Abstract: A hearing aid has a housing which includes electronic components such as a microphone, amplifier, power source and receiver, as well as suitable structure for mounting and retaining those components. The housing is inserted in a cavity in a shell. The exterior of the shell is matched to the shape of the auditory canal of the user. The cavity of the shell in which the housing is received tapers to a smallest diameter at a sound discharge end of the shell. The housing also has a smallest diameter at this location. A releasable latch is disposed in the region of the smallest diameter for holding said housing in place within the shell during use, but permitting removal of the housing for repair or replacement without damaging the shell.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit is attached to the housing of a hearing aid by at least one user-operated control element. The printed circuit further has a bending zone which is devoid of components, and component zones on which components are mounted.