Patent ID: 9031274
Filing Date: 2015-05-12
Classification: H04R

Abstract:
1. A system for transmitting vibrations from an externally mounted hearing aid to a users skull, the system comprising: an external component surface, and a self-adhesive anchor for reversibly securing said external component surface to a surface of the user that overlays a mastoid region; wherein in use said external component surface and said self-adhesive anchor connected to the mastoid region generates a normal force distribution, said normal force distribution having an outer region with a force direction that is away from the mastoid region and a central region with a force direction that is toward the mastoid region, said central region providing sufficient contact force between the external component surface and the mastoid region to reliably transmit vibration from the external hearing aid to the mastoid region wherein the self-adhesive anchor comprises a retainer pad having a top surface and a bottom surface, a top adhesive layer for connecting the retainer pad to the external component surface, and a bottom adhesive layer for connecting the retainer pad to the mastoid region; wherein the self-adhesive anchor has a physical property selected from one or more of a thickness selected from a range that is greater than or equal to 0.1 mm and less than or equal to 5 mm, and a net bending stiffness that that provides an outer end deflection value selected from a range of 0.08″ to 0.25″ under an applied load of about 0.8 lbf to 2.5 lbf to the outer end, and further wherein the applied load is generated by the bottom adhesive layer connected to a curved surface that correspondingly curves the retainer pad.