Hearing aid design
First Claim
1. A hearing aid adapted for insertion into a tunnel that connects a retro-auricular space to an ear canal, comprising:
- a hearing aid module comprising;
a case;
electronic circuitry housed in said case;
an acoustic transducer electrically connected to said electronic circuitry;
a microphone also electrically connected to said electronic circuitry; and
a power source housed in said case end electrically connected to the electronic circuitry;
a hollow tube adapted for insertion into the tunnel, wherein the case of the hearing aid module is adapted to be slidably inserted into and withdrawn from said tube;
wherein the electronic circuitry includes signal processing circuitry for amplifying and processing signals sensed through the microphone and for presenting the amplified and processed signals to the acoustic transducer; and
wherein the acoustic transducer converts the amplified and processed signals received from the electronic circuitry to sound waves, which sound waves are emitted towards the ear canal.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hearing aid module (60) is shaped for insertion into a tunnel (40) made through the soft tissue that connects the retro-auricular space (50) with the ear canal (30). A hollow tube (44) may first be chronically or acutely implanted in such tunnel, and the hearing aid module inserted into the tube. The tube or hearing aid module may have a coating (45) containing a steroid or drug adapted to minimize infection and/or inflammation. The hearing aid module contains a speaker (65), a battery or other power source (66) powering the module, signal processing circuitry (67), and a microphone (63). Telemetry circuitry (69) within the module allows the signal processing circuitry to be programmed with a desired frequency response or signal processing strategy using an external programming unit (74). A remote control unit (75) permits the user to make simple adjustments, such as volume and/or tone control.
103 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A hearing aid adapted for insertion into a tunnel that connects a retro-auricular space to an ear canal, comprising:
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a hearing aid module comprising;
a case;
electronic circuitry housed in said case;
an acoustic transducer electrically connected to said electronic circuitry;
a microphone also electrically connected to said electronic circuitry; and
a power source housed in said case end electrically connected to the electronic circuitry;
a hollow tube adapted for insertion into the tunnel, wherein the case of the hearing aid module is adapted to be slidably inserted into and withdrawn from said tube;
wherein the electronic circuitry includes signal processing circuitry for amplifying and processing signals sensed through the microphone and for presenting the amplified and processed signals to the acoustic transducer; and
wherein the acoustic transducer converts the amplified and processed signals received from the electronic circuitry to sound waves, which sound waves are emitted towards the ear canal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A hearing aid module adapted for insertion into a tunnel connecting a retro-auricular space to an ear canal, comprising:
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a case;
a hollow tube adapted for insertion into the tunnel, wherein the case is adapted to be slidably inserted into and withdrawn from said tube;
means contained in said case for processing electrical signals representing sound wave;
means for sensing sound waves;
means for transducing said sound waves into electrical signals and for providing said signals to the processing means, which transducing means are electrically connected to the sensing means and the processing means;
means for converting said processed signals received from the processing means to sound waves and for emitting such sound waves towards the ear canal; and
means for providing power to said module electrically connected to at least the electronic circuitry.
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21. A method of aiding the hearing function of user, comprising:
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making a tunnel through soft tissue of the user that connects a retro-auricular space behind a pinna with an ear canal;
inserting inside the tunnel a hearing aid module, the hearing aid module having a case adapted for insertion into the tunnel, with an acoustic transducer located at a distil end of the module so as to be near the ear canal, a microphone located at a proximal end of the module so as to be near the retro-auricular space, and a power source and signal processing circuits located within the module;
wherein inserting the hearing aid module further comprises inserting the hearing aid module into a tube and inserting the tube inside the tunnel. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification