Abstract: The present invention relates to manufacturing of a hearing aid housing comprising a face plate and a shell that is individually matched to the shape of the auditory canal of a user. Manufacture of the face plate includes at least one automatic processing step based on data from a CAD/CAM model of the hearing aid housing. For example, data relating to the circumference of the face plate may be provided to a numerically controlled machine that automatically cuts a separately manufactured face plate along the desired contour that matches the circumference of the corresponding shell. In another embodiment, the hearing aid housing is manufactured with an integrated face plate.

Abstract: For the protection of an in-the-ear hearing aid against contamination by ear wax through the acoustic outlet port (34a) or a vent, a replaceable ear wax guard (36) is inserted in the aid and includes an essentially tubular element with a through-going cavity and an abutment collar in one end for sealing abutment against the hearing aid housing (31). For an easy and safe insertion and removal of the ear wax guard (36), an applicator is used, which in one end has a smooth pin for introduction in the through-going cavity of the ear wax guard (36) and in the other end a harpoon-shaped catch member. For mounting of the ear wax guard (36) a hose or tube member serving as acoustic outlet canal (34) is connected to an abutment collar (33) in abutment with the outside of hearing aid. The abutment collar is designed with oversize standard dimensions and adapted to an individually user-adapted hearing aid housing by preparation of its periphery edge.

Abstract: For the protection of an in-the-ear hearing aid against contamination by ear wax through the acoustic outlet port (34a) or a vent, a replaceable ear wax guard (36) is inserted in the aid and comprises an essentially tubular element with a through-going cavity and an abutment collar in one end for sealing abutment against the hearing aid housing (31). For an easy and safe insertion and removal of the ear wax guard (36), an applicator is used, which in one end has a smooth pin for introduction in the through-going cavity of the ear wax guard (36) and in the other end a harpoon-shaped catch member. For mounting of the ear wax guard (36) a hose or tube member serving as acoustic outlet canal (34) is connected to an abutment collar (33) in abutment with the outside of the hearing aid. The abutment collar is designed with oversize standard dimensions and adapted to an individually user-adapted hearing aid housing by preparation of its periphery edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hearing aid for insertion in the auditory canal, comprising a hearing aid housing and a face plate and a shell that is matched to the auditory canal of a user and has a tightening protrusion that extends along the surface of the shell and at least partly encircles the shell thereby providing a tight seal against the auditory canal wall when the shell is inserted in the auditory canal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hearing aid for insertion in the auditory canal, comprising a hearing aid housing produced according to any of the preceding claims and comprising a face plate and a shell that is matched to the auditory canal of a user and has a tightening protrusion that extends along the surface of the shell and at least partly encircles the shell thereby providing a tight seal against the auditory canal wall when the shell is inserted in the auditory canal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to manufacturing of a heanng aid housing comprising a face plate and a shell that is individually matched to the shape of the auditory canal of a user. Manufacture of the face plate includes at least one automatic processing step based on data from a CAD/CAM model of the hearing aid housing. For example, data relating to the circumference of the face plate may be provided to a numerically controlled machine that automatically cuts a separately manufactured face plate along the desired contour that matches the circumference of the corresponding shell. In another embodiment, the hearing aid housing is manufactured with an integrated face plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a CAD/CAM system for design and manufacture of a hearing aid housing comprising a face plate and a shell that is matched to the auditory canal of a user, the system being adapted to receive and process data representing the shape of the auditory canal, forming a three-dimensional model of the shell based on the data, and outputting data representing the model for production of the shell and the face plate based on the model. Manufacture of the face plate includes at least one automatic processing step based on data from a CAD/CAM model of the hearing aid housing. For example, data relating to the circumference of the face plate may be provided to a numerically controlled machine that automatically cuts a separately manufactured face plate along the desired contour that matches the circumference of the corresponding shell. In another embodiment, the hearing aid housing is manufactured with an integrated face plate.

Abstract: The process for controlling a programmable or program-controllable hearing aid for in-situ adjustment of said hearing aid to an optimum target gain in one or more frequency bands by establishing the hearing threshold level of the wearer for one or more frequency bands, determining the target input/output response for the detected hearing loss and generating a corresponding parameter set for an ideal input/output response for the detected hearing loss under feedback-free conditions, by setting the control parameter set of a signal processor initially to an input/output response with a gain equal to the maximum target gain, operating the hearing aid in-situ in accordance with said initial input/output response while monitoring said hearing aid for the occurence of any acoustic feedback, and if no noticeable feedback is detected setting said initial parameter set for said input/output response into said hearing aid, and if noticeable acoustic feedback is detected reducing the gain over at least one of said frequ

Abstract: A process for making otoplasty or adaptive ear pieces individually matched to the shape of an auditory canal and consists of the following steps: a) direct or indirect tracing is provided of the shape of the auditory canal and conversion of the values obtained into digital form; b) conversion of the digital representation of this shape into a multi-dimensional computer model of the outer shape of otoplasty or adaptive ear piece; c) selection of the various components/functions for the inside of the computer model with simultaneous establishment of the wall thickness and optimization of the positions of the components/functions for best possible operation and minimum bulk; d) computer controlled production of an otoplasty or adaptive ear piece from the data thus obtained from the optimized, three-dimensional computer representation of the otoplasty or adaptive ear piece.

Abstract: A remote-controllable, programmable hearing aid system, including of a hearing aid (2) with incorporated amplifier and with a signal processing circuit whose transmission characteristic can be determined at any time by a set of control parameters, and an external control unit (1) with a transmitter for wireless transmission of control parameters to the hearing aid. A receiving circuit for receiving the control parameters is located in the hearing aid. This system is characterized in that an input device (3) is provided for input of data/information, and a data processing device (4) is provided for derivation of control parameters from the audiometric data/information for transmission from the control unit to the hearing aid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a programmable hearing aid with an amplifier and transmission section whose transmission characteristics can be controlled, with a control unit (1), with a transmitter for wireless transmission of control signals to the hearing aid (6) and a receiver (7) located therein for receiving and demodulating control signals, whereby the external control unit (1) contains an initial memory (20) for some of the parameters which determine the transmission characteristics of the hearing aid, a control panel with entry keypad (5) for recalling such parameters from the memory, a transmitter (4) which can be modulated with these parameters as control signals and a digital control unit (3) and whereby the hearing aid contains a further control unit (8) which can be activated by the control signals after they have been demodulated, for control of the transmission section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing an in-the-ear-canal hearing aid with microphone, amplifier, volume control, battery compartment with battery, and earphone, together with an individually matched ear-piece by making an impression of the ear canal for producing a casting mold and filling the casting mold with a polymerizable plastic.The new process involves pulling at least one prefabricated plastic hollow body, matched to the dimensions of the earphone and the other components, into the casting mold, filling the cavity between the hollow body and casting mold with polymeriable plastic, polymerizing the plastic and completing the hearing aid by inserting the earphone and the other components into the completed ear-piece, including securing a cover plate to the ear-piece, after stripping and removal of all parts not required.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-the-ear hearing aid for people with impaired or defective hearing, with an ear-piece containing a microphone, amplifier, telephone, battery compartment with battery, on/off switch and volume control and closed by a cover plate; a hollow space (6) to the auricular canal is provided for at the inner end of the ear-piece (1) between the sound outlet connector (4) of the telephone (3) and the sound outlet (5) of the hearing air, this hollow space forming a resonator in conjunction with the sound outlet.