Hearing aid system

Abstract

An exemplary hearing aid system includes a receiver configured so as to create an insertion loss over the audible range of hearing below about three decibels as compared to the unaided ear. An exemplary hearing aid system also includes one or more of: a micro-receiver positioned in an open-ear configuration within the ear canal of a user; an intermediate connecting portion extending between a sound processing unit and a receiver, wherein the intermediate connecting portion includes a stiffening wire provided on at least a portion of the intermediate connecting portion and/or within or on at least a portion of the receiver; a retaining wire extending from one of the stiffening wire and the receiver, the retaining wire configured to position within a portion of the concha of the ear; an electrical conducting component comprising two wires within distinct channels or otherwise isolated from one another within the intermediate connecting portion; and a speaker, at least partially enclosed within a casing having first and second end portions, the first end portion communicating with, the connection, the speaker communicating with a port provided at the second end portion of the casing, wherein the casing is sealed to fluids and wherein the port is sealed to fluids by a membrane or mesh material. The described hearing aid reduces the insertion and occlusion effects relative to comparison devices.

Description

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of hearing aid units are known in the art. Insertion of hearing aid receivers in the ear produces an insertion loss, which reflects a distortion or elimination of the patient's natural or original concha and ear canal resonant characteristics. The presently described hearing aid is configured to eliminate or significantly reduce such insertion losses.

In some hearing aids, the receiver is also positioned within the ear canal in such a way that it creates an occlusion effect. In most cases, whether the hearing aid is fitted in the ear, as with a custom made instrument, or is placed behind the ear, an occlusion problem exists.

This is often related to a patient's rejection of the amplification due to the patient's discomfort with the patient's own voice. That is, the occlusion effect is associated with the sensation or feeling that the patient's head is “at the bottom of the barrel,” with the patient's own voice becoming intolerably loud.

Placing an earmold or a shell of a custom made hearing aid within the ear canal can produce a low frequency amplification of the patient's voice of between about 20 and 30 decibels. This can relate to a perceived loudness increase in the patient's own voice of about four times the actual loudness of the patient's voice.

Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for an ear canal receiver that avoids the insertion loss and occlusion effect problems described above.

One aspect of the present disclosure also relates to an improved system for treating tinnitus.

SUMMARY

The above-discussed and other drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art are overcome or alleviated by the presently described hearing aid system, including a receiver configured so as to create an insertion loss over the audible range of hearing below about three decibels as compared to the unaided ear.

In another embodiment, a micro-receiver positioned in an open-ear configuration within the ear canal of a user, and a sound processing unit provided remote from the micro-receiver. The described hearing aid advantageously reduces the insertion and occlusion effects.

In one exemplary embodiment, the receiver has a maximum lateral dimension ø. Such dimension describes the maximum overall dimension or diameter (though it is not to be implied that the cross section of the receiver must be circular or oval) of the receiver. In one exemplary embodiment, the receiver has a dimension ø that is less than half the maximum lateral dimension or diameter of the user's ear canal. In another embodiment, the receiver has a dimension ø that is less than twenty percent of the maximum lateral dimension or diameter of the user's ear canal. In another embodiment, the receiver has a dimension ø that is less than ten percent of the maximum lateral dimension or diameter of the user's ear canal. In another embodiment, the receiver has a dimension ø that is less than five percent of the maximum lateral dimension or diameter of the user's ear canal.

In another exemplary embodiment, the hearing aid comprises a sound processing unit, a receiver, and an intermediate connecting portion between the sound processing unit and the receiver, wherein the intermediate connecting portion comprises an electrical conducting component and a stiffening wire, provided on at least a portion of the intermediate connecting portion. In another exemplary embodiment, the stiffening wire comprises a stainless steel wire. In another exemplary embodiment, the stiffening wire comprises a metal or alloy of metals having memory such that the wire may deflect and return to an original orientation. Such may be stainless steel, among others. Such may also be a shape memory alloy.

In another exemplary embodiment, the stiffening wire is provided within or on a portion of the intermediate connecting portion and extends within or on at least a portion of the receiver. In such embodiment, the receiver is positioned on the intermediate connecting portion with greater stability and resiliency. Also where a stiffening element is used, the intermediate connecting portion and receiver may be custom manufactured or custom molded to optimize positioning of the receiver within the ear canal and/or to optimize positioning of the intermediate connecting portion.

In another embodiment, a retaining wire extends from one of the stiffening wire and the receiver. The retaining wire is configured to position within a portion of the concha of the ear. In such embodiment, the retaining wire may be configured to prevent excessive insertion of the hearing aid receiver into the ear canal. Also, the retaining wire may be configured to cause the hearing aid receiver to be suspended within a portion of the ear canal, such that no portion of the receiver touches the sides of the ear canal.

In another embodiment, the electrical conducting component comprises two wires within distinct channels or otherwise isolated from one another within the intermediate connecting portion. In another embodiment, a stiffening element is provided within or on the intermediate connecting portion within a distinct channel or otherwise isolated from the wires.

In another embodiment, the receiver comprises a speaker, at least partially enclosed within a casing having first and second end portions, the first end portion communicating with the intermediate connecting portion, the speaker communicating with a port provided at the second end portion of the casing. In another embodiment, the casing is sealed to fluids at the first end portion and along a length of the casing extending from the first end portion to the port provided at the second end portion. The port may also be sealed to fluids by a membrane or mesh material.

The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the exemplary drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary receiver, intermediate connecting portion and sound processing component connector for a hearing aid system;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary receiver and intermediate connecting portion;

FIG. 3 is an expanded plan view of an exemplary receiver, intermediate connecting portion and sound processing component connector for a hearing aid system;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an exemplary assembled hearing aid system including a retaining wire;

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of a user's ear with the hearing aid system installed;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an exemplary sound processing unit; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another exemplary sound processing unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary receiver and connection portion is illustrated generally at 10 for the presently described hearing aid system. In one exemplary embodiment, the hearing aid system is configured as a completely open canal (COC) system. With reference to FIG. 1, the illustrated exemplary receiver portion, shown generally at 12, includes a speaker 14 that is at least partially surrounded by a casing 16. The receiver portion 12 is attached to a connection portion, shown generally at 18, which includes an intermediate connecting portion 20 and a sound processing component connector 22. The sound processing unit connector 22 includes an electrical interface 24 configured to mate with a corresponding electrical interface (not illustrated) on the sound processing unit. The illustrated electrical interface 24 is a three-pin female interface, surrounded by a connector shell 26. While shell 26 is illustrated as a two part shell joined by lock pin 28, it should be recognized that shell 26 may take any convenient configuration, or the interface 24 may simply comprise the electrical interface 24 such that the shell 26 is of minimal profile or is eliminated. Optionally, a microphone 27 may be provided in the shell 26. The microphone 27 may be connected to the sound-processing unit through an additional electrical connection (not shown) or through the electrical interface 24.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the exemplary receiver 12 and intermediate connecting portion 20 are illustrated in greater detail. The speaker 14 is illustrated as being at least partially enclosed within the casing 16. The illustrated exemplary intermediate connecting portion 20 comprises an electrical conducting component 30 and a stiffening wire 32, provided along at least a portion of the intermediate connecting portion 20. In another exemplary embodiment, the stiffening wire 32 comprises a stainless steel wire. In another exemplary embodiment, the stiffening wire 32 comprises a metal or alloy of metals having memory such that the wire may deflect and return to an original orientation. For example, the stiffening wire 32 may be a shape memory alloy.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the illustrated exemplary stiffening wire 32 is provided within or on a portion of the intermediate connecting portion 20 and extends within or on at least a portion of the receiver 12. The stiffening wire 32 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment extends through a channel 34 in the intermediate connecting portion 20, into a proximal portion 36 of the receiver 12 and alongside the speaker 14. In such embodiment, and indeed whenever the stiffening wire is used in or on any portion of the receiver 12 and the intermediate connecting portion 20, the receiver 12 may be positioned relative to the intermediate connecting portion 20 with greater stability and resiliency. Also where a stiffening wire 32 is used, the intermediate connecting portion 20 and receiver 12 may be custom manufactured or custom molded to optimize positioning of the receiver 12 within the ear canal and/or to optimize positioning of the intermediate connecting portion 20.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the illustrated electrical conducting component 30 is provided within a channel 38 within the intermediate connecting portion 20. The electrical conducting component 30 extends from the speaker 14 through the intermediate connecting component 20 to the electrical interface 24 to provide electrical connection between the sound processing unit and the speaker 14.

With reference to FIG. 3, in an exemplary embodiment, the electrical conducting component 30 comprises two wires 40, 42 provided within channel 38. While this embodiment illustrates both wires 40, 42 provided within the same channel 38, it is to be recognized that alternative configurations are contemplated. For example, both wires 40, 42 may share the same channel as the stiffening wire 32. Also, each wire 40, 42 may be provided within distinct channels or may be otherwise isolated from one another within the connection.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the illustrated exemplary receiver casing has first (proximal) 36 and second (distal) 44 end portions, the first end portion communicating with the intermediate connecting portion 20, the speaker 14 communicating with a port 46 provided at the second end portion 44 of the casing 16. As described by the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the casing is provided around the speaker from the intermediate connecting portion 20 to the port 46. Where non-permeable materials are used for the casing 16, the casing 16 is sealed to fluids at the first end portion 36 and along a length of the casing 16 extending from the first end portion 36 to the port 46 provided at the second end portion 44. As illustrated, the port 46 may itself be sealed to fluids by a membrane or mesh material 48. The materials used for the casing may be formed in any number of manners, including as a two shell assembly, as an overmold, or as a shrinkwrap. Any material may be used. In one exemplary embodiment, the material is a polypropylene. In another embodiment, the material is a nylon or polyethylene. The port may also be provided with a permanent or removable cerumen collection device.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the receiver has a maximum lateral dimension ø. Such dimension describes the maximum overall dimension or diameter (though it is not to be implied that the cross section of the receiver must be circular or oval) of the receiver 16. In one exemplary embodiment, the receiver has a dimension ø that is less than half the maximum lateral dimension or diameter of the user's ear canal. In another embodiment, the receiver has a dimension ø that is less than twenty percent of the maximum lateral dimension or diameter of the user's ear canal. In another embodiment, the receiver has a dimension ø that is less than ten percent of the maximum lateral dimension or diameter of the user s ear canal. In another embodiment, the receiver has a dimension ø that is less than five percent of the maximum lateral dimension or diameter of the user's ear canal.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a second exemplary hearing aid system is illustrated generally at 50. The receiver 16, intermediate connecting portion 20 and sound processing unit 52 are illustrated in assembled form. Sound processing component connector 22 is illustrated as joined with the sound processing unit 52. As illustrated, an exemplary retaining wire 54 extends from the receiver 16. As illustrated by FIG. 5, the retaining wire 54 is configured to position within a portion of the concha 56 of the ear, shown generally at 58. In such embodiment, the retaining wire 54 may be configured to define an exemplary maximum insertion of the hearing aid receiver 16 into the ear canal 60. For example, the configuration of the retaining wire 54, receiver 16 and intermediate connecting portion 20 may be such that the receiver extends into the ear canal, but not into the bony regions 62 of the ear canal 60. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the retaining wire 54 may be configured to cause the hearing aid receiver 16 to be suspended within a portion of the ear canal 60, such that no portion of the receiver touches the sides of the ear canal 60. While the retaining wire 54 is illustrated as extending from the receiver 16, it should be recognized that the retaining wire 54 may also or alternatively extend from the intermediate connecting portion 20.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an exemplary sound processing unit (SPU) is illustrated generally at 52. The illustrated SPU 52 generally includes: a housing 64; an SPU electrical interface 66, which is illustrated as a male three-pin electrical connection, connected to an amplifier and sound processing component 68; a microphone 70 connected to the amplifier and sound processing component 68; a battery component 72 providing power to the amplifier and sound processing component 68; a switch component 74, illustrated with a push button 76 for providing a user interface with the amplifier and sound processing component 68 and/or the battery component 72; and a programming connector 78 configured to permit external programming and reprogramming of the SPU and/or to permit expansion of the hearing aid device with additional internal components. A programming correction switch 79 may be provided to permit a physician or user to control programming or reprogramming of the amplifier and sound processing component 68. Additionally, an input port (not shown) may be provided proximate thereto (or indeed, anywhere on the device) to effect programming or reprogramming of the device from an external source. Memory storage may be provided within the amplifier and sound processing component 68 and/or anywhere within the device to permit such programming and reprogramming of the SPU and/or to permit a user to select various programs via the user interface.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second exemplary SPU configuration, wherein the amplifier and sound processing component 68 is provided as a circuit board interconnecting each of the battery component 72, the switch component 74, the microphone 70 and the SPU electrical interface 66. In another exemplary embodiment, the behind the ear unit may comprise, or may additionally include, a noise generator, which may be used to generate one or more sounds. The sounds may be generated in specific frequency ranges useful to treat tinnitus. The noise generator passes such signals to the receiver for treatment.

The following table summarizes statistical analysis of data collected in the comparison of four hearing devices (G=General Hearing Instruments, O=Oticon, S=Sebotek and V=Vivatone). The tested Vivatone Device was configured in accordance with the above described embodiment(s) including the micro-receiver and the retaining wire. The Vivatone Device also was positioned within the cartilaginous region of the ear in such a manner that the receiver did not contact the walls of the ear canal.

The tested General Hearing Instruments was a canal-open-ear Auriscoe™ hearing aid. The tested Oticon Device was a low profile, Open Ear Acoustics™ configuration. The tested Sebotek Device was the PAC (Post Auricular Canal) hearing aid also described by U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,621 to Reiter, the entire contents of which are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

Thirty subjects participated in the evaluation. There were 120 runs, 4 for each participant. The data analyzed are the values of the Probe Real Ear Insertion Response Curve, which consisted of differences between the Probe Real Ear Unaided Response Curve and the Probe Real Ear Aided Response Curve and the corresponding values repeated while the subject vocalized the letter “EE”. The two differences may be called the Insertion Effect and the Occlusion Effect. Values were given at 79 frequencies (200 Hz to 8000 Hz at increments of 100 Hz).

Analysis of variance models were run for each frequency. Comparisons were adjusted for Subject variability, Order of Test, and Previous Device. The experimental error ranged over approximately 5-11 DB for the Insertion Effect and over approximately 3-8 DB for the Occlusion Effect.

Comparison results are given in the following tables. Results are given for each frequency. T-values greater than 2.444 in absolute value are included in Table 1. T-values less than 2.444 values are not to be construed as statistically insignificant simply because thay are omitted from Table 1. Negative values indicate that the Insertion Effect or Occlusion Effect was greater for the Comparison Device compared to the Vivatone Device. Positive values indicate that the Insertion Effect or Occlusion Effect was greater for the Vivatone Device compared to the Comparison Device.

The following table summarizes the comparisons at each frequency. Table values are positive or negative decibel differences. As may be seen from the tables, the Vivatone Device exhibits lower Insertion Effect across the range of frequencies as compared with the comparison devices. Indeed, it has been found that the Vivatone Device exhibits less than three decibels of insertion loss across the audible spectrum. Also, with exception of the Oticon Device in the 500 Hz to 1300 Hz range, the Vivatone device exhibits lower Occlusion Effect across the range of frequencies as compared with the comparison devices.

TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF COMPARISONS
	Insertion Effect	Occlusion Effect
	G vs. V	O vs. V	S vs. V	G vs. V	O vs. V	S vs. V
200 Hz			−28.99			−8.49
300			−30.56			−7.92
400			−31.14			−7.37
500			−31.32		+6.57	−7.76
600			−31.74		+9.21	−7.89
700			−32.60		+11.11	−8.40
800			−33.49		+11.64	−8.78
900			−34.11		+10.63	−8.82
1000			−34.83		+8.72	−9.08
1100			−34.78		+6.89	−9.96
1200			−34.56		+6.32	−10.39
1300		−7.51	−35.38		+5.32	−11.09
1400		−9.01	−36.61			−13.28
1500		−10.52	−37.15			−14.66
1600		−11.47	−37.44			−15.02
1700		−12.37	−37.60			−15.04
1800		−13.49	−37.72			−16.76
1900		−14.87	−38.18			−18.98
2000		−16.20	−38.48			−20.61
2100		−17.24	−38.52		−6.98	−22.09
2200	−6.88	−18.09	−38.29		−9.35	−23.23
2300	−7.70	−18.77	−38.02		−11.71	−24.65
2400	−8.49	−19.35	−37.57	−6.91	−14.08	−26.09
2500	−9.21	−19.82	−36.83	−7.89	−15.51	−26.73
2600	−9.67	−20.14	−35.83	−8.04	−15.52	−25.94
2700	−9.84	−20.29	−34.44	−7.61	−14.96	−24.63
2800	−9.86	−20.28	−33.03	−7.51	−14.66	−23.71
2900	−9.86	−20.15	−31.52	−7.54	−14.36	−23.26
3000	−9.79	−20.02	−30.26	−7.48	−14.06	−22.09
3100	−9.66	−19.90	−28.93	−7.06	−13.56	−20.71
3200	−9.51	−19.81	−27.73	−7.16	−13.49	−19.07
3300	−9.28	−19.66	−26.57	−7.31	−13.46	−17.75
3400	−9.07	−19.56	−25.57	−7.23	−13.07	−16.73
3500	−8.91	−19.45	−24.82	−7.37	−12.90	−15.77
3600	−8.69	−19.34	−24.16	−6.96	−12.01	−14.66
3700	−8.58	−19.31	−23.74	−6.53	−11.36	−13.51
3800	−8.44	−19.34	−23.46	−6.28	−10.75	−12.41
3900	−8.27	−19.37	−23.23	−6.05	−9.99	−11.55
4000	−8.09	−19.28	−23.03	−5.47	−9.21	−10.84
4100	−7.88	−19.27	−22.69	−5.23	−8.37	−10.11
4200	−7.65	−19.21	−22.26	−5.11	−7.56	−9.52
4300	−7.39	−19.18	−21.77	−4.90	−6.78	−8.75
4400	−7.15	−19.24	−21.18	−4.87	−6.07	−8.16
4500	−6.85	−19.34	−20.58	−4.95	−5.52	−7.89
4600	−6.54	−19.37	−19.95	−4.58	−4.86	−7.36
4700	−6.25	−19.49	−19.32	−4.28	−4.32	−6.82
4800	−5.95	−19.33	−18.65	−3.64	−3.69	−6.10
4900	−5.70	−19.10	−18.04	−3.01	−3.04	−5.42
5000	−5.42	−18.71	−17.37		−2.58	−4.73
5100	−5.13	−18.18	−16.68			−4.30
5200	−4.85	−17.48	−15.99			−3.74
5300	−4.64	−16.81	−15.43			−3.32
5400		−16.01	−14.83			−3.14
5500		−15.18	−14.40			−3.05
5600		−14.42	−14.20			−2.76
5700		−13.57	−14.19			−2.82
5800		−12.90	−14.30			−3.04
5900		−12.24	−14.66			−3.09
6000		−11.64	−15.01			−2.87
6100		−11.03	−15.24			−2.84
6200		−10.50	−15.60			−2.62
6300		−9.93	−15.85
6400		−9.47	−16.12
6500		−9.04	−16.43			−2.53
6600		−8.68	−16.76			−2.75
6700		−8.40	−17.02	−2.41		−2.93
6800		−8.14	−17.38	−2.50		−3.00
6900		−7.86	−17.57	−2.94		−3.20
7000	−5.37	−7.62	−17.64	−3.10		−3.04
7100	−5.98	−7.41	−17.93	−2.93		−2.85
7200	−6.54	−7.29	−18.20	−2.85		−2.98
7300	−6.76	−7.08	−18.29	−2.83		−3.10
7400	−6.83	−6.91	−18.37			−2.88
7500	−6.67	−6.68	−18.48			−2.78
7600	−6.45	−6.52	−18.43			−2.58
7700	−6.18	−6.29	−18.28
7800	−6.06	−6.19	−18.22
7900	−6.01	−6.17	−18.20
8000	−5.99	−6.23	−18.25

TABLE 2
RESULTS AT 200 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
200 Hz
Insertion
Effect
X1	−3.228805324	2.8128462	−1.147878383	(General vs.
				Vivatone)
X2	−3.973763109	2.6132138	−1.520642189	(Oticon vs.
				Vivatone)
X3	−28.990360956	2.6890912	−10.780728129	(Sebotek vs.
				Vivatone)
Occlusion
Effect
X1	−1.76124202	2.3527289	−0.74859539
X2	3.03270998	2.1857518	1.38749056
X3	−8.48537631	2.2492174	−3.77259056

TABLE 3
RESULTS AT 300 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	300 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−3.259075564	2.9386512	−1.109037917
	X2	−3.984400433	2.7300902	−1.459439139
	X3	−30.557774712	2.8093612	−10.877125620
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.34258739	2.4706214	−0.54342093
	X2	3.70308746	2.2952773	1.61335081
	X3	−7.91842555	2.3619231	−3.35253321

TABLE 4
RESULTS AT 400 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	400 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−3.18071721	2.9913629	−1.06330036
	X2	−3.71440204	2.7790608	−1.33656738
	X3	−31.13784296	2.8597538	−10.88829507
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−0.97685416	2.5694950	−0.3801736
	X2	4.68242198	2.3871337	1.9615248
	X3	−7.36959617	2.4564466	−3.00010500 Hz

TABLE 5
RESULTS AT 500 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	500 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−3.06639030	3.0294176	−1.01220456
	X2	−3.35011711	2.8144148	−1.19034237
	X3	−31.31511356	2.8961342	−10.81272859
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−0.42304814	2.5993905	−0.16274897
	X2	6.57442272	2.4149074	2.72243260
	X3	−7.76226106	2.4850268	−3.12361260

TABLE 6
RESULTS AT 600 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	600 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−2.8099533318	3.1302318	−0.897682188
	X2	−2.9480594700	2.9080740	−1.013749811
	X3	−31.7421838724	2.9925130	−10.607200022
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	1.04164510	2.4705285	0.4216284
	X2	9.21450274	2.2951910	4.0146998
	X3	−7.89446530	2.3618343	−3.3425145

TABLE 7
RESULTS AT 700 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	700 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−2.588272854	3.2245678	−0.80267279
	X2	−2.847366146	2.9957148	−0.95047970
	X3	−32.604172820	3.0826986	−10.57650368
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	1.889389684	2.2700032	0.83232909
	X2	11.110529893	2.1088973	5.26840739
	X3	−8.402816196	2.1701313	−3.87203123

TABLE 8
RESULTS AT 800 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	800 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−2.515782392	3.3207934	−0.757584738
	X2	−3.398601005	3.0851111	−1.101613808
	X3	−33.491112358	3.1746906	−10.549409992
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	1.82698457	2.2246681	0.8212392
	X2	11.63631424	2.0667796	5.6301669
	X3	−8.77668112	2.1267908	−4.1267252

TABLE 9
RESULTS AT 900 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	900 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−2.38554234	3.3949516	−0.70267345
	X2	−4.09229805	3.1540062	−1.29749208
	X3	−34.11309345	3.2455861	−10.51061120
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	1.92054270	2.1612333	0.88863274
	X2	10.62901086	2.0078470	5.29373549
	X3	−8.81972030	2.0661469	−4.26868009

TABLE 10
RESULTS AT 1000 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	1000 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−2.275590447	3.3148820	−0.686477055
	X2	−4.883197416	3.0796193	−1.585649707
	X3	−34.827767987	3.1690393	−10.990008326
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	1.90850033	2.0273877	0.94135935
	X2	8.71736528	1.8835006	4.62827855
	X3	−9.08163181	1.9381900	−4.68562518

TABLE 11
RESULTS AT 1100 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	1100 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−2.156384500	3.2283746	−0.66794743
	X2	−6.075641257	2.9992514	−2.02571923
	X3	−34.777147774	3.0863378	−11.26809495
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	0.652209894	1.9516141	0.33418998
	X2	6.892687975	1.8131048	3.80159378
	X3	−9.956084782	1.8657502	−5.33623669

TABLE 12
RESULTS AT 1200 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	1200 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−1.585101698	3.1910179	−0.496738573
	X2	−6.880732089	2.9645460	−2.321006989
	X3	−34.561124381	3.0506248	−11.329195525
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	0.1712529167	1.9293266	0.088763052
	X2	6.3227648043	1.7923991	3.527543026
	X3	−10.3896722765	1.8444433	−5.632958487

TABLE 13
RESULTS AT 1300 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	1300 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−1.1981154661	3.1078549	−0.385512034
	X2	−7.5105809960	2.8872852	−2.601260486
	X3	−35.3762012491	2.9711206	−11.906686397
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	1.2358134856	1.8298857	0.675350090
	X2	5.3236175161	1.7000157	3.131510866
	X3	−11.0905638474	1.7493774	−6.339720527

TABLE 14
RESULTS AT 1400 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	1400 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−1.643093468	3.2026055	−0.51304897
	X2	−9.006829511	2.9753112	−3.02718902
	X3	−36.606739445	3.0617025	−11.95633446
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	1.218719994	1.7929210	0.67973995
	X2	3.569212245	1.6656744	2.14280315
	X3	−13.277066609	1.7140390	−7.74607050

TABLE 15
RESULTS AT 1500 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	1500 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−2.004330563	3.3559284	−0.597250692
	X2	−10.520911903	3.1177525	−3.374517947
	X3	−37.149067713	3.2082798	−11.579123521
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	1.565644363	1.9150221	0.81755941
	X2	3.037305910	1.7791098	1.70720543
	X3	−14.661208291	1.8307681	−8.00822785

TABLE 16
RESULTS AT 1600 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	1600 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−1.951098286	3.2915707	−0.59275600
	X2	−11.474827775	3.0579624	−3.75244240
	X3	−37.443659502	3.1467536	−11.89913947
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	2.19998543	2.0883350	1.05346387
	X2	2.69222085	1.9401223	1.38765520
	X3	−15.01898313	1.9964558	−7.52282265

TABLE 17
RESULTS AT 1700 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	1700 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−2.09200068	3.1519854	−0.66370887
	X2	−12.37275620	2.9282837	−4.22525864
	X3	−37.59666754	3.0133095	−12.47686870
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	2.296444502	2.1572750	1.06451169
	X2	2.044449766	2.0041696	1.02009817
	X3	−15.035410954	2.0623628	−7.29038120

TABLE 18
RESULTS AT 1800 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	1800 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−2.7841781655	3.0546323	−0.911460998
	X2	−13.4911317442	2.8378399	−4.754014423
	X3	−37.7204275127	2.9202396	−12.916894941
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	1.299973079	2.2825012	0.56953884
	X2	0.228669495	2.1205082	0.10783712
	X3	−16.763530564	2.1820794	−7.68236495

TABLE 19
RESULTS AT 1900 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	1900 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−3.92267763	2.9833070	−1.31487560
	X2	−14.86697694	2.7715767	−5.36408636
	X3	−38.18257655	2.8520524	−13.38775431
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−0.445001551	2.4921416	−0.17856191
	X2	−2.149696858	2.3152701	−0.92848642
	X3	−18.984168789	2.3824964	−7.96818358

TABLE 20
RESULTS AT 2000 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	2000 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−5.07137477	2.8884821	−1.755723078
	X2	−16.19593588	2.6834817	−6.035418726
	X3	−38.47923896	2.7613994	−13.934687726
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.85628537	2.4314096	−0.76346057
	X2	−4.57822019	2.2588484	−2.02679391
	X3	−20.60848494	2.3244365	−8.86601350

TABLE 21
RESULTS AT 2100 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	2100 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−6.05449479	2.8084770	−2.15579289
	X2	−17.24123089	2.6091547	−6.60797572
	X3	−38.52172601	2.6849143	−14.34746975
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−2.98680095	2.4258921	−1.2312176
	X2	−6.98416480	2.2537225	−3.0989462
	X3	−22.09045009	2.3191617	−9.5251876

TABLE 22
RESULTS AT 2200 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	2200 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−6.880641275	2.7399735	−2.51120723
	X2	−18.094100656	2.5455130	−7.10823348
	X3	−38.294583408	2.6194246	−14.61946370
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−4.04732286	2.3505212	−1.72188312
	X2	−9.35005881	2.1837008	−4.28174902
	X3	−23.23487105	2.2471069	−10.33990481

TABLE 23
RESULTS AT 2300 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	2300 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−7.702143365	2.7076991	−2.84453441
	X2	−18.774332728	2.5155292	−7.46337303
	X3	−38.024411656	2.5885702	−14.68934905
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−5.220130253	2.2482925	−2.32181990
	X2	−11.708355563	2.0887274	−5.60549718
	X3	−24.646487441	2.1493758	−11.46681163

TABLE 24
RESULTS AT 2400 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	2400 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−8.486673413	2.6869395	−3.15849066
	X2	−19.349755107	2.4962429	−7.75155131
	X3	−37.572817183	2.5687240	−14.62703571
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−6.906049894	2.1583519	−3.199686766
	X2	−14.081049900	2.0051700	−7.022372074
	X3	−26.086046643	2.0633922	−12.642311144

TABLE 25
RESULTS AT 2500 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	2500 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−9.210748358	2.6528782	−3.471983194
	X2	−19.817120519	2.4645989	−8.040708038
	X3	−36.833570981	2.5361612	−14.523355801
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−7.8887912841	2.1296325	−3.704296963
	X2	−15.5096824184	1.9784889	−7.839155515
	X3	−26.7269510910	2.0359364	−13.127596011

TABLE 26
RESULTS AT 2600 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
2600 Hz
Insertion
Effect
X1	−9.66555736	2.6025828	−3.71383279
X2	−20.13716999	2.4178731	−8.32846424
X3	−35.82550481	2.4880786	−14.39886359
Occlusion
Effect
X1	−8.039373e+000	2.0445271	−3.9321428795
X2	−1.552271e+001	1.8994236	−8.1723244632
X3	−2.594425e+001	1.9545753	−13.2736008791

TABLE 27
RESULTS AT 2700 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	2700 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−9.8422402627	2.4996242	−3.937488045
	X2	−20.2943035971	2.3222216	−8.739175965
	X3	−34.4411171164	2.3896498	−14.412621118
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−7.613859887	1.9209320	−3.963627961
	X2	−14.957610998	1.7846003	−8.381490995
	X3	−24.625003741	1.8364180	−13.409258493

TABLE 28
RESULTS AT 2800 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	2800 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−9.86365196	2.3996114	−4.1105206
	X2	−20.27641387	2.2293069	−9.0953891
	X3	−33.03347336	2.2940372	−14.3997113
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−7.50588772	1.8590431	−4.0375006
	X2	−14.65670749	1.7271037	−8.4862926
	X3	−23.70698104	1.7772520	−13.3391220

TABLE 29
RESULTS AT 2900 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	2900 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−9.86079168	2.2699771	−4.34400497
	X2	−20.15133560	2.1088730	−9.55549987
	X3	−31.52307174	2.1701063	−14.52604933
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−7.543366871	1.8062716	−4.17620855
	X2	−14.359771755	1.6780775	−8.55727583
	X3	−23.256473650	1.7268022	−13.46794292

TABLE 30
RESULTS AT 3000 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
3000 Hz
Insertion
Effect
X1	−9.7856477447	2.1508276	−4.549712685
X2	−20.0236465366	1.9981798	−10.020943400
X3	−30.2576796218	2.0561990	−14.715345668
Occlusion
Effect
X1	−7.47719814	1.74153648	−4.29344904
X2	−14.06177565	1.61793672	−8.69117777
X3	−22.09160667	1.66491522	−13.26890791

TABLE 31
RESULTS AT 3100 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	3100 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−9.664299909	2.0441730	−4.727730813
	X2	−19.902779737	1.8990947	−10.480140962
	X3	−28.927085690	1.9542369	−14.802241273
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−7.058142664	1.68138544	−4.197813587
	X2	−13.560497213	1.56205470	−8.681192285
	X3	−20.712909615	1.60741060	−12.885885895

TABLE 32
RESULTS AT 3200 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	3200 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−9.510894160	1.9521516	−4.87200583
	X2	−19.806347612	1.8136042	−10.92098708
	X3	−27.726410309	1.8662641	−14.85663835
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−7.163145949	1.64523049	−4.353885967
	X2	−13.488540806	1.52846573	−8.824889289
	X3	−19.070659369	1.57284634	−12.124934858

TABLE 33
RESULTS AT 3300 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
3300 Hz
Insertion
Effect
X1	−9.2786068378	1.8838049	−4.925460512
X2	−19.6593344393	1.7501081	−11.233211221
X3	−26.5719530600	1.8009244	−14.754619026
Occlusion
Effect
X1	−7.31237040	1.66005982	−4.40488366
X2	−13.45522787	1.54224259	−8.72445614
X3	−17.74897246	1.58702323	−11.18381389

TABLE 34
RESULTS AT 3400 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	3400 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−9.066209111	1.8323300	−4.94791271
	X2	−19.556815995	1.7022865	−11.48855723
	X3	−25.574072634	1.7517142	−14.59945508
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−7.23388315	1.70948608	−4.2316128
	X2	−13.07226920	1.58816098	−8.2310731
	X3	−16.72753874	1.63427491	−10.2354498

TABLE 35
RESULTS AT 3500 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
3500 Hz
Insertion
Effect
X1	−8.91013789	1.7886133	−4.98158981
X2	−19.45460034	1.6616724	−11.70784323
X3	−24.81692370	1.7099208	−14.51349273
Occlusion
Effect
X1	−7.3687376481	1.76527541	−4.174270831
X2	−12.8957066864	1.63999085	−7.863279640
X3	−15.7692838620	1.68760971	−9.344153291

TABLE 36
RESULTS AT 3600 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	3600 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−8.691367288	1.7763295	−4.89288013
	X2	−19.342423503	1.6502604	−11.72083106
	X3	−24.157524195	1.6981775	−14.22555931
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−6.962227987	1.76558948	−3.94328809
	X2	−12.008873432	1.64028264	−7.32122206
	X3	−14.662004950	1.68790997	−8.68648519

TABLE 37
RESULTS AT 3700 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
3700 Hz
Insertion
Effect
X1	−8.583079332	1.76270385	−4.86926908
X2	−19.313847560	1.63760180	−11.79398287
X3	−23.737175524	1.68515129	−14.08607978
Occlusion
Effect
X1	−6.5337475500	1.74265157	−3.749313783
X2	−11.3626632173	1.61897267	−7.018440431
X3	−13.5120469265	1.66598124	−8.110563666

TABLE 38
RESULTS AT 3800 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	3800 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−8.441467426	1.75635543	−4.80624097
	X2	−19.336107428	1.63170394	−11.85025478
	X3	−23.463879959	1.67908218	−13.97422961
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−6.278133968	1.68496687	−3.72596880
	X2	−10.754862789	1.56538194	−6.87044005
	X3	−12.412324737	1.61083445	−7.70552474

TABLE 39
RESULTS AT 3900 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	3900 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−8.270799727	1.76899901	−4.67541231
	X2	−19.372231987	1.64345018	−11.78753833
	X3	−23.226956475	1.69116949	−13.73425708
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−6.04925683	1.66204356	−3.6396500
	X2	−9.99092084	1.54408554	−6.4704452
	X3	−11.55100361	1.58891969	−7.2697215

TABLE 40
RESULTS AT 4000 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	4000 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−8.086843450	1.72954953	−4.67569348
	X2	−19.275861570	1.60680050	−11.99642501
	X3	−23.027648032	1.65345564	−13.92698265
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−5.468606286	1.53347467	−3.56615364
	X2	−9.213260489	1.42464140	−6.46707337
	X3	−10.842963904	1.46600737	−7.39625472

TABLE 41
RESULTS AT 4100 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	4100 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−7.881860321	1.70361988	−4.62653695
	X2	−19.265070702	1.58271112	−12.17219647
	X3	−22.687028158	1.62866680	−13.92981556
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−5.234017037	1.44847923	−3.613456733
	X2	−8.367227067	1.34567823	−6.217851237
	X3	−10.113523797	1.38475142	−7.303494094

TABLE 42
RESULTS AT 4200 Hz
4200 Hz
	Value	Std.Error	t.value
Insertion Effect
	X1	−7.650776971	1.67932983	−4.55585129
	X2	−19.207194367	1.56014498	−12.31115996
	X3	−22.260182017	1.60544543	−13.86542428
Occlusion Effect
	X1	−5.1074935588	1.37868912	−3.704601341
	X2	−7.5586894898	1.28084124	−5.901347685
	X3	−9.5194610061	1.31803181	−7.222481964

TABLE 43
RESULTS AT 4300 Hz
4300 Hz
	Value	Std.Error	t.value
Insertion Effect
	X1	−7.390373789	1.65707945	−4.45987897
	X2	−19.182103586	1.53947374	−12.46016937
	X3	−21.767082631	1.58417398	−13.74033587
Occlusion Effect
	X1	−4.8960648158	1.30757620	−3.744382017
	X2	−6.7790754700	1.21477533	−5.580517913
	X3	−8.7460200811	1.25004761	−6.996549598

TABLE 44
RESULTS AT 4400 Hz
4400 Hz
	Value	Std.Error	t.value
Insertion Effect
	X1	−7.146230694	1.63780680	−4.36329284
	X2	−19.243600045	1.52156891	−12.64720903
	X3	−21.178776976	1.56574926	−13.52628895
Occlusion Effect
	X1	−4.87065603	1.25303258	−3.88709449
	X2	−6.06657954	1.16410275	−5.21137805
	X3	−8.16174608	1.19790370	−6.81335742

TABLE 45
RESULTS AT 4500 Hz
4500 Hz
	Value	Std.Error	t.value
Insertion Effect
	X1	−6.847453349	1.63031020	−4.20009231
	X2	−19.340813305	1.51460436	−12.76954819
	X3	−20.581624580	1.55858249	−13.20534829
Occlusion Effect
	X1	−4.952060307	1.20193410	−4.12007640
	X2	−5.516111259	1.11663082	−4.93995971
	X3	−7.888428986	1.14905337	−6.86515456

TABLE 46
RESULTS AT 4600 Hz
4600 Hz
	Value	Std.Error	t.value
Insertion Effect
	X1	−6.536781665	1.63166742	−4.00619732
	X2	−19.370563786	1.51586525	−12.77855257
	X3	−19.946411210	1.55987999	−12.78714471
Occlusion Effect
	X1	−4.583931130	1.20319291	−3.80980565
	X2	−4.866591929	1.11780029	−4.35372220
	X3	−7.363325177	1.15025680	−6.40146201

TABLE 47
RESULTS AT 4700 Hz
4700 Hz
	Value	Std.Error	t.value
Insertion Effect
	X1	−6.247439739	1.64057349	−3.80808282
	X2	−19.485709545	1.52413924	−12.78473056
	X3	−19.320813101	1.56839423	−12.31884990
Occlusion Effect
	X1	−4.277111412	1.20635740	−3.54547616
	X2	−4.319781388	1.12074019	−3.85440034
	X3	−6.818258071	1.15328207	−5.91204726

TABLE 48
RESULTS AT 4800 Hz
4800 Hz
	Value	Std.Error	t.value
Insertion Effect
	X1	−5.9496237669	1.65009622	−3.605622326
	X2	−19.3341460166	1.53298612	−12.612081555
	X3	−18.6504311493	1.57749799	−11.822792342
Occlusion Effect
	X1	−3.63533451	1.19702245	−3.03698108
	X2	−3.68529686	1.11206776	−3.31391396
	X3	−6.10429061	1.14435781	−5.33424995

TABLE 49
RESULTS AT 4900 Hz
4900 Hz
	Value	Std.Error	t.value
Insertion Effect
	X1	−5.69900795	1.67201132	−3.40847449
	X2	−19.09922740	1.55334588	−12.29554066
	X3	−18.04055946	1.59844891	−11.28629094
Occlusion Effect
	X1	−3.007209843	1.15216066	−2.61006121
	X2	−3.037454396	1.07038989	−2.83770842
	X3	−5.416608544	1.10146978	−4.91761883

TABLE 50
RESULTS AT 5000 Hz
5000 Hz
	Value	Std.Error	t.value
Insertion Effect
	X1	−5.42096921	1.69550964	−3.19725060
	X2	−18.70751384	1.57517648	−11.87645583
	X3	−17.36767314	1.62091338	−10.71474474
Occlusion Effect
	X1	−2.649642968	1.11875070	−2.36839447
	X2	−2.583699149	1.03935109	−2.48587718
	X3	−4.726811994	1.06952974	−4.41952366

TABLE 51
RESULTS AT 5100 Hz
5100 Hz
	Value	Std.Error	t.value
Insertion Effect
	X1	−5.12838471	1.72005712	−2.98152000
	X2	−18.18322864	1.59798178	−11.37887104
	X3	−16.68033428	1.64438087	−10.14383871
Occlusion Effect
	X1	−2.350640296	1.06203444	−2.21333717
	X2	−2.222199512	0.98666007	−2.25224428
	X3	−4.297318170	1.01530879	−4.23252337

TABLE 52
RESULTS AT 5200 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	5200 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−4.846893396	1.73104035	−2.79998868
	X2	−17.483734536	1.60818552	−10.87171496
	X3	−15.991399029	1.65488088	−9.66317230
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.863905114	1.02038103	−1.82667559
	X2	−1.588450835	0.94796287	−1.67564667
	X3	−3.737920520	0.97548797	−3.83184685

TABLE 53
RESULTS AT 5300 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	5300 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−4.635811384	1.74762530	−2.65263463
	X2	−16.806580187	1.62359340	−10.35147110
	X3	−15.434734844	1.67073615	−9.23828390
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.55178690	0.94658159	−1.6393588
	X2	−1.11156094	0.87940111	−1.2639977
	X3	−3.32312975	0.90493544	−3.6722285

TABLE 54
RESULTS AT 5400 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	5400 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−4.296048437	1.76786473	−2.430077577
	X2	−16.007405575	1.64239640	−9.746371538
	X3	−14.827069029	1.69008511	−8.772971794
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.357632686	0.92688227	−1.46473044
	X2	−1.085022430	0.86109989	−1.26004247
	X3	−3.141020167	0.88610283	−3.54475809

TABLE 55
RESULTS AT 5500 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	5500 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−4.040537444	1.7891974	−2.258296111
	X2	−15.177478550	1.6622150	−9.130875559
	X3	−14.401720605	1.7104792	−8.419699405
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.172678260	0.90954444	−1.28930287
	X2	−1.124977061	0.84499255	−1.33134554
	X3	−3.053792404	0.86952779	−3.51201241

TABLE 56
RESULTS AT 5600 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	5600 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−3.842925160	1.8254446	−2.10519960
	X2	−14.418027712	1.6958897	−8.50174849
	X3	−14.202779253	1.7451316	−8.13851454
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−0.949080983	0.92183414	−1.02955721
	X2	−0.951847054	0.85641002	−1.11143848
	X3	−2.755459070	0.88127679	−3.12666701

TABLE 57
RESULTS AT 5700 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	5700 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−3.696893582	1.8553649	−1.99254262
	X2	−13.570943809	1.7236865	−7.87320879
	X3	−14.186977436	1.7737356	−7.99836104
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−0.981408120	0.94246447	−1.04132108
	X2	−1.137744866	0.87557619	−1.29942417
	X3	−2.818453141	0.90099947	−3.12814075

TABLE 58
RESULTS AT 5800 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	5800 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−3.485335327	1.9118784	−1.82299003
	X2	−12.900093591	1.7761892	−7.26279241
	X3	−14.302358724	1.8277627	−7.82506305
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.43215721	0.99833534	−1.4345452
	X2	−1.30174219	0.92748180	−1.4035232
	X3	−3.03832890	0.95441221	−3.1834556

TABLE 59
RESULTS AT 5900 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	5900 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−3.470882999	1.9551480	−1.77525331
	X2	−12.237829059	1.8163879	−6.73745358
	X3	−14.656469432	1.8691286	−7.84133809
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.570601603	1.01546928	−1.54667564
	X2	−1.143278073	0.94339973	−1.21187026
	X3	−3.089089793	0.97079233	−3.18202946

TABLE 60
RESULTS AT 6000 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	6000 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−3.505504506	1.9935030	−1.75846459
	X2	−11.643669192	1.8520208	−6.28700782
	X3	−15.008307749	1.9057962	−7.87508551
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.4782767934	1.03060693	−1.43437498
	X2	−0.9518932129	0.95746303	−0.99418273
	X3	−2.8687898427	0.98526398	−2.91169667

TABLE 61
RESULTS AT 6100 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	6100 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−3.527926580	2.0085812	−1.75642715
	X2	−11.026150510	1.8660288	−5.90888537
	X3	−15.238089915	1.9202110	−7.93563327
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.581128817	1.06615246	−1.48302319
	X2	−0.690258914	0.99048583	−0.69688924
	X3	−2.842076531	1.01924563	−2.78841179

TABLE 62
RESULTS AT 6200 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	6200 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−3.541042894	2.0249469	−1.748709011
	X2	−10.499983894	1.8812330	−5.581437152
	X3	−15.602866439	1.9358566	−8.059928816
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.560048975	1.10174868	−1.41597535
	X2	−0.553851718	1.02355573	−0.54110558
	X3	−2.615469069	1.05327575	−2.48317600

TABLE 63
RESULTS AT 6300 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	6300 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−3.64729645	2.0274164	−1.79898731
	X2	−9.92894474	1.8835273	−5.27146316
	X3	−15.85389666	1.9382175	−8.17962727
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.38042349	1.09173705	−1.26442854
	X2	−0.37261352	1.01425464	−0.36737669
	X3	−2.33816761	1.04370459	−2.24025804

TABLE 64
RESULTS AT 6400 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	6400 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−3.72431243	2.0226028	−1.84134638
	X2	−9.47118863	1.8790553	−5.04039902
	X3	−16.11724147	1.9336157	−8.33528692
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.391813985	1.05689378	−1.31689107
	X2	−0.267321456	0.98188426	−0.27225353
	X3	−2.187831043	1.01039430	−2.16532401

TABLE 65
RESULTS AT 6500 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	6500 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−3.713274489	2.0281956	−1.83082665
	X2	−9.044965698	1.8842511	−4.80029737
	X3	−16.426047721	1.9389623	−8.47156616
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.731417523	1.01416531	−1.707234029
	X2	−0.548784418	0.94218829	−0.582457266
	X3	−2.528227998	0.96954572	−2.607641843

TABLE 66
RESULTS AT 6600 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	6600 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−3.766690641	2.0267967	−1.85844519
	X2	−8.678056381	1.8829516	−4.60875176
	X3	−16.764044366	1.9376251	−8.65185156
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.98956391	0.95040501	−2.09338533
	X2	−1.10722139	0.88295317	−1.25399786
	X3	−2.75192688	0.90859065	−3.02878627

TABLE 67
RESULTS AT 6700 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	6700 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−4.014308937	2.0434736	−1.96445358
	X2	−8.397504120	1.8984448	−4.42335962
	X3	−17.021841498	1.9535682	−8.71320587
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−2.407488315	0.94010973	−2.5608588
	X2	−1.341366154	0.87338857	−1.5358183
	X3	−2.928638691	0.89874832	−3.2585749

TABLE 68
RESULTS AT 6800 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	6800 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−4.354917941	2.0694860	−2.10434760
	X2	−8.141998692	1.9226111	−4.23486507
	X3	−17.378004698	1.9784362	−8.78370757
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−2.500115515	0.98440958	−2.5397107
	X2	−1.447595547	0.91454438	−1.5828598
	X3	−2.996861320	0.94109914	−3.1844268

TABLE 69
RESULTS AT 6900 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	6900 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−4.748185680	2.1060634	−2.25453122
	X2	−7.861928357	1.9565925	−4.01817352
	X3	−17.572263041	2.0134043	−8.72763772
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−2.943078973	1.02579595	−2.8690686
	X2	−1.751442140	0.95299349	−1.8378322
	X3	−3.203777402	0.98066466	−3.2669449

TABLE 70
RESULTS AT 7000 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
7000 Hz
Insertion
Effect
X1	−5.36964885	2.1060878	−2.54958453
X2	−7.62145160	1.9566152	−3.89522250
X3	−17.63774396	2.0134276	−8.76005873
Occlusion
Effect
X1	−3.0958671835	1.09618801	−2.824211866
X2	−1.6347488389	1.01838971	−1.605229143
X3	−3.0436625264	1.04795973	−2.904369750

TABLE 71
RESULTS AT 7100 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	7100 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−5.979052985	2.1484033	−2.78302176
	X2	−7.409193538	1.9959275	−3.71215570
	X3	−17.930145965	2.0538813	−8.72988412
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−2.93400085	1.12940070	−2.59783871
	X2	−1.35279652	1.04924523	−1.28930442
	X3	−2.84600351	1.07971117	−2.63589335

TABLE 72
RESULTS AT 7200 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	7200 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−6.53523989	2.1790642	−2.9991039
	X2	−7.29180932	2.0244124	−3.6019388
	X3	−18.20102578	2.0831933	−8.7370797
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−2.854334671	1.13785077	−2.50853165
	X2	−1.261150721	1.05709559	−1.19303375
	X3	−2.983604193	1.08778948	−2.74281399

TABLE 73
RESULTS AT 7300 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	7300 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−6.75636148	2.2050562	−3.06403143
	X2	−7.08463282	2.0485597	−3.45834830
	X3	−18.28648048	2.1080417	−8.67462921
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−2.82929369	1.10910247	−2.55097593
	X2	−1.27314769	1.03038760	−1.23560075
	X3	−3.10192981	1.06030599	−2.92550437

TABLE 74
RESULTS AT 7400 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	7400 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−6.83076637	2.2407210	−3.04846800
	X2	−6.91081533	2.0816933	−3.31980476
	X3	−18.37488422	2.1421375	−8.57782685
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−2.49001160	1.07112286	−2.3246741
	X2	−1.25209393	0.99510347	−1.2582550
	X3	−2.88266037	1.02399735	−2.8151053

TABLE 75
RESULTS AT 7500 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	7500 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−6.665475332	2.2928263	−2.90709996
	X2	−6.678922730	2.1301006	−3.13549639
	X3	−18.482033551	2.1919503	−8.43177578
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−2.14003047	1.05586865	−2.0267961
	X2	−1.06587090	0.98093188	−1.0865901
	X3	−2.78648541	1.00941427	−2.7604973

TABLE 76
RESULTS AT 7600 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	7600 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−6.453321221	2.3169883	−2.785219570
	X2	−6.517903336	2.1525478	−3.027994735
	X3	−18.428207086	2.2150493	−8.319547271
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.81049894	1.05228996	−1.7205324
	X2	−0.71468545	0.97760718	−0.7310558
	X3	−2.58402589	1.00599303	−2.5686320

TABLE 77
RESULTS AT 7700 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	7700 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−6.176510870	2.3478779	−2.63067809
	X2	−6.290253935	2.1812450	−2.88379060
	X3	−18.283821601	2.2445798	−8.14576596
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.48510082	1.07347198	−1.3834556
	X2	−0.55147183	0.99728587	−0.5529727
	X3	−2.27496805	1.02624312	−2.2167925

TABLE 78
RESULTS AT 7800 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	7800 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−6.06108309	2.3716242	−2.55566757
	X2	−6.19084626	2.2033061	−2.80979857
	X3	−18.21570774	2.2672814	−8.03416280
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.413226227	1.09382747	−1.29200104
	X2	−0.491633275	1.01619670	−0.48379736
	X3	−2.147169312	1.04570304	−2.05332607

TABLE 79
RESULTS AT 7900 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	7900 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−6.01019067	2.3741523	−2.53151017
	X2	−6.17081726	2.2056547	−2.79772587
	X3	−18.20382232	2.2696982	−8.02037121
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−1.116427464	1.12532100	−0.99209689
	X2	−0.075233199	1.04545509	−0.07196215
	X3	−2.042620033	1.07581097	−1.89867931

TABLE 80
RESULTS AT 8000 Hz
	Value	Std. Error	t. value
	8000 Hz
	Insertion
	Effect
	X1	−5.994943790	2.3595836	−2.540678681
	X2	−6.231208076	2.1921200	−2.842548786
	X3	−18.251784219	2.2557705	−8.091152906
	Occlusion
	Effect
	X1	−0.919289912	1.11313021	−0.82586018
	X2	0.150751742	1.03412949	0.14577647
	X3	−1.869693540	1.06415653	−1.75697229

While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.

Claims

1. A hearing aid, comprising: a receiver positioned within the ear canal of a user, the receiver generating no more than about three decibels of insertion loss over human ear audible frequencies.

2. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the receiver generates no more than about two decibels of insertion loss over human ear audible frequencies.

3. The hearing aid according to claim 2, wherein the receiver generates no more than about one decibel of insertion loss over human ear audible frequencies.

4. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the receiver generates no more than about three decibels of insertion loss over audible frequencies between about 2200 Hertz and about 5300 Hertz.

5. The hearing aid according to claim 4, wherein the receiver generates no more than about three decibels of insertion loss over audible frequencies between about 3000 Hertz and about 5000 Hertz.

6. The hearing aid according to claim 5, wherein the receiver generates no more than about three decibels of insertion loss over audible frequencies between about 3500 Hertz and about 4500 Hertz.

7. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is positioned within the bony and/or cartilaginous region of the ear canal of the user.

8. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the receiver has a maximum lateral dimension that is less than half the maximum lateral dimension of a user's ear canal.

9. The hearing aid according to claim 8, wherein the receiver has a maximum lateral dimension that is less than thirty percent of the maximum lateral dimension of a user's ear canal.

10. The hearing aid according to claim 9, wherein the receiver has a maximum lateral dimension that is less than twenty percent of the maximum lateral dimension of a user's ear canal.

11. The hearing aid according to claim 10, wherein the receiver has a maximum lateral dimension that is less than ten percent of the maximum lateral dimension of a user's ear canal.

12. The hearing aid according to claim 11, wherein the receiver has a maximum lateral dimension that is less than five percent of the maximum lateral dimension of a user's ear canal.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. The hearing aid according to claim 1, further comprising a sound processing unit; and an intermediate connecting portion, wherein a retaining wire extends from at least one of the intermediate connecting portion and the receiver, and further wherein the retaining wire is configured to engage at least a portion of the concha of a user's ear.

20. (canceled)

21. The hearing aid according to claim 19, wherein the retaining wire is configured such that the receiver has a maximum insertion depth into an ear canal.

22. The hearing aid according to claim 19, wherein the retaining wire is configured such that the receiver does not substantially contact any portion of an ear canal when inserted within the ear canal.

23. The hearing aid according to claim 19, wherein the retaining wire stabilizes the receiver in the ear canal.

24. The hearing aid according to claim 19, wherein the retaining wire prevents any movement of the receiver in the ear canal.

25. (canceled)

26. The hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a speaker, at least partially enclosed within a casing having first and second end portions, the first end portion communicating with an intermediate connecting portion, the speaker communicating with a port provided at the second end portion of the casing.

27. The hearing aid according to claim 26, wherein the port is at least partially sealed to debris by a membrane or mesh material.

28. The hearing aid according to claim 27, wherein the casing is sealed to debris at the first end portion and along a length of the casing extending from the first end portion to the port.

29. The hearing aid according to claim 26, wherein the port includes a removable cerumen collector.

30. A hearing aid, comprising: a receiver, configured to be positioned within the bony and/or cartilaginous region of a user's ear canal, the receiver dimensioned so as to minimize insertion loss upon positioning of the receiver within the bony and/or cartilaginous region.

31. The hearing aid according to claim 30, wherein the receiver generates no more than about three decibels of insertion loss over human ear audible frequencies between about 2200 Hertz and about 5300 Hertz.

32. The hearing aid according to claim 30, wherein the receiver has a maximum lateral dimension that is less than twenty percent of the maximum lateral dimension of a user's ear canal.

33. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

35. The hearing aid according to claim 30, further comprising a sound processing unit; and an intermediate connecting portion including at least two electrical conducting components provided within the intermediate connecting portion, wherein the at least two electrical conducting components are provided within at least two channels at least partially isolated from one another.

36. A hearing aid, comprising: a receiver, configured to be positioned within a user's ear canal, the receiver having a maximum lateral dimension that is less than thirty percent of the maximum lateral dimension of a user's ear canal.

37. The hearing aid according to claim 36, wherein the receiver has a maximum lateral dimension that is less than twenty percent of the maximum lateral dimension of a user's ear canal.

38. The hearing aid according to claim 36, wherein the receiver has a maximum lateral dimension that is less than ten percent of the maximum lateral dimension of a user's ear canal.

39. A hearing aid, comprising: a receiver; a sound processing unit; and an intermediate connecting portion, wherein a retaining wire extends from at least one of the intermediate connecting portion and the receiver, and further wherein the retaining wire is configured to engage at least a portion of the concha of a user's ear.

40. A hearing aid, comprising: a receiver; a sound processing unit; and an intermediate connecting portion, wherein the intermediate connecting portion comprises an electrical conducting component and a stiffening wire, provided on at least a portion of the intermediate connecting portion.

41. A hearing aid, comprising: a receiver; a sound processing unit; and an intermediate connecting portion, including at least two electrical conducting components provided within the intermediate connecting portion, wherein the at least two electrical conducting components are provided within at least two channels at least partially isolated from one another.