A hearing aid having a receiver (speaker) that is connected via wires to an electronics module is known as a receiver-in-canal (RIC) type hearing aid. The wires of RIC type hearing aids are typically disposed in tubing or a jacket to form a cable. It is desirable that the cable be inconspicuous when the RIC type hearing aid is in use.
When fitting conventional RIC type hearing aids, one determines the particular ear, left or right, of the user with which the RIC type hearing aid will be used. Typically two different RIC type hearing aids are provided to an individual who needs hearing aids for both ears. Also, the length of the cable connecting the electronics module with the receiver is not self-adjustable. Instead, many different lengths of cables are available, and a cable of a particular length is provided for each ear based on measurements taken by the individual or a hearing specialist. This requires RIC type hearing aid to manufacture different electronics module, e.g., an electronics module for the left ear and an electronics module for the right ear, and it also requires RIC type hearing aid to manufacture cables of differing lengths.
In view of the foregoing, an auditory device includes an electronics module, a receiver and a cable connecting the electronics module to the receiver. The electronics module includes an enclosure shaped to be positioned behind an outer portion of either a left ear or a right ear of a user and circuitry within the enclosure. The receiver is configured for being located in either a left ear canal or a right ear canal of the user. When inserted into the left ear canal, the receiver occupies a left ear canal insertion position, and when inserted into the right ear canal, the receiver occupies a right ear canal insertion position. The cable and the receiver are shaped and configured such that the receiver is presented in a neutral position when no external force other than gravity is acting upon the receiver, the neutral position being located between the left ear canal insertion position and the right ear canal insertion position.
It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the present disclosure. Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views,
The electronics module 22 includes an enclosure 32 that is shaped to be positioned behind an outer portion of either the left ear or the right ear of a user. In general, the enclosure 32 is made from a rigid plastic material and made up of an anterior section 34 connected with a posterior section 36. A battery door 38 pivotally connects with the anterior section 34 to provide access to a battery compartment that can house a battery which can operate as a power source for the auditory device 20.
With reference to
The electronics module 22 can be similar to known electronics modules with regard to the components provided within the enclosure 32. In view of this, these components will not be described with particularity with the understanding that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand how to make and use these components. Similar to known RIC type hearing aids, the electronics module 22 can include circuitry and an appropriate processing unit for controlling different programs, between which the processing unit can switch and includes reception of a telecoil signal. The processing unit can also be used for controlling sound processing, noise reduction etc. The electronics module 22 can further include a radio module, which allows for TV and other audio streaming. Microphones, which can allow for the use of a directional system, can also be provided with the electronics module 22. The electronics module 22 can further house a battery, which is accessible through the battery door 38, and a charging coil. The battery may be a rechargeable battery, a zinc-silver battery or a lithium-polymer battery. Depending on the type of battery provided, a power management circuit may also be provided with the electronics module 22 to control and monitor the charging and discharging of the battery, if it is a rechargeable battery.
The receiver 24 is configured for being located in either the left ear canal or the right ear canal of the user. The receiver 24 includes a housing 62 made from a rigid plastic material, and the housing 62 connects with an ear bud 64 that is also shaped to fit in either the left ear canal or the right ear canal of the user. The housing 62 houses electrical components that are similar to known receivers in RIC type hearing aids, which will not be described in detail for the sake of brevity. With reference to
The cable 26 includes a plurality of wires (not visible) provided within a jacket 90. The wires can be stranded metal wires to provide for the electrical connection between the electronics module 22 and the receiver 24. The jacket 90 is made from a flexible material, and the wires and the jacket 90 are formed in a manner so that the cable 26 can be set, e.g. thermoset, into the shape shown in
The cable 26 is formed and set so that the receiver 24 can be located in either a left ear canal or a right ear canal of the user. With reference to
The cable 26 is formed and set so that when the receiver 24 is inserted into either the left ear canal or the right ear canal, the force exerted by the cable 26 on the ear cavity is minimized to reduce pressure on the ear cavity that could cause pain over long periods of wear. For example and with reference to
With reference to
The cable 26 is also formed and set so that the auditory device 20 is capable of accommodating a large range of ear sizes. Instead of exchanging out the cable to accommodate different ear sizes, the cable 26 can extend from the neutral position at least 12 mm downward by pulling on the receiver 24, which is shown in
With reference to
An auditory device has been described above with particularity. Modifications and alterations may occur to those skilled in the art after having read the above detailed description. The invention, however, is not limited to only the embodiments described above. Instead, the invention is broadly defined by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof. It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives or varieties thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
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