Hearing aid to be worn at the head

• US 5,708,720 A
• Filed: 10/28/1996
• Issued: 01/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Meyer, Wolfram
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Huyen D.
• Application Number:
  US08/742,556
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 381/68, 381/68.1, 381/68.5, 381/68.6, 381/68.7, 381/69, 381/69.1, 381/69.2, 381/68.3, 381/68.2, 381/68.4, 174/35 R, 174/35 MS, 361/816, 361/818, 455/89, 455/90, 455/300
• US Class Current: 381/322
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/0213 Constructional details of earhooks, e.g. shape, material
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/49 Reducing the effects of electromagnetic noise on the functioning of hearing aids, by, e.g. shielding, signal processing adaptation, selective (de)activation of electronic parts in hearing aid
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/00 Deaf-aid sets , i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception electrical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N1/36038; optical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N5/0622
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/65 Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture

Abstract

In order to improve the immunity of a hearing aid to interference caused by the penetration of high-frequency electromagnetic waves via seams and openings of the hearing aid housing, the housing is composed of at least two electrically conductive parts that are joined in electrically conductive fashion via a high-frequency seal.

Claims

1. A hearing aid comprising:

a housing adapted be worn at the head of a person, said housing containing means for receiving and amplifying audio signals including a microphone, an amplifier circuit, an earphone and a battery connected to said amplifier circuit, said microphone and said earphone; and

said housing being comprised of at least two electrically conductive housing parts each having an edge, the respective edges of said housing parts facing each other and means interposed between said edges for mechanically and electrically connecting said electrically conductive housing parts and for forming a high-frequency seal.

2. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive housing parts have a separating seam, and wherein said high-frequency seal comprises an electrically conductive layer placed in said separating seam.

3. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said high frequency seal comprises an elastic high-frequency seal.

4. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive housing parts of said housing each comprise a non-electrically conductive part on which an electrically conductive coating is disposed.

5. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 4 wherein said electrically conductive coating comprises a conductive lacquer, and wherein said high-frequency seal is comprised of a portion of said conductive lacquer.

6. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said high-frequency seal comprises an electrically conductive foil.

7. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive housing parts consist of plastic having an electrically conductive material admixed therein.

8. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said high-frequency seal comprises an elastic core having a metal foil cladding thereon.

9. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said electrically conductive housing parts has a tongue projection engaging the other of said electrically conductive housing parts, said tongue consisting of electrically conductive material and forming said high-frequency seal.

10. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1 further comprising electrically conductive connection connecting said amplifier circuit to at least one of said electrically conducting housing parts at only one location.

11. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 10 wherein said electrically conductive connection of said amplifier circuit to said at least one of said electrically conductive housing parts comprises a pole of said battery.

12. A hearing aid as claimed in claim 10 wherein said electrically conductive connection of said amplifier circuit to said at least one of said electrically conductive housing parts comprises a spring contact for said battery.