Hearing aid protective packaging assembly

• US 20070154042A1
• Filed: 01/05/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Insound Medical Incorporated (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Insound Medical Incorporated (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Contioso, Pat, Sadler, John, Buckley, James, Schindler, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,477,753 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/322
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/38 for delicate optical, measuring, calculating or control apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/023 Completely in the canal [CIC] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/49 Reducing the effects of electromagnetic noise on the functioning of hearing aids, by, e.g. shielding, signal processing adaptation, selective (de)activation of electronic parts in hearing aid
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/65 Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide systems, assemblies and methods for packaging hearing devices to protect them during shipping and storage. Many embodiments provide packaging systems that allow metal-air battery powered hearing aids to be stored for several months or longer with a live battery and then ready for use upon opening of the packaging. One embodiment provides a packaging system for a hearing aid comprising a packaging container and a hearing aid disposed in the container. The container comprises an air-impermeable material and has a removal cap that forms an air-impermeable seal with the container. The hearing aid can be positioned on a compliant support coupled to the interior surface of the cap. The support and container protect the hearing aid from shock and vibration as well as reducing the application of force to sensitive components. The container can also include one or more structures for ESD protection.

Claims

1. A hearing aid packaging system comprising:

a packaging container comprising an air-impermeable material;

a removable cap forming an air-impermeable seal with the container; and

a hearing aid disposed within the container, the hearing aid having a low power operating mode and a metal-air battery for powering the battery in the low power mode; and

wherein a sealed volume of the container has sufficient oxygen and water vapor for the battery to operate within the container to power the hearing aid in the low power operating mode for an extended time period.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the container is tube-shaped.

3. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the container is electrically conductive.

4. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a compliant support coupled to the cap interior surface, wherein the hearing aid is positioned on the support.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the support is configured to function as a shock absorber to provide protection to the hearing aid from external vibration or shock.

6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the support is coupled to an end of the hearing aid so as to mechanically isolate the hearing aid from a container interior surface.

7. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the support is coupled to an end of the hearing aid so as to suspend the hearing aid within the container.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of an ESD protective body disposed within the container or an ESD protective sleeve coupled to a cap interior surface.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the ESD protective body or sleeve comprises an electrostatic dissipative material.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an irreversible thermal indicator coupled to the container for detecting a thermal condition within the container, the indicator including an indicator region visible from a container exterior surface.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the extended time period is up to about six months.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the sealed volume of the container has sufficient oxygen and water vapor for the battery to operate within the container to power the hearing aid in the low power operating mode so as to maintain a hearing aid volatile memory register during the extended time period.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the sealed volume of the container has sufficient oxygen and water vapor for the battery to operate within the container to power the hearing aid in the low power operating mode for the extended time period and then power the hearing aid in a higher power mode when the container is opened.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the battery is a zinc-air battery.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the hearing aid is a continuous wear hearing aid.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the hearing aid is configured to be worn in the bony portion of the ear canal.

17. A packaging assembly for a hearing aid comprising:

a packaging container comprising an air-impermeable electrically conductive material; and

a removable cap forming an air-impermeable seal with the container; and

wherein a sealed volume of the container has sufficient oxygen and water vapor for a metal-air battery to power a hearing aid in a low power operating mode for an extended time period when sealed within the container.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein in the container is tube-shaped.

19. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the battery is a zinc-air battery.

20. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the extended time period is up to about six months.

21. The assembly of claim 17, wherein in the removal cap is a screw cap, or a snap-on cap.

22. The assembly of claim 17,further comprising optically readable indicia, a bar-code label, or an Rf-ID device coupled to the container.

23. A packaging assembly for an extended wear hearing aid, the assembly comprising:

a container having a removable cap forming an air tight seal with the container, the container being electrically conductive;

an inner volume of container having sufficient amount of oxygen and water vapor to maintain a metal-air hearing aid battery in a low power operating mode for an extended time period when sealed within the container;

an ESD protective body disposed within the container;

an ESD protective sleeve coupled to a cap interior surface;

a compliant support coupled to the cap interior surface for supporting the hearing aid within the container; and

an irreversible thermal indicator coupled to the container for detecting a thermal condition within the container, the indicator including an indicator region visible from a container exterior.

24. A method of packaging a metal-air battery powered hearing aid for an extended storage period, the method comprising:

placing the hearing aid in an air-impermeable container;

sealing the hearing aid in the container under controlled conditions, wherein a sealed volume of the container has sufficient oxygen and water vapor for the battery to operate within the container to power the hearing aid in a low power operating mode for the extended storage period; and

operating the hearing aid in the low power operating mode within the sealed container.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the hearing aid is operated in the low power mode in the container for the extended storage period.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the extended storage period is up to about six months.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

storing a value in a hearing aid memory register; and

maintaining the value for the extended storage period.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

opening the container; and

using the hearing aid in a higher power mode.

29. The method of claim 28, where in the hearing aid is used in the higher power mode substantially immediately after the hearing aid is exposed to ambient air.