Articulated hearing device
US5701348A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2225/57
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A hearing device having highly articulated, non-contiguous parts and adapted for placement within the ear canal includes a receiver module for delivering acoustic signals within close proximity to the tympanic membrane, a main module containing all hearing aid components except the receiver, and a connector that routes amplified electrical signals from the main module to the receiver module. The connector fits in the cartilaginous area of the ear canal and is articulated with both the receiver module and main module to permit independent movement of the receiver module and main module while the hearing device is inserted or removed and during various jaw movements, such as chewing, yawning, and talking. The connector may be an adjustable shaft that accommodates various canal lengths and that allows incremental receiver placement depths within the ear canal. The receiver module, which is inserted deeply, preferably in the bony portion of the ear canal to provide all of the advantages associated with deep receiver placement, incorporates various sealing means to substantially reduce acoustic leakage that causes oscillatory feedback.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.