Patent ID: 7694418
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: B33Y,H04R,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for computer controlled production of a hearing aid housing with a face plate having engaging means for receiving and holding a hearing aid component, and a shell that is matched to the auditory canal of a user, comprising the steps of: acquiring data representing the shape of the auditory canal, forming a three-dimensional model of the shell in a computer based on the data, selecting a junction contour encircling the shell for positioning of a junction between the hearing aid shell and the face plate, including the junction contour in a face plate model, and transferring data representing the contour to a numerically controlled machine that automatically cuts a separately manufactured face plate along a contour that matches the junction contour, producing the shell based on the model utilizing a rapid prototyping technique, polishing the shell, assembling the shell and the respective face plate, and inserting the component wherein the face plate comprises positioning means for engaging with corresponding positioning means of the shell so that the circumference of the face plate matches the junction contour of the shell when the face plate positioning means engage with the shell positioning means.