Articulated hearing device
First Claim
1. A hearing device, comprising:
- a main module adapted to contain any of a microphone, a battery, device controls, and a signal processing circuit;
a receiver module adapted to contain a receiver; and
a connector adapted to provide an electrical connection between said main module and said receiver module;
wherein at least two of said main module, receiver module, and connector are connected by an articulating joint, such that said modules move freely and independently, one relative to the other within a range of movement and to freely maintain a position at any point within this range of movement, to permit independent movement of any of said main module and said receiver module in response to in situ ear canal deformation; and
wherein said main module and said receiver module are each contained in separate, relatively rigid, non-resilient housings.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hearing device having highly articulated, non-contiguous parts and adapted for placement within the ear canal includes a receiver module for delivering acoustic signals within close proximity to the tympanic membrane, a main module containing all hearing aid components except the receiver, and a connector that routes amplified electrical signals from the main module to the receiver module. The connector fits in the cartilaginous area of the ear canal and is articulated with both the receiver module and main module to permit independent movement of the receiver module and main module while the hearing device is inserted or removed and during various jaw movements, such as chewing, yawning, and talking. The connector may be an adjustable shaft that accommodates various canal lengths and that allows incremental receiver placement depths within the ear canal. The receiver module, which is inserted deeply, preferably in the bony portion of the ear canal to provide all of the advantages associated with deep receiver placement, incorporates various sealing means to substantially reduce acoustic leakage that causes oscillatory feedback.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A hearing device, comprising:
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a main module adapted to contain any of a microphone, a battery, device controls, and a signal processing circuit; a receiver module adapted to contain a receiver; and a connector adapted to provide an electrical connection between said main module and said receiver module; wherein at least two of said main module, receiver module, and connector are connected by an articulating joint, such that said modules move freely and independently, one relative to the other within a range of movement and to freely maintain a position at any point within this range of movement, to permit independent movement of any of said main module and said receiver module in response to in situ ear canal deformation; and
wherein said main module and said receiver module are each contained in separate, relatively rigid, non-resilient housings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. An intra-canal prosthesis (ICP) that is representative of a hearing aid prostheses, said ICP being adapted to perform unaided, simulated aided hearing evaluation in accordance with virtual electroacoustic audiometry, said ICP comprising:
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a main module adapted to provide an electrical connection to a virtual electroacoustic audiometer; a receiver module adapted to contain a receiver; and a connector adapted to provide an electrical connection between said main module and said receiver module; wherein at least two of said main module, receiver module, and connector are connected by an articulating joint, such that said modules move freely and independently, one relative to the other within a range of movement and to freely maintain a position at any point within this range of movement, to permit independent movement of any of said main module, said receiver module, and said connector in response to in situ ear canal deformation; and
wherein said main module and said receiver module are each contained in separate, relatively rigid, non-resilient housings.
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46. A hearing device, comprising:
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a main module comprising any of a microphone, a battery, device controls, and a signal processing circuit; a receiver module comprising a receiver; and a connector for providing an electrical connection between said main module and said receiver module; wherein at least two of said main module, receiver module, and connector are connected by an articulating joint, such that said modules move freely and independently, one relative to the other within a range of movement and to freely maintain a position at any point within this range of movement, to permit independent movement of any of said main module, said receiver module, and said connector in response to in situ ear canal deformation; and
wherein said main module and said receiver module are each contained in separate, relatively rigid, non-resilient housings.
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Specification