Abstract: In accordance with the present invention the hearing aid programmer includes a program memory for receiving firmware programming instructions and a parameter memory for receiving patient-specific hearing aid parameters to be programmed into a coupled programmable hearing aid. A software hearing aid fitting system executed on a computer such as a PC provides the parameters. In response to a user command, the computer causes a firmware program (selected from one or more firmware programs stored on the computer) appropriate to the hearing aid to be programmed to be downloaded to the programmer.

Abstract: A one-piece open bottom fiber reinforced precast concrete arch unit is buried in compacted soil and has an arcuate top wall portion integrally connecting arcuate side wall portions. The fiber reinforced wall portions have a configuration which provides ductility and flexure strength for effectively utilizing the surrounding compacted soil to resist deflection of the unit in response to a load and to redistribute stresses in the unit. Each of the side wall portions of the unit has a reducing wall thickness towards its bottom and has a radius of curvature greater than the rise of the unit and at least twice the radius of curvature of the top wall portion. A fiber reinforced end arch unit includes an integrally precast and fiber reinforced vertical collar connected to fiber reinforced wing walls by bolts extending through the collar and into anchor nuts embedded in the wing walls.

Abstract: A one-piece open bottom fiber reinforced precast concrete arch unit is buried in compacted soil and has an arcuate top wall portion integrally connecting arcuate side wall portions. The fiber reinforced wall portions have a configuration which provides ductility and flexure strength for effectively utilizing the surrounding compacted soil to resist deflection of the unit in response to a load and to redistribute stresses in the unit. Each of the side wall portions of the unit has a reducing wall thickness towards its bottom and has a radius of curvature greater than the rise of the unit and at least twice the radius of curvature of the top wall portion. Bands of continuous fibers may be attached by adhesive resin to the outer surface of the arcuate side and top wall portions of the unit near opposite ends of the unit to increase the load carrying capacity of the unit.

Abstract: A precast concrete retaining wall forms a wing wall for a precast concrete culvert unit and is supported by a concrete footer with one or more precast anchor member projecting laterally from the wing wall into the back-filled soil behind the wing wall. Secondary reinforcing members in the form of elongated metal fibers or light weight welded wire mesh extend throughout the wing wall, and substantially heavier primary reinforcing bars extend vertically within the wing wall where head portions of reinforcing rods within the anchor member connect with the wing wall. In another embodiment, the reinforcing rods within the anchor member extend through ducts or tubes and have end portions threaded into the tubular anchors precast within the wing wall adjacent the reinforcing rods to provide for attaching the anchor member at the construction site after separately precasting the anchor member and wing wall.

Abstract: An air conditioning system provides a pack conditioned air passage which intersects with a recirculation passage prior to communication of the combined air flow with a mixer. The combined air flow traverses a distance between the intersection between the pack conditioned air passage and the recirculation passage and an entry to the mixer which reduces the required volume of the mixer as compared to conventional systems.