Abstract: In a method for fabricating a hearing aid device, a patient visits an audiologist at a dispenser location, and is examined to determine electronic settings for a hearing aid to correct the patient's hearing impairment. At the same visit, an ear mold of the patient is obtained, which is scanned to produce a three-dimensional data set, from which a prototype is produced from the hearing aid data set, that does not contain any electronic components, and the prototype is test fitted with the patient. By interaction between the patient and the audiologist, the prototype is modified as needed. When the prototype is acknowledged by the patient as being a comfortable fit, the three-dimensional data that were used to create the acceptable prototype are electronically transmitted to a fabrication site, at which the hearing device is manufactured therefrom. The hearing device is then sent to a location at which it is available to the patient.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing data in a plurality of networks may be provided. Such a system may include an indexer for collecting data coming from an external network and data leaving a local network. The system may further include a querier for querying the local network and viewing data from the plurality of networks; a synchronizer/merger for synchronizing data changes between the local and external network; and a unified index data repository for storing data and data changes of the local network and external network.

Abstract: In a method for fabricating a hearing aid device, a hearing impaired person visits an audiologist at a dispenser location, and is examined to determine electronic settings for a hearing aid to correct the person's hearing impairment. At the same visit, an ear mold of the patient is obtained, which is scanned to produce a three-dimensional data set. A prototype is produced from the hearing aid data set, that does not contain any electronic components, and the prototype is test fitted with the patient. By interaction between the patient and the audiologist, the prototype is modified as needed, with each modification resulting in an updated three-dimensional data set being generated. When the prototype is acknowledged by the patient as being a comfortable fit, the three-dimensional data that were used to create the acceptable prototype are electronically transmitted to a fabrication site, at which the hearing device is manufactured therefrom.