Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems, methods and assemblies for in situ removal of cerumen from hearing devices positioned in the ear canal. One embodiments provides a fitting for in situ cerumen removal comprising a top portion shaped to be removably coupled to a hearing device component surface and a plurality of leg members extending axially from a perimeter of the top portion. The top portion has a plurality of openings and at least one flexible retaining element configured to releasably engage a retaining feature on the hearing device. The leg members are configured to fit over another surface of the hearing device component. The fitting is configured to remove cerumen obstructing a feature on the device component and can be removed from the device component without removing the hearing device from the ear canal. The fitting can also include a removal loop that has a non-deployed state and a deployed state.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems, methods and assemblies for in situ removal of cerumen from hearing devices positioned in the ear canal. One embodiments provides a fitting for in situ cerumen removal comprising a top portion shaped to be removably coupled to a hearing device component surface and a plurality of leg members extending axially from a perimeter of the top portion. The top portion has a plurality of openings and at least one flexible retaining element configured to releasably engage a retaining feature on the hearing device. The leg members are configured to fit over another surface of the hearing device component. The fitting is configured to remove cerumen obstructing a feature on the device component and can be removed from the device component without removing the hearing device from the ear canal. The fitting can also include a removal loop that has a non-deployed state and a deployed state.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems, methods and assemblies for in situ removal of cerumen from hearing devices positioned in the ear canal. One embodiments provides a fitting for in situ cerumen removal comprising a top portion shaped to be removably coupled to a hearing device component surface and a plurality of leg members extending axially from a perimeter of the top portion. The top portion has a plurality of openings and at least one flexible retaining element configured to releasably engage a retaining feature on the hearing device. The leg members are configured to fit over another surface of the hearing device component. The fitting can be removed from the device component without removing the hearing device from the ear canal. The fitting can also include a removal loop that has a non-deployed state and a deployed state. The fitting is configured to remove cerumen obstructing a feature on the device component.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a protective cap assembly for a CIC hearing aid. The assembly comprises a perforated cap configured to be mounted over the lateral end of the hearing aid to protect the hearing aid from contaminants. At a least a portion of the cap includes a protective coating and a plurality of perforations. The placement and size of the perforations can be configured to provide sufficient aeration and drainage to reduce a relative humidity of the cap interior when the hearing aid is positioned in the ear canal. The perforations also operate as sound conduction channels for conducting sound to the cap interior. The perforations have a minimum size wherein a single perforation provides sufficient acoustic transmittance to a hearing aid component such that a hearing aid performance parameter is not substantially adversely affected. They can also be configured to provide splash protection for the cap interior.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems, assemblies and methods for packaging hearing devices to protect them during shipping and storage. Many embodiments provide packaging systems that allow metal-air battery powered hearing aids to be stored for several months or longer with a live battery and then ready for use upon opening of the packaging. One embodiment provides a packaging system for a hearing aid comprising a packaging container and a hearing aid disposed in the container. The container comprises an air-impermeable material and has a removal cap that forms an air-impermeable seal with the container. The hearing aid can be positioned on a compliant support coupled to the interior surface of the cap. The support and container protect the hearing aid from shock and vibration as well as reducing the application of force to sensitive components. The container can also include one or more structures for ESD protection.

Abstract: A removal tool for atraumatically removing a removable fitting from a hearing device inserted deeply in the ear canal comprises a housing adapted to be grasped in the hand and a plurality of flexible members partially positioned in the housing and extending from the housing. The members have an outwardly flared portion at a distal portion of the member. At least one member includes an engagement element positioned at the flared distal portion of the member for engaging a removal element on the fitting. The tool also comprises a mechanism for engaging the engagement element with the removal element for removal of the fitting independent of a radial orientation of the housing with respect to the hearing device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems, assemblies and methods for packaging hearing devices to protect them during shipping and storage. Many embodiments provide packaging systems that allow metal-air battery powered hearing aids to be stored for several months or longer with a live battery and then ready for use upon opening of the packaging. One embodiment provides a packaging system for a hearing aid comprising a packaging container and a hearing aid disposed in the container. The container comprises an air-impermeable material and has a removal cap that forms an air-impermeable seal with the container. The hearing aid can be positioned on a compliant support coupled to the interior surface of the cap. The support and container protect the hearing aid from shock and vibration as well as reducing the application of force to sensitive components. The container can also include one or more structures for ESD protection.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems, methods and assemblies for in situ removal of cerumen from hearing devices positioned in the ear canal. One embodiments provides a fitting for in situ cerumen removal comprising a top portion shaped to be removably coupled to a hearing device component surface and a plurality of leg members extending axially from a perimeter of the top portion. The top portion has a plurality of openings and at least one flexible retaining element configured to releasably engage a retaining feature on the hearing device. The leg members are configured to fit over another surface of the hearing device component. The fitting can be removed from the device component without removing the hearing device from the ear canal. The fitting can also include a removal loop that has a non-deployed state and a deployed state. The fitting is configured to remove cerumen obstructing a feature on the device component.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems, methods and assemblies for in situ removal of cerumen from hearing devices positioned in the ear canal. One embodiments provides a removal tool for atraumatically removing a removable fitting from a hearing device inserted deeply in the ear canal. The tool comprises a housing adapted to be grasped in the hand and a plurality of flexible members partially positioned in the housing and extending from the housing. The members have an outwardly flared portion at a distal portion of the member. At least one member includes an engagement element positioned at the flared distal portion of the member for engaging a removal element on the fitting. The tool also comprises a mechanism for engaging the engagement element with the removal element for removal of the fitting independent of a radial orientation of the housing with respect to the hearing device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a protective cap assembly for a CIC hearing aid. The assembly comprises a perforated cap configured to be mounted over the lateral end of the hearing aid to protect the hearing aid from contaminants. At a least a portion of the cap includes a protective coating and a plurality of perforations. The placement and size of the perforations can be configured to provide sufficient aeration and drainage to reduce a relative humidity of the cap interior when the hearing aid is positioned in the ear canal. The perforations also operate as sound conduction channels for conducting sound to the cap interior. The perforations have a minimum size wherein a single perforation provides sufficient acoustic transmittance to a hearing aid component such that a hearing aid performance parameter is not substantially adversely affected. They can also be configured to provide splash protection for the cap interior.