Abstract: A computerized method is provided for designing a vent in a hearing aid housing shell based on an image of a patient's ear canal impression, and wherein a program is provided on a computer-readable medium. With the program, an image of a starter housing shell based on the image of the patient's ear canal impression is created which is longer than a final version of the housing shell to be created. A starter vent running from an inner canal end near the patient's ear drum to an outer end of the starter housing shell is placed inside the shell. Components are then placed substantially as deep as possible inside the starter shell but lying outside of the starter vent. Portions of the starter shell lying beyond where a faceplate is to be mounted are removed and the faceplate is mounted. The starter vent is then grown larger so that it fills substantially all space inside the shell without interfering with the components.

Abstract: A method for designing a prosthetic device includes acquiring a three-dimensional image of an anatomical surface. A rules script for automatically performing a plurality of image processing rules using a script interpreter is executed. For each particular rule of the plurality of rules, one or more anatomical features that are relevant to the particular rule using a surface shaping engine are determined, the one or more determined anatomical features are automatically segmented from the acquired three-dimensional image using a feature detector, and the particular image processing rule is performed on the acquired three-dimensional image based on the automatically segmented anatomical features using a CAD tool. A prosthetic device design is produced based on the three-dimensional image upon which the rules of the plurality of image processing rules have been performed.

Abstract: A CIC hearing instrument and appertaining method are provided that improve feedback stability. Accordingly, the microphone inlet is located on the faceplate of the instrument at a position of least vibration. Furthermore, the receiver is located in the device such that its vibrating membrane is parallel to a plane calculated to include a line of minimal vibration on the faceplate and a center of gravity for the instrument.

Abstract: A small hearing aid is provided which fits completely in an ear canal of a user wherein a shell as an outer housing of the hearing aid is shaped to closely surround components of the hearing aid to provide a gap between the hearing canal inner walls and the shell to allow flow of air when the hearing aid is mounted in the ear by a mounting element connected to the shell. The mounting element is provided with at least one aperture to allow the air flow. In a fabricating method, an image of the shell is shrunk to closely surround the hearing aid components while maintaining a shape of the ear canal to assure a custom fit.

Abstract: In a system and method for open fitting hearing aid frequency response sound measurements, a test space is provided having located therein a sound source, a hearing aid with a microphone, and an open fit receiver. An acoustic shield is provided and within the acoustic shield an ear simulator coupler is provided having an ear extension attached thereto, the ear extension having mounted thereto at least a portion of the open fit receiver. A measurement unit receives sound signals from the ear simulator coupler.

Abstract: A method and appertaining assembly are provided for CIC hearing aid manufacture for the placement of floating components. A hearing aid shell fixture is formed that comprises an interior region identical in shape and size to an interior region of an actual hearing aid shell, and a replica of one or more shell components that is positioned so as to replicate a position and size of one or more real shell components in the actual hearing aid shell. The hearing aid shell fixture is placed onto a faceplate assembly that comprises a floating component, and a position of the floating component is adjusted to avoid contact with the replica of one or more shell components. The hearing aid shell fixture on the faceplate is subsequently replaced with the actual hearing aid shell.

Abstract: In order to reduce feedback in a hearing aid, a hearing aid receiver is provided that comprises a housing having an inside surface and an outside surface, a motor, an active armature that is attached to the motor and attached to the inside surface of the housing, the active armature being driven in a vibrational manner by the motor, and an external passive component that is attached to the outside surface of the housing, the external passive component designed to vibrate in a direction opposed to vibrations of the active armature. A corresponding method for operating such a hearing aid receives is also provided.

Abstract: The compliance of a receiver tube for a hearing instrument may be enhanced by fabricating it as a composite assembly of a tube and a compliant insulator positioned between the tube and the receiver. The material of the insulator is selected such that it has a greater compliance than that of the tube.

Abstract: A method and appertaining system provide for automatically adding a wax guard to a hearing aid shell impression. The location of a canal, tip of the canal, and central line of the impression are automatically identified in a digital 3D representation of a hearing aid shell impression. A first wax guard plane is determined at a predefined flip distance from the canal tip along the central line, and a second wax guard plane is determined at a predefined canal tip offset distance from the canal tip along the central line. A size and position for a feature of the wax guard is calculated based on predefined parameters, and the wax guard is constructed utilizing the calculated side and position. The type of wax guard can be a bell bore design, an open design, a Philip design, or a flip design.

Abstract: The capabilities of a helix hearing instrument may expanded with a behind-the-ear accessory module. The module accommodates additional batteries and a variety of accessory functions including an external volume control.

Abstract: A receiver tube for a hearing instrument may be securely affixed to the instruments receiver with a retaining clamp. Such an arrangement facilitates assembly and repair, and provides a positive means for the securing the receiver tube.

Abstract: A vent having a reduced cross-section or taper permits the fabrication of very small hearing instruments while providing the necessary openings for the receiver tube and the vent in the tip of the instrument. The reduced cross-section provides sufficient clearance for the full cross-section of the receiver tube, without sacrificing the performance of the vent. The modified vent may be created in a CAD environment using Boolean modeling operations.

Abstract: A hearing aid having hearing loss-compensating components, active occlusion reduction components, a vent, a tuned piston, and a flexible surround. The piston and the surround combination are assembled on the faceplate and cover the outside end of the vent that is situated on the faceplate. The piston and the surround combination minimize the adverse effects of walk-induced head vibrations.

Abstract: To prevent stereo lithography (SLA) support structures for parts fabricated in an SLA apparatus from interfering with features in the parts, a structural shield such as a dome may be place around the feature and then discarded at the conclusion of the SLA process.

Abstract: A method (20) of assembling a hearing aid that uses a shell locator (35) to guide the relative placement of the shell (34) and the faceplate (32).

Abstract: A construction of a CIC instrument is provided, along with a corresponding method of manufacturing such a CIC instrument, that prevents floating components from contacting with an isolated receiver and, therefore, assures feedback-free operation. This is achieved through the presence of a compartment for the receiver in which the receiver resides, and a cover placed on top of the receiver compartment in a mating recess of the receiver compartment.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically determining the position of and placing a faceplate assembly on a hearing instrument shell that takes into account patient anatomical features. These anatomical features of the shell are used as landmarks for ensuring that the final position of the faceplate on the hearing instrument is optimized both in terms of esthetics and increased comfort. The protocols defined herein take advantage of the intrinsic features of the human ear anatomy and the geometry of the electronic components to ensure that design and manufacturing of ITEs are optimized for efficiency and the process can be completely automated to ensure consistence and practice reproducibility.

Abstract: A sound tube having two passages affords a compact arrangement for a combined receiver and ear-canal microphone assembly. The ear-canal microphone is positioned in line with the receiver but above the receiver's output port, and the sound tube connects both with the ear canal.

Abstract: A method and appertaining system determine and output parameters associated with an ear canal according to a particular taxonomy. The output can then be input to various other systems associated with hearing aid design. An intelligent computational approach is utilized that models the physiology of the human ear canal as reconcilable with a conic or quadric section. The canal segment of the impression is sliced, and various parameters are determined according to each slice. Then, these parameters are analyzed in order to create a basic classification of the canal morphology.

Abstract: The manufacture of a hearing instrument having a hard inner shell and a softer outer covering, for insertion into the ear canal of the user, may be accomplished using rapid manufacturing and prototyping techniques. Starting with a digital model of the ear canal, a mold for the softer outer covering may be fabricated using a process such as stereo lithography.