Method for treating hearing deficiencies

• US 4,817,609 A
• Filed: 09/11/1987
• Issued: 04/04/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ReSound Corp. (GN Store Nord A/S)
• Original Assignee: ReSound Corp. (GN Store Nord A/S)
• Inventors: Carlson, Jason L., Perkins, Rodney C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coven, Edward M.
• Application Number:
  US07/096,129
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 128/1 R, 128/420.5, 128/420.6, 128/784, 381/68, 381/68.6
• US Class Current: 607/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/77 Design aspects, e.g. CAD, of hearing aid tips, moulds or housings
• 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 25/60 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 25/609 of circuitry of electronic switches or control elements H04R25/603
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/65 Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
• 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 25/658 Manufacture of housing parts

Abstract

A method and apparatus are described for treating hearing impairment in a human. The external auditory canal is substantially enlarged surgically in region proximate the ear drum. An electronic hearing aid is placed in this region. The hearing aid has a external housing molded to conform with the shape of the surgically enlarged region.

Claims

1. A method for treating hearing impairment in a human, comprising, surgically substantially enlarging the external auditory canal in a region proximate the ear drum, and placing in said region an electronic hearing aid having an external housing molded to conform with the shape of said region.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein a shoulder is surgically formed adjacent the ear drum to provide a stop for locating said hearing aid in said region.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said hearing aid is adapted for insertion and removal by the human wearer.