Dynamic pressure vent for canal hearing devices
First Claim
1. A dynamic pressure vent of a compliant acoustical sealing element for a canal hearing device, the dynamic pressure vent comprising:
- a flexible membrane provided along a medial surface of the compliant acoustical sealing element; and
one or more flaps formed by one or more slits within the flexible membrane, wherein the one or more flaps are configured to temporarily deform and open in response to an air pressure gradient across the flexible membrane while inside an ear canal, wherein the one or more flaps are formed in a region between a sound port and a contact portion of the compliant acoustic sealing element.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A seal assembly for canal hearing devices including a dynamic pressure vent formed and defined by diaphragmatic flaps configured to open in response to a pressure gradient across the diaphragm. The seal assembly comprises a compliant seal element configured to be positioned generally concentrically around the canal hearing device for providing comfortable contact with the ear canal and for acoustically sealing the residual volume of the ear canal. The seal assembly is preferably made of an elastomeric material. The dynamic pressure vent is substantially closed in the normal position to minimize feedback, while momentarily opening inside the ear canal during insertion or removal of the canal hearing device into or from the ear canal.
61 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A dynamic pressure vent of a compliant acoustical sealing element for a canal hearing device, the dynamic pressure vent comprising:
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a flexible membrane provided along a medial surface of the compliant acoustical sealing element; and one or more flaps formed by one or more slits within the flexible membrane, wherein the one or more flaps are configured to temporarily deform and open in response to an air pressure gradient across the flexible membrane while inside an ear canal, wherein the one or more flaps are formed in a region between a sound port and a contact portion of the compliant acoustic sealing element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 24)
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10. A diaphragmatic pressure valve incorporated within a medial surface of a flexible seal assembly of a canal hearing device, the diaphragmatic pressure valve comprising one or more flexible flaps that are configured to be closed for acoustical sealing inside an ear canal, and wherein the flexible flaps are configured to temporarily deform and open upon air pressure changes across the flaps, wherein the one or more flaps are formed in a region between a sound port and a contact portion of the flexible seal assembly.
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11. A seal assembly for a canal hearing device, comprising:
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a compliant acoustical sealing element; and a membrane section provided along a medial surface of the compliant acoustical sealing element, wherein the membrane section includes one or more flaps formed in the membrane section, wherein at least one of the one or more flaps are configured to deform from a first position to a second position in response to an air pressure gradient across the seal assembly while inside, wherein the one or more flaps are formed in a region between a sound port and a contact portion of the compliant acoustic sealing element an ear canal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 25)
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19. A method for air pressure venting for a canal hearing device in-situ, the method comprising:
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creating an air pressure gradient across a dynamic pressure vent provided on a medial surface of a compliant acoustical sealing element of the canal hearing device, by either insertion or removal of the canal hearing device into or out of an ear canal, wherein the dynamic pressure vent comprises one or more flexible flaps configured to be in a closed position during equal pressure across the flaps; and deforming the flaps to an open position responsive to the air pressure gradient, thereby allowing air flow and pressure equalization across the dynamic pressure vent, wherein the one or more flaps are formed in a region between a sound port and a contact portion of the compliant acoustic sealing element. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A canal hearing device assembly comprising:
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a canal hearing device including a microphone, a receiver, and a power source enclosed within a housing; and a seal assembly removably attached to the canal hearing device and including a compliant acoustical sealing element and an air pressure vent configured to open responsive to a pressure gradient between a first side of the seal assembly and a second side of the seal assembly, wherein the pressure vent is provided on a medial surface of the sealing element, and wherein the pressure vent is formed in a region between a sound port and a contact portion of the compliant acoustical sealing element. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification