Concha bowl hearing aid apparatus and method

• US 7,564,989 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2006
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schanz II, LLC
• Original Assignee: Schanz II, LLC
• Inventors: Schanz, Richard W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Huyen D
• Application Number:
  US11/604,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20080123888A1
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 381/322, 381/324, 381/326, 381/328, 381/329, 381/330, 381/380, 381/382, 181/129, 181/130, 181/135
• US Class Current: 381/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/025 In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids
• 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 and in the concha bowl hearing aid apparatus with sound processor/amplifier and speaker sized to be removably secured within the concha bowl of the ear and structured to allow sound to pass through the hearing aid into the ear canal so its speaker positioned within the external auditory canal of the ear blends and provides the desired combination of external sound entering the ear canal with amplified sound from the speaker.

Claims

1. An in the concha bowl hearing aid comprising:

a. a housing with an interior and exterior sized to fit within the outer ear concha bowl, and defining at least one opening in communication with the ear canal to allow external natural sound to pass through the housing into the ear canal,

b. a microphone attached to the exterior surface of the housing positioned to pickup sound focused by the sound funneling of the outer ear and translate sound into electronic impulses when the housing is placed in the concha bowl,

c. a sound processor with an amplifier located within the housing interior in communication with the microphone to receive electronic impulses,

d. a battery mounted within the interior of the housing operably associated to power the sound processor, amplifier, microphone, and a speaker,

e. a first bendable support with first and second ends sized and positioned to fit within and partially obstruct the interior ear canal to allow air and sound to flow there through, the first end attached to the exterior surface of the housing and the second end structured to removably secure to a fold in the wall of the ear channel proximate its exterior opening, when inserted,

f. electronic means associated with the bendable support to transfer electronic signals from the sound processor and amplifier,

g. a speaker attached to the second end of the bendable support operably associated with the sound processor and amplifier by the electronic means to receive electronic signals and convert them to amplified sound for direction toward the inner ear for admixing and blending with natural sound entering the ear to minimize echoes and provide more natural sound pick up and transmission, and

h. at least one second support attached to the housing opposite the first bendable support adapted to secure the housing within the concha bowl of the ear canal by providing opposite contact points.

2. An in the concha bowl hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the first bendable support and electronic means comprise wire leads attached to the housing in communication with the sound processor and amplifier and speaker, bent to position a segment of the wire leads against an interior wall fold of the ear canal proximate the opening as the first contact point to support the housing in position when inserted.

3. An in the concha bowl hearing aid according to claim 1, including filters associated with the sound processor and amplifier to compensate for feedback signals and other interference.

4. An in the concha bowl hearing aid according to claim 1, including a power switch associated with the sound processor and battery to turn the hearing aid on in one mode, and off in another mode.

5. An in the concha bowl hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the speaker includes a wax cap to prevent obstruction.

6. A method of using an in the concha bowl hearing aid comprising:

a. placing in the outer ear concha bowl an in the concha bowl hearing aid with a sound processor/amplifier, microphone and speaker powered by a battery within a housing with an interior and exterior sized to fit within the outer ear concha bowl, defining at least one opening in communication with the ear canal to allow sound to pass through the housing into the ear canal;

wherein the microphone is positioned on the exterior surface of the housing to pickup sound focused by the sound funneling structure of the outer ear, when the housing is inserted in the concha bowl, and convert sound into electronic impulses for transmission to a sound processor and amplifier; and

the speaker is structured to direct amplified sound toward the inner ear for admixing and blending with natural sound entering the ear to minimize echoes and provide more natural sound pick up and transmission;

b. securing the hearing aid with a first bendable support with first and second ends sized and positioned to fit within and partially obstruct the interior ear canal to allow air and sound to flow there through, the first end attached to the exterior surface of the housing and the second end adapted to removably secure to a fold in the wall of the ear channel proximate its exterior opening,

c. at least one second support attached to the housing opposite the first bendable support adapted to secure the housing within the concha bowl of the ear canal by providing opposite contact points, and

d. selectively activating the in the bowl hearing aid to combine external sound entering the ear canal with amplified sound from the speaker.

7. A method of using an in the concha bowl hearing aid according to claim 6, wherein the first bendable support comprises wire leads in communication with the sound processor and amplifier and speaker, bent to position a segment of the wire leads against an interior wall of the ear canal as the first contact point to support the housing in position when inserted.

8. A method of using an in the concha bowl hearing aid according to claim 7, wherein the bendable support is structured to be generally fitted in one visit to an audiologist so that it is placed within the bowl to hold the speaker in position within the external auditory canal of the ear.

9. A method of using an in the concha bowl hearing aid according to claim 6, wherein the in the concha bowl hearing aid includes filters associated with the sound processor and amplifier to compensate for feedback signals and other interference.

10. A method of using an in the concha bowl hearing aid according to claim 9, wherein the filters are selectively adjusted to provide the desired combination of external sound entering the ear canal with amplified sound from the speaker.