Sleeve for hearing aids, and a method and apparatus for testing hearing

• US 6,671,381 B1
• Filed: 02/17/1999
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gabriele Lux-Wellenhof
• Original Assignee: Gabriele Lux-Wellenhof
• Inventors: Lux-Wellenhof, Gabriele
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pendleton, Brian T.
• Application Number:
  US09/251,378
• Time in Patent Office: 1,777 Days
• Field of Search: 381/325, 381/322, 381/328, 181/135
• US Class Current: 381/325
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/0216 BTE hearing aids having a receiver in the ear mould
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/025 In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids
• 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 25/652 Ear tips; Ear moulds hybrid ear moulds or post-processing thereof for their customisation H04R25/659
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/654 Ear wax retarders
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/658 Manufacture of housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/70 Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

A sleeve is made available for hearing aids, hearing aids provided therewith, and parts. The sleeve is in the form of a flexible tube or sack and is placed over the hearing aid, (in-the-ear unit) which is inserted in the auditory channel or that part of the hearing aid (behind-the-ear units) which is inserted into the auditory channel. The diameter of the sleeve, which is in the form of a flexible tube, is variable and is thus moulded against the auditory channel wall. The sleeve, which is in the form of a flexible tube, is thus used both for locking the hearing aid in the auditory channel and for protection of the hearing aid against cerumen etc. Furthermore, a hearing test device is made available, using which, in particular, the abovementioned hearing aids can be individually adapted to a wearer. Using the hearing test device, various sounds and sound events can be played back or can be made audible. The test person varies the operating parameters of the respective hearing aid until an optimum sound impression is produced.

Claims

1. A protective sleeve for a hearing aid, the hearing aid being wearable in an auditory channel of an ear, the sleeve comprising:

a casing in the form of a flexible tube composed of a moisture-proof, elastic material;

an acoustically highly transmissive cap covering an end of the casing and firmly connected to the casing; and

means for absorbing moisture disposed in an interior of the protective sleeve and behind the cap;

wherein the protective sleeve is drawn over a portion of the hearing aid; and

wherein a portion of the cap is air-permeable.

2. The protective sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the means for absorbing moisture further comprises a gauze strip.

3. The protective sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the casing and the acoustically transmissive cap are integrally constructed.

4. The protective sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the air-permeable portion of the cap is constructed in the form of a rubber grid.

5. The protective sleeve according to claim 4, wherein the gridded portion of the cap is surrounded by an annular boundary which forms an edge of the cap.

6. The protective sleeve according to claim 1, further comprising:

a bead disposed in the interior of the protective sleeve and behind the cap;

wherein the bead is circumferential and in the form of a ring.

7. The protective sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the cap are composed of a hypoallergenic material.