US3470328A - Hearing aid vent tube - Google Patents

Hearing aid vent tube Download PDF

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US3470328A
US3470328A US531249A US3470328DA US3470328A US 3470328 A US3470328 A US 3470328A US 531249 A US531249 A US 531249A US 3470328D A US3470328D A US 3470328DA US 3470328 A US3470328 A US 3470328A
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tube
cover plate
hearing aid
instrument
sound
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US531249A
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William Lee Daniels
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GOLDENTONE ELECTRONICS Inc
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GOLDENTONE ELECTRONICS Inc
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/48—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using constructional means for obtaining a desired frequency response

Definitions

  • a hearing aid device including a flexible vent tube communicating the auditory canal of the ear with the ambient atmosphere whereby the pressure on either side of the device may be equalized while providing a vent tube that can be cleaned without dismantling the device and which will not increase the acoustical feedback in said device.
  • This invention relates to hearing aids and particularly self-contained electronic hearing aids of the type worn entirely in the ear.
  • One type of hearing aid now in use fits within the concha of the outer ear and extends into a portion of the external auditory canal. This instrument has the advantage over other hearing aids in that it is less conspicuous and less cumbersome and difiicult to clean and operate.
  • the self-contained hearing aid include a flat cover plate whose periphery is shaped to the contour of the concha. All or nearly all the miniaturized electronic components of the amplification system are mounted on the inner face of the cover plate.
  • the cover plate is secured to a housing portion of the device which may be formed to the shape of the concha and auditory canal.
  • the snugly fitting housing portion not only provides an effective seal for the transmission of sound by air conduction but also provides a degree of sound transmission by bone conduction since the housing makes effective contact with the ear bones located adjacent to the auditory canal.
  • the components mounted on the inner face of the cover plate include a microphone, an amplifier, a receiver, a power supply such as a battery, and a sound tube extending from the receiver to the tip of the instrument positioned in the auditory canal.
  • the amplified sound is carried through the sound tube to the tip of the instrument and transmitted to the inner ear.
  • the remaining interior of the instrument may be filled with a sound-absorbing elastomeric material to help improve the acoustical effectiveness of the instrument.
  • One of the primary purposes for designing the device to conform to the contour of the concha and auditory canal is to eliminate, or at least hold to a minimum, the leakage of air into the ear, Air leakage between the skin and surface of the instrument has been found to be a major cause of acoustical feedback and must be eliminated or reduced substantially for efficient sound amplification and wearer comfort.
  • the filter may become obstructed by wax and require cleaning.
  • a further significant advantage of the present invention is that it provides an easy method for removing wax from either the sound tube or the vent tube.
  • a Y-shaped tube is included in the interior of the instrument.
  • One branch of the Y extends from an outlet in the cover plate and the other branch extends from the receiver mounted on the inner face of the cover plate. Both branches meet at the trunk of the Y which then extends to the tip of the instrument in the auditory canal.
  • the Y-shaped tube of the present invention the sound emanating from the receiver is transmitted to the inner ear along the same trunk that serves to equalize the pressure between the ambient atmosphere and the inner ear. If and when the trunk portion of the Y tube becomes clogged with wax, the wearer need simply to poke out the obstruction with a simple prod.
  • Allowing air to pass from outside the instrument into the auditory canal may increase the acoustical feedback. This, however, can be controlled by reducing to a minimum the size of the opening in the cover plate.
  • the cover plate be provided with a threaded opening so that a threaded plug having the desired sized opening therethrough can be threadably received in the cover plate. This design will allow the selection of a uniform tube size since the size of the opening will be controlled by the threaded plug.
  • FIGURE 1 is a cutaway view of a self-contained hearing aid showing the use of the Y-shaped tube.
  • FIGURE 2 is a cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary isometric view of the alternative embodiment shown in FIGURE 2.
  • FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • a hearing aid 10 the outer surface of which is composed of a housing 11 having a tip portion 11,, and a cover plate 12.
  • the cover plate is shaped to the contour of the concha of the outer ear (not shown).
  • the housing 11 and tip portion 11, are shaped to the bowl and auditory canal of the ear.
  • Y tube 17 Shown mounted on the cover plate 12 is microphone 13, battery 14 and receiver 16. Emanating from receiver 16 is an outlet (not shown) to which one branch of Y tube 17 is attached. The other branch of Y tube 17 is received in opening 18 provided through the cover plate 12. The Y tube 17 extends through the housing 11 and terminates at the tip 11 Tip 11 is provided with outlet 19 for the transmission of the amplified sound to the inner ear and to facilitate the equalization of pressure on either side of the instrument 10.
  • the hearing aid 10 is composed of an electroformed metal or plastic housing having a substantially uniform thickness throughout.
  • a housing having a wall thickness of approximately .014" has been found to possess sufficient structural strength to support the various components included therein.
  • the preferred base for the housing is of a copper or nickel. The base may then be electrocoated with gold or other noble metal to resist corrosion.
  • all the miniaturized electronic components be mounted on the cover plate 12 in order to reduce acoustical feedback and to enable the removal and insertion of the cover plate into the housing without crimping or damaging the electrical leads or components.
  • the present invention is equally applicable with those instruments in which all the components are not mounted on the cover plate.
  • FIGURES 2 and 3 Shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
  • the hearing aid 20 has a cover plate 22 on which the microphone 26, amplifier 23, receiver 25 and power supply 24 are mounted.
  • Sound tube 27 is connected at one end to an outlet (not shown) in the receiver 27 and at the other end to the tip 21, of the housing 21.
  • An outlet 29 is provided in the tip 21,,, for the transmission of sound to the inner ear.
  • Vent tube 30 extends through the opening in the cover plate 22.
  • FIGURE 4 is shown a refinement of the subject invention.
  • the cover plate 42 is provided with a threaded opening 44 therethrough said threaded opening 44 having a peripheral flange 45 extending therefrom on the inner face of cover plate 42.
  • a threaded plug 43 having an aperture 51 therethrough, said aperture of a diameter substantially smaller than the opening 44 is threadably received in threaded opening 44.
  • One end of vent tube 50 is shown secured to flange 45. The other end of vent tube '50 extends to the tip of the housing (not shown).
  • venting the instrument increases the acoustical feedback somewhat, it is important that the size of the opening in the cover plate be held to a minimum while still performing its function of equalizing the pressure on either side of the instrument.
  • a vent tube of standard diameter and length can be supplied with the instrument.
  • the threaded opening in the cover plate and the flange thereto can be standardized.
  • the size of the opening 50 in the threaded plug can vary in order to meet the particular needs of the wearer.
  • the receiver is the Knowles Model BC 1520. Because there is a direct acoustical relationship between the frequency response and the length and diameter of the sound tube, a #17 tube, 1.75" in length has been found to provide the proper acoustical response with this particular receiver.
  • the length and diameter of the tube may have to be changed for best results.
  • the length of the tube may require that the sound tube be bent to some degree in order to fit the entire tube into the instrument. It is suggested that the tube be made to travel a tortuous path before terminating at the opening in the tip of the housing. This will also help to reduce acoustical feedback.
  • the sound or vent tube may be of a soft material, such as butyl or vinyl. However, such materials act to partially absorb the emitted sound. Sound absorption can be reduced using metallic tubing while retaining the desired frequency response.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)

Description

Sept. 30, 1969 w. 1.. DANIELS HEARING AID vsmr TUBE Filed March 2, 1966 VE/V TOR ea fim ae Z M #L w A T TOR/V5 75 United States Patent 3,470,328 HEARING AID VENT TUBE William Lee Daniels, Hillsborough, Califl, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Goldentone Electronics, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Mar. 2, 1966, Ser. No. 531,249 Int. Cl. H041 25/00 U.S. Cl. 179-107 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hearing aid device including a flexible vent tube communicating the auditory canal of the ear with the ambient atmosphere whereby the pressure on either side of the device may be equalized while providing a vent tube that can be cleaned without dismantling the device and which will not increase the acoustical feedback in said device.
This invention relates to hearing aids and particularly self-contained electronic hearing aids of the type worn entirely in the ear.
One type of hearing aid now in use fits within the concha of the outer ear and extends into a portion of the external auditory canal. This instrument has the advantage over other hearing aids in that it is less conspicuous and less cumbersome and difiicult to clean and operate.
The self-contained hearing aid include a flat cover plate whose periphery is shaped to the contour of the concha. All or nearly all the miniaturized electronic components of the amplification system are mounted on the inner face of the cover plate. The cover plate is secured to a housing portion of the device which may be formed to the shape of the concha and auditory canal.
The snugly fitting housing portion not only provides an effective seal for the transmission of sound by air conduction but also provides a degree of sound transmission by bone conduction since the housing makes effective contact with the ear bones located adjacent to the auditory canal.
Generally, the components mounted on the inner face of the cover plate include a microphone, an amplifier, a receiver, a power supply such as a battery, and a sound tube extending from the receiver to the tip of the instrument positioned in the auditory canal. The amplified sound is carried through the sound tube to the tip of the instrument and transmitted to the inner ear. The remaining interior of the instrument may be filled with a sound-absorbing elastomeric material to help improve the acoustical effectiveness of the instrument.
One of the primary purposes for designing the device to conform to the contour of the concha and auditory canal is to eliminate, or at least hold to a minimum, the leakage of air into the ear, Air leakage between the skin and surface of the instrument has been found to be a major cause of acoustical feedback and must be eliminated or reduced substantially for efficient sound amplification and wearer comfort.
If, however, the instrument entirely eliminates the passage of air, a pressure differential between the ambient atmosphere and the inner ear may cause discomfort to the wearer and could possibly cause further hearing impairment.
It has also been found that wax build-up at the tip of the instrument can greatly reduce the instruments effectiveness. Previous solutions to this problem have been to either remove the instrument entirely and disassemble it for cleaning or to provide a filter at the tip to prevent the wax from clogging the sound tube. Both solutions have disadvantages. In the former case, the wearer is deprived of the use of the hearing aid and, in the other,
the filter may become obstructed by wax and require cleaning.
It is an important element of the present invention to provide such instruments with an additional outlet on the cover plate in order to allow air to pass to or from the ambient atmosphere through a vent tube in the instrument and from or to the auditory canal to equalize the pressure. A further significant advantage of the present invention is that it provides an easy method for removing wax from either the sound tube or the vent tube.
With the present invention, a Y-shaped tube is included in the interior of the instrument. One branch of the Y extends from an outlet in the cover plate and the other branch extends from the receiver mounted on the inner face of the cover plate. Both branches meet at the trunk of the Y which then extends to the tip of the instrument in the auditory canal. With the Y-shaped tube of the present invention, the sound emanating from the receiver is transmitted to the inner ear along the same trunk that serves to equalize the pressure between the ambient atmosphere and the inner ear. If and when the trunk portion of the Y tube becomes clogged with wax, the wearer need simply to poke out the obstruction with a simple prod.
Allowing air to pass from outside the instrument into the auditory canal may increase the acoustical feedback. This, however, can be controlled by reducing to a minimum the size of the opening in the cover plate.
Since it is economically more efficient to make component of the instrument on a mass production rather than a custom basis, it is another feature of the present invention that the cover plate be provided with a threaded opening so that a threaded plug having the desired sized opening therethrough can be threadably received in the cover plate. This design will allow the selection of a uniform tube size since the size of the opening will be controlled by the threaded plug.
Referring to the drawings:
FIGURE 1 is a cutaway view of a self-contained hearing aid showing the use of the Y-shaped tube.
FIGURE 2 is a cutaway view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary isometric view of the alternative embodiment shown in FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
Referring first to FIGURE 1, there is shown a hearing aid 10, the outer surface of which is composed of a housing 11 having a tip portion 11,, and a cover plate 12.. The cover plate is shaped to the contour of the concha of the outer ear (not shown). The housing 11 and tip portion 11,, are shaped to the bowl and auditory canal of the ear.
Shown mounted on the cover plate 12 is microphone 13, battery 14 and receiver 16. Emanating from receiver 16 is an outlet (not shown) to which one branch of Y tube 17 is attached. The other branch of Y tube 17 is received in opening 18 provided through the cover plate 12. The Y tube 17 extends through the housing 11 and terminates at the tip 11 Tip 11 is provided with outlet 19 for the transmission of the amplified sound to the inner ear and to facilitate the equalization of pressure on either side of the instrument 10.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the hearing aid 10 is composed of an electroformed metal or plastic housing having a substantially uniform thickness throughout. A housing having a wall thickness of approximately .014" has been found to possess sufficient structural strength to support the various components included therein. For the electroformed metal housing, the preferred base for the housing is of a copper or nickel. The base may then be electrocoated with gold or other noble metal to resist corrosion.
Also, in this embodiment, it is preferred that all the miniaturized electronic components be mounted on the cover plate 12 in order to reduce acoustical feedback and to enable the removal and insertion of the cover plate into the housing without crimping or damaging the electrical leads or components. Of course the present invention is equally applicable with those instruments in which all the components are not mounted on the cover plate.
Shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The hearing aid 20 has a cover plate 22 on which the microphone 26, amplifier 23, receiver 25 and power supply 24 are mounted. Sound tube 27 is connected at one end to an outlet (not shown) in the receiver 27 and at the other end to the tip 21, of the housing 21. An outlet 29 is provided in the tip 21,,, for the transmission of sound to the inner ear. Vent tube 30 extends through the opening in the cover plate 22.
In FIGURE 4 is shown a refinement of the subject invention. The cover plate 42 is provided with a threaded opening 44 therethrough said threaded opening 44 having a peripheral flange 45 extending therefrom on the inner face of cover plate 42. A threaded plug 43 having an aperture 51 therethrough, said aperture of a diameter substantially smaller than the opening 44 is threadably received in threaded opening 44. One end of vent tube 50 is shown secured to flange 45. The other end of vent tube '50 extends to the tip of the housing (not shown).
Because venting the instrument increases the acoustical feedback somewhat, it is important that the size of the opening in the cover plate be held to a minimum while still performing its function of equalizing the pressure on either side of the instrument. With the present invention, a vent tube of standard diameter and length can be supplied with the instrument. Likewise, the threaded opening in the cover plate and the flange thereto can be standardized. The size of the opening 50 in the threaded plug can vary in order to meet the particular needs of the wearer.
In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the receiver is the Knowles Model BC 1520. Because there is a direct acoustical relationship between the frequency response and the length and diameter of the sound tube, a #17 tube, 1.75" in length has been found to provide the proper acoustical response with this particular receiver.
Obviously, with other receivers, the length and diameter of the tube may have to be changed for best results. The length of the tube may require that the sound tube be bent to some degree in order to fit the entire tube into the instrument. It is suggested that the tube be made to travel a tortuous path before terminating at the opening in the tip of the housing. This will also help to reduce acoustical feedback.
The sound or vent tube may be of a soft material, such as butyl or vinyl. However, such materials act to partially absorb the emitted sound. Sound absorption can be reduced using metallic tubing while retaining the desired frequency response.
The preceding description has been given for clearness of understanding only, it being understood that obvious modifications can be made while still remaining within the scope of the present invention.
What is claimed is:
1. In a self-contained hearing aid having a cover plate, a housing portion conforming to the concha and auditory canal of the ear for frictional engagement therein, a group of miniaturized components including a receiver, amplifier, microphone and power supply, and a flexible sound tube extending from said receiver to an outlet in the tip of said housing, the improvement comprising a flexible vent tube extending from an opening in said cover plate to said outlet in the tip of the housing, said flexible vent tube and said flexible sound tube joined to form a Y-shaped tube, the trunk of said Y-shaped tube extending to said outlet in the tip of said housing whereby the pressure is equal on either side of said self-contained hearing aid and said flexible vent tube may be cleaned by the insertion of a prod through said opening in the cover plate.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,325,590 8/1943 Carlisle 179-107 2,964,597 12/1960 Christensen 179-107 3,126,977 3/1964 McGee 179-107 3,170,046 2/1965 Leale 179-107 KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Primary Examiner ARTHUR A. McGILL, Assistant Examiner
US531249A 1966-03-02 1966-03-02 Hearing aid vent tube Expired - Lifetime US3470328A (en)

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Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0040259A1 (en) * 1980-04-28 1981-11-25 Qualitone Hearing Aids, Inc. Vented ear tip for hearing aid and adapter coupler therefor
US4476353A (en) * 1981-03-11 1984-10-09 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Hearing aid device to be worn in the ear
US4712245A (en) * 1985-01-24 1987-12-08 Oticon Electronics A/S In-the-ear hearing aid with the outer wall formed by rupturing a two-component chamber
US4800982A (en) * 1987-10-14 1989-01-31 Industrial Research Products, Inc. Cleanable in-the-ear electroacoustic transducer
US4852177A (en) * 1986-08-28 1989-07-25 Sensesonics, Inc. High fidelity earphone and hearing aid
US4867267A (en) * 1987-10-14 1989-09-19 Industrial Research Products, Inc. Hearing aid transducer
US5048092A (en) * 1988-12-12 1991-09-10 Sony Corporation Electroacoustic transducer apparatus
US5535282A (en) * 1994-05-27 1996-07-09 Ermes S.R.L. In-the-ear hearing aid
US6532292B1 (en) * 1999-03-03 2003-03-11 Sony Corporation Method and apparatus to transmit audio into the human ear
US20030059075A1 (en) * 2001-08-27 2003-03-27 Torsten Niederdrank Hearing aid with portion thereof inserted in auditory canal, with auditory canal ventilation
US20040096075A1 (en) * 2000-12-22 2004-05-20 Peer Kuhlmann Acoustic device with means for being sevured in a human ear
US6766031B1 (en) * 1997-04-15 2004-07-20 Widex A/S In-the-ear hearing aid with reduced occlusion effect and a method for the production and user-fitting of such a hearing aid
US20040252854A1 (en) * 1998-05-26 2004-12-16 Softear Technologies, L.L.C. Method of manufacturing a soft hearing aid
US20040258262A1 (en) * 2001-10-17 2004-12-23 Jorgensen Mie O. Hearing aid
US20070223757A1 (en) * 2006-03-21 2007-09-27 Oleg Saltykov Tapered vent for a hearing instrument
US20080063231A1 (en) * 1998-05-26 2008-03-13 Softear Technologies, L.L.C. Method of manufacturing a soft hearing aid
US7606382B2 (en) 2001-08-10 2009-10-20 Hear-Wear Technologies LLC BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor
US20100119094A1 (en) * 2006-01-30 2010-05-13 Songbird Hearing, Inc. Hearing aid
US7784583B1 (en) 2005-04-25 2010-08-31 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force Deep insertion vented earpiece system
US20110096948A1 (en) * 2009-10-23 2011-04-28 Oticon A/S Hearing instrument comprising a divided wax filter
US8094850B2 (en) 2001-08-10 2012-01-10 Hear-Wear Technologies, Llc BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor
US8333260B1 (en) * 2005-04-25 2012-12-18 Hall John A Deep insertion vented earpiece system
USD735169S1 (en) * 2014-06-23 2015-07-28 Martie Shieh Housing of an in-ear earphone
USD901453S1 (en) * 2019-04-10 2020-11-10 Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc. Earphone
USD904348S1 (en) * 2019-04-10 2020-12-08 Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc. Earphone
USD905665S1 (en) * 2017-05-17 2020-12-22 Acous Design Co., Ltd. Earplug

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2325590A (en) * 1940-05-11 1943-08-03 Sonotone Corp Earphone
US2964597A (en) * 1954-12-10 1960-12-13 Rca Corp Loudspeaker magnetic field structure
US3126977A (en) * 1964-03-31 Hearing aid apparatus
US3170046A (en) * 1961-12-05 1965-02-16 Earmaster Inc Hearing aid

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3126977A (en) * 1964-03-31 Hearing aid apparatus
US2325590A (en) * 1940-05-11 1943-08-03 Sonotone Corp Earphone
US2964597A (en) * 1954-12-10 1960-12-13 Rca Corp Loudspeaker magnetic field structure
US3170046A (en) * 1961-12-05 1965-02-16 Earmaster Inc Hearing aid

Cited By (39)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0040259A1 (en) * 1980-04-28 1981-11-25 Qualitone Hearing Aids, Inc. Vented ear tip for hearing aid and adapter coupler therefor
US4375016A (en) * 1980-04-28 1983-02-22 Qualitone Hearing Aids Inc. Vented ear tip for hearing aid and adapter coupler therefore
US4476353A (en) * 1981-03-11 1984-10-09 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Hearing aid device to be worn in the ear
US4712245A (en) * 1985-01-24 1987-12-08 Oticon Electronics A/S In-the-ear hearing aid with the outer wall formed by rupturing a two-component chamber
US4852177A (en) * 1986-08-28 1989-07-25 Sensesonics, Inc. High fidelity earphone and hearing aid
US4800982A (en) * 1987-10-14 1989-01-31 Industrial Research Products, Inc. Cleanable in-the-ear electroacoustic transducer
US4867267A (en) * 1987-10-14 1989-09-19 Industrial Research Products, Inc. Hearing aid transducer
US5048092A (en) * 1988-12-12 1991-09-10 Sony Corporation Electroacoustic transducer apparatus
EP0377074A3 (en) * 1989-01-03 1992-03-25 Knowles Electronics, Inc. Hearing aid transducer
EP0377074A2 (en) * 1989-01-03 1990-07-11 Knowles Electronics, Inc. Hearing aid transducer
US5535282A (en) * 1994-05-27 1996-07-09 Ermes S.R.L. In-the-ear hearing aid
US6766031B1 (en) * 1997-04-15 2004-07-20 Widex A/S In-the-ear hearing aid with reduced occlusion effect and a method for the production and user-fitting of such a hearing aid
US20040252854A1 (en) * 1998-05-26 2004-12-16 Softear Technologies, L.L.C. Method of manufacturing a soft hearing aid
US20080063231A1 (en) * 1998-05-26 2008-03-13 Softear Technologies, L.L.C. Method of manufacturing a soft hearing aid
US7217335B2 (en) * 1998-05-26 2007-05-15 Softear Technologies, L.L.C. Method of manufacturing a soft hearing aid
US6532292B1 (en) * 1999-03-03 2003-03-11 Sony Corporation Method and apparatus to transmit audio into the human ear
US7068803B2 (en) * 2000-12-22 2006-06-27 Nextlink.To A/S Acoustic device with means for being secured in a human ear
US20040096075A1 (en) * 2000-12-22 2004-05-20 Peer Kuhlmann Acoustic device with means for being sevured in a human ear
US7606382B2 (en) 2001-08-10 2009-10-20 Hear-Wear Technologies LLC BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor
US9591393B2 (en) 2001-08-10 2017-03-07 Hear-Wear Technologies, Llc BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor
US8976991B2 (en) 2001-08-10 2015-03-10 Hear-Wear Technologies, Llc BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor
US8094850B2 (en) 2001-08-10 2012-01-10 Hear-Wear Technologies, Llc BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor
US8050437B2 (en) 2001-08-10 2011-11-01 Hear-Wear Technologies, Llc BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor
US20030059075A1 (en) * 2001-08-27 2003-03-27 Torsten Niederdrank Hearing aid with portion thereof inserted in auditory canal, with auditory canal ventilation
US6819770B2 (en) * 2001-08-27 2004-11-16 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Hearing aid with portion thereof inserted in auditory canal, with auditory canal ventilation
US7245732B2 (en) * 2001-10-17 2007-07-17 Oticon A/S Hearing aid
US20040258262A1 (en) * 2001-10-17 2004-12-23 Jorgensen Mie O. Hearing aid
US8333260B1 (en) * 2005-04-25 2012-12-18 Hall John A Deep insertion vented earpiece system
US7784583B1 (en) 2005-04-25 2010-08-31 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force Deep insertion vented earpiece system
US20100119094A1 (en) * 2006-01-30 2010-05-13 Songbird Hearing, Inc. Hearing aid
US8121326B2 (en) * 2006-01-30 2012-02-21 K/S Himpp Hearing aid
US8096383B2 (en) * 2006-03-21 2012-01-17 Siemens Hearing Instruments Inc. Tapered vent for a hearing instrument
US20070223757A1 (en) * 2006-03-21 2007-09-27 Oleg Saltykov Tapered vent for a hearing instrument
US8842864B2 (en) * 2009-10-23 2014-09-23 Oticon A/S Hearing instrument comprising a divided wax filter
US20110096948A1 (en) * 2009-10-23 2011-04-28 Oticon A/S Hearing instrument comprising a divided wax filter
USD735169S1 (en) * 2014-06-23 2015-07-28 Martie Shieh Housing of an in-ear earphone
USD905665S1 (en) * 2017-05-17 2020-12-22 Acous Design Co., Ltd. Earplug
USD901453S1 (en) * 2019-04-10 2020-11-10 Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc. Earphone
USD904348S1 (en) * 2019-04-10 2020-12-08 Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc. Earphone

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