Patent ID: 12200425

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.

FIG.1schematically illustrates an exemplary block schematic of a hearing device1comprising a receiver module2. The hearing device1shown inFIG.1is in the form of an in-the-ear unit of an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing device1. However, it may be an in-the-ear unit i.e. an ear plug of a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing device. During use, the in-the-ear unit of the hearing device is placed in an ear canal of a user and is held in place partly by the shape of part of a user's outer ear20and partly by the shape of the ear canal itself.FIG.1shows that the hearing device1comprises a receiver module2for insertion into an ear canal of a user of the hearing device1.

In addition,FIG.1shows that the hearing device1comprises a signal processor22and a controller10. The controller10may be a vent valve device controller. The hearing device, shown inFIG.1, also comprises an external input transducer8for picking up acoustic signals from the surroundings and converting the acoustic signals into electrical signals.FIG.1shows that the external microphone8is connected to an analog to digital (A/D) converter21for converting the electrical signals from the external microphone8into digital signals.FIG.1shows that the hearing device1comprises a signal processor22.FIG.1shows that the digital signals from the A/D converter21are output to a first input of a signal processor22. The signal processor22may be adapted to provide amplification of the signals picked up by the external microphone8according to a hearing loss prescription for the purpose of alleviating a hearing loss of the user by performing various computational operations on the digital signals from the A/D converter21. The amplified signals may be converted into a form suitable for being presented to the receiver module2, which may be configured to convert the amplified signals into acoustic signals for the user to hear.

FIG.1also shows that the hearing device1comprises an antenna24and a transceiver23e.g. a wireless transceiver. The transceiver23may be configured to receive wireless signals picked up by the antenna24and may convert the wireless signals into electrical signals. The electrical signal may be fed to a second input of the signal processor22. The wireless signals may e.g. be remote control signals or audio streaming signals intended for reproduction by the hearing device1.

FIGS.2and3schematically illustrate a longitudinal cut through a receiver module2of a hearing device1having a vent in an open position and a closed position, respectively. The receiver module2comprises an output transducer3, a vent4having a vent valve device6. The vent4, as also shown inFIG.1, is formed as a through-going canal in the body of the hearing device1and provides the hearing device1with an acoustic path from the outside of the hearing device1to the part residing within the ear canal of the user during use e.g. the receiver module2. The vent valve device6is configured to open and close the vent4. The controller10of the hearing device1is configured to electrically manipulate the vent valve device6to be in a first position or in a second position based on a first signal received from the signal processor22.

FIGS.2and3show that the receiver module comprises a receiver housing50. The receiver housing50may have a substantially cylindrical shape.FIGS.2and3show that the receiver module2is connected to hearing device1via a receiver wire5at one end of the receiver housing50.FIGS.2and3also show that the receiver module2is connected to one end of a receiver sound outlet tube53at another end of the receiver housing50. The other end of the receiver sound outlet tube53may be held in place by a vent outlet55.

FIGS.2and3also show that the vent4comprises a solenoid coil51and a permanent magnet52mounted on a vent valve device6. The magnet52may be a toroidal magnet. A plurality of vent inlets54may be dispersed in the receiver housing wall between the solenoid coil51and the vent outlet55. The vent outlet55may be embodied as a ring or inner bushel restricting the inner diameter of the proximal end of the receiver housing50. A flange56may be arranged at one end of the receiver housing50. The flange56may provide sealing between an ear plug (not shown) and the receiver housing50when the receiver housing50is mounted in the ear plug.

Still in connection withFIGS.2and3, the vent valve device6is configured to move between the first position and the second position in response to the first signal received from the signal processor22. The vent valve device6is configured to move between a first e.g. open position, shown inFIG.2, and a second e.g. closed position, shown inFIG.3. The vent valve device6and the permanent magnet52may be mounted together on the receiver sound outlet tube53in a way that facilitates a sliding/moving motion of the vent valve device6between the first, open position and the second, closed position. The sliding/moving motion may be initiated by applying an electric current to the solenoid coil51for creating a magnetic field attracting or repelling the permanent magnet52. An electric current through the solenoid coil51in one direction may attract the permanent magnet52, thereby opening the vent, and an electric current in the opposite direction through the solenoid coil51may repel the permanent magnet52, thereby closing the vent.

FIG.2shows the open position of the vent valve device6. InFIG.2, the solenoid coil51has attracted the permanent magnet52towards the distal end of the receiver housing50. The open position, shown inFIG.2, provides a passageway for air to flow between the plurality of vent inlets54and the vent outlet55. When the ear plug and the receiver housing50is mounted in its intended place in the ear canal, the passageway may be the only way air can escape an ear canal, in the case that there is a sealing between the ear plug (not shown) and the receiver housing50.

FIG.3shows the closed position of the vent valve device6. InFIG.3, the solenoid coil51has repelled the permanent magnet52towards another end of the receiver housing50. The closed position, shown inFIG.3, provides no passageway for air to flow between the plurality of vent inlets54and the vent outlet55i.e. the passageway is closed. For instance, when the edge of the vent valve device6abuts a rim of the vent outlet55, the vent valve device6and the vent outlet55forms a seal trapping the air in the ear canal from the exterior.

Still in connection withFIGS.2and3, when the vent valve device6enters/arrives in the first position a first sound is produced. The vent valve device6may hit a first limiting position e.g. a first end stop, thereby the first sound is produced. For example, the first sound may be produced when the an edge of the vent valve device6abuts a rim of the vent outlet55. When the vent valve device6enters/arrives in the second position a second sound is produced. The vent valve device6may hit a second limiting position e.g. a second end stop, thereby the second sound is produced. For example, the second sound may be produced when the another edge of the vent valve device abuts a surface of the solenoid coil. The first sound and/or second sound may be defined by one or more of amplitude, frequency, timbre, envelope, velocity, wavelength and/or phase.

Still in connection withFIGS.2and3, the first sound and/or the second sound are detectable by one or more input transducers. The one or more input transducers8,9,58, seeFIGS.1and5may comprise a microphone or an array of microphones. At least one of the one or more input transducers8,9,58may be arranged in the hearing device1. As shown inFIG.1, an internal input transducer9and the external input transducer8are arranged in the hearing device1. At least one of the one or more input transducers8,9,58may be arranged in the receiver module2of the hearing device1. As shown inFIG.1, the internal input transducer9is arranged in the receiver module2of the hearing device1. If the first sound and/or the second sound is not detected by the at least one of the one or more input transducers8,9,58or if the first sound and/or the second sound is below a predetermined threshold value, the signal processor22may send a second signal via the transceiver23and the antenna24to an associated electronic device e.g. a smart phone. The second signal sent via the transceiver23and the antenna24, seeFIG.1, to the associated electronic device may comprise a notification62,62′,62″ to the user, seeFIGS.4and5, of the hearing device about a cleaning status of the receiver module2. The notification62,62′,62″ may be any type of notification. For instance, the notification62,62′,62″ may be a text message or an audio signal shown on an application of the associated electronic device.

FIGS.4and5schematically illustrate a binaural system comprising a first hearing device1and a second hearing device1′ connected to a charging device60. The first hearing device1and the second hearing device1′ may each be as the hearing device, described in relation toFIGS.1-3. The first hearing device1and a second hearing device1′ may be configured to be connected to a charging device60.FIG.4shows that the first hearing device1and the second hearing device1′ are connected to a charging device60. The first sound and/or the second sound of the first or the second hearing device1,1′ may be detectable by the one or more input transducers8,9, seeFIG.1, and/or58in sequence with respect to one another. The first sound and/or the second sound of the first or the second hearing device1,1′ may be detectable by the at least one of the input transducers8,9of the first and the second hearing devices1,1′.FIG.4shows the notifications62,62′ sent respectively by the first hearing device1and the second hearing device1′.FIG.4also shows the notification62″ sent by the charging device60.

In connection withFIG.5, at least one of the one or more input transducers8,9,58may be arranged in the charging device60.FIG.5shows that the input transducers58is arranged in the charging device60. The first sound and/or the second sound of the first or the second hearing device1,1′ may be detectable by the one or more input transducers8,9,58in sequence with respect to one another.FIG.5shows that the first sound and/or the second sound of the first or the second hearing device1,1′ are detectable by the input transducers58which is arranged in the charging device60. The notification may be any type of notification. For instance, the notification may be an audio signal or an LED light shown on the charging device60.FIG.5shows the notification62″ sent by the charging device60. The notification may be sent from the charging device60to the associated electronic device. For instance, the charging device60may send a message to the associated electronic device.

Although particular features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

Items:

1. A hearing device (1) comprising a receiver module (2) for insertion into an ear canal of a user of the hearing device (1),the hearing device (1) comprising: a signal processor (22), and a controller (10),the receiver module (2) comprising: an output transducer (3), a vent (4) having a vent valve device (6) configured to open and close the vent (4),wherein the controller (10) of the hearing device (1) is configured to electrically manipulate the vent valve device (6) to be in a first position or in a second position based on a first signal received from the signal processor (22) whereby the vent valve device (6) is configured to move between the first position and the second position in response thereto,wherein when the vent valve device (6) enters/arrives in the first position a first sound is produced,wherein when the vent valve device (6) enters/arrives in the second position a second sound is produced, andwherein the first sound and/or the second sound are detectable by one or more input transducers (8,9,58).2. The hearing device (1) according to item 1, wherein at least one of the one or more input transducers (8,9,58) is arranged in the hearing device (1).3. The hearing device (1) according to item 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the one or more input transducers (8,9,58) is arranged in the receiver module (2) of the hearing device (1).4. The hearing device (1) according to item 1, wherein the hearing device (1) is configured to be connected to a charging device (60) and wherein the at least one of the one or more input transducers (8,9,58) is arranged in the charging device (60).5. The hearing device (1) according to any of the preceding items, wherein the controller (10) is configured to electrically manipulate the vent valve device (6) based on the first signal received from the signal processor (22), when the hearing device (1) is in a charging mode.6. The hearing device (1) according to any of the preceding items, the hearing device (1) further comprising a transceiver (23) and an antenna (24).7. The hearing device (1) according to any of the preceding items, wherein if the first sound and/or the second sound is not detected by the at least one of the one or more input transducers (8,9,58) or if the first sound and/or the second sound is below a predetermined threshold value, the signal processor (22) sends a second signal via the transceiver (23) and the antenna (24) to an associated electronic device.8. The hearing device (1) according to any of the preceding items, wherein the second signal sent via the transceiver (23) and the antenna (24) to the associated electronic device comprises a notification to the user of the hearing device about a cleaning status of the receiver module (2).9. The hearing device (1) according to any of the preceding items, wherein the first sound and/or second sound is defined by one or more of amplitude, frequency, timbre, envelope, velocity, wavelength and/or phase.10. The hearing device (1) according to any of the preceding items, wherein the controller (10) is configured to electrically manipulate the vent valve device (6) with an extra current to apply a higher force to move potential obstacles in the vent (4).11. The hearing device (1) according to any of the preceding items, wherein when the vent valve device (6) enters/arrives in the first position, the vent valve device (6) hits a first limiting position, thereby the first sound is produced and wherein when the vent valve device (6) enters/arrives in the second position, the vent valve device (6) hits a second limiting position, thereby the second sound is produced.12. The hearing device (1) according to any of the preceding items, wherein the one or more input transducers (8,9,58) comprises a microphone or an array of microphones.13. The hearing device (1) according to any of the preceding items, wherein the controller (10) is configured to electrically manipulate the vent valve device (6) based on the first signal received from the signal processor (22), at scheduled times.14. A binaural system comprising a first hearing device (1) and a second hearing device (1′) according to any of the preceding items, wherein the first sound and/or the second sound of the first or the second hearing device (1,1′) are detectable by the one or more input transducers (8,9,58) in sequence with respect to one another.

LIST OF REFERENCES

1,1′. Hearing device2. Receiver module3. Output transducer4. Vent5. Receiver wire6. Vent valve device8. External input transducer9. Internal input transducer10. Controller20. Part of outer ear21. A/D converter22. Signal processor23. Transceiver24. Antenna50. Receiver housing51. Solenoid coil52. Toroidal magnet53. Receiver sound outlet tube54. Vent inlet55. Vent outlet56. Flange58. Charging device input transducer60. Charging device62,62′,62″. Notification