Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hearing device including providing a hearing aid housing having an opening, providing an electric/acoustic transducer, providing a support plate forming a blind hole having a membrane as a base, inserting the transducer into the blind hole, bringing the housing and support plate together such that a portion of the transducer enters through the opening in the housing, bonding the housing to the support plate, and trimming excess portion of the support plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the sound pressure level (SPL) heard by a user of a mobile terminal, such as a cellular phone, when listening with an ear sealed to the mobile terminal and for providing adequate sound when the ear is not sealed to the mobile terminal. Some sound is laterally ported away from the ear-sealing region on the terminal such that the SPL heard with a sealed ear may be controlled to be within regulatory requirements. The need for mechanical or proximity switches may be reduced or eliminated. Adequate SPLs are provided when the ear is not sealed to the device by the combined use of distal and central ports. Excessive SPLs may be prevented for sounds such as alert signals.

Abstract: Cerumen are effectively kept away from the earphone of a hearing aid by the earphone having a lager lateral sound exit opening partly covered by a band. Polytetrafluoroethylene film is suited as material for the band. For protection against larger cerumen constituents, the earphone can be additionally encapsulated by a capsule having a cover. To this end, the earphone is seated in the capsule vibration-damped by means of damping elements.

Abstract: To prevent soiling of a hearing aid, the latter is provided with an exchangeable ear wax guard which, in the area of the sound outlet opening of the hearing aid, can be inserted into a sound tube. The ear wax guard is characterized in that, in order to improve its securing in the sound channel, it is provided with elevations at least in a subarea of its surface. On the surface of the ear wax guard, the density or size of the elevations preferably increases counter to the direction of insertion of the ear wax guard.

Abstract: A semi-permanent hearing device is disclosed which is adapted to be completely positioned within the ear canal of an individual for long-term use. The device comprises a sealing retainer substantially positioned in the bony region of the ear canal and a core assembly including a receiver assembly coaxially positioned within the sealing retainer. When the device is inserted into its completely-in-the-canal position, the core assembly extends from the sealing retainer to the cartilaginous region of the ear canal in a non-occluding fashion, thereby minimizing interference with hair and earwax production present in the cartilaginous region. In a preferred embodiment of the device, the core assembly comprises a battery assembly conforming substantially to the shape and dimensions of the battery enclosed within the assembly.

Abstract: An insert earphone which prevents a sound leakage and improves wearing comfort. An ear chip has a barrel portion and first and second annular flange portions having the shape of a parabola spreading from the top toward the middle and from the middle toward the base of the barrel portion respectively. The first annular flange portion has a smaller outer diameter than the second annular flange portion. The first annular flange portion has almost even thickness from the inner circumference to the outer circumference, and has the inner circumference neighborhood substantially formed in the shape of a sliced doughnut.

Abstract: A device is provided for earphones that are introduced into the auditory canal that provide protection against cerumen in which the sound from the earphone is conducted onto a membrane that is arranged essentially parallel to the auditory canal. Proceeding from the membrane, the sound is forwarded onto the tympanum, where the membrane at least partially seals the earphone so that cerumen is kept away from the earphone. The membrane, including the earphone, can be removed from the hearing aid housing for cleaning purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to manufacturing of a hearing aid housing comprising a face plate and a shell that is individually matched to the shape of the auditory canal of a user. Manufacture of the face plate includes at least one automatic processing step based on data from a CAD/CAM model of the hearing aid housing. For example, data relating to the circumference of the face plate may be provided to a numerically controlled machine that automatically cuts a separately manufactured face plate along the desired contour that matches the circumference of the corresponding shell. In another embodiment, the hearing aid housing is manufactured with an integrated face plate.

Abstract: An in-the-ear hearing aid having an electric/acoustic transducer system and a freely vibrating membrane in acoustic communication with the hearing aid transducer and the hearing aid surroundings. The membrane seals the hearing aid from its surroundings to aid in protecting the hearing aid from dirt and debris.

Abstract: A hearing aid assembled from three sections includes a first section having a first housing containing a microphone and electronics, a second section having a second housing containing a battery a flex circuit mounted around the battery and a third section having a compliant tip and a receiver contained within a receptacle in the tip. The flex circuit provides solder less electrical connections among the electrical components of the hearing aid. The hearing aid also includes an actuator switch that allows the user to engage the hearing aid in an ON or an OFF mode of operation. Preferably, the actuator is electrically connected to the hearing aid without the use of solder. Connection between the first and second sections includes a mechanical securing mechanism, such as an interlocking joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing ear devices that are individualized for individual. Data of the three-dimensional shape of each individual's area of application for a haring device is provided. Individual shells for the hearing devices are construed by respectively depositing commonly a layer of one of a liquid and a powderous material and solidifying by a laser arrangement in the layer individually shaped layers of the individual shells, thereby controlling the laser arrangement with the data.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing ear devices that are individualized for individual. Data of the three-dimensional shape of each individual's area of application for a haring device is provided. Individual shells for the hearing devices are construed by respectively depositing commonly a layer of one of a liquid and a powderous material and solidifying by a laser arrangement in the layer individually shaped layers of the individual shells, thereby controlling the laser arrangement with the data.

Abstract: To prevent soiling of a hearing aid, the latter is provided with an exchangeable ear wax guard which, in the area of the sound outlet opening of the hearing aid, can be inserted into a sound tube. The ear wax guard is characterized in that, in order to improve its securing in the sound channel, it is provided with elevations at least in a subarea of its surface. On the surface of the ear wax guard, the density or size of the elevations preferably increases counter to the direction of insertion of the ear wax guard.

Abstract: A transducer module for integration into a hearing aid device. The transducer module has an encapsulation with an opening and a transducer housing resiliently mounted in the encapsulation. The transducer module also has a first membrane and a second membrane. The first membrane forms a first space adjacent to a first side of the membrane which communicates with the opening. The first membrane also forms a second space adjacent to a second side of the first membrane which communicates with an intermediate space between the transducer housing and the encapsulation. The second membrane is for closing the opening of the encapsulation. Further, the transducer forms a self-contained module with the encapsulation as a housing of the module, with the module being adapted for insertion into the hearing device.

Abstract: For the protection of an in-the-ear hearing aid against contamination by ear wax through the acoustic outlet port (34a) or a vent, a replaceable ear wax guard (36) is inserted in the aid and comprises an essentially tubular element with a through-going cavity and an abutment collar in one end for sealing abutment against the hearing aid housing (31). For an easy and safe insertion and removal of the ear wax guard (36), an applicator is used, which in one end has a smooth pin for introduction in the through-going cavity of the ear wax guard (36) and in the other end a harpoon-shaped catch member. For mounting of the ear wax guard (36) a hose or tube member serving as acoustic outlet canal (34) is connected to an abutment collar (33) in abutment with the outside of the hearing aid. The abutment collar is designed with oversize standard dimensions and adapted to an individually user-adapted hearing aid housing by preparation of its periphery edge.

Abstract: For providing protection against penetration of fluid-like substances within the ear canal of a hearing aid user into the hearing aid sound port, a hood-like member is utilized in surrounding relation with the sound port for providing paths for the fluid-like substances past and spaced apart from the sound port. The hood-like member is disposed at the end of a hollow stem which provides means for mounting the hood-like members on the hearing aid; the stem either being inserted into the hearing aid sound port, or the hearing aid output sound tube extending into the hollow stem.

Abstract: An expandable in-ear device being implantable within an ear canal of an individual and being customizable in-situ to the shape of the ear canal, and cavum concha, using a settable compound. The device includes a core-form with a nipple extending from a platform, the nipple and the platform being insertable into the ear canal and the cavum concha, respectively. A sound bore extends through the nipple from a position located outside the ear canal to a position located inside for allowing sound transmission therethrough. A deformable sheath attached integrally to the core-form is deformable between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration. In the unfolded configuration, the sheath extends generally away from the core-form. The sheath is foldable inside-out from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration wherein the sheet substantially covers the core-form while defining a spacing between the sheath and the core-form, the spacing being fillable by the settable compound.

Abstract: A cover plate (2) which comprises a through-hole (7) is attached at the end-side on a housing (1) of a hearing aid able to be inserted in a pinna. A cerumen protection element is movably mounted in this passage hole. The cerumen protection element has an upper bow (11) as well as two lateral struts (12) and a lower intermediate web (13). A sound transmission space remains between the bow (11) and the intermediate web (13). The cerumen protection element (10) in a lower position of use permits the transmission of sound practically unhindered, without cerumen or skin particles at the same time being able to get into the sound exit opening (4) of the tube section (6). In the upper position the intermediate web (13) completely closes the through-hole in the cover plate (2), whilst the sound transmission space is simultaneously freely accessible for cleaning by way of a suitable small brush.

Abstract: An otherwise conventional in-canal hearing aid, including a receiver providing a sound output port typically facing directly towards the ear drum of a user, is provided with a hood disposed between the sound port and the ear drum completely shielding the sound port from foreign substances moving towards the hearing aid from all directions except upwardly from the bottom floor of the user's ear canal. The hood can comprise solid vertical walls completely surrounding the sound port and forming a downwardly extending sound conduit terminating in a downwardly facing sound exit, or the vertical walls can comprise a mesh preferably also forming a downwardly facing sound conduit and sound exit. The hoods provide gravity assisted paths, particularly for mobile fluid components of the foreign substances, downwardly past and away from the receiver sound port. The hoods can be extensions of the hearing aid receiver at the front end of the receiver.

Abstract: A canal hearing device with a dual acoustic seal system for preventing feedback while minimizing occlusion effects. The two-part device comprises a main module and an elongated tubular insert for conducting sound to the tympanic membrane and sealing within the bony region of the ear canal. The main module is positioned in the cartilaginous portion of the ear canal. The tubular insert comprises a sound conduction tube and a cylindrically hollow primary seal medially positioned in the bony region. The device also comprises a secondary seal laterally positioned in the cartilaginous region. The secondary seal, although providing additional acoustic sealing for the prevention of feedback, is sufficiently vented to provide a path of least acoustic resistance for occlusion sounds within the ear canal.

Abstract: A sleeve is made available for hearing aids, hearing aids provided therewith, and parts. The sleeve is in the form of a flexible tube or sack and is placed over the hearing aid, (in-the-ear unit) which is inserted in the auditory channel or that part of the hearing aid (behind-the-ear units) which is inserted into the auditory channel. The diameter of the sleeve, which is in the form of a flexible tube, is variable and is thus moulded against the auditory channel wall. The sleeve, which is in the form of a flexible tube, is thus used both for locking the hearing aid in the auditory channel and for protection of the hearing aid against cerumen etc. Furthermore, a hearing test device is made available, using which, in particular, the abovementioned hearing aids can be individually adapted to a wearer. Using the hearing test device, various sounds and sound events can be played back or can be made audible.

Abstract: A device is provided for earphones that are introduced into the auditory canal that provide protection against cerumen in which the sound from the earphone is conducted onto a membrane that is arranged essentially parallel to the auditory canal. Proceeding from the membrane, the sound is forwarded onto the tympanum, where the membrane at least partially seals the earphone so that cerumen is kept away from the earphone. The membrane, including the earphone, can be removed from the hearing aid housing for cleaning purposes.

Abstract: Cerumen are effectively kept away from the earphone of a hearing aid by the earphone having a lager lateral sound exit opening partly covered by a band. Polytetrafluoroethylene film is suited as material for the band. For protection against larger cerumen constituents, the earphone can be additionally encapsulated by a capsule having a cover. To this end, the earphone is seated in the capsule vibration-damped by means of damping elements.

Abstract: A hearing aid having a speaker that is hard mounted to the housing of the hearing aid and has an energy absorbing tip at that end of the hearing aid that is innermost in the ear and closest to the ear canal of the person wearing the hearing aid. According to another aspect of the present invention, the open end of the sound outlet through which an amplified version of the input sound is conducted is remote from that end of the hearing aid that is innermost in the ear and closest to the ear canal of the person wearing the hearing aid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing aid comprising an acoustic input aperture (SE) and an acoustic output aperture (SA), and a cover element (DE) covering the acoustic input aperture (SE). In the invention, the cover element (DE) is received in the hearing-aid housing and its surface is flush with that of said housing and said cover element is made of an open-pore material. The invention offers the advantage that on account of integrating the cover element (DE) into the hearing aid, spurious acoustic signals caused by air motion cannot arise at the hearing aid.

Abstract: An insert earphone which prevents a sound leakage and improves wearing comfort. An ear chip has a barrel portion and first and second annular flange portions having the shape of a parabola spreading from the top toward the middle and from the middle toward the base of the barrel portion respectively. The first annular flange portion has a smaller outer diameter than the second annular flange portion. The first annular flange portion has almost even thickness from the inner circumference to the outer circumference, and has the inner circumference neighborhood substantially formed in the shape of a sliced doughnut.

Abstract: A method for fitting a hearing device in an ear canal, comprises, providing a receiver module sized and shaped to fit in any of a wide range of ear canals, selecting a conformal tip from a plurality of differently sized conformal tips, each conformal tip of the plurality having an inside circumference adapted to engage the same size receiver module, wherein the selected conformal tip has an outside circumference slightly larger than the circumference of the ear canal, engaging the receiver module within the selected conformal tip, and inserting the selected conformal tip and engaged receiver module into the ear canal.

Abstract: A sound enhancement system is provided including a preexisting system and a secondary enclosure with an internal space; wherein sound emanating from the loudspeaker system when the loudspeaker system is within the internal space, is enhanced (baffled) by the enclosure. The sound enhancement enclosure preferably is lightweight and collapsible. A method for enhancing sound is also provided including removably placing a loudspeaker system within an internal space of a sound enhancing enclosure. The invention provides a convenient, lightweight and inexpensive method for converting a preexisting loudspeaker system from an open-back design into a semi-closed or vented type, or from a close type of a small size into a larger-baffled size with resultant change in the quality of sound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to manufacturing of a heanng aid housing comprising a face plate and a shell that is individually matched to the shape of the auditory canal of a user. Manufacture of the face plate includes at least one automatic processing step based on data from a CAD/CAM model of the hearing aid housing. For example, data relating to the circumference of the face plate may be provided to a numerically controlled machine that automatically cuts a separately manufactured face plate along the desired contour that matches the circumference of the corresponding shell. In another embodiment, the hearing aid housing is manufactured with an integrated face plate.

Abstract: An otherwise conventional in-canal hearing aid, including a receiver providing a sound output port typically facing directly towards the ear drum of a user, is provided with a hood disposed between the sound port and the ear drum completely shielding the sound port from foreign substances moving towards the hearing aid from all directions except upwardly from the bottom floor of the user's ear canal. The hood can comprise solid vertical walls completely surrounding the sound port and forming a downwardly extending sound conduit terminating in a downwardly facing sound exit, or the vertical walls can comprise a mesh preferably also forming a downwardly facing sound conduit and sound exit. The hoods provide a gravity assisted path, particularly for mobile fluid components of the foreign substances, downwardly past and away from the receiver sound port.

Abstract: A flexible tip for a hearing aid includes a mushroom shaped tip, an inner portion having a bore and a receiver mounted within the bore. The receiver can be housing and sealed within a receiver housing. The receiver housing can include a spring having a high compliance along a longitudinal axis and transverse axis, to provide flexibility in the flexible tip. The spring can also having a high stiffness along a radial direction about the circumference of the spring to provide support of the flexible tip from radially directed loads.

Abstract: An otherwise conventional in-canal hearing aid, including a receiver providing a sound output port typically facing directly towards the ear drum of a user, is provided with a hood disposed between the sound port and the ear drum completely shielding the sound port from foreign substances moving towards the hearing aid from all directions except upwardly from the bottom floor of the user's ear canal. The hood can comprise solid vertical walls completely surrounding the sound port and forming a downwardly extending sound conduit terminating in a downwardly facing sound exit, or the vertical walls can comprise a mesh preferably also forming a downwardly facing sound conduit and sound exit. The hoods provide a gravity assisted path, particularly for mobile fluid components of the foreign substances, downwardly past and away from the receiver sound port.

Abstract: A non porous wax guard for an in-the-canal hearing aid is in the form of a membrane or diaphragm which completely covers the mouth of the round or other shape outlet of the hearing aid. The membrane is made of plastic or metalized plastic, or stainless steel, having a diameter of between 0.20 inches and 3/8 inch, and a thickness of between 0.0005 inches and 0.001 inches. The membrane is affixed to the mouth of the sound outlet by a number of methods. It may be attached to a thin ring of plastic material, and attached with a spring clip to a recess in the sound outlet. It may simply be bonded, by adhesive or heat bonding, to the recess. It may be affixed to a cylindrical mount, and press-fit into the port. Or, as an alternative, the cylindrical mount may be threaded, and mated with an internal thread cut into the sound outlet.

Abstract: A cerumen barrier removable from a retaining ring in a hearing aid shell comprises an endcap disposed in the retaining ring, wherein the endcap has a sound passage with a first opening and a second opening, and the first opening is positioned above a sound tube and the second opening is covered by an oleophobic and hydrophobic screen.

Abstract: An acoustic coupler adapted for use with an intracanal receiver module can be deeply inserted into the ear canal of the user while making minimal contact with the walls of the ear canal. The minimal contact feature of the invention allows the acoustic coupler to seal the ear canal acoustically and anchor a hearing device at an optimal depth within the ear canal, while maximizing the user's comfort. The acoustic coupler is manufactured from a soft, pliable elastomer that allows it to conform readily to the shape of the ear canal. The acoustic coupler incorporates structural supports that allow the coupler to maintain an acoustical seal and withstand the inward pressure of the ear canal wall while making minimal contact with the ear canal. The invention incorporates a cerumen-protecting feature that prevents damage to a hearing device from infiltration of earwax into the sound port of the receiver. A vent pathway for control of occlusion effects is also provided.

Abstract: A movable cover that pivots over a receiver port in the hearing aid shell forms a cerumen barrier. Alternatively, the cerumen barrier includes both a movable cover that pivots over a receiver port in the hearing aid shell and a deformable grommet and membrane assembly that is disposed over the receiver port.

Abstract: An earpiece for a sound delivery system has a sound output port for delivering sound into the ear canal of the user. A cerumen block is provided to prevent cerumen or earwax from blocking the sound output port of the earpiece. The cerumen block is formed by a small flap of material which covers the sound output port and blocks cerumen from entering the sound output port in a closed position while allowing sound to pass around the flap and enter the ear canal in an open position. A resilient hinge returns the cerumen flap to the open position once the earpiece has been placed within the ear canal.

Abstract: An in-the-ear hearing aid in accordance with the present invention has a housing shaped to fit within a user's ear, and a sound passageway within the housing. The sound passageway includes a fixed tube communicating with a receiver. The sound passageway further includes a removable tube whose interior end abuts the fixed tube and an ear wax trap adjacent the interior end. In a preferred embodiment, the ear wax trap is formed from a mesh material. In accordance with the present invention, the removable tube with its integral ear wax trap may be removed as needed to clean the trap. After cleaning, the removable tube with its ear wax trap may be reinserted into the hearing aid.

Abstract: An ear wax barrier for an in-the-ear or in-the-canal type hearing aid device positioned at least in part between a receiver output port and a shell acoustic output port includes a substantially cylindrical housing having a barbed portion for press-fitting the barrier into position. The barrier may include a screen and/or a plurality of undulations, such as a thread internal thereto for providing wax accumulation sites to retard the migration of wax into the hearing aid. The barrier is more easily inserted than removed.

Abstract: An acoustic attenuator and wax barrier for a hearing aid includes a substantially cylindrical, color coded, housing having a barbed portion for press-fitting the barrier into position. As the channel diameters increase, an associated peak output frequency also increases for the respective housing. The barrier may include one of a plurality of attenuating or damping screens which provides predetermined sound damping characteristics. Alternately, the barrier may include housings having different acoustic channel diameters to provide the different, predetermined audio attenuation or damping characteristics. The barrier is field changeable and is more easily inserted than removed. The barrier may be provided as part of a system which includes a tool for performing field replacement of the barrier.