Semi-permanent canal hearing device

• US 20050196005A1
• Filed: 04/26/2005
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Insound Medical Incorporated (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Insound Medical Incorporated (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Shennib, Adnan, Urso, Richard C., Ngo, Diep H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,424,124 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/023 Completely in the canal [CIC] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/31 Aspects of the use of accumulators in hearing aids, e.g. rechargeable batteries or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/15 Determination of the acoustic seal of ear moulds or ear tips of hearing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/17 Hearing device specific tools used for storing or handling hearing devices or parts thereof, e.g. placement in the ear, replacement of cerumen barriers, repair, cleaning hearing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/456 mechanically
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/556 External connectors, e.g. plugs or modules H04R25/607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/558 Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/60 Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles ear wax retarders, e.g. mounting thereof H04R25/654
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/602 of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/603 of mechanical or electronic switches or control elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/609 of circuitry of electronic switches or control elements H04R25/603
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/654 Ear wax retarders
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/658 Manufacture of housing parts

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.

Claims

1. A semi-permanent hearing device adapted to be inserted entirely within a wearer'"'"'s ear canal past the aperture thereof for long-term use therein, comprising:

a sealing retainer adapted to be seated in the bony portion of the ear canal along the longitudinal axis and in direct contact with the walls thereof when said device is fully inserted within the ear canal of the wearer;

a receiver assembly including a receiver for supplying acoustic signals processed by said device to the tympanic membrane of the wearer, said receiver assembly being arranged and adapted to mate with said retainer for positioning in the bony portion of the ear canal;

a microphone assembly including a microphone for receiving incoming acoustic signals for processing by said device;

a battery assembly including a battery for powering said device; and

a flexible connector electrically and mechanically connecting said battery assembly, said receiver assembly and said microphone assembly so that said microphone assembly is flexibly supported in the cartilaginous portion of the ear canal to be substantially non-occluding therein with minimal or no contact with the walls thereof, whereby to avoid substantial interference by said microphone assembly with hair and production of cerumen and debris within said ear canal.

2. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 1, wherein said battery assembly includes a thin enclosure substantially conforming to the shape of said battery, said enclosure encapsulating and supporting said battery therein.

3. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 1, wherein said sealing retainer is sufficiently soft and yielding to conform itself to the shape of the ear canal in said bony portion for long-term retention in a seated position therein when said device is fully inserted into the ear canal.

4. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 1, wherein said sealing retainer includes a cavity to accept said receiver assembly in mating relationship therewith.

5. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 2, wherein each of said receiver assembly and said microphone assembly includes a respective thin enclosure encapsulating said receiver and said microphone respectively, whereby, together with said thin enclosure of said battery assembly, to inhibit contamination and damage of said device.

6. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 5, wherein each of said thin enclosures is moisture-proof.

7. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 5, wherein each of said thin enclosures has a wall thickness not exceeding 0.3 mm.

8. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 1, wherein each of said receiver and said microphone has a port for passage of the respective acoustic signal therethrough, and further including at least one debris guard for mating with at least one of said microphone and said receiver without substantial interference with passage of said acoustic signal through the respective port.

9. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 8, wherein said at least one debris guard is moisture proof.

10. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 8, wherein said at least one debris guard is substantially acoustically transparent.

11. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 8, wherein said at least one debris guard comprises a replaceable cap.

12. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 11, wherein said replaceable cap comprises a body member and guard member.

13. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 8, wherein said at least one debris guard comprises an adhesive pad incorporating an adhesive.

14. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 8, wherein said at least one debris guard is removable and disposable for replacement thereof.

15. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 1, wherein said support of said microphone assembly via said connector is sufficiently flexible to enable movement of said microphone assembly in response to pressures from sources including physiologic debris collected in said ear canal and canal deformations associated with movements of said ear canal.

16. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 1, wherein said receiver assembly includes an air vent.

17. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 1, wherein said sealing retainer includes an air vent.

18. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 1, further including a reed-switch assembly coupled to said device for magnetically-induced remote power switching or control of said device.

19. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 18, wherein said reed-switch assembly includes a miniature latching magnet to enable latching of said reed-switch assembly.

20. The semi-permanent hearing device of claim 1, further including means associated with said device for remote power switching or control of said device.

21-140. -140. (canceled)