Abstract: A hearing assistance device has one multipurpose control device that operates in an algorithm selection mode and a daily use mode. In the algorithm selection mode, the multipurpose control device is used to switch between amplification algorithms and select one of the algorithms to be implemented in an audio processing program. In the daily use mode, the multipurpose control device is used to adjust the volume of sound generated by an audio output section. A battery compartment door of the device has an open position in which the device is powered off, and a closed position in which the device is powered on. The multipurpose control device and the battery compartment door are the only user-operable controls on the hearing assistance device for controlling the device and powering the device on or off. No other controls are needed for adjusting volume, selecting algorithms, and switching between and selecting programs.

Abstract: A golf tee insertion depth measurement tool provides a gauge to facilitate marking the shaft of a golf tee to indicate a desired insertion depth that provides an optimum height for a golf ball placed on the tee, which ball is to be struck by a club face having a height H. The tool has a base portion and an elongate stem portion having a stem length. The base portion has a first surface and a second surface. The stem portion is connected to the base portion and extends outwardly away from the second surface of the base portion. The stem portion is first marked along its length at a location corresponding to the club face height H above the ground. The shaft of a tee is then marked at a location corresponding to the marked location on the stem portion to provide the correct insertion depth for the tee.

Abstract: A golf tee insertion depth measurement tool provides a gauge to facilitate marking the shaft of a golf tee to indicate a desired insertion depth that provides an optimum height for a golf ball placed on the tee, which ball is to be struck by a club face having a height H. The tool has a base portion and an elongate stem portion having a stem length. The base portion has a first surface and a second surface. The stem portion is connected to the base portion and extends outwardly away from the second surface of the base portion. The stem portion is first marked along its length at a location corresponding to the club face height H above the ground. The shaft of a tee is then marked at a location corresponding to the marked location on the stem portion to provide the correct insertion depth for the tee.

Abstract: A golf tee insertion depth marking system includes a measurement tool and a marking tool. The marking tool includes a housing having first and second surfaces. Bores extend into the housing from the first surface. Windows are disposed in the second surface of the housing that provide openings into the bores at various distances from the first surface. Each of the windows is of sufficient size to receive the tip of a marking pen to mark the shaft of a golf tee inserted into the bore. The measurement tool includes a base portion and a stem portion. The stem portion extends upwardly from the base portion and has spaced-apart apertures extending there through. The apertures are used to measure the height of the striking face of a golf club, which height is used to determine which window in the marking tool to use to mark the golf tee.

Abstract: A hearing assistance device has one multipurpose control device that operates in an algorithm selection mode and a daily use mode. In the algorithm selection mode, the multipurpose control device is used to switch between amplification algorithms and select one of the algorithms to be implemented in an audio processing program. In the daily use mode, the multipurpose control device is used to adjust the volume of sound generated by an audio output section. A battery compartment door of the device has an open position in which the device is powered off, and a closed position in which the device is powered on. The multipurpose control device and the battery compartment door are the only user-operable controls on the hearing assistance device for controlling the device and powering the device on or off. No other controls are needed for adjusting volume, selecting algorithms, and switching between and selecting programs.

Abstract: An earplug shaping device compresses a compressible earplug prior to insertion of the earplug into a user's ear canal. The device includes a first member and a second member which rotate with respect to each other. The outer surface of the first member and inner surface of the second member define a space that decreases in size as the first and second members rotate with respect to each other, thereby compressing the compressible earplug. Various embodiments of the earplug shaper employ a ratchet mechanism permitting substantially only one direction of rotation.

Abstract: A golf tee insertion depth marking device includes a housing having a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of bores extend from the first surface into the housing. Each bore has a diameter sufficient to receive the shaft of the golf tee when the shaft is inserted therein and a depth that is different from depths of other of the bores. A plurality of windows are disposed in the second surface of the housing. Each window provides an opening into a corresponding one of the bores. Each window is of sufficient size to receive a tip portion of a marking pen inserted therein, whereby the tip portion of the marking pen may make contact with and mark the shaft of the golf tee inserted into one of the bores.

Abstract: A hearing assistance device has one multipurpose control device that operates in an algorithm selection mode and a daily use mode. In the algorithm selection mode, the multipurpose control device is used to switch between amplification algorithms and select one of the algorithms to be implemented in an audio processing program. In the daily use mode, the multipurpose control device is used to adjust the volume of sound generated by an audio output section. A battery compartment door of the device has an open position in which the device is powered off, and a closed position in which the device is powered on. The multipurpose control device and the battery compartment door are the only user-operable controls on the hearing assistance device for controlling the device and powering the device on or off. No other controls are needed for adjusting volume, selecting algorithms, and switching between and selecting programs.

Abstract: A golf tee insertion depth marker comprises a reservoir having a fluid container. Over the reservoir is a cover having a series of spaced apart openings, each sized to receive a shaft of a golf tee. In the fluid container is an ink-impregnated sponge having wells that are sized to receive the shaft of the tee. Each well is axially aligned with a corresponding one of the openings in the cover. The bottom of the reservoir has ledges configured in stair step fashion that are aligned with the openings in the cover. When a golf tee is inserted through any of the openings, the shaft of the tee rubs against the inner surface of the well of the sponge which marks the shaft with ink. The height of the marking is determined by the height of the ledge below the tip of the tee.

Abstract: A bone conduction hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) component including a transducer that is carried by the ITE component and positioned in the concha of the ear when in use. A vibrationally conductive structural member of the ITE component conducts vibration produced the transducer into the ear canal and such vibrations are transferred through a housing of the transducer. From there, the vibrations are transferred to a cochlea of the user by way of the mastoid bone, enabling enhanced hearing perception in patients with hearing loss.

Abstract: A hearing aid which is operable in an audiometric testing mode includes an audio output section, a volume control, a switching device, and a processor. The audio output section sequentially generates a number of testing sounds at a corresponding number of testing frequencies and provides each testing sound to the person who will be using the hearing aid. The volume control is used to adjust the amplitude of each testing sound to a level of audibility just above the person's threshold of hearing at the corresponding testing frequency. When the appropriate threshold volume level is set, the switching device is operated to generate a control signal. Based on operation of the volume control and the switching device for each of the testing sounds at each of the testing frequencies, the processor sets a plurality of threshold hearing levels associated with the corresponding testing frequencies.

Abstract: A user programmable hearing aid allows a user to select acoustical configuration programs that provide optimum performance for the user. The user may cycle through and evaluate various available programs by rotating a scroll wheel on the hearing aid housing to switch from one program to the next. When a preferred program is active, the user can press a push button on the housing for an extended time to select the currently active program. The user can then use the scroll wheel to adjust the audio gain for the selected program. The hearing aid may also operate in a Configuration Mode wherein configuration settings may be changed using the scroll wheel and the push button. In the Configuration Mode, a clinician or patient may easily change configuration settings manually, with no need to connect the apparatus to a computer or other programming interface.

Abstract: A hearing assistance device has one multipurpose control device that operates in a algorithm selection mode and a daily use mode. In the algorithm selection mode, the multipurpose control device is used to switch between amplification algorithms and select one of the algorithms to be implemented in an audio processing program. In the daily use mode, the multipurpose control device is used to adjust the volume of sound generated by an audio output section. A battery compartment door of the device has an open position in which the device is powered off, and a closed position in which the device is powered on. The multipurpose control device and the battery compartment door are the only user-operable controls on the hearing assistance device for controlling the device and powering the device on or off. No other controls are needed for adjusting volume, selecting algorithms, and switching between and selecting programs.

Abstract: An electronic hearing aid apparatus comprises a first component, a second component and a cable assembly for electrically connecting the first component to the second component. The first component includes a vibration sensor for sensing acoustic vibrations and generating a vibration signal based on the sensed acoustic vibrations, electronics for processing and amplifying the vibration signal and an output port for providing access to the amplified vibration signal. The second component includes an input port for receiving the amplified vibration signal and a vibration generator for generating vibrations based on the amplified vibration signal. The cable assembly conducts the amplified vibration signal from the output port of the first component to the input port of the second component.

Abstract: An earplug shaping device shapes a compressible earplug prior to insertion of the earplug into a user's ear canal. The device includes a first member and a second member which rotate with respect to each other. The outer surface of the first member and inner surface of the second member define a space that decreases in size as the first and second members rotate with respect to each other, thereby compressing the compressible earplug. Various embodiments of the earplug shaper employ ratchet mechanism permitting substantially only one direction of rotation.

Abstract: A user programmable hearing aid allows a user to select acoustical configuration programs that provide optimum performance for the user. The user may cycle through and evaluate various available programs by momentarily pressing a push button on the hearing aid housing. When a preferred program is active, the user can press the push button for an extended time to designate that program as a selected program. The acoustical configuration programs include initial-tuning programs that are operable in an initial-tuning mode and fine-tuning programs that are operable in a fine-tuning mode. The hearing aid may also operate in a Configuration Mode wherein configuration settings may be changed using the push button and a volume control. In the Configuration Mode, a clinician or patient may easily change configuration settings manually, with no need to connect the apparatus to a computer or other programming interface.

Abstract: A bone conduction hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) component including a transducer that is carried by the ITE component and positioned in the concha of the ear when in use. A vibrationally conductive structural member of the ITE component conducts vibration produced the transducer into the ear canal and such vibrations are transferred through a housing of the transducer. From there, the vibrations are transferred to a cochlea of the user by way of the mastoid bone, enabling enhanced hearing perception in patients with hearing loss.

Abstract: A programmable hearing aid apparatus includes a processor, digital-to-analog converter, audio output section, memory and a counter. The processor executes one or more available programs, which are stored in the memory, for processing digital audio signals. The digital-to -analog converter generates output analog audio signals based on the digital audio signals. The audio output section receives and amplifies the output analog audio signals, generates audible sound based thereon and provides the audible sound to a person using the hearing aid. The counter generates a counter value based on a count of events that are indicative of the application of power to or the removal of power from the apparatus. After a predetermined elapsed time, the processor determines which of the available programs has been used most in processing the digital audio signals, where the determination of elapsed time is based at least in part on the counter value.

Abstract: A tip for use in a hearing assistance device has multiple sound ports and is dimensioned for placement in the ear canal of a user. The tip includes a channel portion for conducting acoustic energy which includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a central channel that extends between the proximal end and distal end. The tip further includes a tip portion having at least two sound ports in direct communication with the central channel of the channel portion to receive the acoustic energy therefrom. Each of the sound ports conducts acoustic energy from the central channel of the channel portion into the ear canal of the user.