초록 ▼

The present invention relates to a hearing aid for insertion in the auditory canal, comprising a hearing aid housing and a face plate and a shell that is matched to the auditory canal of a user and has a tightening protrusion that extends along the surface of the shell and at least partly encircles

The present invention relates to a hearing aid for insertion in the auditory canal, comprising a hearing aid housing and a face plate and a shell that is matched to the auditory canal of a user and has a tightening protrusion that extends along the surface of the shell and at least partly encircles the shell thereby providing a tight seal against the auditory canal wall when the shell is inserted in the auditory canal.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for computer controlled production of a hearing aid housing with a face plate and a shell, comprising the steps of: acquiring data representing the shape of the auditory canal, forming in a computer and based on the data a three-dimensional model of a hearing aid shell with a shell

1. A method for computer controlled production of a hearing aid housing with a face plate and a shell, comprising the steps of: acquiring data representing the shape of the auditory canal, forming in a computer and based on the data a three-dimensional model of a hearing aid shell with a shell surface matched to the shape of the auditory canal, modifying the three-dimensional model by increasing the outer dimensions at selected areas of the shell surface to establish a shell model with a tightening protrusion at least partly encircling the shell surface and adapted for providing a tight seal against the auditory canal wall when the shell is inserted in the auditory canal, performing a computer controlled production of the shell based on the shell model, and fitting the shell with a faceplate to provide a hearing aid housing wherein the position of the tightening protrusion is selected to correspond with a position in the auditory canal at which user activity caused dynamic variations of the auditory canal are small. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting a position of the tightening protrusion corresponding to a position in the auditory canal at which user activity caused dynamic variations of auditory canal dimensions are small whereby a secure and tight mounting of the shell in the auditory canal independent of user activity is provided.3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tightening protrusion is arranged to provide a rib partly encircling the shell surface.4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tightening protrusion is arranged to provide a rib fully encircling the shell surface.5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the computer controlled production of the shell comprises utilizing a rapid prototyping technique.6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of modifying the three-dimensional model comprises displaying on a computer screen the model of the auditory canal, and displaying on said computer screen, in a color distinguishable from the display of the model of the auditory canal, the model of the hearing aid shell.7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the model of the auditory canal is displayed transparently.8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring data representing the shape of the auditory canal comprises dynamic recording of the auditory canal.9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring data representing the shape of the auditory canal comprises making at least two impressions.10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of fitting the shell with a faceplate comprises forming in the computer a three-dimensional model of the face plate, combining the face plate model and the shell model into one combined model of the hearing aid housing, and producing a hearing aid housing with the face plate, based on the combined model.11. A hearing aid housing for insertion in the auditory canal, comprising a shell produced by way of acquiring data representing the shape of the auditory canal, forming in a computer and based on the data a three-dimensional model of a hearing aid shell with a shell surface matched to shape of the auditory canal, modifying the three-dimensional model by increasing the outer dimensions at selected areas of the shell surface to establish a shell model with a tightening protrusion at least partly encircling the shell surface, and performing a computer controlled production of the shell based on the shell model, wherein the position of the tightening protrusion corresponds to a position in the auditory canal at which user activity caused dynamic variations of the auditory canal are small. 12. The hearing aid housing according to claim 11, wherein the tightening protrusion comprises a rib partly encircling the shell surface.13. The hearing aid housing according to claim 11, wherein the tightening protrusion comprises a rib fully encircling the shell surface.14. The hearing aid housing according to claim 11, wherein the computer controlled production comprises utilizing a rapid prototyping apparatus.