US4962537A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shape adaptable in-the-ear hearing aid
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1988-09-16
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Granted: 1990-10-09
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Expires: 2008-09-16
Abstract
Abstract An in-the-ear hearing aid has a number of electrical and electro-mechanical discrete components embedded in a flexible plastic compound. The combination of the components in the plastic compound can be introduced into the user's ear, or into a negative of an ear impression, for pre-fitting. Due to the flexibility of the plastic compound, the combination can be shaped as needed. The shaped combination is then cast in an otoplastic material which conforms precisely to the shape of the user's ear, and hardens to retain that shape. A rigid shell for holding the components is thus not needed, and therefore the hearing aid is far more adaptable to different shapes of auditory canals than conventional hearing aids.
Inventors
- 👤 Rainer Basel
- 👤 Helmut LeBisch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:13
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/65; H04R25/652; H04R25/656; H04R25/658; H04R25/659; H04R2225/00; H04R2225/025; H04R25/60; H04R25/603; H04R25/609
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A hearing aid to be worn to least partially in the auditory canal of a user, said hearing aid comprising: a plurality of electrical components connected together with flexible electrical lines; a pliable member in which said electrical components and lines are embedded, said pliable member having a size smaller than said auditory canal permitting said components to be roughly positioned to conform to the shape of said auditory canal; said pliable member consisting of first and second joined halves, said first half having a plurality of recesses therein respectively conforming to the shape of said electrical components, and said second half forming a cover for said first half; and a hardened otoplastic material surrounding said pliable member and filling the volume between said pliable member and the wall of said auditory canal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A hearing aid to be worn to least partially in the auditory canal of a user, said hearing aid comprising: a plurality of electrical components connected together with flexible electrical lines; a pliable member in which said electrical components and lines are embedded, said pliable member having a size smaller than said auditory canal permitting said components to be roughly positioned to conform to the shape of said auditory canal; said pliable member consisting of first and second joined halves, said first half having a plurality of recesses therein respectively conforming to the shape of said electrical components, and said second half forming a cover for said first half; and a hardened otoplastic material surrounding said pliable member and filling the volume between said pliable member and the wall of said auditory canal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical components project from said recesses of the first half of said pliable member, and wherein the second half of said pliable member has also a plurality of recesses conforming to the shape of said electrical components.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrical lines are disposed between said recesses in said pliable member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for detachably joining said halves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pliable member is a seamless member in which said components and lines are embedded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pliable member consists of a plastic compound.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A hearing aid as claimed in claim 6, wherein said plastic compound consists of cold-vulcanized silicon rubber having a hardness of Shore A between 30 and 50.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A hearing aid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said otoplastic material includes a curable silicon compound.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-08 | 1994-04-09 | 1994-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-08 | 1998-04-09 | 1998-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-08 | 2002-04-09 | 2002-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |