Abstract: A method for coupling an electromechanical transducer of a partially or totally implantable hearing aid and/or tinnitus masker to a middle ear ossicle of a hearing impaired person which is to be stimulated. The hearing aid and/or tinnitus masker includes the electromechanical transducer, a transducer positioning and fixing device, and an elongated coupling rod driven by the transducer, the elongated coupling rod having a tip. The method of the present invention includes performing a mastoidectomy to provide a mastoid cavity adapted for receiving the hearing aid and/or tinnitus masker transducer, passing the coupling rod through the natural passage of the aditus ad antrum, positioning and fixing the hearing aid and/or tinnitus masker transducer within the mastoid cavity with the elongated coupling rod passing through the aditus ad antrum, and contacting the tip of the elongated coupling rod with the ossicle to be stimulated.

Abstract: A device for electromechanical stimulation and testing of hearing in which an electromechanical transducer transmits audiologic signals as mechanical deflections via a coupling element from the outside, noninvasively through the external auditory canal, by direct mechanical coupling with the manubrium of the malleus to the ossicular chain. In preferred embodiments, by suitable selection of the transducer principle disruptive magnetic stray fields and acoustic stimulation by sound transmission to the contralateral ear, which is not being examined, are prevented.

Abstract: Implantable microphone for implantable hearing aids, which is used for excitation of hearing, such as cochlear implants or hearing aids with mechanical stimulation of the middle or inner ear, with a microphone capsule which is accommodated in a hermetically sealed housing, and with an electrical lead-in wire connector for connecting an implant line to the microphone module. The housing has at least two legs which are oriented at an angle relative to one another, one leg holding the microphone capsule and being provided with a sound inlet membrane, and the other leg containing the electrical lead-in wire connector.

Abstract: Temporarily fixable positioning system (1) for secure, play-free fastening to the human body, preferably to the human skull has a base (4), a clampable ball-and-socket joint (3), a linear axis mechanism (2) fixed securely to it and a carriage (6) guided along the linear axis mechanism for receiving an actuator or sensor instrument (12). For intraoperative use, the positioning system is combined with a retractor (27). A head support (31) is provided for noninvasive diagnostic or therapeutic applications. The combination of the axial degree of freedom of linear axis (2) with the three rotational degrees of freedom of the ball-and-socket joint (3) allows four-axis, in situ positioning of the instrument on or in the skull, especially in the external auditory canal and an opened middle ear. The positioning system in combination with one of the holders enables precise positioning of an active end (14) of a guided instrument (12) relative to sensitive anatomical structures while avoiding risky relative movements.

Abstract: An implantable unit with at least one contact arrangement for connection of an electrical or electronic device (11), which is hermetically sealed within a housing (10), to at least one cable set (12, 14) that is routed out of the housing. The contact arrangement has a first contact (22), a second contact (30) supported on an elastic body (16), a closing mechanism (18, 19, 20) for engaging the front of the first contact to the front of the second contact and at least one sealing land (28) which surrounds the first contact, which is pressed into the elastic body when the contacts engage, and which seals the contacts relative to the outside of the unit.

Abstract: Implantable hearing aid for stimulation of the inner ear with a hydromechanical coupling element having an input side connected to an electromechanical converter for transmission to the inner ear of the mechanical vibrations generated by the converter.