Sealing retainer for extended wear hearing devices
First Claim
1. A seal for retaining a hearing device within a portion of the ear canal, the seal comprising:
- a curved shell having a wall and an opening at an apex portion of the shell, the shell wall defining a cavity for retention of a hearing device component, at least a portion of the shell comprising a resilient material having sound attenuating properties;
wherein the shell has a structure such that a force for removal of the seal from the ear canal is greater than a force for insertion of the seal into the canal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide seals for retaining hearing devices in the ear canal. An embodiment provides a seal for a hearing device comprising a curved shell having a wall and an opening at a shell apex portion. The shell wall defines a cavity for retention of a hearing device component with at least a portion of the shell comprising a resilient material having sound attenuating properties. The shell has a structure such that a force for removal of the seal from the canal is greater than a force for insertion of the seal into the canal. That structure can have an umbrella or cup shape. The structure can be configured to act as a mechanical toggle when acted upon by a laterally applied force to the shell. The structure can also be configured to exert a constant frictional force against the canal wall during insertion into the ear canal.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A seal for retaining a hearing device within a portion of the ear canal, the seal comprising:
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a curved shell having a wall and an opening at an apex portion of the shell, the shell wall defining a cavity for retention of a hearing device component, at least a portion of the shell comprising a resilient material having sound attenuating properties;
wherein the shell has a structure such that a force for removal of the seal from the ear canal is greater than a force for insertion of the seal into the canal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for wearing a hearing device in the ear canal of a user, the method comprising:
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providing a hearing device having a retaining seal configured to retain the device in the ear canal with a retaining force greater than an insertion force;
positioning the hearing device at a selected location in the ear canal; and
wearing the device in the canal while substantially retaining the device at the selected location. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification