Inconspicuous semi-permanent hearing device
First Claim
1. An inconspicuous semi-permanent hearing device, comprising:
- a sealing retainer adapted to be retained in the bony portion of a wearer'"'"'s ear canal along the longitudinal axis and in direct contact with the walls thereof when said hearing device is fully seated within the ear canal of the wearer;
a receiver assembly including a receiver for supplying acoustic signals to the tympanic membrane of the wearer, said receiver assembly being arranged and adapted to mate with said sealing retainer for positioning in the bony portion of the ear canal;
a microphone assembly adapted to be positioned medially past the aperture of the ear canal, said microphone assembly including a microphone for receiving incoming acoustic signals for processing by said hearing device;
a battery assembly including a battery for powering said hearing device, said battery assembly axially aligned and medially positioned relative to said microphone assembly; and
a flexible connector connecting said battery assembly to said receiver assembly, wherein said flexible connector is adapted to allow articulation of said receiver assembly relative to said battery assembly during insertion and removal of said hearing device,whereby said hearing device is adapted to be inserted entirely within a wearer'"'"'s ear canal medially past the aperture thereof for long-term wear therein.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A semi-permanent hearing device is disclosed which is adapted to be completely positioned within the ear canal of an individual for long-term use. The device comprises a sealing retainer substantially positioned in the bony region of the ear canal and a core assembly including a receiver assembly coaxially positioned within the sealing retainer. When the device is inserted into its completely-in-the-canal position, the core assembly extends from the sealing retainer to the cartilaginous region of the ear canal in a non-occluding fashion, thereby minimizing interference with hair and earwax production present in the cartilaginous region. In a preferred embodiment of the device, the core assembly comprises a battery assembly conforming substantially to the shape and dimensions of the battery enclosed within the assembly. A connector in the form of a thin ribbon film provides electrical and flexible mechanical connectivity between the receiver assembly, the centrally positioned battery assembly, and a microphone assembly positioned in the cartilaginous region. The disclosed hearing device is characterized by the absence of a unitary enclosure or a main housing, in contrast to the enclosure or housing which typically encompasses the battery along with other components in prior art hearing device designs.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. An inconspicuous semi-permanent hearing device, comprising:
-
a sealing retainer adapted to be retained in the bony portion of a wearer'"'"'s ear canal along the longitudinal axis and in direct contact with the walls thereof when said hearing device is fully seated within the ear canal of the wearer; a receiver assembly including a receiver for supplying acoustic signals to the tympanic membrane of the wearer, said receiver assembly being arranged and adapted to mate with said sealing retainer for positioning in the bony portion of the ear canal; a microphone assembly adapted to be positioned medially past the aperture of the ear canal, said microphone assembly including a microphone for receiving incoming acoustic signals for processing by said hearing device; a battery assembly including a battery for powering said hearing device, said battery assembly axially aligned and medially positioned relative to said microphone assembly; and a flexible connector connecting said battery assembly to said receiver assembly, wherein said flexible connector is adapted to allow articulation of said receiver assembly relative to said battery assembly during insertion and removal of said hearing device, whereby said hearing device is adapted to be inserted entirely within a wearer'"'"'s ear canal medially past the aperture thereof for long-term wear therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A semi-permanent hearing device adapted for insertion and long-term wear in the ear canal, comprising:
-
a core assembly comprising; transducer means for converting sound waves incident thereon to audible acoustic signals to be imparted on the tympanic membrane of the wearer, and a battery for powering said core assembly; and a sealing retainer fabricated and adapted to seat within and occlude the bony region of the ear canal and to snugly support said core assembly along the longitudinal axis of the ear canal in said bony region when the hearing device is fully seated in the ear canal, whereby said sealing retainer provides acoustic sealing of said bony region of the ear canal to prevent feedback, said core assembly including a portion adapted to extend laterally and non-occludingly within the ear canal medially past the aperture thereof when the hearing device is fully seated in the ear canal said core assembly and said sealing retainer adapted to position a medial end of the core assembly within approximately 2-3 mm of the tympanic membrane for long-term wear of the hearing device in the ear canal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification