Specified Casing Or Housing Patents (Class 381/322)
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Publication number: 20140301585Abstract: The present invention provides a tip-plate assembly for arrangement at a proximal end portion of a hearing device to be worn at least partially within an ear canal such that said proximal end portion faces towards an ear drum. Said tip-plate assembly comprises a tip-plate (9) having a seating aperture (10), a receiver module (5) having a sound output port (6) at a front end (11), and a suspension element (12). Said suspension element (12) at least partly envelopes said receiver module (5) at said front end (11) and said receiver module (5) is mounted in said seating aperture (10) by means of said suspension element (12). Said tip-plate assembly may further comprise a microphone module (15). Moreover, a hearing device comprising such a tip-plate assembly is given, and a method of manufacturing a hearing device comprising such a tip-plate assembly is proposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2011Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: Phonak AGInventors: Daniel Baer, Roland Hug, Jonas Meyer
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Patent number: 8855346Abstract: A hearing device has a housing, in which a loudspeaker and a battery are disposed. The housing has a first housing part and a second housing part. The housing parts are connected to one another by way of a connection. At least one housing part or an attenuation element provided in the connection between the housing parts is formed of an elastic material.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Endre Barti, Hartmut Ritter, Michael Sattler, Christian Weistenhöfer
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Patent number: 8855345Abstract: A modular canal hearing aid assembly having a main module and a disposable battery module that docks perpendicularly into the main module which surrounds the battery module circumferentially and laterally for secure connection that eliminates inadvertent separation of the modules during removal of the hearing aid assembly from the ear canal. The disposable battery module incorporates battery cell, sound port, and handle, in a unitary structure that is easy to handle and replace as an integrated unit when any of the degradables within are consumed. The disposable battery module also comprises a membrane filter for filtering out earwax and liquids. The perpendicular docking mechanism provides highly space efficient design for comfortable and inconspicuous fit deep in the ear canal.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: iHear Medical, Inc.Inventors: Adnan Shennib, Victor Valenzuela, Patrick Contioso
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Patent number: 8848955Abstract: A deep-ear-canal hearing device is worn deep in the ear canal of a user. The hearing device is easy to produce and use, has a small overall size, and can be comfortably worn deep within the auditory canal, in particular in the bony part of the auditory canal as well. The hearing device has a housing, a signal-processing apparatus, and a receiver. The signal-processing apparatus is arranged within the housing. The receiver is merely arranged partly within the housing and another part is arranged outside of the housing. The receiver only being arranged partly within the housing, it is thus not completely surrounded by the housing. Hence, the housing can have a smaller configuration. In the region where the receiver is arranged outside of the housing, the double wall in the form of, the receiver wall and, the housing wall can be dispensed with, which helps in reducing the size.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: David Courtois, Anton Gebert, Que Huy Luu, Frank Naumann
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Patent number: 8848939Abstract: A system to occlude an ear canal is provided. The system includes an expandable device, a reservoir, a channel coupled between the expandable device and the reservoir, and a pump. The pump expands the expandable device such that a surface of the expandable device contacts an ear canal wall and imparts a force onto the ear canal wall, to produce a tensional strain in the ear canal wall. The strained ear canal wall impedes bodily-propagated sound from entering the ear canal through the ear canal wall, to reduce an occlusion effect by the bodily-propagated sound.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Personics Holdings, LLC.Inventors: John P. Keady, Gary Hoshizaki
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Patent number: 8848958Abstract: A hearing aid retainer accessory is provided for use with a hearing aid having a housing with a longitudinal end face portion comprising a mechanical connection terminal and an electrical connection point. The hearing aid retainer accessory comprises a retainer element with a first end face portion having a first mechanical connection means configured to be engageable to a mechanical connection terminal of a longitudinal end face portion of a housing of a hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Oticon A/SInventor: Morten Friis Karlsen
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Patent number: 8842864Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing instrument comprising an ITE-part adapted for being positioned in the ear canal of a user, the ITE-part comprising a housing comprising first and second openings adapted for facing towards the ear drum when said ITE-part is mounted in the ear canal, said first and second openings being adapted to allow first and second functional elements of the ITE-part to be in communication with the ear canal, the hearing instrument further comprising a wax filter adapted to fully or partially cover said first and second openings. The invention further relates to the use of a hearing instrument, to a method of wax protection in a hearing instrument and to a wax filter. The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative solution to protect relevant parts of a hearing aid against wax deposition.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Oticon A/SInventors: Karsten Bo Rasmussen, Svend Oscar Petersen, René Christensen, Gabriel Aldaz
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Patent number: 8842863Abstract: A two part hearing aid includes a base part (1) to be arranged outside the ear canal of a hearing aid user, the base part including microphone (3, 4), signal processor (23) and a power supply (8). The hearing aid also includes an ear plug part (2) having acoustic transmitter (5, 10) for transmitting sound into the ear canal, an ear canal microphone (11), and an electronic module (7) connected to said ear canal microphone (11). The hearing aid further includes an elongated member (40) having electrical wires (15, 17, 42, 43) for connecting the ear plug part (2) with the base part (1), using a serial databus. The invention further provides a method for communicating between two parts of a hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Widex A/SInventors: Kim Hjortggard Nielsen, Soren Kilsgaard
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Patent number: 8837768Abstract: An apparatus that has an electro-acoustic transducer, a frame supporting the transducer, and an enclosure made from two enclosure members that are each coupled to the frame. At least one of the enclosure members is made partially or entirely of foam.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Bose CorporationInventors: Brad Subat, Daniel Hodgkins, David Meeker, Daniel J. Sheehan, Martin A. Weber
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Patent number: 8831259Abstract: In an embodiment, a hearing aid faceplate arrangement (102) is provided. The hearing aid faceplate arrangement (102) may include a hearing aid housing and a faceplate arrangement (110) positioned on the hearing aid housing. The faceplate arrangement (110) may include a faceplate (108), the faceplate (108) including a receiving portion (112) and a faceplate module (106), the faceplate module (106) including a faceplate module housing (114) having an electronic circuit (116). The faceplate module (106) is configured to be fitted into the receiving portion (112).Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2008Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Wee Haw Koo, Beng Hai Tan
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Patent number: 8824713Abstract: A microphone assembly having a housing, a transducer, and an electronic circuit. The housing has an opening, and the transducer is disposed within that opening. The electronic circuit covers the opening such that the transducer is surrounded by at least the electronic circuit and the housing. The electronic circuit includes a substrate and an amplifier for amplifying the electrical signal into an amplified electrical signal which is coupled to a connection means. The connection means provides a direct electrical connection between the electronic circuit and a receiver. The amplifier is mounted on the substrate and disposed on a side of the substrate of the electronic circuit facing the transducer. The receiver is disposed on a side opposite the side and outside the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Sonion Nederland B.V.Inventors: Wilmink Engbert, Aart Zeger van Halteren, Hendrik Dollerman, Paul Christiaan van Hal
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Patent number: 8811642Abstract: A hearing assistance device has one multipurpose control device that operates in an algorithm selection mode and a daily use mode. In the algorithm selection mode, the multipurpose control device is used to switch between amplification algorithms and select one of the algorithms to be implemented in an audio processing program. In the daily use mode, the multipurpose control device is used to adjust the volume of sound generated by an audio output section. A battery compartment door of the device has an open position in which the device is powered off, and a closed position in which the device is powered on. The multipurpose control device and the battery compartment door are the only user-operable controls on the hearing assistance device for controlling the device and powering the device on or off. No other controls are needed for adjusting volume, selecting algorithms, and switching between and selecting programs.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Inventor: Daniel R. Schumaier
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Publication number: 20140219487Abstract: A listening support device, such as in particular a hearing aid, includes a part (6) worn in the ear, wherein the part worn in the ear includes an electro-acoustic converter (61) and optionally also includes a microphone (62). The part worn in the ear includes a device housing (6) which is inserted releasably in a compressible case (30) which at least partially encircles the device housing laterally. The compressible case (30) is provided with at least one continuous channel (31,32,33) which provides for an open communication between a proximal side directed toward an outlet of the auditory canal and an opposite, distal side thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2012Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: EXSILENT RESEARCH B.V.Inventors: Jan Marinus Van Doorn, Randall Carey Dillon, Mark Alan Bren, Timothy Scott Peterson
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Patent number: 8798299Abstract: A communication device comprising a coated surface having a fine grained coating, the coating including a high nickel content to provide magnetic shielding. The present coating process can be applied to a variety of components and surfaces to provide magnetic shielding in a communications device. Such devices, include, but are not limited to cell phones, hearing aids, and other hearing assistance devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, James R. Newton
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Patent number: 8798298Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, is a system for constrained layer damping for hearing assistance devices. According to various embodiments, a hollow in-the-ear (ITE) hearing instrument shell is formed. The shell has an air space within a wall of the shell, in various embodiments. A port is created in the wall of the shell. The port is adapted to interface the air space to an area outside the shell, in an embodiment. A viscous fluid is dispensed into the air space via the port, and the viscous fluid is cured within the air space. The cured fluid acts as a constrained layer of mechanical damping within the wall of the ITE shell, reducing audible feedback to a wearer of the ITE.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Howard Burns, Andrew Beeson
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Patent number: 8792662Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device is for a user wearing an electronic hearing aid adjacent an ear of the user and may include an upper housing and a lower housing being slidably connected together for sliding between a retracted position and an extended use position. An audio output transducer may be carried by the upper housing and accessible to the hearing aid of the user adjacent a top end of the upper housing, and an audio input transducer may be carried by the lower housing and accessible to a mouth of the user adjacent a bottom end of the lower housing. An antenna may be carried by the lower housing adjacent the bottom end thereof so that the hearing aid is further separated from the antenna when the upper and lower housings are in the extended use position to reduce undesired coupling from the antenna to the hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Yihong Qi, Perry Jarmuszewski, Ying Tong Man
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Patent number: 8792664Abstract: A case for encasing a hearing device to allow the wearer to continue wearing the device while engaging in activities such as swimming. In certain embodiments, the case comprises a protective portion for providing mechanical protection to the device and a flexible portion for housing a coil associated with the hearing device. In specific embodiments, the case also includes one or more acoustic ports.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Michael Stuart Bewley, Hans Yoo, Christopher Jonathan Chia, Orlando Wu, Ryan Orin Melman, Alex Ming Duk Leung, John Joseph Chapman
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Publication number: 20140205120Abstract: A hearing instrument has housing with a plug-in connection. The plug-in connection connects hearing tubes, sound tubes or electrical signal lines. The hearing instrument ensures against an unintentional detachment of the tubes and lines from the housing. The housing has a locking apparatus. The plug-in connection is arranged in the housing. The locking apparatus is embodied to prevent an unintentional detachment of the plug in the plug-in connection. The locking apparatus includes a catch, with a latching plate, and being moveably mounted in the housing. The catch moves at right angles to the plug-in direction of the plug and the latch is pushed into the housing and is protected herein by a blocking facility against unintentionally being pushed out. The blocking facility includes a stop and a blocking element, against which the stop strikes when sliding out. With the moveable catch, an easy-to-operate locking process is achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.Inventors: JOACHIM ROLAND BARTH, HOLGER KRAL, FRANK NAUMANN, ANDREAS RATAY
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Publication number: 20140205121Abstract: The invention regards a hearing device with two or more microphone units each having a conduit leading from a respective sound inlet in the hearing-device housing to a respective transducer, wherein the lengths of the conduits may differ without causing a difference in the frequency characteristics of the microphone units and wherein ultrasonic frequencies may be dampened, while at the same time providing higher freedom in the physical layout of the hearing device. This is achieved in that each conduit comprises a chamber and a pipe forming a resonator, and in that the frequencies of resonance (f1, f2) of the resonators are equal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: Oticon A/SInventor: Martin LARSEN
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Patent number: 8781144Abstract: A hearing device with a connecting portion (15) for the connection of a hook or acoustic tube comprises an inside thread (21) or internal thread portion at the connecting portion intended for the attachment of a hook or acoustic tube.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2009Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Bruno Gabathuler, Paul Portmann, Erich Dittli
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Patent number: 8767989Abstract: The present subject application relates to hearing assistance systems and in particular to a method and apparatus for detecting user activities from within a hearing assistance system using micro electro-mechanical structure sensors. Such benefits include the reduction of the ampclusion effect and other excessive sound pressure buildup in the residual air volume of the ear canal for a person wearing a hearing assistance device with an earmold.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2008Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Howard Burns, Matthew Green
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Patent number: 8767990Abstract: A hearing aid with a child-proof battery compartment includes a shell and a battery door mounted in the shell for rotational movement between an open position and a closed position. A latch mechanism between a pivotal latch of the battery door and a corresponding arrest part is at an internal side of an arrest wall. The battery door in the closed position includes external wall parts facing away from the hearing aid and all of the external wall parts are flush with or recessed with respect to adjacent wall parts of the hearing aid shell, such that an opening force cannot be applied to the external wall parts. The arrest wall includes a narrow gap opening which grants access to the pivotal latch and allows an opening force to be applied to the pivotal latch through the opening to release the battery door.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Oticon A/SInventors: Peter Spragge, Michael F. Jørgensen, Rune Værndal
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Publication number: 20140177892Abstract: A hearing aid assembly comprising a receiver comprising a front chamber and a back chamber being acoustically coupled to respective front and back chamber openings, and acoustical guiding means for guiding air from at least one of the front and back chamber openings to an air mixing zone for mixing air from the front and back chamber openings. The mixing of air from the front and back chambers enhances the low-frequency response of the hearing aid assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: Sonion Nederland B.V.Inventors: Aart Zeger van Halteren, Thomas A. Cohen-Stuart
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Patent number: 8761423Abstract: Hearing devices configured to fit within the bony portion of the ear canal and batteries that may be used with same. One such hearing device includes a hearing device core, defining a size and a shape, and including a battery and an acoustic assembly, with a microphone and a receiver with a sound port that is adjacent to a portion of the battery, and a flexible seal apparatus on the hearing device core. The size, shape and configuration of the hearing device core, and the flexibility of the seal, are such that the hearing device is positionable within the ear canal bony region with the entire microphone medial of the bony-cartilaginous junction.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: InSound Medical, Inc.Inventors: Paul Wagner, Stuart Wenzel, Michael Au, Igal Ladabaum
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Patent number: 8755551Abstract: A hearing apparatus has a housing, a receiver in the housing, and a sound conductor through which sound from the receiver is conducted out of the housing. In order to render the device as small as possible, the hearing apparatus has a cover piece which is inserted into the housing in such a way that a sound channel is formed. The sound channel is thereby delimited at the sides by the housing and the cover piece. A special sound-conducting tube can therefore be dispensed with.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Hartmut Ritter, Michael Sattler
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Publication number: 20140161292Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatuses for hearing assistance low profile offset spouts. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a hearing assistance spout consisting of a one-piece spout with a curved path to an off-axis (e.g., offset) port. The spout may be manufactured using metal injection molding to provide for a reflow solder attachment to the hearing assistance microphone. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to placing a full-sized spout off-axis while maintaining an open state that does not restrict the acoustic path, which may allow the offset spout to include a radial seal independent of the microphone body itself. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to an offset spout including a sealed acoustic barrier wall to protect the acoustic inlet of the microphone from debris or moisture.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Sidney A. Higgins
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Patent number: 8750547Abstract: A simple hearing enhancement device that takes the normally adequately loud sound levels and optimizes selective frequency gain of the patient's ear passage to improve speech comprehension.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.
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Patent number: 8750548Abstract: The application relates to a miniature listening device (20) comprising a housing (200) for enclosing an energy source (23) and a number of functional (21, 22, 24, 60, 70) and/or electronic (251) components of the listening device. The application further relates to the use of such listening device, to a listening system and to a method of electrically connecting a listening device to an external device. The object of the present application is to provide a scheme for electrically connecting a miniature listening device to an external device.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Oticon A/SInventors: Niels E. H. Christensen, Kenneth Rueskov Møller, Jan T. L. Larsen
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Patent number: 8750546Abstract: Sound processors and systems including sound processors are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Advanced BionicsInventors: Roger S. Meier, Lee F. Hartley, James P. Goodman
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Patent number: 8744107Abstract: A hearing device has reduced acoustic wind sensitivity. For that purpose, the hearing device has a surface formed with a shark skin structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Bernd Meister, Hartmut Ritter, Christian Weistenhöfer
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Patent number: 8744109Abstract: A mobile computing device is disclosed. The mobile computing device comprises a first housing segment and a second housing segment that are slideably coupled to each other so that the mobile computing device can be in an extended position or a contracted position. The second housing segment includes a section that is overlaid by the first housing segment regardless of whether the mobile computing device is in the extended position or the contracted position. The mobile computing device also includes two microphones. A first microphone is provided with the second housing segment and is exposed to an opening of the second housing segment. A second microphone is provided at the overlaid section.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventor: Wilhelmus Crooijmans
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Patent number: 8737657Abstract: A suspension for a hearing device having a receiver includes a first part, a second part, and a vibration isolator positioned between the first and the second parts, and mechanically coupled to the first and second parts, wherein the first part is configured to at least partly enclose the receiver, wherein the second part is configured to at least partly enclose a sound outlet of the hearing device, wherein the vibration isolator comprises an acoustic passage part and a damping part enclosing the acoustic passage, wherein the acoustic passage part provides an acoustic passage between the first and second parts, wherein the damping part of the vibration isolator is asymmetrical along a longitudinal, a transverse axis, or both the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, of the vibration isolator, and wherein the vibration isolator is freely suspended between the first and second parts.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: GN Resound A/SInventors: Morten Birkmose Søndergaard, Jan Johansen
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Patent number: 8724836Abstract: The invention regards a hearing device with two or more microphone units each having a conduit leading from a respective sound inlet in the hearing-device housing to a respective transducer, wherein the lengths of the conduits may differ without causing a difference in the frequency characteristics of the microphone units and wherein ultrasonic frequencies may be dampened, while at the same time providing higher freedom in the physical layout of the hearing device. This is achieved in that each conduit comprises a chamber and a pipe forming a resonator, and in that the frequencies of resonance (f1, f2) of the resonators are equal.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Oticon A/SInventor: Martin Larsen
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Patent number: 8718307Abstract: A bone conduction hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) component including a transducer that is carried by the ITE component and positioned in the concha of the ear when in use. A vibrationally conductive structural member of the ITE component conducts vibration produced the transducer into the ear canal and such vibrations are transferred through a housing of the transducer. From there, the vibrations are transferred to a cochlea of the user by way of the mastoid bone, enabling enhanced hearing perception in patients with hearing loss.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Inventors: Daniel R. Schumaier, David M. Campbell, II
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Patent number: 8718306Abstract: In a hearing device or hearing aid, provision can be made for a sound tube or an in-the-ear loudspeaker to be held in an auditory canal of a user by an earpiece. To couple a sound tube to an earpiece, a connection element can be provided on the sound tube, which connection element can be connected to a connection element for the earpiece. This connection must be detachable so that a user can remove the earpiece from the sound tube. Nevertheless, it must be possible to transmit such a large force over the connection that the earpiece can once again be pulled out of the auditory canal. The object is to simplify a detachable connection for coupling an earpiece to a sound tube or an in-the-ear loudspeaker. Accordingly, the connection element for the earpiece is provided as an independent component, which is attached in or on the earpiece.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Uli Gommel, Thomas Lotter
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Patent number: 8718314Abstract: An earphone comprises an inner shell, a stem and a pivot connection. The inner shell has a generally circular periphery shaped to at least partially fit in a user's concha. The stem is mounted to the inner shell at a position spaced from a rotational center of the inner shell and supports a wire leading to the inner shell. The inner shell and the stem are rotatable relative to each other by the pivot connection to configure the earphone to fit the user's ear with the shell member positioned at least partially in the user's concha and the stem positioned exteriorly along an intertragic notch of the ear.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Sung Ho Son, Gregory G. Jones
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Publication number: 20140119584Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a behind-the-ear unit comprising a pump arrangement which is fluidly connected to an inflatable part of an in-the-ear unit. The pump arrangement comprises one inlet valve and two outlet valves which are arranged in series. The valve leakage of the two outlet valves is not identical.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Sonion Nederland B.V.Inventors: Adrianus Maria Lafort, Paul Christiaan van Hal
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Patent number: 8712078Abstract: A wireless headset is adapted to communicate with a sound source such as a music player or a cell phone or a suitable audio or sound communicated through a one-way or two-way communication device. The headset includes a mouth wearable communicator; and a linking unit coupled to the mouth wearable communicator, the linking unit adapted to communicate with the sound source.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Sonitus Medical, Inc.Inventor: Amir A. Abolfathi
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Patent number: 8712084Abstract: A transducer assembly with a U-shaped element at least a part of which forms a part of a magnet housing is disclosed. One or more magnets are attached to the magnet housing which is adapted to conduct magnetic flux from one or more magnets.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Sonion Nederland BVInventors: Dennis Jacobus Mattheus Mocking, Sietse Jacob van Reeuwijk, Adrianus Maria Lafort, Jeroen Leonardus Carolus de Vroomen
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Publication number: 20140112509Abstract: The invention relates to a transducer comprising a housing, a first and a second diaphragm, and a first and a second signal provider. The housing comprises an inner surface. The first and second diaphragms are positioned in the housing. The first and second diaphragms define a common compartment being delimited by at least both a part of the inner surface and the first and second diaphragms. The first signal provider is configured to convert movement of the first diaphragm into a first signal. The second signal provider is configured to convert movement of the second diaphragm into a second signal. The transducer can be used in a hearing aid.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: Sonion Nederland BVInventors: Adrianus Maria Lafort, Andreas Tiefenau, Anne-Marie Sänger, Frederik Cornelis Blom, Alwin Fransen
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Patent number: 8705785Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2009Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Douglas F. Link, David Prchal, Sidney A. Higgins
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Patent number: 8700107Abstract: A sound-amplifying case for a mobile device is provided. The sound guide groove is provided under a portion of the body and opened over the speaker of the mobile device for guiding sound from the speaker toward the pop-up plate. The sound guide hole is provided through a portion of the base groove of the body exposing the speaker of the mobile device to the sound guide groove. The blockable sound slit is provided between the body and the pop-up plate above the sound guide groove, and the blockable sound slit is configured to open when the pop-up plate is closed down and to close when the pop-up plate is opened up. The wedge-shape bellow sound amplifier comprises first and second foldable pan-shaped plates, and each of them is installed between corresponding side edge of the base groove of the body and corresponding inner edge of the pop-up plate.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Inventors: Kwang J. Oh, Loren Oh, Austin Oh
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Patent number: 8699735Abstract: The invention relates to an identification element for a hearing device unit of a hearing device system, with the hearing device system comprising a hearing device unit provided for the left ear of a wearer and a hearing device unit provided for the right ear of a wearer, with the identification element) visibly identifying the hearing device unit from the outside, characterized in that the identification element visibly identifies the hearing device unit as a left or right hearing device unit and comprising a means for assigning a function as a left or right hearing device unit to a signal processing facility of the hearing device unit. The assigning means can be mechanical, electrical and/or magnetic assigning means.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Holger Kral, Frank Wagner
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Patent number: 8699719Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining an operating state of an earpiece of a personal acoustic device and/or the entirety of the personal acoustic device through tests to determine the current operating state, wherein the tests differ depending on a current power mode of the personal acoustic device, and wherein at least one lower power test is employed during at least one lower power mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Bose CorporationInventors: Edwin C. Johnson, Jr., Hal Greenberger, Daniel M. Gauger, Jr., Benjamin D. Burge
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Patent number: 8699736Abstract: A hearing aid includes a microphone on a proximal side of a device housing and a loudspeaker which via a transmission channel is in open communication with a sound-emitting opening of the device. A sound processing device serves to generate sound received by the microphone to the loudspeaker in amplified form. The device housing is provided on a distal side with an optionally sealed battery chamber for receiving a battery therein. The transmission channel is at least almost wholly separated from the microphone acoustically in order to prevent acoustic feedback. The battery chamber includes ventilation elements for the purpose of increasing the lifespan of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: ExSilent Research B.V.Inventors: Aeldrik Pander, Michel Martin Marie Havenith, Marcus Johannes Aloysius Kaal
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Patent number: 8699733Abstract: An embodiment of a hearing assistance device comprises a housing, a power source, a radio circuit, an antenna and a transmission line. The radio circuit is within the housing and electrically connected to the power source. The antenna has an aperture, and the radio circuit is at least substantially within the aperture. The transmission line electrically connects to the antenna to the radio circuit. Various antenna embodiments include a flex circuit antenna.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Beau Jay Polinske, Jorge F. Sanguino, Jay Rabel, Jeffrey Paul Solum, Michael Helgeson, David Tourtelotte
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Patent number: 8693719Abstract: A hearing aid kit includes a standard fit, completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid and a hearing aid tool set. The CIC hearing aid is for extended use and includes a core module inserted into a sleeve. The core module and the sleeve each include various features providing for a minimum overall size, ease of insertion, removal, and cleaning, and enhanced sound transmission. The tool set is configured to be stored and carried in a single piece and provides for adjustment and cleaning of the CIC hearing aid. Open ear fits and occlusive ear fits are possible using different sleeves.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Sidney A. Higgins
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Patent number: 8693718Abstract: A receiver tube for connecting a receiver to a hearing aid instrument and a hearing aid instrument with a receiver tube, include a connection which ensures good acoustic stability and low feedback tendencies, can be produced in an uncomplicated manner and has high impact and shock strength. The receiver tube includes a receiver connector constructed as a cup at least partly holding a receiver when connected together. The receiver connector includes a form-locking mechanism for a receiver and a flexible element for locking the receiver. The form-locking connection simplifies installation of the receiver during production or replacement by requiring neither application of a force, as when pretensioning or expanding force-locking connections, nor establishment of an adhesive connection. The locking mechanism can be opened/closed by the flexible element. The cup-shape of the receiver connector contributes to increased rigidity and reliability of the form-locking connection to the receiver and an acoustic shield.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Agustiar, Mo Choong Marie Chan, Wee Haw Koo, Ju Lin Teo
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Patent number: 8693720Abstract: An improved wireless communications earplug for use with a magnetic field transmitter. The wireless earplug has a receiver made of a coil of wire on a magnetic bobbin, mounted in close proximity or in contact with a magnetic case of a speaker. The magnetic case of the speaker serves to increase the magnetic flux through the receiver and improves the efficiency of the earplug. The speaker is acoustically coupled to an eartip, and the earplug may be molded into a custom earplug body.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Red Tail Hawk CorporationInventor: John W. Parkins
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Patent number: 8687833Abstract: Input parameters or information for the fitting process of individually shaped or customized hearing devices and/or ear pieces of a hearing device are provided by storing fitting relevant data during the manufacturing process of an ear piece for the use with a hearing device into storage means, the data storage means being arranged at/or in the ear piece and/or a storage means kept or linked to the ear piece of the hearing device.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Daniel Probst, Christoph Widmer, Samuel Hans Martin Roth, Tobias Poetzl