Ear plug assembly for hearing aid

• US 5,046,580 A
• Filed: 08/17/1990
• Issued: 09/10/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James I. Barton
• Original Assignee: James I. Barton
• Inventors: Barton, James I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Brian W.
• Application Number:
  US07/569,392
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 181/130, 181/135, 128/864-868, 381/68.6, 381/68.7
• US Class Current: 181/135
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/0213 Constructional details of earhooks, e.g. shape, material
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/0216 BTE hearing aids having a receiver in the ear mould
• 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 25/607 of earhooks
• 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 plug assembly (28) for behind the ear hearing aids. The ear plug assembly (28) comprises a hollow substantially conical shell (32) having two annular ridges (42, 44) in its smaller open end (34). A hollow tube (26) connects the electronics package (20) to the smaller end (34) of the shell (32) and conveys the sound into the ear canal. One end of the tube (26) has a fitting or endpiece (50) in it with a flange (52) that is seated between the ridges thus securing the tube (26) in the shell. A slidable nut (38) and a spring (40) are mounted on the tube (26) such that the nut can be slid toward the endpiece (50) thus compressing the spring (40) and providing rigidity. The compressed spring (40) transmits a force applied to the nut (38) to act upon the endpiece (50) and the ridge (44) of the shell (32). This force tends to stretch the shell (32), reducing its diameter so that easier and deeper insertion into the ear canal can be achieved. When the force is removed from the nut (38), the shell (32) tends to return to its noraml size i.e. its larger diameter, and hence achieves a snug and comfortable fit with the interior of the ear canal of the wearer.

Claims

1. An improved ear plug assembly for use with a hearing aid comprising an electronic package which includes a receiver, an ear plug assembly and a tube having a first end which connects to the receiver and a second end which connects to the ear plug assembly, said improved ear plug assembly comprising:

a flexible hollow generally conical shell member having an interior surface and an exterior surface and a large open end and a small open end;

means for securing said second end of said tube to the interior surface of the small open end of said shell member;

a spring, having an inner diameter greater than an outside diameter of said tube, mounted upon and circumscribing the tube and having a first end proximate said means for securing; and

slidable annular nut means mounted upon said tube for contacting a second end of said spring.

2. The ear plug assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for securing comprises:

a first annular ridge located on the interior surface of the small end of said shell;

a second annular ridge located on the interior surface of said small end of said shell and slightly axially spaced from said first annular ridge to define a groove therebetween;

an endpiece having a cylindrical portion for mating with said tube and a radially extending flange portion for seating in said groove.

3. The ear plug assembly of claim 2 wherein said endpiece mating with said tube is secured by an adhesive.

4. The ear plug assembly of claim 1 further comprising a harness, said harness having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface having a diameter larger than an outside diameter of the smaller end of said shell, thereby defining a gap between said harness and the small end of said shell.

5. The ear plug assembly of claim 4 wherein said gap is between approximately 0.010 and 0.030 inch.

6. The ear plug assembly of claim 2 further comprising vent means for allowing passage of air from inside an ear canal of a wearer to outside said ear canal, said vent means comprising:

a notch in the flange of said endpiece; and

a hole in the shell, said hole being radially aligned and juxtaposed with said notch.