Patent ID: 7424123
Filing Date: 2008-09-09
Classification: H04R

Abstract:
1. A tubular insert for insertion into an ear canal of a wearer, said tubular insert comprising: a radially flexible, substantially axially rigid sound conduction tube constructed and adapted for removable connection to a receiver section of a main module of a canal hearing device when said main module is at least partially inserted into the ear canal and for comfortable and consistent insertion into and removal from the ear canal, for delivering sound to the tympanic membrane when said tubular insert is worn in the ear canal; a first concentric acoustic seal projecting radially from said sound conduction tube to flexibly engage the wall of the bony part of the ear canal in a sealing manner and form a first confined space between said first concentric acoustic seal and the tympanic membrane when said tubular insert is worn in the ear canal, said first concentric acoustic seal having a relatively small pressure vent extending therethrough; and a second concentric acoustic seal on said sound conduction tube or on the receiver section to engage the wall of the cartilaginous part of the ear canal in a sealing manner and form a second confined space between said first concentric acoustic seal and said second concentric acoustic seal, said second concentric acoustic seal having a relatively larger occlusion-relief vent extending therethrough and providing an attenuation of sound at frequencies between 125 Hz and 4000 Hz; wherein, when said tubular insert is worn in the ear canal, said pressure vent of said first concentric acoustic seal and occlusion relief vent of said second concentric acoustic seal provide substantial acoustic sealing for sound delivered in said first space, while directing occlusion sounds away from the tympanic membrane, and wherein the first and second concentric acoustic seals are spaced apart on the sound conduction tube so that the second seal is in the cartilaginous part of the ear canal when the first seal is positioned in the bony part of the ear canal.