Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a removal tool for atraumatically removing a hearing device inserted deeply in the ear canal of a user. The removal tool comprises a shaft adapted to be grasp in the hand and a plurality of hooks or other attachment elements coupled to a first end of the shaft. The hooks have a shape and orientation configured to minimize injurious contact with the walls of the ear canal when the removal tool is inserted into the ear canal. The hooks are also configured to detachably engage a loop structure or other attachment system of the hearing device for removal of the device independent of a radial orientation of the shaft with respect to the hearing device. The hooks can also be configured to engage the loop structure in two or more planes for removal of the hearing device. Also, the hooks can be configured to engage the loop structure so as to exert minimal axial force on the hearing device in a medial direction.

Abstract: A semi-permanent hearing device is disclosed which is adapted to be completely positioned within the ear canal of an individual for long-term use. The device comprises a sealing retainer substantially positioned in the bony region of the ear canal and a core assembly including a receiver assembly coaxially positioned within the sealing retainer. When the device is inserted into its completely-in-the-canal position, the core assembly extends from the sealing retainer to the cartilaginous region of the ear canal in a non-occluding fashion, thereby minimizing interference in the ear canal. The hearing device is inserted in the ear canal past the aperture thereof and in close proximity to the eardrum by a physician or a hearing aid dispenser.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide an enclosure for a metal-air battery assembly for an extended wear hearing aid. The enclosure includes a diffusion control element having a dimensional property configured for controlling oxygen and moisture diffusion into the metal-air battery assembly to maintain a minimum battery voltage when the hearing aid is operating and worn in an ear canal of a user over an extended period. In an embodiment, the enclosure can comprise a shell with a base end having an opening therein forming a cavity within the shell and a base cap for covering the opening of the base end. A diffusion element is disposed on the base cap. In an embodiment, the diffusion element comprises a laser drilled precision micro hole having an aspect ratio of least about four and a diameter in the range of about 10 to 15 microns.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide an enclosure for a metal-air battery assembly for an extended wear hearing aid. The enclosure includes a diffusion control element having a dimensional property configured for controlling oxygen and moisture diffusion into the metal-air battery assembly to maintain a minimum battery voltage when the hearing aid is operating and worn in an ear canal of a user over an extended period. In an embodiment, the enclosure can comprise a shell with a base end having an opening therein forming a cavity within the shell and a base cap for covering the opening of the base end. A diffusion element is disposed on the base cap. In an embodiment, the diffusion element comprises a laser drilled precision micro hole having an aspect ratio of least about four and a diameter in the range of about 10 to 15 microns.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a continuous wear hearing device to be worn entirely within the ear canal, comprising a receiver assembly sized to be positioned in the bony portion of the canal, a battery assembly and a microphone assembly. The receiver assembly includes a receiver for supplying acoustic signals to the tympanic membrane. The battery assembly is coupled to the receiver assembly and includes a metal-air battery and a battery vent. The microphone assembly is coupled to the battery assembly and includes a microphone and a microphone sound port. The sound port faces a medial direction with respect to the canal. The orientation and position of the microphone in the canal are configured to reduce fouling of the port by cerumen. The positioning of the microphone assembly defines an air cavity disposed between the microphone assembly and the battery assembly with the port and the vent fluidically coupled to the cavity.

Abstract: An acoustically permeative intracanal cap is adapted to be worn semi-permanently deep in the ear canal for shielding a hearing device positioned deeper within the ear canal against moisture and debris infiltration. The intracanal cap conforms circumferentially to the walls of the ear canal for occlusion thereof, and comprises a porous membrane with pores sized to prevent water and solid debris from entering the ear canal while allowing air-conducted sounds to freely reach the microphone of the shielded hearing device. The intracanal cap may be entirely separate from the hearing device for independent insertion and removal, or attached to a lateral section of the hearing device for concurrent insertion and removal therewith into and from the ear canal.

Abstract: A semi-permanent hearing device is disclosed which is adapted to be completely positioned within the ear canal of an individual for long-term use. The device comprises a sealing retainer substantially positioned in the bony region of the ear canal and a core assembly including a receiver assembly coaxially positioned within the sealing retainer. When the device is inserted into its completely-in-the-canal position, the core assembly extends from the sealing retainer to the cartilaginous region of the ear canal in a non-occluding fashion, thereby minimizing interference with hair and earwax production present in the cartilaginous region. In a preferred embodiment of the device, the core assembly comprises a battery assembly conforming substantially to the shape and dimensions of the battery enclosed within the assembly.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a continuous wear hearing device to be worn entirely within the ear canal, comprising a receiver assembly sized to be positioned in the bony portion of the canal, a battery assembly and a microphone assembly. The receiver assembly includes a receiver for supplying acoustic signals to the tympanic membrane. The battery assembly is coupled to the receiver assembly and includes a metal-air battery and a battery vent. The microphone assembly is coupled to the battery assembly and includes a microphone and a microphone sound port. The sound port faces a medial direction with respect to the canal. The orientation and position of the microphone in the canal are configured to reduce fouling of the port by cerumen. The positioning of the microphone assembly defines an air cavity disposed between the microphone assembly and the battery assembly with the port and the vent fluidically coupled to the cavity.

Abstract: A magnetic switch assembly for hearing devices designed for remote activation by the user is highly miniaturized with a self-contained latching mechanism. The switch is activated and deactivated by the user via a hand-held magnet placed in proximity to the hearing device. The switch assembly includes a miniature reed switch and a miniature latching magnet affixed directly to one of the reeds or the associated lead wire. Direct attachment minimizes the air gap between the latching magnet and a reed thus enabling latching with only an extremely small magnet. The latching magnet produces a magnetic field of adequate strength to hold the reeds together in electrical contact after the air gap between the reeds is closed by the user's placement of the external hand-held magnet in proximity thereto. But the latching magnet's field is of inadequate strength for unaided closure of the air gap between the reeds.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems, assemblies and methods for packaging hearing devices to protect them during shipping and storage. Many embodiments provide packaging systems that allow metal-air battery powered hearing aids to be stored for several months or longer with a live battery and then ready for use upon opening of the packaging. One embodiment provides a packaging system for a hearing aid comprising a packaging container and a hearing aid disposed in the container. The container comprises an air-impermeable material and has a removal cap that forms an air-impermeable seal with the container. The hearing aid can be positioned on a compliant support coupled to the interior surface of the cap. The support and container protect the hearing aid from shock and vibration as well as reducing the application of force to sensitive components. The container can also include one or more structures for ESD protection.

Abstract: A disposable hearing device is adapted to be positioned entirely within an ear canal for extended wear therein. The device includes a core assembly and a sealing retainer. The core assembly includes a lateral section of generally oval cross-section and generally elongated cylindrical shape for alignment substantially along the ear canal's longitudinal axis, and a receiver section having a receiver coupled to the lateral section for medial positioning in the ear canal's bony region. The lateral section includes a microphone and a battery assembly, and is dimensioned to avoid occluding the ear canal while it is at least partially laterally suspended therein. The sealing retainer is concentrically positioned over the receiver section, and has a composition to conform to the ear canal's bony region wall to seat the hearing device and acoustically seal it in the ear canal to inhibit feedback therein.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a flexible joint for extended wear hearing devices. One embodiment provides a flexible joint for a hearing device comprising a compliant tube having a lateral and a medial end, a pivotal portion and a lumen. The hearing device can include a CIC hearing aid positioned in the bony portion of the ear canal. The tube ends are configured to be coupled to lateral and medial device assemblies. The tube allows the lateral assembly to advance the medial assembly into the bony portion of the ear canal and have the lateral and medial assemblies conform to the shape of the ear canal via pivotal movement. The tube also acoustically decouples the two assemblies. The pivotal portion can comprise a necked portion or otherwise have decreased stiffness relative to other tube portions.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems, methods and assemblies for in situ removal of cerumen from hearing devices positioned in the ear canal. One embodiments provides a fitting for in situ cerumen removal comprising a top portion shaped to be removably coupled to a hearing device component surface and a plurality of leg members extending axially from a perimeter of the top portion. The top portion has a plurality of openings and at least one flexible retaining element configured to releasably engage a retaining feature on the hearing device. The leg members are configured to fit over another surface of the hearing device component. The fitting can be removed from the device component without removing the hearing device from the ear canal. The fitting can also include a removal loop that has a non-deployed state and a deployed state. The fitting is configured to remove cerumen obstructing a feature on the device component.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a barrier for protecting hearing aid metal-air battery assemblies from exposure to liquids causing obstruction of a battery air vent. One embodiment provides a barrier configured to be attached to a CIC hearing aid battery having a vent. The barrier has an oxygen permeability configured to allow the diffusion of sufficient oxygen for a battery to meet the power demands of a hearing aid operating in the bony portion of the ear canal over an extended time period. The barrier has a physical property configured to substantially prevent liquid obstruction of at least a portion of the vent on a metal-air battery such as a zinc-air battery. The physical property can be at least one of a hydrophobicity, oleophobocity or surface energy. The barrier can be directly attached to the battery or indirectly via a holder and can encase substantially the entire battery.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide microphone assemblies which are resistant to moisture. One embodiment provides a microphone assembly comprising a housing, a diaphragm disposed in the housing and a backplate disposed in the housing. The housing includes a sound inlet port for the entry of sound waves. The backplate includes a surface and an electret portion having an embedded permanent charge. The diaphragm is configured to vibrate in response to sound waves entering the housing. The vibrations of the diaphragm interact with the electret portion to produce an electrical signal associated with the sound waves entering the housing. A hydrophobic coating can be applied to one or both of the backplate and diaphragm surfaces so as to reduce condensation and/or wetting of the backplate. This minimizes neutralization of an electric field of the backplate surface from condensation preserving the field and the function of the microphone in humid environments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide microphone assemblies for hearing aids which are resistant to moisture and debris. An embodiment provides a microphone assembly for a CIC hearing aid comprising a microphone housing including a housing surface having a microphone port, a fluidic barrier structure coupled to the housing surface, a protective mesh coupled to the barrier structure and a microphone disposed within the housing. The microphone housing can be sized to be positioned in close proximity to another component surface such as a hearing battery assembly surface. At least a portion of the housing surface and/or the barrier structure are hydrophobic. The barrier structure surrounds the microphone port and is configured to channel liquid and debris away from entry into the microphone port including matter constrained between the housing surface and another surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems, methods and assemblies for in situ removal of cerumen from hearing devices positioned in the ear canal. One embodiments provides a removal tool for atraumatically removing a removable fitting from a hearing device inserted deeply in the ear canal. The tool comprises a housing adapted to be grasped in the hand and a plurality of flexible members partially positioned in the housing and extending from the housing. The members have an outwardly flared portion at a distal portion of the member. At least one member includes an engagement element positioned at the flared distal portion of the member for engaging a removal element on the fitting. The tool also comprises a mechanism for engaging the engagement element with the removal element for removal of the fitting independent of a radial orientation of the housing with respect to the hearing device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide seals for retaining hearing devices in the ear canal. An embodiment provides a seal for a hearing device comprising a curved shell having a wall and an opening at a shell apex portion. The shell defines a cavity for retention of a device component. The shell wall has a shape configured to distribute compressive forces applied to the shell perimeter such that when the shell is positioned in the canal, the shell wall dynamically conforms to changes in the shape of the canal to maintain an acoustical seal between a shell exterior surface and the canal walls. The shell can include an anti-microbial coating to produce a reduction in bacteria contacting the coating. Also, the shell wall can have a water vapor transmission rate to reduce moisture accumulation in the canal during periods of extended wear to reduce the incidence of infection and otitis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide seals for retaining hearing devices in the ear canal. An embodiment provides a seal for a hearing device comprising a curved shell having a wall and an opening at a shell apex portion. The shell wall defines a cavity for retention of a hearing device component with at least a portion of the shell comprising a resilient material having sound attenuating properties. The shell has a structure such that a force for removal of the seal from the canal is greater than a force for insertion of the seal into the canal. That structure can have an umbrella or cup shape. The structure can be configured to act as a mechanical toggle when acted upon by a laterally applied force to the shell. The structure can also be configured to exert a constant frictional force against the canal wall during insertion into the ear canal.