Patent ID: 7664282
Filing Date: 2010-02-16
Classification: H04R

Abstract:
1. A seal for retaining an extended wear hearing device within the ear canal, the seal comprising: a curved shell having an opening at an apex portion of the shell, the shell defining a cavity in an axial direction for retention of a hearing device component, at least a portion of the shell comprising a resilient material having sound attenuating properties; wherein an exterior surface of the shell is smooth and an interior surface of a shell wall has a plurality of scallops formed therein with axially aligned spaces therebetween configured to distribute compressive forces applied to a shell perimeter such that when the shell is positioned in the ear canal, the compressive forces can compress the scallops so that the shell wall conforms to the shape of the ear canal to maintain an acoustical seal between an exterior surface of the shell and the walls of the ear canal, wherein the shell is configured such that a spring force exerted by the shell on the walls of the ear canal does not to exceed a capillary venous return pressure of a canal epithelial layer.