Retention and extraction device for a hearing aid

• US 6,179,085 B1
• Filed: 09/30/1999
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sonic Innovations Incorporated (William Demant Fonden)
• Original Assignee: Sonic Innovations Incorporated (William Demant Fonden)
• Inventors: Brimhall, Owen D., Ellis, Carl E., Pauley, Jerry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Khanh
• Application Number:
  US09/409,793
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 181/130, 181/135, 381/322, 381/324, 381/328, 381/329, 128/864, 128/865, 128/867, 128/84
• US Class Current: 181/135
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/652 Ear tips; Ear moulds hybrid ear moulds or post-processing thereof for their customisation H04R25/659

Abstract

A hearing aid retention and extraction device comprises a retention ring having an outer bonding surface and an inner grasping surface, and an elongate member extending from the retention ring. The retention and extraction device can be incorporated into a hearing device tip and allows both a hearing device and the hearing device tip to be simultaneously removed from an ear canal. When a user pulls on the elongate member, the retention ring cinches around the hearing device and prevents it from becoming separated from the hearing device tip. The cinching action of the retention ring also holds the hearing device in place within the ear canal.

Claims

1. A device adapted to be retained in a conformal tip or sheath for assisting in the retention and extractions, of an in-the-canal hearing device, the conformal sheath tip or configured to be placed within a person'"'"'s ear canal, the device comprising:

a retention ring having an outer peripheral bonding surface, an inner grasping surface, a proximal edge and a distal edge; and

an elongate member extending from the distal edge of the retention ring.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a side lobe extending from the retention ring, the side lobe increasing the surface area of the bonding surface.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a conformal hearing aid tip, wherein the outer peripheral bonding surface is attached to an inner surface of the conformal hearing aid tip.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the conformal hearing aid tip is adapted for use with a completely in-the-canal hearing device.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein pulling on the elongate member cinches the inner surface of the conformal hearing aid tip.

6. The device of claim 3, further comprising a hearing device inserted into the conformal hearing aid tip, and at least partially through the retention ring, wherein the inner grasping surface secures the hearing device within the conformal hearing aid tip.

7. The hearing aid retention and extraction device of claim 6, wherein the hearing device is secured by elastic interference.

8. The hearing aid retention and extraction device of claim 6, wherein the hearing device is secured by frictional interference.

9. The hearing aid retention and extraction device of claim 6, wherein the hearing device and the conformal hearing aid tip can be simultaneously removed from an ear canal by pulling on the elongate member.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a conformal hearing aid tip, wherein the retention and extraction device is integrated into the conformal hearing aid tip.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the hearing aid retention and extraction device is lasso shaped.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the extraction member has a distal end and a thickening on the distal end.

13. A hearing device, comprising:

a receiver module;

a conformal tip adapted to engage the receiver module, the conformal tip having a proximal end, a distal end, an outside surface and an inside surface, the inside surface defining a cavity in communication with the distal end of the conformal tip; and

a retention and extraction device attached to the inside surface of the conformal tip, the retention and extraction device including

a retention ring having an outer peripheral bonding surface, an inner grasping surface, a proximal edge and a distal edge; and

an elongate member extending from the distal edge of the retention ring.

14. The hearing device of claim 13, wherein the conformal tip comprises a vent.

15. The hearing device of claim 13, wherein the receiver module is inserted into the conformal hearing aid tip and at least partially through the retention ring, and wherein the inner grasping surface secures the receiver module within the conformal hearing aid tip.

16. The hearing device of claim 15, wherein pulling on the elongate member cinches the inner surface of the conformal hearing aid tip and grasps the receiver module.

17. The hearing device of claim 13, wherein the hearing device is a completely in-the-canal hearing device.

18. A hearing aid, comprising:

a conformal sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, an outside surface and an inside surface, the inside surface defining a cavity in communication with the distal end of the conformal sheath; and

a hearing aid retention and extraction device, including a retention ring having an outer peripheral bonding surface and an elongate member extending from the retention ring, wherein the outer peripheral bonding surface is attached to the inside surface of the conformal sheath.

19. The hearing aid tip of claim 18, wherein pulling on the elongate member cinches the inner surface of the conformal hearing aid tip.