Patent ID: 12238482

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.

One, more, or all of the following definitions may be applied for interpreting terms applied to features of the embodiments disclosed herein and are meant only to define elements within the present disclosure. No limitations on terms used within the claims are necessarily intended, or should necessarily be derived, thereby. Terms used within the appended claims may or should only be limited by their customary meaning within the applicable arts.

The term “comprise”, when used in the present disclosure, is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, components, etc., but does not necessarily preclude the presence or addition of one or more other and/or additional features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

Throughout the present disclosure the terms: “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., as well as the terms: “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary”, etc., as well as any combination hereof are merely understood as arbitrary identifiers of the respective features.

Throughout the present disclosure the term “open-cell foam” is understood as referring to open-cell foam of the/a first section of the/a hearing device.

Reference is made toFIG.1, which schematically illustrates some basic functional electronic components of a first embodiment100of a hearing device, wherein the hearing device is a hearing aid100comprising an input transducer102, a processor104, and a receiver106. A first section and a second section of the hearing device are not illustrated inFIG.1. Various implementation examples according to one or more embodiments of the first section and the second section of the hearing device100is illustrated for instance byFIGS.9and10and byFIGS.12-15.

During operation, the input transducer102(a microphone) receives sound from the environment and converts the sound into an input signal. After amplification, e.g., by a pre-amplifier, the input signal is sampled and digitized to result in a digitized input signal that is passed to the processor104. The processor104processes the digitized input signal into an output signal in a manner that compensates for the hearing loss of a user of the hearing aid100(e.g., frequency-specific amplification and compression). The output signal is then converted to analogue form and passed to an audio amplifier that drives the receiver106to convert the output signal into an audio output, i.e., into sound perceivable by the user. A battery supplies power for the electronic components. In a BTE hearing aid, the receiver106may be contained in a housing of the hearing aid, wherein the housing may be worn behind an ear of the user. In a behind-the-ear hearing aid of the BTE, RIE or MaRIE type or in an in-the-ear hearing aid of the ITE, ITC, CIC or IIC type, the receiver106may be contained in a housing of the hearing aid, wherein the housing may be worn at or in the ear canal. An acoustic path for sound produced by the receiver may include a sound tube of the hearing aid connected to an earpiece of the hearing aid, which earpiece may be placed in the ear of the user.

Throughout the present disclosure the term “strain” is understood as “compressive strain” or “compression”. Similarly, the term “stress” is understood as “compressive stress”.

A typical stress-strain behaviour (also denoted stress-strain relation or curve) of open-cell foam (such as an open-cell polymer foam) subject to compression is schematically illustrated inFIG.2. In this figure, the stress-strain curve exhibits three regions or phases: a linear elastic phase up to small strains (usually up to 5%-10%), a plateau phase, and a densification phase. In the linear elastic region, the slope of the stress-strain curve characterizes the Young's modulus of the open-cell foam. As the load increases, the cell walls begin to collapse which progresses at a roughly constant load, thus giving a stress plateau. The stress plateau (or plateau phase) is a region where stress does not increase significantly with increase in strain. Accordingly, the stress-strain curve is roughly horizontal compared to the two other phases. A further increase in load leads to densification of collapsed cell walls, which causes the stress to increase rapidly without an appreciable increase in strain. Accordingly, the open-cell foam will appear softer when in the plateau phase than when in any of the two other phases, since a small increase in stress will result in a relatively larger increase in strain for the plateau phase. Accordingly, the open-cell foam may be compressed between the receiver and the second section such that the open-cell foam is within the plateau phase.

Energy absorbed by the open-cell foam when being subject to increase of stress (i.e., pressure) is given by the area under the stress-strain curve. During impact compression, for instance, in an impact period of a drop, energy stored by the open-cell foam is represented by the area under the stress-strain curve, like the one shown inFIG.2. The stored energy is released later in the decompression period of the open-cell foam. The open-cell foam's compression and decompression increase the impact time, and therefore, attenuates the acceleration of the receiver and thus, reduces the risk of damage of the receiver. As can be seen, a relatively small amount of energy is absorbed in the linear elastic region if the open-cell foam is subject to increase of stress since the resulting increase in strain is relatively small. The plateau region of the stress-strain curve provides a relative higher energy absorption by the open-cell foam being subject to increase of stress since the resulting increase in strain is relatively large. If the densification phase is reached, the energy absorption is also here relatively small when the open-cell foam is subject to increase of stress. The absorbed energy (w) as indicated inFIG.2is shown from the uncompressed state till a strain, c, of 0.5 (or 50%)).

To have a relatively good impact protection of the receiver it may be desired that the open-cell foam absorbs a relative high amount of the corresponding shock energy.

Accordingly, it may be desired to provide a pre-compression (or “bias compression”, or “compression”) of the open-cell foam, such that the open-cell foam is in the plateau phase or at least close to the start of the plateau phase when provided between the receiver and the second section. It may be preferred that the compression of the open-cell foam is such that it is in the beginning of the plateau phase or just before the plateau phase (i.e., in the last part of the linear phase). Accordingly, the open-cell foam will be in (or close to) the “soft” (or softest) phase at least during the start of an impact. It may be desired that the suspension is as soft as possible for impact protection. Furthermore, it may be desired that the open-cell foam remains relatively soft throughout a relatively large impact. Accordingly, it may be desired that the compression of the open-cell foam is not at the end of the plateau phase or near the end of the plateau phase. If merely hard impact protection is desired (e.g., disregarding resonance) no compression of the open-cell foam may be preferred to have longer travel distance before the open-cell foam densifies and thus becomes increasingly hard. However, as stated in the present disclosure, it may be desired to seek a compromise between impact protection and various other factors, such as vibroacoustic stability, miniaturization, cost, and ease of manufacture.

The desired and/or optimal compression of the open-cell foam may be found on case-by-case basis of the hearing device, since it may depend on the receiver (e.g., weight and size hereof), the specific material of the open-cell foam, and the mechanical design of the hearing device. The degree of compression (i.e., compression percentage or strain percentage) may be easily adjusted and may to some degree be easy to handle in the development of the hearing device. The degree of compression may for instance be provided and/or adjusted by adapting the thickness of the open-cell foam and/or adapting the space available for the open-cell foam, for instance by the relative size of the receiver and the receiver chamber (i.e., the interior of the receiver chamber).

A preferred compression of the open-cell foam may be defined in terms of the elastic modulus. An elastic modulus (also known as modulus of elasticity, for instance denoted “E modulus”) is a quantity that measures an object or substance's resistance to being deformed elastically (i.e., non-permanently) when a stress is applied to it. The elastic modulus of an object is defined as the slope of its stress-strain curve in the elastic deformation region: A stiffer material will have a higher elastic modulus and a softer material will have a lower elastic modulus. Elastic modulus may be referred to as “stiffness”.

FIG.3schematically illustrates a stress-strain curve (i.e., simulated (denoted “original” in the figure) and smoothed) for an open-cell polyurethane foam.

The values of the simulation are based on measurements of a particular open-cell polyurethane foam. However, similar result can be obtained from any other open-cell foam. The open-cell polyurethane foam used for the measurements is the proprietary foam “Poron 79-09021P”, also denoted “Poron foam 4790-79TS1-09021”.FIG.4schematically illustrates the elastic modulus-strain curve corresponding to the stress-strain curve ofFIG.3. The simulation of the stress-strain curve, and correspondingly the slope hereof (i.e., the elastic modulus strain curve) show some fluctuations due to numerical errors, which are clearly visible at least in the high-strain region ofFIG.4. Accordingly, the respective smoothed lines are introduced, which are generated by curve fitting to the calculated/simulated values, e.g., by fitting a polynomial function. The smoothed line inFIG.4may be provided by finding the slope of the smoothed line inFIG.3or by curve fitting to the calculated/simulated values ofFIG.4.

FIGS.5and6schematically illustrate respective parts of the elastic modulus-strain curve (the smoothed line hereof) ofFIG.4. As can be seen, the elastic modulus has a global minimum (denoted “second point” P2), which for the specific open-cell foam ofFIGS.3-6is at about 15% strain. The points P2, P1, and P3(referred to below) are indicated by respective circles on the elastic modulus-strain curve onFIGS.5and6. The tangent illustrated inFIG.5indicates the knee point (or elbow point) (denoted “first point” P1) of the curve before the global minimum, which for the specific open-cell foam ofFIGS.3-6is at about 8% strain. The term “before” (i.e., before the global minimum/before the second point) is understood as at a lower strain value.

The dotted line inFIG.6is a horizontal line provided at the elastic modulus value of the first point P1, i.e., the knee point before the second point P2(i.e., the global minimum). As can be seen fromFIG.6, the horizontal line and the elastic modulus-strain curve intersect each other at the first point P1and at a third point P3, which is defined as the point of the elastic modulus-strain curve being located after the second point P2and having an elastic modulus value being equal to the elastic modulus value of the first point P1. For the specific open-cell foam ofFIGS.3-6, the third point P3is at about 38% strain. The term “after” (i.e., after the second point) is understood as at a higher strain value.

The first, second, and third points (i.e., having the same definition as stated above and throughout the present disclosure) may be found within the respective elastic modulus-strain curve of any open-cell foam. The exact strain-values of the first, second, and third points, respectively, may however differ between different open-cell foam types and/or substrates.

The elastic modulus-strain curve of the open-cell foam in accordance with some embodiments may be understood as the static elastic modulus-strain curve. Respective dynamic curves may be modelled in dependence of vibration frequency for obtaining a more complex model of the open-cell foam.

Provision of compressed open-cell foam between the receiver and the second section (e.g., receiver chamber) such that the receiver is connected to the second section via the first section (i.e., comprising the open-cell foam) may imply that the resonance frequency may be modelled as a spring-damper structure that connects the two bodies: the receiver, and the second section of the hearing device, wherein the second section may form part of and/or may be rigidly connected with a housing of the hearing device.

For a hearing device where the open-cell foam wraps around the receiver, i.e., wherein the open-cell foam is not simply provided “above” and “below” the receiver, a model of the system for simulating the frequency response becomes more complex. However, the spring-damper structure as described above may represent a simple compromise of a model for calculating and/or simulating resonance frequency of the receiver. For such model it can be shown that the resonance frequency is proportional to the square root of the stiffness of the open-cell foam. Generally, vibration attenuation occurs at frequencies above the resonance frequency. Hence, the softer the open-cell foam is, the better it attenuates the vibration. Accordingly, it may be desired that the compression of the open-cell foam is such that the elastic modulus is relatively low, e.g., at or around the global minimum, and/or between the first point and the third point of the elastic modulus-strain curve. An advantage hereof is improved vibroacoustic stability of the hearing device, which may imply high gain of the hearing device, for instance when in form of a hearing aid.

FIG.7schematically illustrates a part of a measurement setup for measuring resonance frequency of a receiver of a hearing device. The setup comprises a load72, which represents the receiver of the hearing device, open-cell foam74provided at opposite sides of the load72, such that the load72is suspended by the open-cell foam74within a fixture76, which represents the second section (e.g., a receiver chamber) and any part of the hearing device forming a rigid connection with the second section. The load72and the fixture76are provided in steel and are thus considered rigid and non-elastic. The fixture76is fixed to a shaker (not illustrated) and vibrated along the directions indicated by the arrow78. Accordingly, the measurement setup is configured for measuring resonance frequency for a situation where the mass of the load72(i.e., receiver) is infinitesimal compared to the weight of the fixture76(e.g., including a housing of the hearing device). The two open-cell foam parts74are glued symmetrically on the top and bottom sides, respectively, of the load72. Each of the two parts of the open-cell foam74are compressed between the load72and the fixture76. The fixture76is excited by the shaker and the load72vibrates in a manner determined by the stiffness and damping of the open-cell foam74and the load72. Using the setup illustrated inFIG.7, the stiffness frequency response (and thus, resonance frequency) is measured with various fixed strains of the open-cell foam74. This is carried out by varying the space available for the open-cell foam74by having different fixtures76with different inner dimensions (i.e., in the same direction as indicated by the arrow78) while maintaining the same uncompressed thickness of the open-cell foam74. The results are schematically illustrated inFIG.8, showing the respective measurements of the resonance frequency at various fixed strains of the open-cell foam74indicated by circles being connected with lines showing a rough resonance frequency-strain relationship (or curve). The open-cell foam74used for obtaining the result ofFIG.8is different from the open-cell foam used for obtaining the results illustrated inFIGS.3-6. The open-cell foam74used in the setup illustrated byFIG.7for obtaining the results ofFIG.8is a particular open-cell polyurethane foam. However, similar result can be obtained from any other open-cell foam. The open-cell polyurethane foam used for the measurements ofFIG.8is the proprietary foam “Poron 06030-90”, also denoted “Poron foam 4701-15TS1-06030-90”. The results ofFIG.8are at least roughly in accordance with the abovementioned proportionality of the resonance frequency to the square root of the stiffness of the open-cell foam. Furthermore, it can be interpreted fromFIG.8that a certain range (e.g., a desired range and/or predefined range) of compression (or pre-compression) of the open-cell foam will lower the resonance frequency compared to: uncompressed, less compressed, and more compressed open-cell foam. Accordingly, it may be desired to provide a hearing device with a compression of the open-cell foam between the receiver and the second section of the hearing device according some embodiments.

If the same open-cell foam is utilized for obtaining the results illustrated inFIGS.8and6, respectively, the respective global minima and the respective knee points before the respective global minima, would be at the same strain values.

The hearing device may be an electroacoustic device configured for generating sound to one or more ears of a user. The generation of sound by the hearing device may be dependent on a signal from one or more input transducers (e.g., microphone(s)) of the hearing device.

The receiver may have a front end, a rear end opposite to the front end, and a sidewall provided between the front end and the rear end. The sidewall may encircle (e.g., pass completely around) inner parts of the receiver. The sidewall of the receiver may be cylindrical, i.e., having a circular cross-section. Alternatively, the sidewall may be defined by rectangular or squared cross-section, e.g., with rounded corners. The receiver may have a front part and a rear part. The front part of the receiver may include the front end and the part of the sidewall being at the front end, e.g., any part of the sidewall being closer to the front end than to the rear end. The rear part of the receiver may include the rear end and the part of the sidewall being at the rear end, e.g., any part of the sidewall being closer to the rear end than to the front end. A length of the receiver may be defined by the length of the sidewall of the receiver and /or the distance, such as the shortest distance, between the front end and the rear end of the receiver.

The first section may comprise or consist of the open-cell foam. The first section may provide suspension of the receiver with respect to the second section. The first section may provide impact protection between the receiver and the second section. The first section may provide dampening of vibration between the receiver and the second section. The impact protection provided according to some embodiments described herein may reduce the risk of damage of the receiver caused by impact of the hearing device.

The second section may be relative stiff, for instance compared to the open-cell foam of the first section.

The open-cell foam having at least the strain value of the first point and at most the strain value of the third point may be understood such that the open-cell foam is strained to a value between the first point and the third point.

The open-cell foam of the first section being compressed between the receiver and the second section may imply that the open-cell foam is provided within a space defined by the hearing device, e.g., hearing aid, which space requires that the open-cell foam is compressed for being situated within that space. For instance, if the receiver is provided within the second section (e.g., receiver chamber), the mutual dimensions of the receiver and the second section may be provided such that an inner diameter of the second section is larger than an outer diameter of the receiver. This difference may provide a gap or clearance between the receiver and the second section, such as a gap or clearance around the receiver when situated within the second section. Accordingly, the hearing device may be provided such that a ratio between the thickness of the gap and the thickness of the open-cell foam in the uncompressed form provides the desired compression of the open-cell foam when the open-cell foam is provided within the gap between the receiver and the second section, such as around and/or surrounding the receiver. Accordingly, the compressed open-cell foam of the first section and the second section (e.g., the receiver chamber) may be provided concentric around the receiver.

According to one or more embodiments, the first section may comprise one or more other components provided between the receiver and the second section, i.e., in addition to the open-cell foam being compressed between the receiver and the second section.

The open-cell foam being compressed between the receiver and the second section may imply that the compression is in a direction defined between the receiver and the second section. The direction of compression may for instance be defined perpendicular to a surface of the receiver and/or a surface of the second section, such as a surface hereof providing contact with the open-cell foam.

The open-cell foam being compressed between the receiver and the second section may imply that the stated compression is provided for at least one part, such as at least one sub-part of the open-cell foam. Accordingly, the compression may be provided at least along one straight line extending between the receiver and the second section, such as at least along a straight line extending perpendicular from a surface of the receiver and/or a surface of the second section.

The method for providing a hearing device may comprise manufacture and/or assembly of the hearing device.

The step of compressing the open-cell foam of the first section between the receiver and the second section may imply that the receiver and the second section are provided such that a gap or clearance exist there between wherein the open-cell foam is provided, and wherein the thickness of the open-cell foam in the uncompressed state is greater than the available space for the open-cell foam in the gap or clearance between the receiver and the second section.

The method for identifying may be or may comprise a computer-implemented method, such as a computer-implemented simulation. Identifying a global minimum of an elastic modulus-strain curve of the open-cell foam may imply a process or step of approximation of the global minimum.

The open-cell foam may be strained to at least around the strain value of the second point, i.e., the second point of the elastic modulus-strain curve, such as at least to the strain value of the second point. This may provide improved design tolerance for high volume production.

The open-cell foam may be strained to at most around two times the strain value of the second point, such as at most two times the strain value of the second point.

The receiver may have a resonance frequency being a function of strain of the open-cell foam. The resonance frequency as a function of strain of the open-cell foam may define a curve that has a primary point defined by a knee point before a secondary point defined by a global minimum of the resonance frequency. The compression of the open-cell foam between the receiver and the second section may be such that the open-cell foam is strained to at least the strain value of the primary point.

The open-cell foam may be strained to a strain value around or at the strain value of the secondary point. The open-cell foam may be strained to at most 3 times the strain value of the secondary point, such as at most 2 times the strain value of the secondary point.

The open-cell foam may have a stress-strain curve (or relation) that comprises: a linear elastic phase, a plateau phase, and a densification phase. The stress-strain curve may have a knee point within the linear elastic phase and before the plateau phase. The compression of the open-cell foam may be such that the open-cell foam is strained to at least around or at least at the knee point of linear elastic phase, such as to at least the knee point of the linear elastic phase. The compression of the open-cell foam may be such that the open-cell foam is strained to at most within the plateau phase, i.e., such that the densification phase is not reached.

The open-cell foam may be strained to a compression of at least 8% such as at least 10% between the receiver and the second section.

The open-cell foam may be strained to a compression of at most 38% such as at most 35% between the receiver and the second section.

A preferred range of compression of the open-cell foam of the first section may be within 10-35%, a more preferred range may be within 15-25%. Different types and/or substrates of utilized open-cell foam may be a cause of different preferred ranges and/or values of compression. The preferred range may be within 10-27%, which for instance may be preferred if the utilized open-cell foam comprises or consists of the proprietary foam “Poron 79-09021P”. The preferred range may be within 13-31%, which for instance may be preferred if the utilized open-cell foam comprises or consists of the proprietary foam “Poron 92-12059P”. The preferred range may be within 17-32%, which for instance may be preferred if the utilized open-cell foam comprises or consists of the proprietary foam “Poron 40-30045”.

The open-cell foam may have a density of or around 0.1 g/cm3when uncompressed.

The open-cell foam may comprise a polymer such as polyurethane. The open-cell foam may be a polymer open-cell foam, such as a polyurethane open-cell foam.

The second section may comprise and/or define a first part of a housing section of the hearing device and/or a receiver chamber of the hearing device. The receiver chamber may provide magnetic shielding of the receiver. This may be for reducing magnetic radiation as produced by the receiver from disturbing other electronic components of the hearing device and/or to be in compliance with radiation limits of the hearing device.

The receiver, such as the sidewall of the receiver, may be encircled by the open-cell foam, i.e., the open-cell foam may for instance pass completely around the receiver. The open-cell foam may wrap around the receiver, e.g., around the sidewall of the receiver, such that the open-cell foam is compressed between the receiver and the second section (e.g., receiver chamber). The receiver, the open-cell foam, and the second section may be provided concentric.

The open-cell foam may be provided as a sheet, for instance of uniform thickness when uncompressed, which sheet may wrap around the receiver. Such sheet may have a length being the same or substantially the same as the receiver, e.g., as a sidewall of the receiver. According to embodiments, a sheet of open-cell foam with varying thickness when uncompressed may be provided. When such sheet with varying thickness wraps around the receiver within the hearing device, e.g., within a receiver chamber of the hearing device, the thickness of the open-cell foam may be uniform. Accordingly, the strain may vary in accordance with the varying thickness of the uncompressed sheet.

The receiver, such as at least the sidewall or a part of the sidewall thereof, may be supported and/or suspended by the open-cell foam. The receiver may be supported and/or held by the second section via the open-cell foam.

The open-cell foam may be abutting the receiver and/or the second section. The first section may be abutting the receiver. The first section may be abutting the second section.

The open-cell foam as compressed between the receiver and the second section may have a thickness in the compressed state of within 0.3-1.5 mm, such as within 0.5-1.2 mm, such as around 1 mm, such as 1 mm. In general, a low thickness (i.e., thin) may be desired for a relatively small/light receiver, and a high thickness may be desired for a relatively large/heavy receiver.

The open-cell foam of the first section may be provided as one part or piece (e.g., wrapped around the receiver) or provided as more than one part or piece. For instance, a side part or piece of the open-cell foam may support (e.g., by being wrapped around) a sidewall of the receiver and/or a rear part or piece of the open-cell foam may support a rear end of the receiver.

Alternatively, or additionally, to other implementations of the open-cell foam of the first section of a hearing device according to some embodiments, such as in addition to or as an alternative to provision of a sheet of open-cell foam that wraps around the receiver, the hearing device may comprise open-cell foam of the first section being compressed between the receiver and the second section, wherein the open-cell foam of the first section comprises one or more parts, e.g., provided as:stripes, e.g., provided with arbitrary angles and/or distances between the stripes,isolated patches of foam, e.g., placed at the sidewall of the receiver, e.g., patches of arbitrary shapes,along one, more, or all sides of the receiver,at one, more, or all corners of the receiver, orany combination of the above.

Alternatively, or additionally, the open-cell foam may be provided with varying thickness (e.g., pre-compressed thickness) at various locations compressed between the receiver and the second section.

Alternatively, or additionally, two or more different types (e.g., provided by different substrates) of the open-cell foam may be utilized at various locations compressed between the receiver and the second section.

It may be preferred that the open-cell foam (e.g., provided as a sheet or as one or more parts, such as discloses above) has a length corresponding to, e.g., being the same as, the length of the receiver, e.g., the length of a sidewall of the receiver. Alternatively, the open-cell foam may extend beyond the length of the receiver and/or beyond a sidewall of the receiver, such as extending beyond the front end and/or beyond the rear end of the receiver. Accordingly, the open-cell foam may be longer than the receiver. Alternatively, the open-cell foam may be shorter than the receiver. Provision of a hearing device wherein the open-cell foam extends beyond the front end and/or beyond the rear end of the receiver may improve design tolerances, e.g., in connection with assembling the hearing device, and/or may provide improved chance that any desired part of the receiver is provided with a desired layer of open-cell foam between the receiver and the second section.

FIG.12schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a part of an embodiment of a hearing device showing open-cell foam408(i.e., of a first section of the hearing device) being compressed between a receiver406and a second section410(e.g., consisting of or comprising a receiver chamber) of the hearing device.FIG.13schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the view ofFIG.12. The view ofFIG.13is indicated by the dashed line490ofFIG.12. The receiver406as seen perpendicular to the length of the receiver406(i.e., as illustrated byFIG.13) has a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners. As schematically illustrated byFIG.12, the open-cell foam408is slightly longer than the receiver and extends slightly beyond the front end406aand the rear end406bof the receiver406. As seen inFIG.13, the open-cell foam408comprises four parts being provided as isolated patches placed at each of four plane parts of the sidewall of the receiver406, i.e., at four different sides of the receiver406and/or arranged in two open-cell foam patch pars, where two open-cell foam patches408in a patch par are placed on opposite sides of the receiver406. The four patches of the open-cell foam408are provided equidistantly and concentrically around the receiver406. The dotted line492indicates an example of where the open-cell foam408is compressed between the receiver406and the second section410.

Alternatively, or additionally, the first section may comprise a plurality of (e.g., two or more) layers of (e.g., concentric) open-cell foam provided between the receiver and the second section. Such layers may be separated or divided by a structure, such as a rigid structure, e.g., a rigid cover, e.g., a rigid concentric sheet, that wraps around an inner layer of the layers of open-cell foam (i.e., wherein an outer layer of open-cell foam wraps around the cover). The combination of an inner layer of open-cell foam surrounded by a cover may be referred to as a “decoupling cell”. Provision hereof may provide a higher order decoupling between the receiver and the second section. If more than two layers of open-cell foam are provided, then the layers may be individually separated by individual covers. Accordingly, the number of layers of open-cell foam may be one more than the number of layer(s) of covers. Various layers of open-cell foam may comprise open-cell foam of different types, e.g., of different substrates. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more layers of open-cell foam of the various layers of open-cell foam may be provided as one or more sheets that each may wrap around the receiver and/or around an inner layer of the open-cell foam. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more layers of open-cell foam of the various layers of open-cell foam may be provided as one or more pieces or patches, e.g., as disclosed above. Each decoupling cell may introduce a 12 dB/oct decoupling between the receiver and the second section. A potential drawback may be introduction of an additional resonance for each decoupling cell. It may be preferred that any resonance introduced by such decoupling cell are below a desired value, e.g., below 1.5 kHz or below 1.2 kHz. The first section may comprise or consist of one or more layers of decoupling cells including an outer layer of open-cell foam.

FIG.14schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a part of an embodiment of a hearing device showing open-cell foam508(i.e., of a first section of the hearing device) being compressed between a receiver506and a second section510(e.g., consisting of or comprising a receiver chamber) of the hearing device.FIG.15schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the view ofFIG.14. The view ofFIG.15is indicated by the dashed line590ofFIG.14. The receiver506as seen perpendicular to the length of the receiver506(i.e., as illustrated byFIG.15) has a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners.

The first section comprises two layers of concentric open-cell foam508a,508bbeing of different types, wherein both are provided between the receiver506and the second section510. The layers are divided by a rigid cover509that surrounds a first layer508aof the open-cell foam, which surrounds the receiver506.

The dotted line592indicates an example of where the open-cell foam508,508a,508bis compressed between the receiver506and the second section510. It may be sufficient that merely one of the two (or more, if provided) layers of the open-cell foam508a,508bare compressed between the receiver506and the second section510according to some embodiments. It may be desired that both (or all of) the layers of open-cell foam508a,508bare compressed between the receiver506and the second section510according some embodiments. If at least one layer of open-cell foam508a,508bof the first section is compressed between the receiver506and the second section510according to some embodiments, then the hearing device comprises a first section comprising open-cell foam508being compressed between the receiver506and the second section510according to some embodiments.

According to one or more embodiments, the compression of the open-cell foam is not uniform and/or different parts of the open-cell foam may have a non-identical compression. However, it may be preferred that uniform compression is provided. Additionally, or alternatively, uniform thickness in the compressed and/or the uncompressed state of the open-cell foam may be desired.

The features of the embodiments described herein may be used with, and/or implemented in, a hearing device designed for use in/at the right ear or the left ear or both ears of the user. Hearing devices not expressly stated in the present disclosure may be used and/or implemented in conjunction with one or more features of the embodiments.

Rubber may be used as receiver suspension (e.g., front and/or rear suspension) in a hearing device.

A front suspension of the receiver is a suspension supporting the front part of the receiver. A rear suspension of the receiver is a suspension supporting the rear part of the receiver. The open-cell foam may be provided as rear suspension of the receiver.

According to one or more embodiments, the open-cell foam is supporting at least the rear part of the receiver, e.g., supporting the entire sidewall of the receiver. Additionally, rubber may be used as an additional suspension of the front part, such as of the front end, of the receiver. Additionally, the hearing device may be void of any rubber suspension of the rear part of the receiver. Alternatively, the hearing device may be void of any rubber suspension of the receiver.

The front end of the receiver may be connected to a sound tube or sound canal of the hearing device, e.g., connected via a rubber suspension.

The open-cell foam may be compressed between the second section and the sidewall of the receiver.

The hearing device may comprise or may be a hearing aid, such as a Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aid, a Receiver-in-Ear (RIE) hearing aid, a Microphone and Receiver-In-Ear (MaRIE) hearing aid, an In-the-Ear (ITE) hearing aid, an In-the-Canal (ITC) hearing aid, a Completely-in-the-Canal hearing aid (CIC), or an Invisible In-The-Canal (IIC) hearing aid.

“Behind-the-ear type” hearing aids may include devices that reside substantially behind the ear or over the ear of the user. Such devices may include hearing aids with receivers associated with the electronic portion of the behind-the-ear device, or hearing aids of the type having receivers in or at the ear canal of the user, including but not limited to RIE and MaRIE.

Hearing aids are devices configured to compensate for hearing losses, for instance by amplifying sound. A hearing aid normally comprises a plurality of electronic components, which may include one or more microphones for receiving sound (e.g., ambient sound) and for converting the sound into a microphone signal, an amplifier for amplifying the microphone signal in a manner that depends upon the frequency and amplitude of the microphone signal, a speaker (i.e., a receiver) for converting the amplified microphone signal to sound for the user, and a battery for powering the electronic components that needs power to operate, wherein power may be provided from one electronic component to another. Some or all of the electronic components of the hearing aid may be contained within one or more housing(s) of the hearing aid, e.g., a BTE housing and/or an in-ear housing of the hearing aid. The housing(s) may for instance be placed in the external ear canal or behind the ear.

A hearing aid may comprise: an input transducer, a receiver (i.e., an output transducer), and a hearing loss processor. The receiver may comprise a speaker. The input transducer may comprise a microphone. The hearing aid may comprise more than one input transducer and/or more than one microphone. The input transducer(s) may be configured for reception of sound and for conversion of the received sound into a corresponding audio signal. The hearing loss processor may be configured for processing the audio signal into an audio signal compensating a hearing loss of a user of the hearing aid, for instance in accordance with a predetermined signal processing algorithm. The receiver may be connected to an output of the hearing loss processor for converting the hearing loss compensated audio signal into an output sound signal to be provided to the user of the hearing aid, for instance to a first ear of the user.

The hearing device may comprise any of the following: a hearing aid, a headset, a headphone, an earphone, an earbud, an active ear defender/earmuff.

FIG.9schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment200of a hearing device according to some embodiments.FIG.10schematically illustrates an enlarged view of a part of the embodiment ofFIG.9. The hearing device ofFIGS.9and10is a BTE hearing aid200. The hearing aid200comprises a first section comprising and consisting of open-cell foam208. The hearing aid200comprises a second section comprising, e.g., consisting of, a receiver chamber220. The hearing aid200comprises a housing212, i.e., a BTE housing, that contains a battery214, a receiver206, a pair of omnidirectional microphones202, and a sound tube or sound canal216for providing an acoustic path from the receiver206, i.e., from a front end206aof the receiver206, towards an eardrum of a user of the hearing aid200. The sound tube216extends within an ear hook218of the housing212. A further sound tube or sound canal (not illustrated), e.g., a flexible plastic tube, may be provided in extension of the illustrated sound canal/sound tube216for conduction of sound generated by the receiver206to an earpiece (not illustrated) to be situated inside an ear of the user.

The receiver206comprises the front end206a, a rear end206b, and a sidewall206c. The receiver comprises a front part including the front end206aand any part of the sidewall206cbeing closer to the front end206athan to the rear end206b. The receiver206comprises a rear part including the rear end206band any part of the sidewall206cbeing closer to the rear end206bthan to the front end206a. The receiver206is contained within a receiver chamber220provided within the housing212, e.g., provided by the housing212, e.g., forming part of the housing212.

The open-cell foam208(i.e., at least part of the open-cell foam208of the hearing aid200) is provided between the receiver206and the receiver chamber220. The open-cell foam208wraps around the rear part of the receiver206. The open-cell foam208extends beyond the rear part of the receiver206, more particularly, it extends beyond the rear end206bof the receiver206and it extends over a part of the front part of the receiver, i.e., the open-cell foam208wraps around a part of the front part of the receiver206. The open-cell foam208(i.e., at least part of the open-cell foam208of the hearing aid200) is compressed between the sidewall206cof the receiver206and an opposing sidewall of the receiver chamber220. The part of the open-cell foam208that extends beyond the rear end206bof the receiver206is however not compressed between the receiver206and receiver chamber220. Accordingly, the thickness of the open-cell foam208extending beyond the rear end206bof the receiver206, which part is uncompressed, is larger than the thickness of the open-cell foam208being compressed between the sidewall206cof the receiver206and an opposing sidewall of the receiver chamber220. This aspect is however not clearly visible in the schematic illustrations ofFIGS.9and10.

Accordingly, the receiver206is connected to the second section, i.e., the receiver chamber220, via the first section, i.e., via the open-cell foam208. The first section, i.e., the open-cell foam208, provides a direct connection between the receiver206and the second section, i.e., the receiver chamber220.

The hearing aid200comprises a rubber suspension222supporting the front part of the receiver206by connection to the sound tube216. A part of the rubber suspension222is provided between the receiver206and the receiver chamber220. However, since the gap or clearance between the receiver206and the receiver chamber220is larger than the thickness of the rubber suspension222, as provided therebetween, the rubber suspension222does not provide any direct connection between the receiver206and the receiver chamber220. This relation may be stated as the rubber suspension222being thinner than the compressed open-cell foam208. According to other embodiments, a rubber suspension may provide direct support between the receiver and the second section, e.g., receiver chamber220. According to one or more embodiments, the open-cell foam208supports the entire sidewall206cof the receiver206. According to one or more embodiments, the open-cell foam208supports (e.g., also supports) the rear end206bof the receiver206.

The hearing device may be a hearing aid such as a digital hearing aid comprising a processor. The processor may be programmed to provide correction of a hearing loss, for instance with a programmable gain and/or frequency compression being employed to tailor the hearing aid output to the particular hearing loss of a user. The processor may be a digital signal processor (DSP), microprocessor, microcontroller, other digital logic, or any combination thereof. The processing of signals may be performed using the processor. Processing may be carried out in the digital domain, the analogue domain, or a combination thereof. Processing may be carried out using sub-band processing techniques. Processing may be carried out with frequency domain or time domain approaches. Some processing may involve both frequency and time domain aspects. For brevity, drawings may omit certain blocks that perform one, more, or all of: frequency synthesis, frequency analysis, analogue-to-digital conversion, digital-to-analogue conversion, amplification, and certain types of filtering and processing. In various embodiments the processor is adapted to perform instructions stored in memory which may or may not be explicitly shown. Various types of memory may be used, including volatile and non-volatile forms of memory. In various embodiments, instructions are performed by the processor to perform a plurality of signal processing tasks. In such embodiments, analogue electronic components may be in communication with the processor to perform signal tasks, such as microphone reception, or receiver sound embodiments (i.e., in embodiments where such transducers are used). In various embodiments, different realizations of the block diagrams, circuits, and processes set forth herein may occur without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.

The method for providing the hearing device according to some embodiments may comprise adhering, e.g., gluing, the open-cell foam to the receiver.

Alternatively, or additionally, the open-cell foam may be adhered, e.g., glued, to the second section. The method for providing the hearing device may comprise inserting the receiver into a receiver chamber (e.g., defined by the second section) for provision of the compression of the open-cell foam between the receiver and the second section. Accordingly, the receiver may be inserted into the receiver chamber together with the open-cell foam and may for instance be in a state of being adhered to the receiver while being inserted. Alternatively, the receiver may be inserted into the receiver chamber without being adhered to the open-cell foam prior to the insertion. Inserting the receiver into the receiver chamber may provide the desired compression of the open-cell foam.

The receiver and the first section may be adhered, e.g., glued. The receiver and the first section may be adhered prior to the receiver being inserted into the receiver chamber.

FIG.11schematically illustrates a first embodiment380of a method for providing a hearing device according to an aspect, e.g., the second aspect. The method380comprises adhering381open-cell foam (i.e., of a first section of the hearing device) to a receiver of the hearing device and, subsequently, inserting383the receiver with the adhered open-cell foam into a receiver chamber of the second section. The step of inserting383comprises compressing382the open-cell foam between the receiver and the second section, such that the receiver is connected to the second section via the first section and optionally such that the open-cell foam has at least the strain value of the first point and at most the strain value of the third point.

The method of identifying may comprise identifying: a knee point (i.e., first point) before the global minimum of the elastic modulus; and/or a third point of the elastic modulus-strain curve having an elastic modulus value being equal to the elastic modulus value of the knee point. The method of identifying may comprise obtaining a model of a specific open-cell foam structure, which specific open-cell foam is intended to be used in a compressed form as receiver suspension in a hearing device. The model obtained may be used for obtaining a stress-strain relation and/or an elastic modulus-strain relation.

The method for identifying may be or may comprise a computer-implemented method for identifying. The method for identifying may be executed, and/or may be configured to be executed, by means of a computer system. A computer system may for instance include any one or any combination of: a server, a client, and a cloud-computing service. The method for identifying may be provided by means of any one or any combination of: a computer program, a computer-readable medium, and a computer program product. The method for identifying may be embodied by any one or any combination of: a computer program, a computer-readable medium, and a computer program product, which may comprise means for carrying out the method for identifying. The method for identifying may be embodied by a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer system, causes the computer system to carry out the method for identifying. The computer program product according to some embodiments may be embodied by means of a computer readable medium. The method for identifying may be embodied by a computer-readable medium having stored thereon a computer program according to some embodiments. The method for identifying may be embodied by a computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to carry out the method for identifying. Any of the computer program, the computer-readable medium, and the computer program product according to some embodiments may be distributed, such as being distributed over a plurality of physical entities and/or computational entities. The method for identifying may be realized by means of a distributed computing system, which may be denoted “a distributed computing environment”, such as using or comprising a computer network. Within such distributed computing system, the method for identifying may be carried out by one, more, or all of a plurality of entities, such as any combination of: one or more client computers, one or more server computers, and one or more cloud computers.

The exemplary embodiments, figures, description set forth herein are intended to be a demonstrative and not a limiting or exhaustive or exclusive depiction of the claimed invention. The scope of the claimed invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of alternatives and/or adaptations and/or variations and/or equivalents to which such claims are entitled.