Patent ID: 6940988
Filing Date: 2005-09-06
Classification: H04R

Abstract:
1. A semi-permanent hearing device configured to be inserted entirely within a wearer's ear canal past the canal aperture for long-term use therein, the device comprising: a sealing retainer configured to be seated in a bony portion of the ear canal along the longitudinal axis and in direct contact with walls of the ear canal when the device is fully inserted within the canal, the sealing retainer being conformable to the shape of the canal; a receiver assembly configured to mate with the sealing retainer for positioning in a bony portion of the canal, the receiver assembly including a receiver for supplying acoustic signals processed by the device to a tympanic membrane of the wearer; a microphone assembly separate from the microphone assembly and including a microphone configured to receive incoming acoustic signals for processing by the device, thereby overcoming the need for a unitary enclosure which typically encloses the battery and microphone components, the microphone assembly sized to be substantially non-occluding of a single cartilaginous portion of the canal; a flexible connector for providing a direct electrical and mechanical connection to flexibly coupling the receiver assembly and the microphone assembly, the connector configured to flexibly support the microphone assembly in the cartilaginous portion of the canal so as to have minimal contact with the canal walls and allow freedom of movement of the microphone assembly across a cross section of the ear canal in response to an applied force; and a battery assembly coupled to at least one of the flexible connector, the receiver assembly and the microphone assembly, the battery assembly including a battery for powering the device.