Hook Over Ear Patents (Class 381/330)
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Patent number: 8374374Abstract: In one embodiment, a headset includes a body housing a pivot coupling, a speaker capsule operably coupled to the body, and an arm operably coupled to the body. The arm is capable of pivoting open and close about the pivot coupling for accessing a microphone at a free end of the arm. A method for accessing a headset microphone is also provided. Advantageously, the apparatus and method of the present disclosure provide for improved headset use and speech clarity.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2008Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.Inventor: Wales Zhou
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Patent number: 8374370Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a hearing assistance device housing for use in real ear measurements. The methods and apparatus for configuration of a hearing assistance device using an apparatus including an opening to receive a sound tube for real ear measurements and providing an opening for connection of a sound hook to a housing of the hearing assistance device.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Tao Zhang, Brian Fideler
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Patent number: 8369554Abstract: An earpiece includes an open tip in the shape of a dome, with apertures in the dome and a protrusion at the top of the dome for displacing ear wax, wherein the dome merges with the protrusion along a continuous curve. The dome is supported from a central body by non-linear ribs that normally have high compliance but exhibit low compliance at a limit of extension or compression. The tip can include more than one dome on the central body. If there is more than one dome, the apertures in the domes are not aligned with each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2008Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Zounds Hearing, Inc.Inventor: Dennis A. Oberlander
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Publication number: 20130028455Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.Inventors: HARTMUT RITTER, MICHAEL SATTLER
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Publication number: 20130004005Abstract: A connector for a hearing instrument, in particular a receiver-in-canal behind-the-ear hearing aid, is small and visually inconspicuous. The connector should be as invisible as possible on the hearing instrument as it is worn, and the connector allows a microphone arrangement favorable for directionality and sound pick-up. The connector is disposed on an earpiece tube, which defines a longitudinal direction at the connector. The connector is connected by insertion into a connector receptacle of a hearing instrument transversely to the longitudinal direction. The hearing instrument has a laterally arranged connector receptacle, into which a connector is inserted transversely to the longitudinal direction. Because of the transverse insertion, the connector can be arranged laterally on the housing and because of the lateral placement, the front end face of the housing is smaller and the housing is overall flatter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2010Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.Inventors: Joachim Roland Barth, Holger Kral, Frank Naumann, Andreas Ratay, Markus Trautner
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Patent number: 8345905Abstract: An arc-shaped waterproof wall is provided around a shaft to which a hearing aid main body case and a battery case are rotatably attached, and waterproof ribs are provided to the outer periphery of the installation face of the battery case and the hearing aid main body case, which improves the ability to prevent the penetration of moisture while also keep the cost low.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Keiichi Takeda, Yosimasa Simogochi, Minoru Tada, Makoto Yagi, Fumihiro Asayama
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Patent number: 8345912Abstract: An earphone having an under hanger reduces movement of the earphone from vibrations that occur while a user is typically in motion. The earphone preferably includes: a housing for housing a speaker therein; a protector installed in a front surface of the housing and having a mesh for delivering a sound from the speaker; and an under hanger provided at a lower part of the housing to closely contact along a lower part of the rear side of an earflap of a user. The provision of an under hanger in a lower part of the earphone prevents from being easily separated from a user's ear. Further, by providing an under hanger made of a soft material, as the earphone closely contacts with the user's ear, a sound quality is improved and a wearing feeling of the earphone is improved.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hosaka Akihiko, Jung Hun Kwak
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Patent number: 8345903Abstract: A battery bay of a hearing device should be better protected against unwanted opening. A housing for a hearing device is therefore provided with: a battery bay that is mounted on the housing and can be moved into an open position as well as a closed position; a projection that is permanently attached to the housing, and a securing element to prevent a movement of the battery bay. The securing element is supported on the battery bay and can be pivoted between a secured position and an unsecured position. The securing element also engages behind the projection in the secured position and the closed position of the battery bay so that the battery bay cannot be moved into the open position. The securing element has a recess in which, in the secured position, a tool can be held to move the securing element into the unsecured position.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Uwe Flaig, Michael Sattler
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Publication number: 20120328139Abstract: A behind-the-ear hearing device has a housing with a plug-in connector on a sidewall of the housing for connecting to an earpiece tube or sound tube. The lateral arrangement of the plug-in connector moves the plug-in connector away from the exposed position on the front end face of the housing. This enables the front end face, which is generally visible, to be made smaller. Advantageously, at least two microphones are provided, with one microphone position in the vicinity of the front end face of the housing. The front microphone position is thus moved farther away from a position that may possibly be covered by the pinna, and the rear microphone position can also be moved farther toward the front. The microphone positions are thus approximately horizontal, which promotes the spatial resolution of the detected surrounding sound (directionality) by the signal processing of the hearing aid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2010Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.Inventors: Frank Naumann, Holger Kral, Andreas Ratay, Joachim Roland Barth
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Publication number: 20120321114Abstract: A hearing aid (100) comprises a body case (2) that is worn behind an ear (1), a sound conductor (3) that is linked at one end to the body case (2) and is linked at the other end to an earpiece (6), and an engaging component (8) for holding the earpiece linked to the other end of the sound conductor in the external auditory canal (7) of the ear (1). The engaging component (8) is made up of a first arc part (8a) disposed on the earpiece (6) side, a second arc part (8b) that is larger than the first arc part (8a) and is disposed opposite the first arc part (8a), a first linking part (8c) that links one end of the first arc part (8a) and one end of the second arc part (8b), and a second linking part (8d) that links the other end of the first arc part (8a) and the other end of the second arc part (8b). The second linking part (8d) has a shape such that its center part protrudes toward the first linking part (8c). This constitution allows the hearing aid (100) to be put on more easily.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Inventors: Masahiro Ishibashi, Yosimasa Simogochi, Takeshi Umeda, Takashi Fujikawa
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Patent number: 8331597Abstract: In order to connect a hearing device to a carrying hook, a connecting element is used, which has to satisfy high demands with regards to its precision and stability. To ensure this, the connecting element is designed as a powder injection molded part, in particular as a ceramic injection molded part or metal part, which is manufactured in a ceramic injection molding process or a metal injection molding process.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Werner Fickweiler, Björn Freels, Holger Kral, Joseph Sauer
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Patent number: 8331596Abstract: A behind-the-ear hearing aid (1) comprises a housing (4), an ear piece (3) and a custom earplug (2), the custom earplug being adapted to fit the ear canal of an individual hearing aid user, the ear piece having a connector for connecting with the custom earplug, the connector and the earpiece having means for snap fitting engagement and means for defining the mutual rotational orientation. The invention further provides a custom earpiece for a hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Widex A/SInventors: Jan Topholm, Klaus Henrik Vaarbroe, Christian Bohl Espersen, Klavs Richard Skafte, Christian Pedersen Kreipke
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Patent number: 8331594Abstract: A hearing aid device is described. The device including a housing having a plurality of sides, the housing also having a first color. At least one electrical component is held within the housing. A clip removably attachable to the housing is provided. The clip has a second color. The clip covers at least a portion of the plurality of sides of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Sonic Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Owen D. Brimhall, Craig M. Collotzi
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Patent number: 8320603Abstract: An ear loop, and an assembly of an ear loop and ear bud, wherein the ear loop retains the shaft of the ear bud such that the position and angle of the ear bud relative to the ear loop can be adjusted axially and rotationally.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Inventor: Robert Bass
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Patent number: 8315402Abstract: The present subject matter provides method and apparatus for real ear measurement using a hearing assistance device fitted with a cover to provide real ear sounds to a microphone of the device. The present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device cover for use in measuring coupler response and real ear coupler difference for improved real ear measurement and fitting.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Tao Zhang, Thomas Spaulding
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Patent number: 8311251Abstract: An electronic component and, in particular, an external receiver of a hearing aid, are intended to be capable of being configured to be simpler and more robust. To this end, it is proposed that the electronic apparatus, which has an electronic component and a cable which is connected to the electronic component, is equipped with a first sleeve which is arranged around a part of the electronic component and a part of the cable and mechanically connects the two, and a second sleeve, which surrounds another part of the electronic component. The first sleeve and the second sleeve are coaxially directly connected to one another such that both sleeves together also completely surround the electronic component in the axial direction. The two sleeves can possibly be connected to one another by laser welding.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Uli Gommel, Daniela Hertel
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Patent number: 8311252Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a hearing device with a main housing (10) to be worn behind the ear, a secondary housing (20) separated thereof and to be arranged partly or completely within the ear and a speaker, and a connecting element (30) being arranged between the main housing (10). The secondary housing (20), includes at least an electrical and/or an acoustical connection between the speaker and the main housing (10). According to the present invention, at least one damping element (44) is arranged between the main housing (10) and the secondary housing (20). The damping element (44) reduces or prevents the transfer of vibrations between the microphone (15) and the speaker.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2007Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Erich Dittli, Daniel Mueller, Christoph Leist
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Patent number: 8295523Abstract: A hearing aid device for placement in an ear of a user includes an elongate support and a transducer. The elongate support has a proximal portion and a distal end, and the transducer is attached to the elongate support near the distal end. The support is adapted to position the transducer near an eardrum while the proximal portion is placed at the location near an ear canal opening. The elongate support is sized to minimize contact with the ear between the proximal portion and distal end. The elongate support permits sound waves to travel along the ear canal. In some embodiments, a microphone is positioned in the ear canal along the support, for example inside the support, to provide directionally dependent sound localization cues, and the transducer on the distal end of the elongate support comprises a coil assembly coupled to a magnet positioned on the tympanic membrane.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Soundbeam LLCInventors: Jonathan P. Fay, Sunil Puria, Paul Rucker, John H. Winstead, Rodney C. Perkins
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Patent number: 8275163Abstract: A battery compartment for a behind-the-ear hearing device includes a battery compartment body having a battery receiving space for accommodating a battery and at least one latching element for locking to a hearing device housing. The latching element and the battery compartment body are formed of different materials and the latching element is disposed in a holding device in the battery compartment body. A behind-the-ear hearing device with a latching element and the use of polyoxymethylene for manufacturing the latching element, are likewise provided. As a result of the separation of the latching element and the battery compartment body and the use of different materials, a switching and locking function can be optimized and the wearing quality can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Werner Fickweiler, Björn Freels, Markus Trautner
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Publication number: 20120237068Abstract: A hearing aid has hearing aid electronics including the microphone, battery and amplifier in a behind-the-ear housing, with a flexible tube extending from the behind-the-ear housing to a concha-based suspension structure. The concha-based suspension portion is flexible and bears off a tragus contact area, an antitragus contact area and an antihelix contact area. Based on forces generated from these concha bowl contact areas, the tube is suspended in a centered position within the ear canal in an unoccluded fashion making little or no contact with the wall of the ear canal. An annulus of the suspension portion provides an open concha skin surface, which can naturally reflect sound down the generally open ear canal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: INTRICON CORPORATIONInventors: Robert J. Fretz, Vincent Joseph Mako
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Patent number: 8270645Abstract: A hearing aid includes a main body and a battery holder that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body by revolving around a revolving shaft. The main body has a lock bar provided so as to traverse the space in which the battery holder is installed, and a protruding portion that protrudes toward this installation space. The battery holder has a first concave portion and a second concave portion that latch the lock bar and the protruding portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Keiichi Takeda, Yosimasa Simogochi, Minoru Tada, Makoto Yagi, Fumihiro Asayama
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Patent number: 8270648Abstract: An earpiece including a tubular core portion attached to an end of an electro-acoustic transducer and extending in an acoustic wave output direction, and an external auditory canal fitting portion disposed outside the core portion to cover an end surface of the core portion and having lower hardness than the core portion is provided. This maintains appropriate flexibility of the external auditory canal fitting portion covering the end surface of the core portion and forms the core portion with appropriate hardness. This eliminates sound quality degradation due to the core portion deformation, earpiece detachment and contact of the core portion with the external auditory canal. Consequently, this improves fitting properties with the external auditory canal and attachment properties with the electro-acoustic transducer.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2008Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Katsunori Murozaki
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Patent number: 8270650Abstract: A hearing aid, wherein a front sound opening and a front microphone are acoustically connected via a front sound guide path, and the front sound guide path includes a first space formed between the front microphone and the electrical connection part inside the main body case, and a second space formed between the electrical connection part and the inner wall face of the main body case.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Minoru Tada, Yosimasa Simogochi, Kazumasa Okamura
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Patent number: 8259977Abstract: An connector assembly for use in, for example, a hearing aid, the assembly having a first connector and a second connector adapted to be detachably attached and being able to transport both sound and electric signals. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising the connector assembly and having a first part comprising an electrical input and a sound providing receiver as well as both an audio output and an electrical output. The two outputs are connected to a second element, normally for positioning inside an ear canal of a person, the second element having a receiver for receiving the electrical signal from the first elements and providing a corresponding sound which is mixed with the sound output by the second element, the mixed sound being output from the second element. The receiver of the first element may be a woofer, and the receiver of the second element may be a tweeter.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2007Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Sonion A/SbInventors: Martin Bondo Jørgensen, Aart Zeger van Halteren, Søren Falkesgaard Ørts
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Patent number: 8238565Abstract: A system for adapting a hearing aid to a user includes a unit generating an image of the user's ear together with a model of the hearing aid, wherein the model of the hearing aid in-situ includes a physical model of the hearing aid inserted in the user's ear prior to generating the image. The system also generates a mesh based on the image, calculates acoustic response to a simulated acoustic signal in the mesh, calculates a frequency response curve for a fixed position in the mesh, and identifies an optimal position of a microphone of the hearing aid in-situ from the acoustic response. They system also includes a comparator configured to compare the frequency response curve for the fixed position in the mesh with a maximum frequency response curve for the mesh stored by the system.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Oticon A/SInventor: Rene Burmand Johannesson
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Patent number: 8224008Abstract: A hearing apparatus includes a charging contact being movable relative to an accumulator and being electrically conductively connected to the accumulator in a first position and less effectively conductively connected thereto in a second position. A spring-elastic element engages with the charging contact in order to push the charging contact into the second position with a predetermined force, so that the charging contact can only be pushed into the first position by overcoming the predetermined force. As a result, the charging contact configuration obtains a switching function, so that electro-corrosion on the charging contacts can be prevented. Therefore, charging an accumulator of a hearing apparatus and in particular of a hearing device using a direct conductive contact is possible, with zero potential of the charging contacts which are accessible from the outside being ensured during normal operation of the hearing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Harald Klemenz, Tom Weidner
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Patent number: 8218799Abstract: A compact audio speaker assembly that fits into the ear canal without occluding the ear canal, thus allowing ambient sounds to be heard along with the audio source. The ear speaker is secured in the ear canal by a ribbon or wire like spring structure anchoring the speaker to the concha portion of the outer ear and typically pushing the speaker up against the top side of the ear canal, leaving a space for external sounds to bypass the speaker to the eardrum. The speaker may further include a connecting signal cable that passes over the ear and behind the ear to provide additional support for the speaker and strain relief for the signal cable. One embodiment may include a shell over the speaker connected to the wire like spring anchor and may include an ear wax screen. Two speakers may be configured for stereo listening.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Inventors: Matthew Stephen Murphy, Mali Kristin Murphy
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Patent number: 8213647Abstract: An electroacoustic device includes a rear body portion containing electronic circuits, being so dimensioned and shaped as to be carried by a human user behind the user's ear and having an upper end portion and a frontal body portion with an upper end portion connected to the upper end portion of the rear body portion. The device may include an electroacoustic speaker transducer connected to the frontal body portion and arrangeable in a sound transmitting relationship to the user's ear canal when the device is carried by the human user. The speaker transducer may be rotatable about an axis which is arranged on a plane that is substantially parallel to the side of the head of the user when the device is carried by the human user.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2006Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications ABInventors: Casper van der Bilt, Gerjo Sampimon, Angelique Hofstede, Hedzer van der Kamp
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Patent number: 8204263Abstract: Disclosed is method of generating an audible signal in a hearing aid by estimating a weighting function of received audio signals, the hearing aid is adapted to be worn by a user; the method comprises the steps of: estimating a directional signal by estimating a weighted sum of two or more microphone signals from two or more microphones, where a first microphone of the two or more microphones is a front microphone, and where a second microphone of the two or more microphones is a rear microphone; estimating a direction-dependent time-frequency gain, and synthesizing an output signal; wherein estimating the direction-dependent time-frequency gain comprises: obtaining at least two directional signals each containing a time-frequency representation of a target signal and a noise signal; and where a first of the directional signals is defined as a front aiming signal, and where a second of the directional signals is defined as a rear aiming signal; using the time-frequency representation of the target signal anType: GrantFiled: August 15, 2008Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Oticon A/SInventors: Michael Syskind Pedersen, Ulrik Kjems, Karsten Bo Rasmussen, Thomas Bo Elmedyb, Jesper Bünsow Boldt
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Publication number: 20120148079Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2009Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: PHONAK AGInventors: Bruno Gabathuler, Paul Portmann, Erich Dittli
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Publication number: 20120140968Abstract: A hearing aid, wherein a front sound opening and a front microphone are acoustically connected via a front sound guide path, and the front sound guide path includes a first space formed between the front microphone and the electrical connection part inside the main body case, and a second space formed between the electrical connection part and the inner wall face of the main body case.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2009Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventors: Minoru Tada, Yosimasa Simogochi, Kazumasa Okamura
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Patent number: 8189831Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing aid having an audio signal unit which is operatively connected to a sound generator and generates an audio signal which has at least two audio signal sections immediately succeeding one another in time. The audio signal sections each have an audio signal section duration and the audio signal has at least one frequency that is audible to the human ear. The audio signal sections succeed one another in such a way that an audio signal section succeeding a previous audio signal section in time begins before the previous audio signal section has terminated, with the result that the previous and the succeeding audio signal section overlap one another with an overlapping time period, the overlapping time period being shorter than the audio signal section duration of the previous audio signal section.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2007Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Sörgel
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Patent number: 8180083Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel protective cover for over-the-ear or behind-the-ear hearing aid devices, wherein the protective cover is resistant to infiltration of moisture, corrosive elements, and/or dirt or debris. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, the protective cover comprises a flexible material that offers a formed fit over the hearing aid device, and includes at least one slit within the flexible material such that the protective cover may be readily flipped up to allow access to portions of the over-the-ear or behind-the-ear hearing aid device upon which it is placed without significant effort by the user.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Magnatone Hearing Aid Corp.Inventors: Don E. K. Campbell, William Chiu
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Patent number: 8175305Abstract: A hearing aid with a drop safeguard has an accelerometer, an electrical circuit, and a memory. The accelerometer generates an electrical signal in dependence on an acceleration of the hearing aid. The signal is transmitted to the electrical circuit which uses this to determine a jerky acceleration of the hearing aid. The electrical circuit saves the respectively current settings of the hearing aid to the memory in the case of a jerky acceleration of the hearing aid. After the hearing aid is dropped, the settings can be reconstructed from the memory so that as a result this prevents the settings of the hearing aid from being changed.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Leep Foong Chew, Meng Kiang Lim, Chow Lan Stella Yap
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Patent number: 8175310Abstract: The present invention relates to an adaptor for a BTE hearing aid with a housing to be worn behind the ear, an earpiece for insertion in the earcanal, and a signal transmission member for transmission of a signal from the housing at a first end of the member to the earpiece at a second end of the member, the signal transmission member having a connector at the first end, wherein the housing and the connector of the signal transmission member are not adapted for mutual mechanical interconnection, wherein the adaptor has a first end that is geometrically adapted for mechanical connection with the connector of the signal transmission member and a second end that is geometrically adapted for mechanical connection with the housing, so that the signal transmission member and the housing can be mechanically interconnected through the adaptor whereby the variety of signal transmission member units to be kept in stock by a hearing aid dispenser is substantially minimized.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: GN Resound A/SInventors: Henrik Nielsen, Nikolai Bisgaard
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Patent number: 8175306Abstract: A method of wireless communication between hearing aid devices of a hearing prosthesis. A first device selects a frequency channel for bidirectional wireless communication from a predefined series of frequency channels. A second device transmits a command signal repeatedly over the series of frequency channels until it transmits the command signal over the frequency channel selected by the first device. Subsequent commands send by the second device to the first device are initially transmitted over the selected frequency channel.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2008Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Werner Meskens, Koen Van den Heuvel
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Patent number: 8170253Abstract: An assistive listening device cap attaches to a headpiece of a cochlear implant behind-the-ear (BTE) unit, an other BTE unit, an earhook, or an external component unit to supplement or replace components thereof. The cap may receive signals from sources outside the BTE unit(s), earhook, and/or external component unit. The cap communicates with the BTE unit(s), earhook, and/or external component unit using direct, wired, or wireless technology.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Advanced BionicsInventors: Douglas P. Lynch, Carla Mann Woods
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Publication number: 20120082331Abstract: A hearing aid includes a casing, an ear hook, and an ear tube. The casing includes a first connector on an upper portion of the casing and a second connector on a lower portion of the casing, wherein the first and second connectors are substantially identical. The ear hook includes a receptacle sized to fit the first and second connectors and adapted to releasably couple to one of the first connector and the second connector. The ear tube includes a receptacle sized to fit the first and second connectors and adapted to releasably couple to another of the first connector and the second connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: AUDIOTONIQ, INC.Inventors: Stephen Meosky, Frederick Neumeyer
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Patent number: 8145144Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a hearing aid compatible wireless electronic device is disclosed. The apparatus may include a lower housing having a wireless transceiver, upper housing including an earpiece, hinge assembly, and a pair of reactive matching element along with predefined placement of the wireless transceiver. The reactive matching element can be implemented at different chassis inductances to achieve hearing aid compatibility within other design constraints. Implemented as a switched circuit or reactance filter circuit to create a reactance appropriate for a band of operation during transmission in that band.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.Inventors: Eric L. Krenz, Louis J. Vannatta
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Patent number: 8139808Abstract: An ear hooked earphone is provided for selectively being worn on a left or right ear of a user. The earphone includes a body and an ear hook. The body includes a first coupled portion formed on a surface thereof. The ear hook includes a hook section and a fastened section. The hook section is used for hooking around the ear of the user. The fastened section is connected with the hook section, and a separation is formed between ends of the hook section and the fastened section. The fastened section has a second coupled portion, and one of two sides of the second coupled portion is selectively coupled with the first coupled section. Thereby, the position of the separation relative to the body is able to be changed, that is, the ear hooked earphone is able to hang on the left or right ear of the user freely.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Lite-On Technology CorporationInventors: Chun-Hsin Liu, Chung-Chun Wu, Jui-Chi Liao
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Publication number: 20120063621Abstract: A connector for a hearing instrument has an electrical or acoustic connection component and a mechanical connection component. The electrical or acoustic connection component is brought into mutual engagement with an electrical or acoustic connection element inside a housing of the hearing instrument. The mechanical connection component is brought into mutual engagement with a mechanical connection element of the hearing instrument. The connector is disposed on a receiver tube or a sound tube. The connector connects the tube to the electrical or acoustic connection element of the hearing instrument and is detachably connected inside the housing to a connector receptacle of the hearing instrument and, in the connected state, is disposed completely inside the housing. The hearing instrument has an opening through which the connector is introduced and inserted into the connector receptacle. A hearing instrument system contains the above described hearing instrument and the above described connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.Inventor: FRANK NAUMANN
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Patent number: 8135154Abstract: Switch arrangement for hearing devices, which includes a connector socket which can be covered by a socket cover. The connector socket and the socket cover are arranged and embodied such that an electrical switching contact can be produced by applying pressure to the socket cover covering the connector socket. A method for changing over programs in hearing devices with a behind-the-ear part is also specified, in which an electrical switching contact is produced by means of a connector socket of the behind-the-ear part and its socket cover. Space can be saved as a result.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2008Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Krämer
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Publication number: 20120057735Abstract: Within a casing of a hearing device to be worn in the area of the auricle such as behind the ear, comprises bendable portions (5) such that the hearing device (1) can be at least partially deformed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2009Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: PHONAK AGInventors: Hans Georg Meier, Richard Niccolai, Urs Zuger
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Patent number: 8130995Abstract: An earpiece device includes a housing having a sound output portion, a speaker and a microphone. The speaker disposed in the housing includes a diaphragm and a sound transmitting hole. The diaphragm is located between the sound output portion and the sound transmitting hole. The microphone is disposed in the housing and covers the sound transmitting hole. A sound wave generated within an ear canal would be received by the speaker and delivered through the sound transmitting hole to the microphone for pickup.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Merry Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hong-Ching Her, Hung-Yue Chang, Ton-Kun Ho
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Patent number: 8130993Abstract: The invention relates to a securing system for a receiver tube in a hearing device. The object of the invention is to provide a securing system for the receiver tube in a hearing device, which reliably prevents the occurrence of disruptive acoustic feedback and does not require adhesive to secure the receiver tube. This object of the invention is achieved with a hearing device, in particular a BTE hearing device, in which a receiver facility is disposed, wherein the hearing device has a connector piece, which is connected to the receiver facility by way of a receiver tube, in order to conduct an acoustic signal or acoustic signals generated by the receiver facility to an acoustic output of the hearing device, with the receiver tube being provided with a connecting element, which connects the receiver tube and the connector piece to each other in an essentially acoustically sealed manner.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Wai Kit David Ho, Wee Haw Koo, Beng Hai Tan
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Patent number: 8121324Abstract: The capabilities of a helix hearing instrument may expanded with a behind-the-ear accessory module. The module accommodates additional batteries and a variety of accessory functions including an external volume control.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Lavlesh Lamba
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Patent number: 8121328Abstract: A hearing device which is simple to assemble and to which a wearing hook can be fastened in a stable fashion is provided. The hearing device includes a receiver, which has a sound outlet, a wearing hook, which has a sound channel, a connecting piece for connecting the sound outlet of the receiver to the sound channel of the wearing hook and includes a housing frame, in which the receiver and to which the wearing hook are fastened respectively. The connecting piece may be formed largely of metal or ceramic and may be directly fastened to the housing frame.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Holger Kral, Michael Sattler
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Patent number: 8116493Abstract: The present invention relates generally to hearing aids and to methods of manufacturing hearing aids. The invention further relates to shells for hearing aids and methods of manufacturing thereof. The invention, more particularly, relates to custom-made BTE hearing aids. A shell comprising a first part, and a second part, wherein said first part is adapted to fit the contour of the cleft between a pinna and the skull of an individual is provided. The shell may be part of a hearing aid (17) that is connected with a tube (9) in a first end and an earplug (20) in a second end. In a third aspect of the invention a method of preparing the shell is disclosed and in a fourth aspect a method of manufacturing a hearing aid is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Widex A/SInventor: Soren Erik Westermann
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Patent number: 8116495Abstract: Various earbud embodiments comprise a sleeve portion, a base portion, a bell portion, and reinforcement members. The sleeve portion defines a central void extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the earbud. The base portion encircles the sleeve portion. The bell portion connects the sleeve portion to the base portion. The bell portion defines at least one aperture, and includes at least one web portion connected to the base portion at a connection point. At least one reinforcement member at each connection point extends from the base portion to the web portion to strengthen the structure at the connection point.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Spaulding
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Patent number: 8116492Abstract: The hearing device operated with an accumulator and comprising an externally accessible electrically conductive structure element is provided. The structure element fulfilling an additional function as a contact element, in order to receive a charging current when electrically connected to an external charging device. The term “structure element” is understood in the context of the present invention to mean an element, which is constitutively present in the structure of the hearing device due to its construction, e.g. the structure element can be a housing element, a fastening element, such as a screw, a control element, a nameplate or suchlike.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Michael Sattler, Christian Schmitt, Erwin Singer, Markus Trautner