Apparatus for closing openings of a hearing aid or an ear adaptor for hearing aids

• US 4,987,597 A
• Filed: 10/03/1988
• Issued: 01/22/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Haertl, Christof
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Application Number:
  US07/251,857
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 381/69, 381/68.6, 381/189, 181/129, 181/130, 181/135
• US Class Current: 381/325
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/57 Aspects of electrical interconnection between hearing aid parts
• 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 25/603 of mechanical or electronic switches or control elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/607 of earhooks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/654 Ear wax retarders

Abstract

An apparatus for closing an opening of a hearing aid or an ear adaptor for a hearing aid, particularly openings such as sound entry openings, sound exit openings and aeration openings utilizes a micro-porous membrane of an anti-adhesive material which is introduced into the respective opening. Preferably, the membrane is polytetrafluoroethylene material.

Claims

1. An apparatus for closing openings in a housing of hearing aids and parts of hearing aids, said openings being selected from a group consisting of sound entry, sound exit and aeration openings, said apparatus comprising a cap being mounted on the housing to close the opening, said cap having an opening for the transmission of sound and air through the cap, said cap having means for preventing moisture, sweat and cerumen from passing through said opening in the cap, said means being a microporous membrane of a hydrophobic material extending across the opening of the cap, said material of the membrane being a microporous polytetraflourethylene.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is an integral part of the cap.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is at least partially molded into the cap.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is separate from the cap and is placed between the cap and the opening of the housing before the cap is attached to the housing.