# US 9,883,293 B2 · Hearing device, particularly hearing aid

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- Number: US 9,883,293 B2
- Document ID: US9883293B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/075,417
- Filed: 2016-03-21
- Published: 2016-09-22
- Granted: 2018-01-30
- Earliest claimed: 2015-03-19
- Assignees: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
- Applicants: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
- Inventors: Chuan Foong Lee; Eduardo Jr Bas; Hoong Yih Chan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9883293B2

## CPC

- H04R 25/405: {by combining a plurality of transducers}
- H04R 23/002: {using electrothermic-effect transducer}
- H04R 25/456: {mechanically}
- H04R 25/48: {using constructional means for obtaining a desired frequency response (H04R25/652 takes precedence)}
- H04R 3/14: Cross-over networks
- H04R 25/604: {of acoustic or vibrational transducers}
- H04R 2225/0213: Constructional details of earhooks, e.g. shape, material
- H04R 2225/49: Reducing the effects of electromagnetic noise on the functioning of hearing aids, by, e.g. shielding, signal processing adaptation, selective (de)activation of electronic parts in hearing aid
- Y10S 977/00: Nanotechnology
- H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K)
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A hearing device, particularly a hearing aid, has a housing, a signal processing unit arranged in the housing, a first sound generator disposed in the housing, and a second sound generator. The first sound generator and the second sound generator are configured to convert an output signal from the signal processing unit into sound. The second sound generator is a thermo-acoustic transducer.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A hearing device, comprising:
a housing;
a signal processing unit disposed in said housing and having an output for carrying an output signal;
an electro-acoustic transducer forming a first sound generator arranged in said housing;
a thermo-acoustic transducer forming a second sound generator;
a thermo-acoustic transducer forming a third sound generator;
said first second and third sound generators being configured to convert an output signal from said signal processing unit into sound;
a frequency filter having a signal input connected to receive the output signal from said signal processing unit, a low-frequency output connected to said first sound generator, and a high-frequency output connected to said second sound generator;
a sound conductor reversibly connectable to said housing and having a plurality of signal ports;
at least one or both of said second sound generator or said third sound generator being arranged in said sound conductor; and
wherein, when said sound conductor is connected to said housing, said plurality of signal ports of said sound conductor produce a signal connection from said signal processing unit to one or both of said second and third sound generators.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein said thermo-acoustic transducer comprises a plurality of signal ports and at least one film connected to at least one said signal port and formed from carbon nanotubes, and wherein an application of a signal voltage to said signal port brings about time-variant heating in said at least one film and produces a sound by way of a thermo-acoustic effect.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein said second sound generator is arranged in said housing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein said first sound generator is configured to have a higher maximum reproduction level for frequencies in a frequency range up to 4 kHz than for frequencies above 4 kHz.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein said housing has an acoustic space formed therein with a sound output, said first sound generator is configured to generate sound in said acoustic space, and said second sound generator is arranged in said acoustic space.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The hearing device according to claim 5, wherein said second sound generator is arranged in a sound path between said first sound generator and said sound output.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The hearing device according to claim 5, wherein said second sound generator is arranged laterally to a of a sound path between said first sound generator and said sound output.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The hearing device according to claim 1, configured as a hearing aid.