Inconspicuous semi-permanent hearing device

• US 20050286731A1
• Filed: 10/25/2003
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adnan Shennib, Diep H. Ngo, Richard C. Urso
• Original Assignee: Adnan Shennib, Diep H. Ngo, Richard C. Urso
• Inventors: Shennib, Adnan, Urso, Richard C., Ngo, Diep H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,310,426 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/322
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/023 Completely in the canal [CIC] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/31 Aspects of the use of accumulators in hearing aids, e.g. rechargeable batteries or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/15 Determination of the acoustic seal of ear moulds or ear tips of hearing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/17 Hearing device specific tools used for storing or handling hearing devices or parts thereof, e.g. placement in the ear, replacement of cerumen barriers, repair, cleaning hearing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/456 mechanically
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/556 External connectors, e.g. plugs or modules H04R25/607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/558 Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/60 Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles ear wax retarders, e.g. mounting thereof H04R25/654
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/602 of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/603 of mechanical or electronic switches or control elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/609 of circuitry of electronic switches or control elements H04R25/603
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/654 Ear wax retarders
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/656 Non-customized, universal ear tips, i.e. ear tips which are not specifically adapted to the size or shape of the ear or ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/658 Manufacture of housing parts

Abstract

A semi-permanent hearing device is disclosed which is adapted to be completely positioned within the ear canal of an individual for long-term use. The device comprises a sealing retainer substantially positioned in the bony region of the ear canal and a core assembly including a receiver assembly coaxially positioned within the sealing retainer. When the device is inserted into its completely-in-the-canal position, the core assembly extends from the sealing retainer to the cartilaginous region of the ear canal in a non-occluding fashion, thereby minimizing interference with hair and earwax production present in the cartilaginous region. In a preferred embodiment of the device, the core assembly comprises a battery assembly conforming substantially to the shape and dimensions of the battery enclosed within the assembly. A connector in the form of a thin ribbon film provides electrical and flexible mechanical connectivity between the receiver assembly, the centrally positioned battery assembly, and a microphone assembly positioned in the cartilaginous region. The disclosed hearing device is characterized by the absence of a unitary enclosure or a main housing, in contrast to the enclosure or housing which typically encompasses the battery along with other components in prior art hearing device designs.

Claims

1. An inconspicuous semi-permanent hearing device, comprising:

a sealing retainer adapted to be retained in the bony portion of a wearer'"'"'s ear canal along the longitudinal axis and in direct contact with the walls thereof when said hearing device is fully seated within the ear canal of the wearer;

a receiver assembly including a receiver for supplying acoustic signals processed by said hearing device to the tympanic membrane of the wearer, said receiver assembly being arranged and adapted to mate with said sealing retainer for positioning in the bony portion of the ear canal;

a microphone assembly adapted to be positioned medially past the aperture of the ear canal said microphone assembly including a microphone for receiving incoming acoustic signals for processing by said hearing device;

a battery assembly including a battery for powering said hearing device; and

a flexible connector electrically and mechanically connecting said battery assembly to said receiver assembly and said microphone assembly;

whereby said hearing device is adapted to be inserted entirely within a wearer'"'"'s ear canal medially past the aperture thereof for long-term wear therein.

3. The inconspicuous semi-permanent hearing device of claim 1, wherein said sealing retainer is sufficiently soft and yielding to conform itself to the shape of the ear canal in said bony portion for long-term retention therein when said hearing device is fully seated in the ear canal.

4. The inconspicuous semi-permanent hearing device of claim 1, further comprising an air gap between said sealing retainer and said receiver assembly.

37. The inconspicuous semi-permanent hearing device of claim 3, wherein said sealing retainer is composed of a compressible material from a group including polyurethane foam, silicone, or like material.

45. The inconspicuous semi-permanent hearing device of claim 1, wherein said sealing retainer is provided in an assortment of different sizes and shapes to accommodate the dimensions of the ear canal of the individual wearer.

49. The inconspicuous semi-permanent hearing device of claim 1, wherein said receiver assembly is adapted to protrude medially beyond the contact area of said sealing retainer when said device is seated in the ear canal.

2. (canceled)

5-36. -36. (canceled)

38-44. -44. (canceled)

46-48. -48. (canceled)

50-97. -97. (canceled)

98. A semi-permanent hearing device adapted for insertion and long-term use wear in the ear canal, comprising:

a core assembly comprising

transducer means for converting sound waves incident thereon to audible acoustic signals to be imparted on the tympanic membrane of the wearer, and

a battery for powering said core assembly; and

a sealing retainer fabricated and adapted to seat within and occlude the bony region of the ear canal and to snugly support said core assembly along the longitudinal axis of the ear canal in said bony region when the hearing device is fully seated in the ear canal, whereby said sealing retainer provides acoustic sealing of said bony region of the ear canal to prevent feedback,

said core assembly including a portion extending adapted to extend laterally and non-occludingly within the ear canal medially past the aperture thereof when the hearing device is fully seated in the ear canal.

99. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 98, wherein said core assembly and said sealing retainer are selectively separable from one another.

100. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 98, wherein said sealing retainer is sufficiently soft and yielding to conform itself to the shape of the ear canal in said bony region for long-term retention in a seated position therein when said device is fully inserted into the ear canal.

101. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 98, further comprising an air gap between said sealing retainer and said core assembly.

102. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 98, further comprising moisture-proof encapsulation of said device.

103. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 102, wherein said encapsulation has a wall thickness not exceeding 0.3 mm.

104. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 98, wherein said transducer means includes a microphone and a receiver each having a respective port for passage of acoustic signal therethrough, and further including at least one debris guard for at least one of said microphone port and said receiver port without substantial interference to passage of acoustic signal through the respective port.

105. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 104, wherein said at least one debris guard is waterproof.

111. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 98, wherein said core assembly comprises an air vent.

114. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 98, including programming means for selectively adjusting electroacoustic parameters of said device.

115. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 114, wherein said programming means includes a programmer external to said device and adjustment means internal to said device responsive to programming signals from said programmmer for performing said selective adjustment.

116. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 100, wherein said sealing retainer is composed of a compressible material.

117. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 116, wherein said compressible material is responsive to compression thereof to undergo delayed expansion over time to assume a snug fit within said ear canal.

118. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 98, wherein said sealing retainer is made of polyurethane foam or like material.

119. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 98, wherein said sealing retainer is made of silicone or like material.

120. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 98, wherein said sealing retainer is removable from said device and disposable for replacement thereof.

121. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 98, wherein said sealing retainer is one among an assortment of sealing retainers of different sizes and shapes supplied with said hearing device to accommodate the dimensions of the ear canal of the individual wearer.

123. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 98, wherein said transducer means comprises a receiver assembly protruding medially beyond the contact area of said sealing retainer.

106-110. -110. (canceled)

112-113. -113. (canceled)

122. (canceled)

124-140. -140. (canceled)