Method for fitting a universal hearing device shell and conformal tip in an ear canal

• US 6,532,295 B1
• Filed: 12/10/1999
• Issued: 03/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sonic Innovations Incorporated (William Demant Fonden)
• Original Assignee: Sonic Innovations Incorporated (William Demant Fonden)
• Inventors: Ellis, Carl E., Pauley, Jerry L., Collotzi, Craig M., Brimhall, Owen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): PENDLETON, DIONNE
• Application Number:
  US09/467,546
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 381/325, 381/328, 381/329, 381/322, 381/312, 181/130, 181/135, 181/35, 379/52
• US Class Current: 381/328
• 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 2410/07 Mechanical or electrical reduction of wind noise generated by wind passing a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/609 of circuitry of electronic switches or control elements H04R25/603
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/65 Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
• 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

A method for fitting a hearing device in an ear canal, comprises, providing a receiver module sized and shaped to fit in any of a wide range of ear canals, selecting a conformal tip from a plurality of differently sized conformal tips, each conformal tip of the plurality having an inside circumference adapted to engage the same size receiver module, wherein the selected conformal tip has an outside circumference slightly larger than the circumference of the ear canal, engaging the receiver module within the selected conformal tip, and inserting the selected conformal tip and engaged receiver module into the ear canal.

Claims

1. A method for fitting a hearing device in an ear canal, comprising:

providing a receiver module sized and shaped to fit in any of a wide range of ear canals;

selecting a conformal tip from a plurality of differently sized conformal tips, each conformal tip of the plurality having an inside circumference adapted to engage the same size receiver module, wherein the selected conformal tip has an outside circumference slightly larger than the circumference of the ear canal;

engaging the receiver module within the selected conformal tip; and

inserting the selected conformal tip and engaged receiver module into the ear canal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the conformal tip comprises a soft foam sheath having a bulbous distal end.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the conformal tip comprises a non-compressible gel having an elastic membrane sheath.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining if the selected conformal tip and engaged hearing device forms an acoustic seal within the ear canal; and

if the hearing device does not form an acoustic seal;

removing the selected conformal tip and engaged receiver module from the ear canal;

selecting a second conformal tip from the plurality of differently sized conformal tips;

engaging the receiver module within the second conformal tip; and

inserting the selected second conformal tip and engaged receiver module into the ear canal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiver module comprises a shell formed from a rigid material that provides protection from electromagnetic interference, to electronic components housed within the shell.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the shell is formed from stainless steel.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the shell is formed from aluminum.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the conformal tip comprises means for reducing occlusion effects.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the conformal tip comprises a vent aperture.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of allowing air to escape through the vent tube housed within the retrieval cord.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of readjusting the position of the hearing device using the retrieval cord.