Abstract: A cable incorporates at least one flexible conductor and a non-conductive, elongated, strain relieving member bound mechanically to the conductor. The strain relieving member is mechanically attached between two relatively movable components. The electrical conductor is in turn electrically attached to contacts on the components. Movement of the components relative to one another will be limited by the strain relieving member thereby protecting a somewhat longer electrical conductor extending therebetween. Alternately, a plurality of conductors can be integrally combined with the elongated strain relieving member, by braiding or twisting, to form a unitary cable which incorporates the strain relieving member. In this configuration, all of the conductors in the cable are mechanically protected by the strain relieving element.

Abstract: A method of processing an impression of a portion of a user's ear canal that produces a flexible hearing aid housing which duplicates the shape of at least a portion of that impression. A female mold is created using the previously obtained ear impression. A compliant molding material is used to form the female mold. The same material is used to form a male mold in the cavity left in the female mold when the ear impression has been removed. Subsequent to curing of the male mold, it is removed from the female mold and covered with a curable, hardenable plastic such as a UV curable acrylic. Once cured, the compliant male mold is removed leaving a rigid plastic shell whose internal volume conforms in shape to the exterior shape of the ear impression. Mandrels can be inserted into the volume to provide post molding compartments for electronic components. A matrix can be inserted into the internal region or wrapped around the mandrels or respective components.

Abstract: A cable incorporates at least one flexible conductor and a non-conductive, elongated, strain relieving member bound mechanically to the conductor. The strain relieving member is mechanically attached between two relatively movable components. The electrical conductor is in turn electrically attached to contacts on the components. Movement of the components relative to one another will be limited by the strain relieving member thereby protecting a somewhat longer electrical conductor extending therebetween. Alternately, a plurality of conductors can be integrally combined with the elongated strain relieving member, by braiding or twisting, to form a unitary cable which incorporates the strain relieving member. In this configuration, all of the conductors in the cable are mechanically protected by the strain relieving element.

Abstract: A compliant hearing aid has a housing formed with an exterior peripheral layer of a deformable material. Electronic components located within the deformable layer can be encapsulated, at least in part, with a second deformable material. The second material also fills voids in the interior of the deformable peripheral layer. The second material can be cured within the deformable layer. Alternately, the second material can be cured apart from the deformable layer. The layer can then be attached to the second material.

Abstract: A compliant hearing aid has a housing formed with an exterior peripheral layer of a deformable material. Electronic components located within the deformable layer can be encapsulated, at least in part, with a second deformable material. The second material also fills voids in the interior of the deformable peripheral layer. The second material can be cured within the deformable layer. Alternately, the second material can be cured apart from the deformable layer. The layer can then be attached to the second material.

Abstract: A hearing aid housing which is formed of a substantially rigid plastic material carries a deformable compliant region. The region, which could be in the form of an annular seal, or which could extend in part axially along the housing improves user comfort and hearing aid performance by providing an improved seal with the user's ear canal. The housing can be formed with a substantially constant wall thickness which includes the regions wherein the compliant material is located.

Abstract: An ear wax barrier for an in-the-ear or in-the-canal type hearing aid device positioned at least in part between a receiver output port and a shell acoustic output port includes a substantially cylindrical housing having a barbed portion for press-fitting the barrier into position. The barrier may include a screen and/or a plurality of undulations, such as a thread internal thereto for providing wax accumulation sites to retard the migration of wax into the hearing aid. The barrier is more easily inserted than removed.

Abstract: An acoustic attenuator and wax barrier for a hearing aid includes a substantially cylindrical, color coded, housing having a barbed portion for press-fitting the barrier into position. As the channel diameters increase, an associated peak output frequency also increases for the respective housing. The barrier may include one of a plurality of attenuating or damping screens which provides predetermined sound damping characteristics. Alternately, the barrier may include housings having different acoustic channel diameters to provide the different, predetermined audio attenuation or damping characteristics. The barrier is field changeable and is more easily inserted than removed. The barrier may be provided as part of a system which includes a tool for performing field replacement of the barrier.

Abstract: An ear wax barrier for an in-the-ear or in-the-canal type hearing aid device positioned at least in part between a receiver output port and a shell acoustic output port includes a substantially cylindrical housing having a barbed portion for press-fitting the barrier into position. The barrier may include a screen and/or a plurality of undulations, such as a thread internal thereto for providing wax accumulation sites to retard the migration of wax into the hearing aid. The barrier is more easily inserted than removed.