504results about "Hearing aids mounting/interconnection" patented technology

The invention relates to a listening assistance device (1) comprising hearing modules (3) mounted on the ends of the arms of an eyeglass frame (2), said modules being designed to support the eyeglass frame on the ear of the user. The hearing modules also have a formed part (5) which extends into the auditive canal without closing the latter and which includes the sound outlet hole (6) of the module. The modules comprise a speech spectrum frequency response and linear dynamics in order to improve speech intelligibility. This makes it possible to provide a listening assistance device compensating for mild hearing loss that can be produced easily and economically, is more comfortable to use and is not regarded at first sight as a hearing aid by an observer.

An earpiece auditory device includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) component, which includes processing circuitry. In an embodiment, the device also includes a completely-in-canal (CIC) component, shaped to fit into the ear canal of the user such that it touches the bony portion of the ear canal. In some embodiments, the CIC component includes either a universal fit or a custom fit ear mold. The custom fit ear mold can be fabricated using a rapid prototyping technology, in which the contours of the user's ear canal are scanned, and the scan data is used either directly or indirectly to replicate the ear canal contours of that user into the custom fit ear mold. In some embodiments, the ear mold is detachably interconnected with a speaker module, preferably using either an intermediate sleeve or a detachable locking pin assembly. In another embodiment, the speaker module is permanently encapsulated within the ear mold.

According to the first aspect of the invention, a hearing instrument with at least one microphone and signal processing comprises at least two receivers having a different frequency response. At least a first one of the receivers is placed outside the ear canal, for example in a behind-the-ear component. According to the second aspect of the invention, a hearing instrument comprising a behind-the-ear component and an external component for being placed in the user's ear canal or in the user's ear as well as a connection link between the behind-the-ear component and the external component is provided, where the connection link is reversibly pluggable to the behind-the-ear component and / or the in-the-ear-canal component and has a length that is reversibly adjustable. The hearing instrument also comprises fixation means for reversibly fixing the adjusted length of the connection link. A hearing instrument according to the third aspect comprises a fixation means separate from the in-the-ear-canal component. The fixation means may be positioned in the ear canal and rest therein. The in-the-ear-canal component may be connected to the fixation means and detached therefrom when the same is already in the ear canal. A hearing instrument according to the fourth aspect of the invention comprises an in-the-ear-canal component to be placed in a user's ear canal and fixation means for fixing it in the ear canal. The fixation means comprise an outer shell which is shaped to fit (i.e. custom shaped to fit the specific user's ear geometry) in the user's ear canal and a mounting structure for holding the in-the-ear-canal component. The outer shell is preferably resilient, i.e. has an elasticity allowing temporal deformation.

An inventive earpiece auditory device is provided. In one embodiment, the earpiece auditory device includes a behind-the-ear component, the behind-the-ear component preferably being shaped to fit behind an ear of a user. In some embodiments, the behind-the-ear component includes a module that includes processing circuitry. In a preferred embodiment, the earpiece auditory device also includes a completely-in-canal component, the completely-in-canal component preferably being shaped to fit into the ear canal of the user in such a manner as to touch the bony portion of the ear canal of the user. In some embodiments, the completely-in-canal component includes an ear mold. Moreover, in one embodiment, the earpiece auditory device includes a connector physically coupling the behind-the-ear component to the completely-in-canal component. In a preferred embodiment, the connector includes at least one end detachably coupled to the behind-the-ear component or the completely-in-canal component.

A disposable-type hearing aid uses a relatively large single diaphragm or a large single diaphragm subdivided into a plurality of smaller active diaphragm areas obtained using a grate-like back support plate with ridges which contact and divide the diaphragm into the several smaller active diaphragm areas. The diaphragm and a backplate are enclosed in a metal housing and are disposed proximal and parallel to a shell-like hearing aid enclosure having sound inlets. The metal housing is closed at an end opposite the sound inlets by a printed circuit board (PCB) forming an acoustical seal for a back volume of the microphone. The PCB also carries substantially all the electronic components for the hearing aid thereon. The PCB has a ground plane in contact with the housing whereby the PCB also acts as an EMI shield. An electrical connection is formed in various ways between the back support plate and the PCB during assembly of the metal housing and components with the PCB. Mass production of disposable hearing aids with large diaphragms and relatively low noise levels is thus possible using this invention.

A receiver module configured to be seated within an ear canal and optimized for simultaneously inflating an inflatable membrane while generating acoustic waves transmitted to a user. The inflatable membrane can be used to secure the receiver module within the bony portion of the ear canal of the user. A multi-layer valve system and method of assembly are disclosed for a valve system to harvest static pressure from acoustic waves generated within the receiver and direct the increased pressure toward the inflatable membrane to inflate the membrane. The multi-layer valve system can be used to prevent a back flow of air and thereby maintain a static pressure differential between ambient air drawn in through an air ingress port and air forced into the inflatable membrane through an air egress port.

A receiver module configured to be seated within an ear canal and optimized for simultaneously inflating an inflatable membrane while generating acoustic waves transmitted to a user. The inflatable membrane can be used to secure the receiver module within the bony portion of the ear canal of the user. A multi-layer valve system and method of assembly are disclosed for a valve system to harvest static pressure from acoustic waves generated within the receiver and direct the increased pressure toward the inflatable membrane to inflate the membrane. The multi-layer valve system can be used to prevent a back flow of air and thereby maintain a static pressure differential between ambient air drawn in through an air ingress port and air forced into the inflatable membrane through an air egress port.

In representative embodiments, the present invention is directed to an at least partially in-the-canal module. The module may include a speaker module that generates audio signals from an electrical driving signal. The speaker module has a tubular body with a diameter that is smaller than the ear canal of the user. The speaker module also includes an arcuate raised ridge. A cushion tip of deformable material may be used to enclose the speaker module within a tubular portion that applies an elastic force to the arcuate raised ridge to prevent removal of the speaker from the cushion tip. Also, the tubular portion is longer than the speaker module to cause the cushion tip to deflect during navigation through the canal. Further, the tip portion of the cushion tip possesses sufficient structural rigidity to prevent the speaker from being pushed through the cushion tip during navigation through the canal.

In a battery receiving chamber, the first convex part is formed in the internal side face of the battery compartment and the second convex part which corresponds to the first convex part is formed in the battery cover, the first and second convex part respectively having the inclined faces which gradually rise toward the rotational direction in which the battery cover is detached from the battery compartment, so that a battery receiving chamber having good usage convenience and highly reliable can be realized. Further, in a hearing aid using the above, waterproof means is located so as to block the air vent formed in the battery cover, and a slot connecting the end part of battery cover and the air vent in the external side face of the battery cover is comprised, so that a hearing aid which can supply practically sufficient volume of air into the case and has high waterproof performance can be realized. Further, the case of this hearing aid is divided into two that the first half-case for receiving the earphone, and the second half-case for receiving the microphone, and the joint part between the first and second-half cases is formed so as to substantially flat, in order to apply stress without bias to the waterproof member inserted into the joint part. Thereby, a hearing aid in which the waterproof performance can be further improved can be realized.

The present invention relates to a system for improving a user's hearing and more particularly to a receiver system used in the system. In one embodiment, the receiver system has a housing and a plurality of arms extending from the housing for positioning and suspending the receiver within the ear canal of a user. Each of the arms may be formed from a flexible, plastic material or a bendable wire. In a second embodiment, the receiver system is surrounded by a disc formed from a sound filtering material. When installed in a hearing aid system, the receiver is separated from the microphone. When installed in a tinnitus / hyperacusis device, the receiver is separated from the body of the instrument.

A modular canal hearing device having a speaker module placed in the bony region for extended wear while a main module is removably inserted in the cartilaginous region. The main module wirelessly activates the speaker module when placed in proximity thereto. The main module is removed daily or as needed for maintenance of the hearing device such as for battery replacement. The speaker module remains undisturbed in the bony region to avoid skin friction. The main module contains the microphone, electronics, battery and in the preferred embodiment an inductive coupling coil for inductively sending audio signals to the receiver module. The modular design allows for a highly miniaturized design that is easier to navigate in the ear canal for improved fit and sound fidelity at the eardrum while allowing easy maintenance of a removable module.

Provided are bone conducting hearing devices having a normal force that secures the device to a user. A removable adhesive anchor secures an external component of the bone conducting hearing device to the user and provides reliable connecting that is comfortable, such as by a substantially uniform force generation over the contact area between the device and the user. Because the adhesive anchor is removable, a user can readily and reliably remove the device or connect the device, as desired. Also provide are methods of connecting any of the bone conducting hearing devices provided herein to a user, including the mastoid process of the user.

The invention relates to a hearing aid comprising a housing with at least one acoustic inlet opening and at least one acoustic outlet opening, the housing containing a microphone in connection with the acoustic inlet opening, an amplifier in connection with the microphone, a receiver in connection with the amplifier and a battery for power supply, the housing being provided with a hook for transmittal of acoustic signals from the receiver into the ear of the user, the housing comprising two connectable and detachable parts. The hearing aid is characterized in the means for provided on each housing part for mutually snap locking the parts.

An electromechanical actuator (100) suitable, for example, in hearing aid applications is disclosed. Certain embodiments of the actuator comprise a hermetic titanium housing (1), a mechanical output structure (110) emulating the long process of incus (8), and means for efficiently generating movement in the audible frequency range. The electromechanical actuator (100) may be configured to be coupled to the inner ear fluids via a conventional stapes prosthesis. The implantable actuator (100), which may be considered to be operably equivalent to a loudspeaker of a conventional hearing aid, may bypass the outer and the middle ear in order to directly drive the inner ear fluids. As such, embodiments of the electromechanical actuator of the present invention may be used to remedy any source of conductive hearing loss. Additionally, certain embodiments of the electromechanical actuator may be configured to provide sufficiently high output levels to treat severe sensorineural hearing loss while being sufficiently small to completely fit into a human mastoid.

The invention regards a communication device which is adapted for placement in a users ear. The communication device comprises a shell part enclosing an input transducer for receiving an input signal, a signal processing device and an output transducer for providing a signal perceivable as sound, a battery located at a surface part of the shell which is facing away from the head of the user, a transmission and reception circuit for transmission and / or reception of electromagnetic energy. According to the invention an antenna for radiating and / or receiving electromagnetic energy is provided such that it has a first surface turned towards the surroundings and a second surface located in close proximity of the battery.

A hearing aid includes a first half shell and a second shell attached to the first shell. A microphone, battery, electronics, a receiver and a flexible tip are mounted within a housing formed by the first half shell and the second half shell. A mechanical securing mechanism, located on the first half shell and the second half shell, attaches the first half shell to the second half shell. A flexible tip for a hearing aid includes a tip portion, a sound port attached to the tip portion and a vent formed in the flexible tip. The vent provides static pressure equilibrium between an ear canal and an ambient pressure.

A method for producing a tube for a hearing aid is disclosed. And more specifically, a method is disclosed for anchoring a fiber to a tube of a hearing aid, the fiber running through the tube. The fiber is positioned within the tube as a reinforcement fiber to improve the pull strength of the tube.

A speech processor module is disclosed. The speech processor module is configured to be implemented in more than one mode of operation of a hearing prosthesis including as a component of a stand-alone speech processing unit, and as a component of a body-worn speech processing unit, wherein said body-worn speech processing unit comprises a case that protects the speech processor module from environmental conditions which can damage said speech processor module implemented in said stand-alone operating mode.

Hearing devices configured to fit within the bony portion of the ear canal and batteries that may be used with same. One such hearing device includes a hearing device core, defining a size and a shape, and including a battery and an acoustic assembly, with a microphone and a receiver with a sound port that is adjacent to a portion of the battery, and a flexible seal apparatus on the hearing device core. The size, shape and configuration of the hearing device core, and the flexibility of the seal, are such that the hearing device is positionable within the ear canal bony region with the entire microphone medial of the bony-cartilaginous junction.

The hearing device comprises an ear-piece (1) which is designed to be worn at least partially in an ear canal of a user of the hearing device. The ear-piece (1) comprises a vent passage (3) connecting the ear canal with the atmosphere. The vent passage (3) has an inner opening (8) towards the ear-canal and an outer opening (9) towards the atmosphere. The ear-piece (1) further comprises a vent extension (4). The vent extension (4) is a protrusion extending the vent passage (3) beyond the body (2) of the ear-piece (1). The vent extension (4) is adapted for abutting on a surface of the body of the user and is thereby inconspicuous and / or contributes thereby to retention. A method for manufacturing such a hearing device is also disclosed.

There is provided a behind-the-ear hearing aid that makes it easy for a hearing aid wearer to estimate a position of a sound source with respect to a front-back direction and that enables an increase in aesthetic property when the hearing aid is worn. A behind-the-ear hearing aid of the present invention is used while fitted to an ear of a human body, and includes at least a microphone 101 which collects ambient sound, thereby generating an input signal and signal processing unit 102 that generates an output signal from the input signal. The hearing aid also has a behind-the-ear portion 110 that can be fitted to the ear and a receiver 103 that reproduces output sound from the output signal. When the behind-the-ear portion 110 is fitted to the ear, the microphone 101 is arranged in an entrance of an ear canal that lies in the extension of an ear canal 220 and that is disposed closer to an eardrum than to a plane that is defined by a helix 901, a tragus 902, and an earlobe 903.

A low battery detection circuit is disclosed for detecting low battery voltages in hearing aids and other battery operated devices. The low battery detection circuit operates reliably on a small amount of current, which does not significantly increase overall battery drain. An output signal is generated whose amplitude and frequency increase as battery voltage decreases below a predetermined level. The circuits minimal number of components and output signal characteristics make it particularly applicable as a low battery early warning device for hearing aid devices.

An acoustic system (3) for a hearing aid is adapted for conducting sound from an output transducer in the hearing aid housing to an ear of a user. The acoustic system (3) comprises an encoding (8, 9) indicating acoustical properties of the acoustic system (3). Hereby the electronics of the hearing aid can identify the type of acoustic system attached to the hearing aid housing. The invention further provides a hearing aid with an acoustic system.

A modular canal hearing aid assembly having a main module positioned in the ear canal and a disposable battery module laterally positioned in the ear canal. The main module incorporates the durable components of a hearing device including the receiver, microphone and electronics. The disposable battery module comprises consumable elements including battery and incoming sound port. The disposable battery module provides a unitary structure that is easier to handle, remove from the main module, and replace when any of the consumable elements is depleted or degraded. The canal hearing device assembly is generic in shape and provided with assorted seal tips for “instant fitting” without resorting to custom manufacturing.

An arrangement is described for a hearing implant system. An implantable housing has an outer surface configured to lie under and parallel to the skin of the implanted patient. An implant magnet arrangement is located within the implantable housing and has multiple local magnetic sections with different independent local magnetic fields that are combined together to form a net magnetic field with at least two-fold symmetry and zero net magnetic dipole moment, wherein the magnetic fields are oriented parallel to the outer surface of the implant housing.

A disposable-type hearing aid uses a relatively large single diaphragm or a large single diaphragm subdivided into a plurality of smaller active diaphragm areas obtained using a grate-like back support plate with ridges which contact and divide the diaphragm into the several smaller active diaphragm areas. The diaphragm and a backplate are enclosed in a metal housing and are disposed proximal and parallel to a shell-like hearing aid enclosure having sound inlets. The metal housing is closed at an end opposite the sound inlets by a printed circuit board (PCB) forming an acoustical seal for a back volume of the microphone. The PCB also carries substantially all the electronic components for the hearing aid thereon. The PCB has a ground plane in contact with the housing whereby the PCB also acts as an EMI shield. An electrical connection is formed in various ways between the back support plate and the PCB during assembly of the metal housing and components with the PCB. Mass production of disposable hearing aids with large diaphragms and relatively low noise levels is thus possible using this invention.

A portable electronic device having a) a folded substrate carrying components of the device, and b) another, separate component having a fixed outer contour, and c) a housing for enclosing said folded substrate and said separate component, said housing having an inner contour, wherein said folded substrate is folded from a planar substrate along a folding line, said folded substrate exhibiting outer edges comprising a folded edge following said folding line. A method of manufacturing a folded substrate. An object of the present application is to facilitate miniaturization of a portable electronic device, such as a hearing aid. A problem is solved in that the folded substrate is shaped to provide that at least one of said outer edges follow(s) the fixed outer contour of the separate component and / or the inner contour of said housing.