Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing aid ear mold end piece for the auditory canal, having an outer circumference matching the contours of the auditory canal and a sound discharge opening, whereby end piece (1) is provided on its outer circumference (11) and on the circumference of sound discharge opening (41) with relatively sharp edges (12, 13) projecting in the direction of the inner ear, said end piece being concavely curved in the intermediate end face area (15). The end piece can be made integral with the remainder of the ear mold (3) or as an independent component to be fastened to the remainder of the ear mold.

Abstract: Insert earphones, which are especially useful for audiometry applications include a transducer which is coupled to a resonance cancellation tube as well as to a main tube which is coupled to the ear, with series acoustic dampers in the tubes, operating in a known manner to obtain a smoothly varying frequency response characteristic. An electrical equalization network is coupled to the transducer, cooperating with the acoustic components to obtain a frequency response characteristic which is either flat or which matches that of the human ear. The dampers in series with the main and cancellation tubes have acoustic resistances which are respectively about 20% lower and 20% higher than the characteristic impedances of such tubes, operating to obtain a broadband increase in output.

Abstract: A hearing aid adapted to be worn in the ear, comprises a housing receiving a sound transducer and a sound amplifier, the housing being shaped to fit into the ear and having an upper rim, a mounting plate defining a space for holding a battery and a sound volume adjustment control, the mounting plate having a circumferentially extending outer rim, and detachable fastening means connecting the upper housing rim and the outer mounting plate rim.

Abstract: A moulded suspension for an electro-acoustic transducer in the form of a microphone or a receiver has three regions. A transducer supporting region fits closely around the transducer. A tubular inlet region connects the acoustical inlet or outlet of the transducer to a respective port of the appliance containing the transducer. The third region is a tubular foot which has an annular flange so that the moulding can be mounted adjacent to an aperture formed in a supporting plate. The suspension is made of an elastomeric material. It provides a high degree of vibration isolation and is particularly suitable for use in "behind-the-ear" hearing aids.

Abstract: A coupling element for establishing acoustic connection between a cylindrical hearing aid placed in the concha and a custom made ear plug placed in the auditory canal is formed by a disc-shaped element, which can be rotatably mounted a sound exit nipple on the hearing aid and an angularly bent tube section rotatably mounted on a laterally directed spout on the disc-shaped part. Because the hearing aid housing can rotate about its own axis in the concha and the coupling element can rotate about the nipple of the hearing aid, and because the tube section can rotate about the spout of the disc-shaped part, the tube section may be placed with respect to the auditory canal such that the sound channel in the ear plug can be established by a single, straight bore.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflight headset for civil aircraft and in particular to one comprising a pair of main body portions each having a cylindrical member formed integrally therewith, a pair of covers each connected to one of the main body portions, a headband each end of which is provided with a collar having a protuberance at its lower end, a pair of ear cushions each connected to one of the main body portions, and a pair of acoustic pipes each connected to one of the main body portions.

Abstract: A wax guard for a hearing aid is mushroom-shaped, having a cross passage through its head which intersects an axial passage in its stem. The axial passage contains an acoustic filter terminating the axial passage in its characteristic impedance. The cross passage is semi-circular in section to reduce the projection of the guard into an ear canal and the total area of the two branches of the passage exiting from the axial passage is equal to that of the axial passage. The guard removably snap fits into a metal ring glued into the outlet port of the hearing aid.

Abstract: A microphone, particularly for hearing aid application, said microphone providing a stepped response characteristic relative to frequency wherein low frequency sounds will couple to the associated hearing aid with a restricted amount of amplification, while providing an emphasis or higher amplification for the higher frequencies in the bandwidth of interest.

Abstract: An acoustic ear mold insertable into the ear of an individual with impaired hearing and used in conjunction with a hearing aid having a central metal tube surrounded by a larger diameter metal tube defining a closed resonance chamber so that sound energy from the hearing aid is conducted to the ear mold through the central tube where it is reinforced by resonance in the annular chamber before passing on to the inner ear of the user.

Abstract: To match the frequency characteristics of the audio or acoustic path of a hearing aid to the remainder of the hearing aid system, an acoustic path extension element (10, 25, 40, 48, 52) is interposed in the acoustic path, the extension element being structural components separable and independent of the housing of the hearing aid, although it may be retained therein (FIG. 3), to permit matching of elements having different path lengths to the hearing aid. In a preferred form, the entrance and exit openings of the separable element are coaxial to permit replacement of existing audio duct connecting tubes, at least in part, by the element and thus permit adaptation and retrofitting of hearing aids with the matching element.

Abstract: An acoustically sealed earmold and a receiver adapter insertable into the ear of an individual with impaired hearing and used in conjunction with an external receiver to evaluate hearing. A unique method of coupling the receiver adapter to the earmold is also disclosed. The adapter is inserted into the molded portion of the earmold and provides a straight passageway for transmission of sound energy from the receiver to the occluded space of the external canal of the ear. The device substantially reduces the problem of acoustic feedback in high gain hearing aid fittings and provides more accurate transmission of acoustic signals to allow improved hearing evaluation. This invention enables an audiologist to fit the earmold and conduct hearing aid evaluations in a single office visit.

Abstract: An acoustic ear mold insertable into the ear of an individual with impaired hearing and used in conjunction with a hearing aid having a central metal tube surrounded by a larger diameter metal tube defining a closed resonance chamber so that sound energy from the hearing aid is conducted to the ear mold through the central tube where it is reinforced by resonance in the annular chamber before passing on to the inner ear of the user.

Abstract: A high performance and extremely compact earphone is disclosed. The earphone includes a speaker unit and a case in which the speaker unit is mounted. The earphone is attachable to a cavity of a conha defined by the tragus and a confronting projection of the pinna of the ear. The earphone has a specific physical configuration such that the earphone is firmly fitted to the ear cavity by the resiliency and friction of the ear.

Abstract: A connector connects sound conduction tubing from a hearing aid to a sound conduction bore in an earmold. The connector is an elbow-shaped member with one end receiving an end of the sound conduction tubing while the other end has latching means that latchably mate with an entry section of the sound conduction bore. The inside diameter of the sound conduction tubing, the diameter of a sound conduction tubular passage in the elbow-shaped member and the diameter of the sound conduction bore are the same therealong thereby defining a continuous flow sound conduction path from the hearing aid to the end of a canal of the earmold.

Abstract: An acoustical damping element for acoustical tubing such as a hearing aid earpiece, in which a disc of wire screen is positioned over a disc of flexible fabric of a selected acoustic resistance, over the mouth of the tubing. An insertion tool of diameter slightly less than that of the interior passage of the tubing then pushes the composite layers of screen and fabric into the tubing, thereby forming the screen and fabric into closed end concentric cylinders in the passage. The cylindrical sidewall of the screen presses the cylindrical sidewall of the fabric against the interior wall of the tubing to retain the damping element within the passage.

Abstract: A method for retaining a hearing aid in place on a person includes providing a harness having a plurality of transverse straps, a connecting longitudinal strap, a chip strap and at least one ear cover. The hearing aid is positioned within or adjacent to the person's ear or ears and the harness is placed over the head with the ear cover or covers overlying the hearing aid or aids. The chin strap is secured so as to urge the ear cover or covers into intimate overlying relationship with the hearing aid or hearing aids so as to resist undesired movement of the hearing aid out of the desired position. The hearing aid harness preferably has a plurality of transverse strap members and a connecting longitudinal strap member which are adapted to assumed relative spaced positions on the head of the user. One or more ear covers are provided and a chin strap which is preferably adjustable serves to secure the assembly on the user's head with the ear covers in intimate relationship with the hearing aids.

Abstract: An acoustic ear mold for intensifying sound pressure for an acoustic signal derived from an electronic hearing aid worn by a patient, characterized by an ear canal component having defined therein a segmented, air-filled resonating cavity including four coaxially aligned, contiguous cavity segments arranged in communicating relation for intensifying sound pressure in the range of 250 hz to 6,000 hz, the diameter of the segments being mutually unique, the lengths of the end-most cavity segments being equal while the axial lengths of the segments interposed between the end-most segments are mutually unique with respect to all other segments of the cavity, a tubular conduit is connected with the cavity for conveying acoustic signals from the hearing aid while an acoustic output chamber extends from the segmented cavity to the terminous of the component for delivering to the tympanic membrane of the wearer, pressure-intensified acoustic signals.

Abstract: An improved acoustic headset of the type used with sound reproduction equipment in airline entertainment systems. The headset has a yoke supporting a pin of curved sound-transmitting horns which terminate in soft tips for insertion in a passenger's ears. To provide improved alignment with the ear canals, the horns are rotatably mounted on the yoke, and are curved through more than a right angle. The headset provides improved frequency response and comfort to the user, and is designed for easy packaging and cleaning for repeated use.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an acoustic ear mold insertable into the ear of an individual with impaired hearing and used in conjunction with a hearing aid. Inserted into the molded portion of the ear mold is a central thin-walled metal tube surrounded by a larger thin-walled metal tube, with annular end plates defining a closed resonance chamber. There is an opening through the wall of the central tube forming a path between the space inside the central tube and the annular chamber. Sound energy from the hearing aid is conducted to the ear mold through the central tube where it is reinforced by resonance in the annular chamber before passing on to the ear of the user.

Abstract: An earpiece which takes the form of a pouch made of a plastics foil which surrounds a less pliant plastics tube in an airtight manner and is filled with a sluggishly moving jelly-like paste.A not readily movable compression ring provided with a funnel shaped portion which is clear of the tube ensures that the pouch is filled in such a way that during use the pouch perfectly engages with the inner wall of the auditory canal.