <NUM> is closed. The charging device/-s <NUM> of the charging station/-s <NUM> and the charging arrangement/-s <NUM>, <NUM> of the hearing aid/-s <NUM> are configured to be operatively controlled to cooperate together to enable the charging functionality without direct physical contact between electrical conductors, i.e. by contactless charging, e.g. via induction.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> show the embodiment of <FIG> in two different perspectives, i.e. <FIG> shows the faceplate <NUM> partly in cross-section essentially in the direction of arrows A and in perspective somewhat angled in relation to the plane of the faceplate <NUM> and the longitudinal axis CP of the plunger/button <NUM>, while <FIG> shows the faceplate <NUM> in <FIG> from below in the direction of arrows C of <FIG> and in perspective, i.e. essentially in parallel with or at least almost in alignment with/along the longitudinal axis CP of plunger or button <NUM>. <FIG> shows a prior art hearing aid shell <NUM>. <FIG> shows an embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> shows the embodiment of <FIG> in direction of arrows B, i.e. perpendicular to the plane of the faceplate <NUM> but along the longitudinal axis CP of the plunger/button <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> show an embodiment of the disclosure from two different perspectives and as part cutouts, i.e. <FIG> shows the same embodiment as in <FIG> but in perspective, i.e. <FIG> shows the same embodiment as in <FIG> but in planar view. <FIG> and <FIG> show an embodiment of the disclosure from two different perspectives and as part cutouts, i.e. <FIG> shows the same embodiment as in <FIG> but in perspective, i.e. <FIG> shows the same embodiment as in <FIG> but in planar view. <FIG> and <FIG> show an embodiment of the disclosure from two different perspectives and as part cutouts, i.e. <FIG> shows the same embodiment as in <FIG> but in perspective, i.e. <FIG> shows the same embodiment as in <FIG> but in plane view. <FIG> and <FIG> show an embodiment of the disclosure from two different perspectives and as part cutouts, i.e. <FIG> shows the same embodiment as <FIG> but in perspective, i.e. <FIG> shows the same embodiment as in <FIG> but in plane view. <FIG> and <FIG> show an embodiment of the disclosure from two different perspectives and as part cutouts, i.e. <FIG> shows the same embodiment as in <FIG> but in perspective, i.e. <FIG> shows the same embodiment as in <FIG> but in a planar view. <FIG> show differently shaped embodiments of the coil <NUM> in planar cross-sectional views. <FIG> shows an embodiment of a charging station <NUM> in cross-section.

The first aspect of this disclosure shows a hearing aid <NUM> for placement in a user's ear canal, the hearing aid having a proximal end <NUM> and a distal end <NUM>. The proximal end <NUM> is the end of the hearing aid <NUM> that is inserted into the user's ear canal and facing the tympanic membrane when inserted. The distal end <NUM> is the opposite end. The hearing aid <NUM> comprises a shell <NUM> customized for the user's ear canal. The shell <NUM> comprises an inner space <NUM> configured for at least partly receiving a rechargeable battery <NUM>. The hearing aid <NUM> comprises a charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>, at least one microphone arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>, an integrated circuit (IC) <NUM>, and a faceplate <NUM> comprising an upper face <NUM> and a lower face <NUM> and a circumference. The upper face <NUM> is exposed at the distal end <NUM> of the hearing aid <NUM> when the shell <NUM> is placed in the user's ear canal. The faceplate <NUM> is configured for closing the inner space <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. The IC <NUM> is arranged between the faceplate <NUM> and the proximal end <NUM>. The charging arrangement <NUM> is situated at the distal end <NUM> of the hearing aid <NUM>. The battery <NUM> is situated between the IC <NUM> and the proximal end <NUM>.

The charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and at least one microphone arrangement <NUM> are produced as one module M.

The charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and two microphone arrangements <NUM> are produced as one module M in an embodiment. The charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>, two microphone arrangements <NUM> and optionally at least one button arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are produced as one module M in an embodiment. In an embodiment, the charging arrangement <NUM> and its coil <NUM>, at least one microphone arrangement <NUM> and at least one button arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are produced as one module M. In an embodiment, the charging arrangement <NUM> and its coil <NUM>, at least one microphone arrangement <NUM>, at least one button arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and at least one <NUM> antenna are produced as one module M. In an embodiment, such a solution above and/or below creates a new standardized architecture module enabling fixating at least the entities <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, i.e. the charging arrangement and the microphone arrangement/-s, in the face plate <NUM> as one module M. In an embodiment, any of the above and/or below solutions simplifies/-y access of the following entities: the charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> and, optionally, the button arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> from the faceplate <NUM> enabling program switching and/or charging and/or sound intake and/or sound output and/or control of wireless performance of the hearing aid <NUM>. A module M comprising at least the charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> eliminates the need of a battery opening in the faceplate <NUM>. In an embodiment, a module M comprising the charging arrangement <NUM> with its coil <NUM> and the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> and optionally comprising at least one button arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> optimise/minimise the design/size of the faceplate <NUM>. In an embodiment, a module M that comprises the charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and/or a button arrangement <NUM> and/or a button <NUM> and/or a plunger <NUM> and the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> provide a more flexible architecture of the hearing aid <NUM> and the components making it up where placement of components of the hearing aid <NUM> are defined by their required position, so they perform as intended. In an embodiment, a module M comprising the charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and/or button arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the plunger/-s <NUM> and the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> provide placing components within the hearing aid <NUM> that do not require a specific position more freely where space is available in the shell <NUM> and finally the custom hearing aid <NUM> is possible to make more environmental robust as it then is easily closed and/or sealed. A module M optimizes use/filling of already existing empty space through the coil <NUM>, thereby improving the filling grade of the hearing aid <NUM>. The shell <NUM> and faceplate <NUM> of the hearing aid <NUM> is in an embodiment fixed and/or closed and/or sealed when/after mating/attachment. In an embodiment, the charging coil <NUM> is fixed on/in/at the faceplate <NUM>. In an embodiment, a <NUM> antenna is placed inside the hearing aid <NUM>. In an embodiment, a <NUM> antenna is fixed on/in/at/adjacent the faceplate <NUM>. In an embodiment, a <NUM> antenna is fixed in a standard shape as a part of the module M comprising the charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the button arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the plunger <NUM> and the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM>. In an embodiment, a <NUM> antenna is part of the module M comprising the charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the button arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the plunger <NUM> and the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> at or adjacent or close to and/or in contact with and/or enclosed by the face plate <NUM>. In an embodiment, a <NUM> antenna is fixed in a standard shape as part of the module M comprising the charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the button arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the plunger <NUM> and the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> in the shell <NUM> at/adjacent/in or close to the faceplate <NUM>. More than one antenna <NUM>, <NUM> could be placed inside the hearing aid <NUM> as explained above, and one or more of these antennas may be configured to operate in a first frequency range, such as at a frequency above <NUM>, and/or at a frequency above <NUM>, e.g. at the frequency of <NUM> above, and/or at a frequency between <NUM> and <NUM>, during use.

The faceplate <NUM> comprises a cavity <NUM> at its lower face <NUM> for at least partly and/or wholly/fully receiving and/or enclosing and/or touching/engaging the module M comprising at least one charging arrangement <NUM> and at least one microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> and/or at least one button arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and/or at least one plunger <NUM>. The faceplate cavity <NUM> is configured for facing the inner shell space <NUM>. The charging arrangement <NUM> comprises at least one coil <NUM>. Charging arrangement <NUM> comprises optionally one or more terminals <NUM> extending at and/or being exposed/accessible on the upper face <NUM> of faceplate <NUM>, see <FIG>.

The button arrangement <NUM> comprises at least one plunger <NUM> being operable through/via the upper face <NUM> of the faceplate <NUM>, see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>. The coil <NUM> comprises one or more windings <NUM>, the one or more windings are provided circumferential of an inner cavity <NUM> of the coil with respect to a center axis CC of the coil, see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>. Button arrangement <NUM> is configured such that the plunger <NUM> in at least one position extends through the inner coil cavity <NUM> for engaging the IC <NUM>.

The plunger <NUM> is configured to extend through the inner cavity <NUM> of the coil <NUM> along the coil center axis CC. One or more of the windings <NUM> of the coil <NUM> is/are configured to extend radially and/or axially around the inner coil cavity <NUM>. The plunger <NUM> is configured as a control knob adapted to activate the integrated circuit <NUM> when turned. The button arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is configured to activate or deactivate the hearing aid <NUM>.

The coil <NUM> is an antenna <NUM> for wireless communication. The coil <NUM> is configured for charging the battery <NUM> wirelessly. The coil <NUM> is an antenna <NUM> for wireless communications and/or configured for charging the battery <NUM> wirelessly, such as contactless.

For the contactless charging wireless power transfer is applicable by a number of different technologies for use such as inductive coupling, resonant inductive coupling, capacitive coupling, magneto dynamic coupling, microwaves, light waves, etc. The rechargeable battery/-ies <NUM> may be lithium-ion batteries, a silver-zinc battery, etc..

The hearing aid <NUM> comprises at least two microphone arrangements <NUM>.

The coil <NUM> comprises a body <NUM> having a cross-section being oval in a plane perpendicular to the center/longitudinal axis CC. The coil <NUM> comprises a body <NUM> having a cross-section being oval in a plane being perpendicular to a center/longitudinal axis CP of the plunger <NUM>, see <FIG>, <FIG>.

The coil body <NUM> has a cross-section being oval, circular and/or elliptical in a plane perpendicular to the center/longitudinal coil axis CC. The coil body <NUM> has a cross-section being oval, circular and/or elliptical in a plane being perpendicular to the center/longitudinal axis CP of the plunger <NUM>, see <FIG>, <FIG>.

The coil <NUM> has a radial/(physical) extension perpendicular to its centre axis CC being larger/greater than its longitudinal/(physical) extension along or in parallel with its centre axis, see <FIG>. The coil <NUM> has in an embodiment a larger/greater width/breadth W/T as measured in a plane approximately perpendicular or perpendicular to its centre axis CC than its length as measured in a plane along or in parallel with its centre axis, see <FIG>.

The shell <NUM> is adapted after a user's auditory canal such that the hearing aid <NUM> when placed in the ear is always orientated in a specifically predetermined position such that the time delay between sound received by the microphone arrangements <NUM> gives an indication of direction from where the sound originate, see <FIG>.

The coil <NUM> and its body <NUM> allow one or more or each of the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> to be situated off-center and/or displaced relative and/or outside the coil body <NUM> in an embodiment. The coil <NUM> and its body <NUM> allow the microphone arrangement/-s <NUM> to be situated off-center and/or displaced relative and/or outside the oval and/or circular and/or elliptical shape of the coil body <NUM> in an embodiment. The coil <NUM> is configured for extending in an axial direction along a center/longitudinal axis CC of the coil.

One aspect of this disclosure concerns a hearing aid <NUM>, wherein the microphone arrangements <NUM> are configured to be essentially situated horizontally during use. This is shown in <FIG> where two or more microphone arrangements <NUM> and associated audio channels <NUM> for receiving sound is aligned in a direction perpendicular to the long sides of <FIG> but in parallel with the short sides of the figure with the same orientation as the numerals corresponding to a horizontal direction.

The plunger <NUM> in at least one position extends through and beyond/past the length/height L/H of the coil <NUM> for engaging the IC <NUM>, see at least <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. The plunger <NUM> is at least partly made of a material being magnetizable.

One unclaimed aspect of this disclosure concerns a charging station <NUM> comprising a body <NUM> and a lid <NUM>. The charging station <NUM> is configured to charge a hearing aid <NUM> according to any of the disclosed aspects/examples/embodiments by means of induction when the hearing aid is coupled to the charging station. The charging station <NUM> comprises a coil (transmitting coil) configured for magnetizing the plunger <NUM> and thereby charging the hearing aid/-s <NUM> (via its receiving coil <NUM>) when the charging station is coupled to the hearing aid/-s.

The hearing aid <NUM> comprises one or more control units <NUM> for controlling the functionality of the hearing aid <NUM> by being operatively connected to the other components of the hearing aid, among others the plunger <NUM>, the IC <NUM> and the button arrangement <NUM>, <NUM>. The hearing aid <NUM> comprises one or more receivers, suspensions and/or wax/sound filter/-s <NUM> and/or loud speakers <NUM> and/or conduits or channels <NUM> for operative connection and/or audio communication between the receiver/-s <NUM> and/or the loud speakers <NUM> and/or the control unit <NUM> and/or any other associated component. The control unit <NUM> for controlling the hearing aid <NUM> is operatively connected to other components including the microphones <NUM> and battery <NUM>, such as electronics/electronic circuits and mechanical devices incl. electrical conduits etc. , however, these entities working together for the operation of the hearing aid are possible to implement by use of many different types of components and parts being common knowledge for a skilled person and are therefore not explained in detail herein.

Each microphone arrangement <NUM> works as an input transducer and the functionality of the hearing aid <NUM> is explained shortly here as its function is common knowledge for a skilled person. Each microphone of the microphone arrangement <NUM> receives sound through an audio channel <NUM> and a filter <NUM> and outputs an analogue audio signal based on the acoustic sound signal arriving at the microphone <NUM> when the hearing aid <NUM> is operating. An analogue-to-digital converter converts the analogue audio signal into a corresponding digital audio signal for digital signal processing in the hearing circuit, such as a hearing loss processor that is configured to compensate a hearing loss of a user of the hearing aid <NUM>. Preferably, the hearing loss processor comprises a dynamic range compressor well-known in the art for compensation of frequency dependent loss of dynamic range of the user often termed recruitment in the art. In this way, the hearing aid <NUM> may be configured to restore loudness, such that loudness of the hearing loss compensated signal as perceived by the user wearing the hearing aid <NUM> substantially matches the loudness of the acoustic sound signal arriving at the microphone <NUM> as it would have been perceived by a listener with normal hearing. Accordingly, the hearing loss processor outputs a digital hearing loss compensated audio signal. A digital-to-analogue converter then converts the digital hearing loss compensated audio signal into a corresponding analogue hearing loss compensated audio signal. An output transducer in the form of a receiver <NUM> converts the analogue hearing loss compensated audio signal into a corresponding acoustic signal for transmission via a loudspeaker <NUM> or the like (see below) towards an eardrum of the user, whereby the user hears the sound originally arriving at the microphone <NUM>, however, compensated for the user's individual hearing loss. The hearing loss processor is operatively coupled to the control unit <NUM> and/or master control unit of the hearing aid <NUM> in a way being common knowledge to a skilled person.

The hearing aid <NUM> optionally includes a wireless communication unit <NUM>, e.g. in the form of a radio chip connected to an antenna <NUM> and/or the coil <NUM> or the like working as an antenna, and configured to communicate wirelessly with other devices, e.g. in a hearing loss aiding network as is well-known in the art.

<FIG> schematically illustrates an embodiment of a hearing aid <NUM> comprising one or more microphones <NUM> for receiving an input signal and converting it into an audio signal. The audio signal is provided to a processing unit <NUM>, <NUM> for processing the audio signal and providing a processed output signal for compensating a hearing loss of a user of the hearing aid <NUM>. A receiver <NUM> is connected to an output of the processing unit <NUM> and/or the control unit <NUM> for converting the processed output signal into an output sound signal, e.g. a signal modified to compensate for a user's hearing impairment. Typically, a receiver <NUM> comprises a transducer, and a receiver <NUM> is often referred to as a loudspeaker <NUM>. The processing unit <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise elements such as amplifiers, compressors, noise reduction systems, etc. The hearing aid <NUM> may further comprise one or more wireless communication units <NUM> for wireless data communication interconnected with an antenna structure <NUM>, <NUM> and/or the control unit <NUM> for emission and reception of an electromagnetic field. The wireless communication unit <NUM>, such as a radio or a transceiver, connects to the processing unit <NUM> and/or the control unit <NUM> and the antenna structure <NUM>, <NUM>, for communicating with an electronic device, an external device, or with another hearing aid <NUM>, such as another hearing aid <NUM> located in/on/at another ear of the user, typically in a binaural hearing system. The hearing aid <NUM> may comprise two or more antenna structures <NUM>, <NUM>, e.g. in cooperation/use with the coil <NUM> working as an antenna.

The hearing aid <NUM> may comprise one or more antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for radio frequency communication. The one or more antennas <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to operate in a first frequency range, such as at a frequency above <NUM>, such as at a frequency above <NUM>, such as at a frequency of <NUM>, such as at a frequency between <NUM> and <NUM>, during use. Thus, the first antenna <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured for operation in ISM frequency band. The first antenna may be any antenna capable of operating at these frequencies, and the first antenna may be a resonant antenna, such as monopole antenna, such as a dipole antenna, etc. The resonant antenna may have a length of lambda/<NUM> or any multiple thereof, lambda being the wavelength corresponding to the emitted electromagnetic field.

The hearing aid <NUM> may comprise one or more wireless communications units <NUM> or radios. The one or more wireless communications units <NUM> are configured for wireless data communication, and in this respect interconnected with the one or more antennas <NUM>, <NUM> for emission and reception of an electromagnetic field. Each of the one or more wireless communication units <NUM> may comprise a transmitter, a receiver, a transmitter-receiver pair, such as a transceiver, a radio unit, etc. The one or more wireless communication units <NUM> may be configured for communication using any protocol as known for a person skilled in the art, including Bluetooth, WLAN standards, manufacture specific protocols, such as tailored proximity antenna protocols, such as proprietary protocols, such as low-power wireless communication protocols, RF communication protocols, magnetic induction protocols, etc. The one or more wireless communication units <NUM> may be configured for communication using same communication protocols, or same type of communication protocols, or the one or more wireless communication units <NUM> may be configured for communication using different communication protocols.

The hearing aid <NUM> comprises optionally one or more charging control units that could be control unit <NUM> or another control unit to enable charging one or more hearing aids.

The charging station <NUM> comprises one or more charging control units <NUM> comprising one or more leads or conduits <NUM> for enabling leading power to one or more or both or each hearing aid <NUM> for charging one or more of the hearing aids. The charging control units <NUM> of the charging station <NUM> cooperate operatively in some embodiments with the control unit/-s <NUM> of the hearing aid/-s <NUM> when applicable. The control, communication and charging control units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for controlling the hearing aid <NUM> and its charging and/via the charging station <NUM> are operatively connected to each other and other components including one or more batteries <NUM>, such as electronics/electronic circuits and mechanical devices incl. electrical conduits etc. when applicable, to safely operate the hearing aid/-s <NUM> and/or charge the battery/-ies in each hearing aid.

The hearing aid <NUM> comprises one or more audio channels <NUM>. In some embodiments, the plunger <NUM> is configured as a core for the coil <NUM>. In some embodiments, the coil <NUM> is a flat and/or planar coil. In some embodiments, the coil <NUM> is a flat coil having a larger lateral extension W/T than its length L or height or vertical thickness L/H, see at least <FIG>, <FIG>. The lateral extension of the coil <NUM> is measured across or in a direction essentially perpendicular or perpendicular or at least somewhat angled or diverging in relation to the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid <NUM>. Length or height or thickness L/H of the coil <NUM> is measured along the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid <NUM> or at least measured along a direction being essentially in parallel with or in parallel with or at least close to parallel with the longitudinal direction of the hearing aid and if this direction is seen as a vertical direction the length or height or thickness L/H of the coil <NUM> is a vertical dimension, e.g. vertical length or vertical height or vertical thickness. The plunger <NUM> is configured to protrude through the center of the charge coil <NUM> (between its windings <NUM>) enabling the architecture and space of small parts and components/hardware making up the hearing aid <NUM> to be compressed and/or reduced in size enabling making for example a smaller faceplate <NUM> having less visibility for a user. The coil <NUM> is mounted concentric to a faceplate mounted control interface of the hearing aid <NUM> enabling access for external control and visible cues to sub-surface mounted location, i.e. below the faceplate <NUM>. This enables making a more compact hearing aid <NUM>.

According to an unclaimed aspect, in the charging station <NUM> comprising a body <NUM> and one or more lids <NUM> and being configured to charge one or more hearing aids <NUM> according to any of the disclosed aspects/embodiments by means of induction when the hearing aid/-s is/are coupled to the charging station, the body <NUM> of the charging station is configured to guide or steer or orientate or turn or align the hearing aid/-s <NUM> (i.e. its shell <NUM>) when introduced, i.e. received in a cavity <NUM> of the charging station, at least roughly into a closely correct or almost correct position as a preparation for a finalized position in the cavity <NUM> and one or more of the lids <NUM> of the charging station is configured to guide/steer/orientate the whole hearing aid/-s <NUM> further/to a higher degree as/when/after its shell <NUM> is introduced/received in the cavity <NUM> of the charging station with a finer or vernier or final control into a final set charging position of the hearing aid/-s when the lid is closed.

In an embodiment, the module M comprising at least the charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and the at least one microphone arrangement <NUM> is configured to be enclosed fully inside the cavity <NUM> of the faceplate <NUM>, see e.g. <FIG>. In an embodiment, the module M comprising at least the charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and the at least one microphone arrangement <NUM> is configured to be enclosed at least partly inside the cavity <NUM> of the faceplate <NUM>. In an embodiment, the module M comprising at least the charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and the at least one microphone arrangement <NUM> is configured to be enclosed at least partly inside the inner space <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. In an embodiment, the module M comprising at least the charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and the at least one microphone arrangement <NUM> is configured to be enclosed at least partly inside the cavity <NUM> of the face plate <NUM> and at least partly inside the inner space <NUM> of the shell <NUM>. In an embodiment, the module M comprising at least the charging arrangement <NUM>, <NUM> and the at least one microphone arrangement <NUM> is configured to be arranged flush with the lower face <NUM> of the faceplate <NUM>, see e.g. <FIG>.

The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above and below, i.e. the person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims, for example, only one hearing aid <NUM> is possible to charge and/or two hearings aids <NUM> at the same time as shown in <FIG>, or, in some embodiments, one or more plungers <NUM> is adapted to activate one or more push buttons <NUM> on one or more integrated circuits <NUM> when the plunger/-s is/are only pushed or turned and pushed towards the integrated circuit/-s. According to some embodiments, one or more push buttons <NUM> thereby, via the easy access and handling of the plunger/-s <NUM>, control various functions of the hearing aid <NUM> by activating or deactivating one or more integrated circuits <NUM> when the plunger/-s <NUM> is/are turned and/or pushed towards the IC/-s <NUM> and/or its/their push button/-s <NUM>. According to some embodiments, one or more push buttons <NUM> thereby activates or deactivates one or more integrated circuits <NUM> and/or one or more control units <NUM> when the plunger/-s <NUM> is/are turned and/or pushed. The unclaimed charging station <NUM> is adaptable in some aspects to only charge one hearing aid <NUM> or more and/or be adapted to only receive one hearing aid. The charger station <NUM> itself may be a rechargeable device configured to be charged by means of wireless or wired charging. According to embodiments, the order of turning and/or pushing the plunger <NUM> to engage or disengage from the push button <NUM> of the IC <NUM> can be reversed depending on the application in the hearing aid <NUM>, i.e. the plunger is either first pushed and then turned or first turned and then pushed if both movements are used or both movements are performed simultaneously if pushing the plunger <NUM> at the same time turns it or if the turning at the same time pushes the plunger, e.g. as a threading-like movement or the like. Pushing the plunger <NUM> is possible to perform similar to a one click or a two click, such as firstly pushing the plunger inwards towards the integrated circuit and when the push force on the plunger is released, the plunger springs back and then a second and/or more pushes and/or releases of the plunger is/are done. Pushing and/or releasing of the plunger <NUM> is possible to combine with turning the plunger, e.g. first clockwise and then counter-clockwise and/or first turning the plunger a first distance/angle or length of arc and then a second distance/angle or length of arc in the same direction, this second turn could instead be in a direction opposite the first direction. The movements of the plunger <NUM> towards/from the IC <NUM> and its push button <NUM> enable controlling the hearing aid <NUM> by changing between and/or activating and/or deactivating different and/or one or more functions of the hearing aid.

Claim 1:
A hearing aid (<NUM>) for placement in a user's ear canal, the hearing aid having a proximal end (<NUM>) and a distal end (<NUM>), the proximal end being the end of the hearing aid that is inserted into the user's ear canal and facing the tympanic membrane when inserted, the distal end being the opposite end, the hearing aid (<NUM>) comprising a shell (<NUM>) customised for the user's ear canal, said shell comprising an inner space (<NUM>) configured for at least partly receiving a rechargeable battery (<NUM>), a charging arrangement (<NUM>, <NUM>), at least one microphone arrangement (<NUM>, <NUM>), and an integrated circuit (<NUM>), a faceplate (<NUM>) comprising an upper face (<NUM>) and a lower face (<NUM>) and a circumference, the upper face (<NUM>) being exposed at the distal end (<NUM>) of the hearing aid (<NUM>) when the shell (<NUM>) is placed in the user's ear canal, said faceplate being configured for closing the inner space (<NUM>) of the shell (<NUM>), wherein the integrated circuit (<NUM>) is arranged between said faceplate and said proximal end (<NUM>), said charging arrangement (<NUM>, <NUM>) being situated at the distal end (<NUM>) of the hearing aid (<NUM>) and said battery (<NUM>) being situated between the integrated circuit and the proximal end (<NUM>), wherein one module (M) comprises said charging arrangement (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the at least one microphone arrangement (<NUM>), and that said charging arrangement comprises a coil (<NUM>) being configured for wireless communications and/or wireless charging the battery (<NUM>).