Abstract: A compressible hearing aid includes an exterior deformable skin which bounds an internal region which is filled, at least in part, with an open-cell foam, the foam can be wrapped around or molded to contain an audio output transducer. The skin is not self-supporting and in response to applied forces from user's ear canal, the skin and the foam both deform and readily compress exhibiting a reduced volume. Though compressed, the foam exerts an outward force against the skin thereby continuing to form an elongated seal between the skin and the external periphery of the user's dynamically changing ear canal. As the volume of the ear canal increases, the skin and open-cell foam expand, exhibiting an increased internal volume, while maintaining a comfortable seal with the ear canal. A plurality of external ribs carried on the skin not only reduces feedback but promotes drying of the ear canal and promotes retention of the hearing aid in the ear canal.

Abstract: A cable incorporates at least one flexible conductor and a non-conductive, elongated, strain relieving member bound mechanically to the conductor. The strain relieving member is mechanically attached between two relatively movable components. The electrical conductor is in turn electrically attached to contacts on the components. Movement of the components relative to one another will be limited by the strain relieving member thereby protecting a somewhat longer electrical conductor extending therebetween. Alternately, a plurality of conductors can be integrally combined with the elongated strain relieving member, by braiding or twisting, to form a unitary cable which incorporates the strain relieving member. In this configuration, all of the conductors in the cable are mechanically protected by the strain relieving element.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a modular hearing aid as well as the resultant hearing aid is provided. The provided hearing aid is comprised of a shell and a faceplate assembly. The shell may be formed of a soft, flexible material or a rigid or semi-rigid material. The faceplate assembly is comprised of at least a pair of pieces, preferably an upper faceplate piece and a lower faceplate piece, and can be fabricated from a variety of different materials. During assembly, a portion of the shell is captured within the faceplate assembly, for example between the upper and lower faceplate pieces. The individual faceplate pieces can be attached to one another using any of a variety of techniques, including miniature screws, interlocking and complementary members, fastening clips or other means. The faceplate assembly can also be coupled together using a permanent or semi-permanent means, although the use of a permanent means limits the ease with which the device can be disassembled.

Abstract: A method of processing an impression of a portion of a user's ear canal that produces a flexible hearing aid housing which duplicates the shape of at least a portion of that impression. A female mold is created using the previously obtained ear impression. A compliant molding material is used to form the female mold. The same material is used to form a male mold in the cavity left in the female mold when the ear impression has been removed. Subsequent to curing of the male mold, it is removed from the female mold and covered with a curable, hardenable plastic such as a UV curable acrylic. Once cured, the compliant male mold is removed leaving a rigid plastic shell whose internal volume conforms in shape to the exterior shape of the ear impression. Mandrels can be inserted into the volume to provide post molding compartments for electronic components. A matrix can be inserted into the internal region or wrapped around the mandrels or respective components.

Abstract: A cable incorporates at least one flexible conductor and a non-conductive, elongated, strain relieving member bound mechanically to the conductor. The strain relieving member is mechanically attached between two relatively movable components. The electrical conductor is in turn electrically attached to contacts on the components. Movement of the components relative to one another will be limited by the strain relieving member thereby protecting a somewhat longer electrical conductor extending therebetween. Alternately, a plurality of conductors can be integrally combined with the elongated strain relieving member, by braiding or twisting, to form a unitary cable which incorporates the strain relieving member. In this configuration, all of the conductors in the cable are mechanically protected by the strain relieving element.

Abstract: A compliant hearing aid has a housing formed with an exterior peripheral layer of a deformable material. Electronic components located within the deformable layer can be encapsulated, at least in part, with a second deformable material. The second material also fills voids in the interior of the deformable peripheral layer. The second material can be cured within the deformable layer. Alternately, the second material can be cured apart from the deformable layer. The layer can then be attached to the second material.

Abstract: A compressible hearing aid includes an exterior deformable skin which bounds an internal region which is filled, at least in part, with an open-cell foam, the foam can be wrapped around or molded to contain an audio output transducer. The skin is not self-supporting and in response to applied forces from user's ear canal, the skin and the foam both deform and readily compress exhibiting a reduced volume. Though compressed, the foam exerts an outward force against the skin thereby continuing to form an elongated seal between the skin and the external periphery of the user's dynamically changing ear canal. As the volume of the ear canal increases, the skin and open-cell foam expand, exhibiting an increased internal volume, while maintaining a comfortable seal with the ear canal. A plurality of external ribs carried on the skin not only reduces feedback but promotes drying of the ear canal and promotes retention of the hearing aid in the ear canal.

Abstract: A compliant hearing aid has a housing formed with an exterior peripheral layer of a deformable material. Electronic components located within the deformable layer can be encapsulated, at least in part, with a second deformable material. The second material also fills voids in the interior of the deformable peripheral layer. The second material can be cured within the deformable layer. Alternately, the second material can be cured apart from the deformable layer. The layer can then be attached to the second material.

Abstract: An FDDI loopback connector or optical network is suitable for testing in fiber-to-fiber applications and designed to be interchangeable with a complimentary connector. The loopback tester is afforded a desired level of attenuation by providing a fiber loop having a controlled air gap. Adjustment of the air gap will afford a desired attenuation level.

Abstract: An injection molded plastic fiber alignment ferrule is provided with a polishing pedestal. The ferrule has an opening therethrough for receiving the end of a fiber, which extends beyond the pedestal. The fiber is cleaved and the end is severed. The ferrule is polished to remove the pedestal, resulting in a smoothly polished end surface.