DEVICES AND METHODS FOR HEARING

• US 20180007472A1
• Filed: 09/15/2017
• Published: 01/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EarLens Corporation
• Original Assignee: EarLens Corporation
• Inventors: PURIA, Sunil, ROSEN, Micha, FAY, Jonathan P., RUCKER, Paul, STONE, James
• Granted Patent: US 10,237,663 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 11/02 Loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 17/00 Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers piezoelectric or electrostrictive elements in general H10N30/00; details of piezoelectric or electrostrictive motors, generators or positioners H10N30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/025 In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 23/008 using optical signals for detecting or generating sound
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/09 Non-occlusive ear tips, i.e. leaving the ear canal open, for both custom and non-custom tips H04R2460/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/13 Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/02 adapted to be supported entirely by ear
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/606 acting directly on the eardrum, the ossicles or the skull, e.g. mastoid, tooth, maxillary or mandibular bone, or mechanically stimulating the cochlea, e.g. at the oval window
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/65 Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/652 Ear tips; Ear moulds hybrid ear moulds or post-processing thereof for their customisation H04R25/659

Abstract

A device to transmit an audio signal to a user comprises a transducer and a support. The support is configured for placement on the eardrum to drive the eardrum. The transducer is coupled to the support at a first location to decrease occlusion and a second location to drive the eardrum. The transducer may comprise one or more of an electromagnetic balanced armature transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a magnetostrictive transducer, a photostrictive transducer, or a coil and magnet. The device may find use with open canal hearing aids.

Claims

1. A method of inductively transmitting an audio signal to a user, the method comprising:

inductively coupling a first coil to a second coil, wherein the first coil is configured for placement in the ear canal of a user an the second coil is a part of a transducer configured for placement at least partially against the eardrum of the user; and

driving a current through a third coil, wherein the second coil is electrically connected to the third coil.

2. A method according to claim 1, the method further comprising the step of moving a balanced armature in response to the current driven through the third coil.

3. A method according to claim 2, the method further comprising the step of vibrating the eardrum of the user through a reed post connected to the balanced armature.

4. A method according to claim 3, the method further comprising the step of urging the transducer toward the eardrum when the transducer is placed at least partially against the eardrum.

5. A method according to claim 1 the method further comprising the step of vibrating a vibrator in response to a magnetic field.