EAR TIP PIECE FOR ATTENUATING SOUND

• US 20130056295A1
• Filed: 08/23/2012
• Published: 03/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magnatone Hearing Aid Corporation
• Original Assignee: Magnatone Hearing Aid Corporation
• Inventors: Chiu, William, Campbell, Don E. K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,800,712 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 181/135
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/08 internal, e.g. earplugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/085 including an inner channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/11 Aspects relating to vents, e.g. shape, orientation, acoustic properties in ear tips of hearing devices to prevent occlusion
• 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 25/652 Ear tips; Ear moulds hybrid ear moulds or post-processing thereof for their customisation H04R25/659
• 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

Abstract

An ear tip piece device made of resilient material dimensioned for fitting the ear canal of a wearer, having a solid portion, a reversibly compressible portion, a channel and a sound attenuating element positioned inside the channel for attenuating sound being transmitted to the ear. In one embodiment, the ear tip piece is asymmetrical due to a bend.

Claims

1. An ear tip piece for insertion in an ear canal to attenuate sound being transmitted to the ear, comprising:

a first end including a solid portion that is sized and shaped to be inserted into an ear canal;

a second end including a reversibly compressible portion for sealing the ear canal;

a channel passing through the solid portion for transmitting sound to the ear; and

a sound attenuator positioned inside the channel for attenuating sound being transmitted to the ear.

2. The ear tip piece of claim 1, further comprising a bend between the first end and second end, wherein the bend is positioned and shaped to facilitate insertion of the ear tip piece at or near a first or second bend of the ear canal.

3. The ear tip piece of claim 1, further comprising a coupler inserted into the channel for retaining the sound attenuator.

4. The ear tip piece of claim 1, wherein the sound attenuator is a filter.

5. The ear tip piece of claim 1, wherein the sound attenuator is a plug.

6. The ear tip piece of claim 3, wherein a wax basket is fit inside the coupler for preventing the buildup of ear wax.

7. The ear tip piece of claim 3, wherein the coupler includes an extraction device to facilitate removal of the ear tip piece from the ear canal.

8. The ear tip piece of claim 3, wherein the coupler includes an insertion device to facilitate placement of the ear tip piece inside the ear canal.

9. The ear tip piece of claim 1, further comprising a cavity in the solid portion of the first end adjacent to the channel.

10. The ear tip piece of claim 2, wherein the bend forms an angle in a range from about 57°

to about 87°

.

11. The ear tip piece of claim 1, wherein the reversibly compressible portion is hollow.

12. The ear tip piece of claim 1, wherein the sound attenuator is a damper.

13. The ear tip piece of claim 1, further comprising an extraction device.

14. The ear tip piece of claim 1, further comprising an insertion device.

15. The ear tip piece of claim 1, wherein the sound attenuator is replaceable.

16. The ear tip piece of claim 1, wherein the sound attenuator is positioned inside the channel close to the first end.

17. An ear tip piece for insertion in an ear canal to attenuate sound being transmitted to the ear, comprising:

a first end including a solid portion that is sized and shaped to be inserted into an ear canal;

a second end including a reversibly compressible portion for sealing the ear canal;

a bend between the first end and second end, wherein the bend is positioned and shaped to facilitate insertion of the ear tip piece at or near a first or second bend of the ear canal;

a channel passing through the solid portion for transmitting sound to the ear;

a sound attenuator to attenuate sound transmitted to the ear; and

a coupler inserted into the channel for retaining the sound attenuator in the ear tip piece.