US4520236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sound transfer from a hearing aid to the human ear drum
Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Inc
•
Filing: 1983-11-30
•
Granted: 1985-05-28
•
Expires: 2003-11-30
Abstract
Abstract An improved in-the-ear hearing aid. The earmold is divided into two separate chambers defined by a divider wall. A first chamber has an opening adjacent the outer ear and the second chamber has an opening adjacent the ear drum. A microphone is positioned adjacent the first chamber opening. An amplifier and a battery for its power source are located within the first chamber. A receiver with a sound emitting aperture is located within the second chamber. The sound emitting aperture is directed toward the divider wall. The receiver is completely surrounded by an acoustic resistance material which separates the receiver from the walls of the chamber. The microphone, amplifier, battery and receiver are electrically interconnected for supplying to the receiver amplified microphone signals. The combination of the dimensions of the chamber and the acoustic material provide a horn effect to the receiver produced sound. The opening of the second chamber may be covered with a removable grill.
Inventors
- 👤 Edouard A. Gauthier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:03
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/45; H04R25/456; H04R2225/00; H04R2225/025; H04R25/60; H04R25/604
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
An improved miniaturized hearing aid comprising: An earmold adapted to be fitted into the ear channel, said earmold having two separated chambers, a first chamber with an opening to the exterior of the ear and a second chamber with an opening adjacent the ear drum, said chambers are separated by a divider wall; a microphone positioned adjacent said opening in said first chamber; a receiver having a good emitting aperture positioned within said second chamber with said sound emitting aperture directed toward said divider wall; an amplifier means positioned within said first chamber and interconnected between said microphone and said receiver means for supplying to said receiver amplified microphone signals; a battery for powering said amplifier means; and isolation means surrounding said receiver means including said sound emitting aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
An improved miniaturized hearing aid comprising: An earmold adapted to be fitted into the ear channel, said earmold having two separated chambers, a first chamber with an opening to the exterior of the ear and a second chamber with an opening adjacent the ear drum, said chambers are separated by a divider wall; a microphone positioned adjacent said opening in said first chamber; a receiver having a good emitting aperture positioned within said second chamber with said sound emitting aperture directed toward said divider wall; an amplifier means positioned within said first chamber and interconnected between said microphone and said receiver means for supplying to said receiver amplified microphone signals; a battery for powering said amplifier means; and isolation means surrounding said receiver means including said sound emitting aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein the interconnection means between said amplifier means and said receiver passes through apertures in said divider wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said second chamber provides a horn effect for the sound emitted from said receiver aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, additionally comprises a removable grill member positioned across said opening in said second chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 5, wherein said removable grill means includes a disposable cloth member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said isolation material is foam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The invention as defined in claim 6, wherein said foam is polyurethane-polyester.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said isolation means functions as an acoustic resistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
An improved receiver for a miniaturized hearing aid comprising: a partially enclosed chamber open to the ear drum along one surface thereof; a receiver having a good emitting aperture positioned within said chamber with said sound emitting aperture directed to the wall of said chamber opposite said surface adjacent said ear drum; and isolation means surrounding the entire receiver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
An improved receiver for a miniaturized hearing aid comprising: a partially enclosed chamber open to the ear drum along one surface thereof; a receiver having a good emitting aperture positioned within said chamber with said sound emitting aperture directed to the wall of said chamber opposite said surface adjacent said ear drum; and isolation means surrounding the entire receiver.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention as defined in claim 9, wherein said receiver is interconnected to the output of said miniaturized hearing aid through a wall of said chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 9, wherein said enclosed chamber provides a horn effect for the sound emitted from said receiver aperture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 9, additionally comprising a removable grill member positioned across the chamber opening adjacent said ear drum.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 12, wherein said grill member includes a disposable cloth member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as defined in claim 9, wherein said isolation material is foam.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 14, wherein said foam is constructed of polyurethane-polyester.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 9, wherein said isolation means functions as an acoustic resistor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE1071892B
Cited
US3209082A
Cited
US3408461A
Cited
DE1270616B
Cited
US3890474A
Cited
JPS5237421A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-05-27 | 1988-11-26 | 1989-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-27 | 1992-11-26 | 1993-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-27 | 1996-11-26 | 1997-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |