CIC hearing aid seal and method of manufacturing the same
US9521495B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 17, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2460/15
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of manufacturing an acoustic seal for a CIC hearing aid has the steps of: embedding sacrificial particles of 50 μm to 250 μm into a silicone rubber matrix, the concentration and size of the sacrificial particles being selected to achieve a porosity of at least 40%; molding the silicone rubber matrix using a mold and curing the silicone rubber matrix; removing the sacrificial particles from the silicone rubber matrix by leaching out the sacrificial particles in a solvent; and drying the silicone rubber matrix. The seal is to surround at least part of the hearing aid and by selection of the size and/or concentration and/or the distribution of the sacrificial particles, to provide for an acoustic attenuation of at least 20 dB in a frequency range between 200 Hz and 6 kHz, with a compliance of at least 50 mm/N when the hearing aid is inserted into the ear canal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.