Custom-molded ear-plug, and process for producing a custom-molded ear-plug device

• US 7,387,187 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2002
• Issued: 06/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sonova AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Phonak AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Widmer, Christoph, Hessel, Hans, Weidmann, Markus
• Primary Examiner(s): Warren; David S.
• Application Number:
  US10/271,081
• Publication Number:
  US 20030037989A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,072 Days
• Field of Search: 181129-135, 381/23.1, 381322-331, 381/328
• US Class Current: 181/130
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1077 Measuring of profiles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/77 Design aspects, e.g. CAD, of hearing aid tips, moulds or housings
• 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 25/658 Manufacture of housing parts

Abstract

A hearing device and process for its updating, including a resilient outer shell and one or more internal units, with the outer shell conforming in shape to at least one of the internal units so that the internal unit is held snugly in place. The outer shell can be replaced using either a destructive or non-destructive disassembly method to re-use at least one of the internal units.

Claims

1. A method for adapting a hearing device conceived for an individual'"'"'s ear to actual changed needs of said individual'"'"'s ear with respect to characteristics of the outer surface of said hearing device comprising the steps of:

first measuring the individuals ear for first fitting the hearing device;

forming a first shell for the hearing device specifically customized for the individual'"'"'s ear and for mounting directly electronic components of the hearing device;

providing said hearing device with said first shell and said electronic components directly within said shell;

second measuring the individual'"'"'s ear some time after said first measuring to determine changed needs of the individual from changes in geometric characteristics of the individual'"'"'s ear;

forming a second shell for the hearing device, said second shell having an outer surface specifically customized for the changes in the individual'"'"'s ear and having an insertion opening within a section of said second shell;

removing said electronic components from said first shell; and

introducing said electronic components through said insertion opening into said second shell and collapsing said section with said insertion opening, thereby securing said electronic components within said second shell to form the hearing device newly adapted for the individual'"'"'s changed needs.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing said adapted shell with said section being of elastic material.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said hearing device is an in-the-ear hearing device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said hearing device is an outside-the-ear hearing device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said hearing device is a hearing aid.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said actual needs also include hygienic needs.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said actual needs also include medical needs.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said actual needs also include aesthetic needs.

9. A method for replacing an original outer shell of a customized hearing device, said original outer shell having an elastic part made of an elastic material forming an original insertion opening, said method comprising the steps of:

determining unique characteristics of an individual'"'"'s ear;

providing said hearing device with said original outer shell custom adapted specifically for said unique characteristics;

providing a new outer shell custom adapted specifically for the unique characteristics or other unique characteristics of the individual'"'"'s ear, said new outer shell having a new elastic part made of an elastic material forming a new insertion opening;

stretching said elastic part of said original outer shell to increase the size of said original insertion opening;

removing said discrete part from said original outer shell;

stretching said new elastic part of said new outer shell to increase the size of said new insertion opening;

inserting said discrete part into said new outer shell through said new insertion opening expanded by said stretching, and

allowing said new elastic part to return to its original shape, wherein said discrete part is held within said new outer shell,

wherein said discrete part is held within said original outer shell by a flange on said original outer shell and further wherein said discrete part is held within said new outer shell by a flange on said new outer shell.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said new insertion opening is substantially smaller than said discrete part before said stretching.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said discrete part is held within said original outer shell by a flange on said original outer shell and further wherein said discrete part is held within said new outer shell by a flange on said new outer shell.

12. A method for adapting an in-the-ear hearing device conceived for a specific individual'"'"'s ear having an individualized shell according to measurements of the individual'"'"'s ear canal to snugly fit the ear canal of said individual and at least one standard-shaped unit in said shell, to changed characteristics of the individual'"'"'s ear comprising the steps of:

removing said standard-shaped unit from said individualized shell;

providing a new shell with an outer surface characteristic manufactured to said changed characteristics specific to the individual, said new shell having an insertion opening within a section of said shell; and

introducing said unit through said insertion opening into said new shell and collapsing said section with said insertion opening, thereby securing said unit within said new shell.

13. A method for manufacturing a customized hearing device comprising:

providing a hearing device comprising at least one unit within a first shell customized during manufacture for a specific individual;

removing said first shell from said at least one unit;

providing a customized further shell different from said first shell and also customized during manufacture for the specific individual, said customized further shell being of one integral part, defining an inner space and having an insertion opening; and

inserting said at least one unit into said further shell, thereby realizing said customized hearing device.

14. The method of claim 13, said hearing device being an in-the-ear hearing device.

15. The method of claim 13, said hearing device being an outside-the-ear hearing device.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said further shell is customized with respect to at least one of aesthetic and of medical needs.

17. A method for manufacturing a customized hearing device, comprising:

manufacturing a shell customized a specific individual, said shell of one integral part;

defining for an inner space and having an insertion opening; and

introducing at least one unit of said hearing device through said insertion opening into said interior space, thereby securing said at least one unit introduced in said inner space by said shell.

18. The method of claim 17, said hearing device being an in-the-ear hearing device.

19. The method of claim 17, said hearing device being an outside-the-ear hearing device.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said further shell is customized with respect to at least one of aesthetic and of medical needs.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein said electronic components are positioned within said shell in a form-fitting fashion by said shell.

22. The device of claim 20, said electronic components comprising a battery and an electronic module.

23. The device of claim 20 being one of an outside-the-ear hearing device and of an in-the-ear hearing device.

24. The device of claim 20, said customized shell comprising an outer surface, said outer surface including a sterilizing or medical substance.

25. A hearing device comprising:

electronic components; and

a shell having an insertion opening, said shell being specifically customized for the individual'"'"'s ear and having a mount for directly receiving said electronic components, wherein

said shell is adapted for removing said electronic components from said opening of said shell without damaging said electrical components or said mount such that said electronic components can be mounted in a new shell having a mount, said new shell being specifically customized for changed needs of the individual'"'"'s ear.