Flexible joint for extended wear hearing device
First Claim
1. A flexible joint for a CIC hearing device positionable in a portion of an ear canal of a user, the joint comprising:
- a compliant tube consisting of a single integral structure having a lateral end, a medial end, a necked portion allowing the ends to pivot relative to each other, and a lumen extending from the lateral end to the medial end, wherein the lateral end of the lumen is open and configured to receive a lateral hearing device assembly and the medial end of the lumen is open and configured to receive a medial hearing device assembly, the tube configured to allow the lateral hearing device assembly to advance the medial hearing device assembly into the ear canal and have at least a portion of the CIC hearing device conform to the shape of the ear canal via pivotal movement of the lateral and medial assemblies about the necked portion, wherein the tube acoustically decouples the two assemblies.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments provide a flexible joint for extended wear hearing devices. One embodiment provides a flexible joint for a hearing device comprising a compliant tube having a lateral and a medial end, a pivotal portion and a lumen. The hearing device can include a CIC hearing aid positioned in the bony portion of the ear canal. The tube ends are configured to be coupled to lateral and medial device assemblies. The tube allows the lateral assembly to advance the medial assembly into the bony portion of the ear canal and have the lateral and medial assemblies conform to the shape of the ear canal via pivotal movement. The tube also acoustically decouples the two assemblies. The pivotal portion can comprise a necked portion or otherwise have decreased stiffness relative to other tube portions. The tube can be shaped to fit over and retain one or both assemblies.
26 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A flexible joint for a CIC hearing device positionable in a portion of an ear canal of a user, the joint comprising:
a compliant tube consisting of a single integral structure having a lateral end, a medial end, a necked portion allowing the ends to pivot relative to each other, and a lumen extending from the lateral end to the medial end, wherein the lateral end of the lumen is open and configured to receive a lateral hearing device assembly and the medial end of the lumen is open and configured to receive a medial hearing device assembly, the tube configured to allow the lateral hearing device assembly to advance the medial hearing device assembly into the ear canal and have at least a portion of the CIC hearing device conform to the shape of the ear canal via pivotal movement of the lateral and medial assemblies about the necked portion, wherein the tube acoustically decouples the two assemblies. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
Specification