Ear wax barrier and acoustic attenuator for a hearing aid
US4972488A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 1989 |
| Grant date | Nov 20, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2460/17
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A barrier for a hearing aid that combines the feature of both (1) preventing ear wax from contacting and damaging the internal components of a hearing aid or hearing aid receiver and (2) variably dampening the acoustic response of the hearing aid. The barrier includes, in combination, a housing defining a central axis of passage, as well as a plurality of projections and a screen. The projections extend inwardly from the interior surface of the housing, each projection partially occluding the cross-sectional area of the housing. The projections provide a tortuous path for ear wax migrating into the hearing aid, and the screen provides additional area for wax accumulation. The projections and screen also dampen or otherwise modify the frequency response of the hearing aid. The screen may also be interchanged or adjusted to accommodate the specific frequency attenuation needs of a particular user.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.