Hearing aid with large diaphragm microphone element including a printed circuit board
US7221768B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 21, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 22, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2410/07
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A disposable-type hearing aid uses a relatively large single diaphragm or a large single diaphragm subdivided into a plurality of smaller active diaphragm areas obtained using a grate-like back support plate with ridges which contact and divide the diaphragm into the several smaller active diaphragm areas. The diaphragm and a backplate are enclosed in a metal housing and are disposed proximal and parallel to a shell-like hearing aid enclosure having sound inlets. The metal housing is closed at an end opposite the sound inlets by a printed circuit board (PCB) forming an acoustical seal for a back volume of the microphone. The PCB also carries substantially all the electronic components for the hearing aid thereon. The PCB has a ground plane in contact with the housing whereby the PCB also acts as an EMI shield. An electrical connection is formed in various ways between the back support plate and the PCB during assembly of the metal housing and components with the PCB. Mass production of disposable hearing aids with large diaphragms and relatively low noise levels is thus possible using this invention.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.