Patents by Inventor Erdal Karamuk

Erdal Karamuk has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11336982
    Abstract: A hearing device seal module for use with a hearing device core including a tubular seal carrier defining a lumen configured for passage of the hearing device core and including a resilient seal support region formed from resilient material and configured to receive the hearing device core, a seal carrier support configured to hold at least a portion of the resilient seal support region open during an insertion of the hearing device core, and a first seal secured to a first portion of the seal support region and extending outwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Yashvant Venkatakrishnan, Xiuming Zhu, Michael Au, Frank Wang, Grace Gardner, Marius Ruefenacht, Barjinder Chana, Erdal Karamuk
  • Patent number: 11317225
    Abstract: A custom fit hearing device that includes an in-ear housing designed to fit at least partially in a hearing device user's ear canal. The in-ear housing includes one or more areas on its outer-surface that are designed to provide retention of the in-ear housing in the ear canal. The one of more area may be rougher than the rest of the outer-surface of the in-ear housing, may have greater a friction coefficient than the rest of the outer-surface of the in-ear housing, may be made of a different material than the rest of the outer-surface of the in-ear housing, may contain granular material and/or may include surface features such as shapes extending outward from the outer-surface or undulations/ripples in the outer-surface. The in-ear housing may be produced using virtual designs and a 3D scan of the ear canal and may be manufactured using additive manufacturing or 3D printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Erdal Karamuk, Jana-Kosima Schwarzlos-Sooprayen, Natasha Thumm, Andi Vonlanthen
  • Patent number: 11317221
    Abstract: Systems and methods for two-way communication with a hearing device are disclosed. In one embodiment, an accessory for communication with a hearing device includes an acoustic filter, and a microphone configured as an acoustic receiver (RX) for acoustic signals from a speaker of the hearing device via the acoustic filter. The acoustic filter is configured to operate at at least one resonance frequency. The accessory is in acoustic and magnetic communication with the hearing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Erdal Karamuk, Paul Wagner, Daniel Baer
  • Patent number: 11277698
    Abstract: Hearing devices, configured to fit within the ear canal, having a hearing device core defining an exterior surface with a medial end and a medial corner, and including a battery, a microphone and a receiver, at least one seal, defining a seal compliance, carried on the hearing device core, and a medial bumper, defining a medial bumper compliance that is greater than the seal compliance, carried on the hearing device core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Paul Wagner, Barjinder Chana, Michael Au, Petra Gunde, Torben Gillich, Simone Keller, Erdal Karamuk
  • Patent number: 11228851
    Abstract: A cerumen protection plug for a hearing device. The cerumen protection plug prevents cerumen from passing along a sound conduit in the hearing device and blocking sound output from a receiver in the hearing device. The cerumen protection plug includes a circular plug containing a cerumen barrier. A positioning handle allows the cerumen barrier to be positioned along the sound conduit, where it prevents cerumen that has entered the sound conduit from traveling along the sound conduit to the receiver or an output port of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Erich Dittli, Christoph Bosshard, Marius Ruefenacht, Joseph Muller, Andre Ochsenbein, George Meier, Andreas Muller, Erdal Karamuk, Markus Muller
  • Patent number: 11190888
    Abstract: A tool for replacing a cerumen filter in a sound conduit of a hearing aid. The tool is designed to position a cerumen filter along the sound conduit and to couple with and remove a cerumen filter that has been positioned along the sound conduit. The tool comprises an insertion tip and an removal tip, both configured to fit inside the sound conduit and to couple or engage with an engagement body extending centrally from the cerumen filter. The tool may be in the form of a stylus with the insertion tip on one and the removing tip on the other end. The tool may also be in the form of a disc dispenser with a plurality of insertion and removal tips attached to the dispenser and accessible for use by rotating plates making up the disc dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Martyn Beedham, Erich Dittli, Andre Ochsenbein, George Meier, Christoph Bosshard, Josef Müller, Marius Ruefenacht, Erdal Karamuk, Markus Muller
  • Publication number: 20210315740
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an earpiece configured to be at least partially inserted into an ear and comprising a core comprising a material that during insertion of the earpiece into the ear is deformable above a transition temperature and non-deformable below the transition temperature. The disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing the earpiece. The disclosure further relates to a method of customizing the earpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Julia Lonsky, Konstantin Silberzahn, Erdal Karamuk
  • Publication number: 20210227336
    Abstract: Systems and methods for two-way communication with a hearing device are disclosed. In one embodiment, an accessory for communication with a hearing device includes an acoustic filter, and a microphone configured as an acoustic receiver (RX) for acoustic signals from a speaker of the hearing device via the acoustic filter. The acoustic filter is configured to operate at at least one resonance frequency. The accessory is in acoustic and magnetic communication with the hearing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Erdal Karamuk, Paul Wagner, Daniel Baer
  • Publication number: 20200382882
    Abstract: A cerumen protection plug for a hearing device. The cerumen protection plug prevents cerumen from passing along a sound conduit in the hearing device and blocking sound output from a receiver in the hearing device. The cerumen protection plug includes a circular plug containing a cerumen barrier. A positioning handle allows the cerumen barrier to be positioned along the sound conduit, where it prevents cerumen that has entered the sound conduit from traveling along the sound conduit to the receiver or an output port of the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Erich Dittli, Christoph Bosshard, Marius Ruefenacht, Joseph Muller, Andre Ochsenbein, George Meier, Andreas Muller, Erdal Karamuk, Markus Muller
  • Patent number: 10805747
    Abstract: A method of customizing a component of a hearing device to the ear of a hearing device user. The method includes the steps of providing the hearing device component as a pre-form including a shape-memory material, heating the hearing device component, and bringing the hearing device component in contact with at least a portion of the ear after reaching a pre-set contact temperature such that the hearing device component conforms to the individual shape of the at least a portion of ear. The shape of the hearing device component is fixed by attending a hardening time of the shape-memory material. Therefore, the hearing device component perfectly fits to the geometry of the user's ear canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Natasha Thumm, Christoph Weder, Markus Muller, Erdal Karamuk, Petra Gunde, Anuja Gopal Shirole
  • Publication number: 20200296528
    Abstract: A tool for replacing a cerumen filter in a sound conduit of a hearing aid. The tool is designed to position a cerumen filter along the sound conduit and to couple with and remove a cerumen filter that has been positioned along the sound conduit. The tool comprises an insertion tip and an removal tip, both configured to fit inside the sound conduit and to couple or engage with an engagement body extending centrally from the cerumen filter. The tool may be in the form of a stylus with the insertion tip on one and the removing tip on the other end. The tool may also be in the form of a disc dispenser with a plurality of insertion and removal tips attached to the dispenser and accessible for use by rotating plates making up the disc dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Martyn Beedham, Erich Dittli, Andre Ochsenbein, George Meier, Christoph Bosshard, Joseph Muller, Marius Ruefenacht, Erdal Karamuk, Markus Muller
  • Publication number: 20200296527
    Abstract: Hearing devices, configured to fit within the ear canal, having a hearing device core defining an exterior surface with a medial end and a medial corner, and including a battery, a microphone and a receiver, at least one seal, defining a seal compliance, carried on the hearing device core, and a medial bumper, defining a medial bumper compliance that is greater than the seal compliance, carried on the hearing device core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Paul WAGNER, Barjinder CHANA, Michael AU, Petra GUNDE, Torben GILLICH, Simone KELLER, Erdal KARAMUK
  • Patent number: 10701497
    Abstract: A hearing device seal module having a tubular seal carrier formed from resilient material, defining a medial-lateral axis and a lumen configured for passage of the hearing device core, and including a seal support region with a first portion defining a first portion perimeter in a plane perpendicular to the medial-lateral axis and a second portion, lateral of the first portion, defining a second portion perimeter in a plane perpendicular to the medial-lateral axis that is less than the first portion perimeter when the seal support region is in an unstressed state, and a first seal secured to the first portion of the seal support region and extending outwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Barjinder Chana, Michael Au, Erdal Karamuk
  • Publication number: 20200186905
    Abstract: A custom fit hearing device that includes an in-ear housing designed to fit at least partially in a hearing device user's ear canal. The in-ear housing includes one or more areas on its outer-surface that are designed to provide retention of the in-ear housing in the ear canal. The one of more area may be rougher than the rest of the outer-surface of the in-ear housing, may have greater a friction coefficient than the rest of the outer-surface of the in-ear housing, may be made of a different material than the rest of the outer-surface of the in-ear housing, may contain granular material and/or may include surface features such as shapes extending outward from the outer-surface or undulations/ripples in the outer-surface. The in-ear housing may be produced using virtual designs and a 3D scan of the ear canal and may be manufactured using additive manufacturing or 3D printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Erdal Karamuk, Jana-Kosima Schwarzlos-Sooprayen, Natasha Thumm, Andi Vonlanthen
  • Publication number: 20200100037
    Abstract: A hearing device seal module having a tubular seal carrier formed from resilient material, defining a medial-lateral axis and a lumen configured for passage of the hearing device core, and including a seal support region with a first portion defining a first portion perimeter in a plane perpendicular to the medial-lateral axis and a second portion, lateral of the first portion, defining a second portion perimeter in a plane perpendicular to the medial-lateral axis that is less than the first portion perimeter when the seal support region is in an unstressed state, and a first seal secured to the first portion of the seal support region and extending outwardly therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Barjinder Chana, Michael Au, Erdal Karamuk
  • Patent number: 10582320
    Abstract: A hearing device sizer apparatus including a medial sizer, with a medial core portion and a medial seal secured to the medial core portion, and a lateral sizer, with a lateral core portion and a lateral seal secured to the lateral core portion, that are configured to be releasably engaged with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Paul Wagner, Michael Au, Barjinder Chana, Shilpi Banerjee, Erdal Karamuk
  • Publication number: 20200029161
    Abstract: A method of customizing a component of a hearing device to the ear of a hearing device user. The method includes the steps of providing the hearing device component as a pre-form including a shape-memory material, heating the hearing device component, and bringing the hearing device component in contact with at least a portion of the ear after reaching a pre-set contact temperature such that the hearing device component conforms to the individual shape of the at least a portion of ear. The shape of the hearing device component is fixed by attending a hardening time of the shape-memory material. Therefore, the hearing device component perfectly fits to the geometry of the user's ear canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Natasha Thumm, Christoph Weder, Markus Muller, Erdal Karamuk, Petra Gunde, Anuja Gopal Shirole
  • Patent number: 10524068
    Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer including a housing having an interior volume with first and second interior volume portions and a sound aperture that extends to the first interior volume, a diaphragm located between the first and second interior volumes, and an environmental sensor associated with the housing and having an inlet in fluid communication with the first interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Erdal Karamuk, Markus Mueller
  • Publication number: 20190387300
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hearing device housing (12) comprising titanium. The arithmetical mean roughness of the housing surface is Ra=0.7-1.8 ?m according to DIN EN ISO 4287/DIN EN ISO 4288. The proposed hearing device housing (12) provides improved effects on retention and wearing comfort. Performance during insertion and removal of the hearing device housing (12) is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Natasha THUMM, Jana-Kosima Schwarzlos-Sooprayen, Erdal Karamuk, Patrizia Richner
  • Patent number: 10368176
    Abstract: This invention relates to an earpiece (1) for coupling a hearing aid (10) to the ear (20) of a hearing aid user, comprising a seal (2) conforming to the shape of the user's ear canal (30) and therein retained; wherein the seal (2) comprises a sound output bore (3) connected to a receiver (11) of the hearing aid (10); and a multiplicity of through openings (4) spaced around the sound output bore (3). The number of the openings (4) is comprised in a range of 50 to 2000; and the openings (4) have diameters in the range of 50 to 250 micrometers. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such an earpiece (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Erdal Karamuk, Hans Georg Meier, Markus Mueller