Abstract:
A hearing aid insertion tool assists a user in the insertion and removal of hearing aids into and from an ear. The tool includes a handle, a thumb pad, and a spring clip. The spring clip is adapted to releasably clamp an ear-piece portion of a hearing aid, such that a user can utilize the tool to subsequently guide the ear-piece into their ear. Once the ear-piece is in place, the user can squeeze the spring clip to release the tool from the hearing aid. The tool is provided in a short-handled embodiment which provides a smaller overall construction adapted for travel and a long-handled embodiment for use at home or by users with diminished strength or dexterity.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Nov. 17, 2010, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to hearing aid retaining tools, and in particular, to a handled tool for releasably grasping hearing aids for insertion into and removal from the ear or ear canal of a user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hearing aids are used by a large number of people to help restore their hearing to a suitable level. Whether the hearing loss was caused by an accident, excessive loud noise, old age, a genetic abnormality, or the like, the hearing aid allows these people to overcome their disability and become a fully functioning member of society. Current hearing aid technology often utilizes a discreet transducer that is used in the ear canal along with a larger component that is mounted behind the ear. However, as the technology improves and components become smaller, it becomes more difficult for such items to be properly placed. Those who are elderly, disabled, or suffering from reduced dexterity often find it difficult to hold such small items, much less place them properly. 
     Typically a user must attempt to insert the hearing aid with the fingers. Unfortunately, this method is often difficult and frustrating. As an alternative, some users resort to usage of tweezers which are not suited to control delicate hearing aids. Accordingly, there remains a need for a device that addresses these problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has therefore recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a means by which hearing aid transducers can be more easily installed and removed from the ear canal in view of difficulties described. In accordance with the invention, it is an object of the present embodiments to solve at least one of these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing a hearing aid insertion tool that provides the ability to insert and remove hearing aid transducers in a manner which is quick, easy and effective. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing a handled hearing aid insertion tool having a lower jaw including a lower grip end and a lower actuating end opposite the lower grip end. An upper jaw is hingedly attached to the lower jaw by a pivot pin for providing pivoting movement of the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw. The upper jaw includes an upper grip end and an upper actuating end opposite the upper grip end. A spring is disposed about the pivot pin hand has opposing ends in contact with the lower actuating end and the upper actuating end. A cylindrical handle having a rubberized exterior is affixed to the lower actuating end. A thumb pad having a rectangular body and a flat top surface for supporting a thumb of a user&#39;s hand is affixed to the upper grip end. The opposing ends of the spring apply a spring force upon the lower actuating end and the upper actuating end for biasing the lower grip end and the upper grip end in a closed position. Application of a compression force upon the handle and the thumb pad moves the lower grip end and the upper grip end into an open position. A hearing aid is removably retainable between the lower grip end and the upper grip end for insertion into and removal from an ear or ear canal. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, a storage pouch is provided including a pouch body having an open top which defines an inner space adapted to retain at least one (1) tool. A flap is affixed to an edge of the open top for covering the inner space. A flap retainer is provided having opposing ends affixed to sides of the pouch body and laterally extending across an upper portion of the pouch body. An end of the flap is retained between an exterior of the pouch body and an interior of the flap when covering the inner space. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a handled hearing aid insertion tool, according to a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a close-up environmental view of the handled hearing aid insertion tool, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a section view of the handled hearing aid insertion tool taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 2   a , according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a close-up view of the handled hearing aid insertion tool, according to an alternate embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a section view of the handled hearing aid insertion tool taken along section line B-B of  FIG. 3   a , according to an alternate embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a storage pouch for the handled hearing aid insertion tool, according to the preferred and alternate embodiments. 
       
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                   20 
                   short handled hearing aid insertion tool 
                 
                 
                   22 
                   first lower jaw 
                 
                 
                   24 
                   upper jaw 
                 
                 
                   26 
                   pivot pin 
                 
                 
                   28 
                   serrated edge 
                 
                 
                   30 
                   spring 
                 
                 
                   40 
                   short handle 
                 
                 
                   50 
                   thumb pad 
                 
                 
                   80 
                   long handled hearing aid insertion tool 
                 
                 
                   82 
                   long handle 
                 
                 
                   86 
                   second lower jaw 
                 
                 
                   100 
                   user 
                 
                 
                   110 
                   hearing aid 
                 
                 
                   115 
                   ear/ear canal 
                 
                 
                   120 
                   storage pouch 
                 
                 
                   122 
                   body 
                 
                 
                   124 
                   inner space 
                 
                 
                   126 
                   flap 
                 
                 
                   128 
                   flap retainer 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a ,  2   b  and  4 , and in terms of an alternate embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , depicting a handled hearing aid insertion tool (herein described as a “device”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure describes a device  10  which assists in insertion and removal of hearing aid devices  110  into and from the ear/ear canal  115 . The device  20  is especially useful when used to manipulate hearing aids  110  such as in-the-ear types (ITE) and in-the-canal types (ITC). 
       FIGS. 1 and 2   a  show an environmental view and a close-up view of the device  10  in terms of the preferred embodiment, a short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20 . The short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20  is depicted having a short handle and a spring-loaded clip assembly. The clip assembly is approximately two (2) inches in length and includes a first lower jaw  22  and an upper jaw  24  which are similar in construction and function as an “alligator clip”. The upper jaw  24  is hingedly attached at a generally central location to the first lower jaw  22 . The forward ends of the first lower jaw  22  and the upper jaw  24  are biased in a closed position by a spring. The spring is disposed between opposing inner surfaces of the jaws  22 ,  24  about the hinge, such that the front ends are in contact with one (1) another. 
     A short handle  40  is affixed to an end of the first lower jaw  22 . A thumb pad  50  is affixed to an end of the upper jaw  24  and provides a gripping surface for holding the device  20  to facilitate easy orientation and leverage of the hearing aid  110  during the insertion and removal. The short handle  40  is permanently molded and rearwardly extends from the first lower jaw  22 . The short handle  40  has a cylindrical body approximately between one-half (½) and one (1) inch long and is preferably made of molded rubber or hard plastic to provide secure gripping. The thumb rest  50  is a molded rubber or plastic appendage having a generally rectangular shape and a flat top surface to provide added stability when using the fingers to hold the short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20 . The use of the short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20  allows an index finger and a thumb of the same hand to press the short handle  40  and a thumb pad  50  together simultaneously to open the jaws  22 ,  24 . 
     The short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20  is particularly useful when compact storage is required or space is limited, such as during traveling or when at a non-permanent location. The short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20  is transported and stored within a storage pouch  120  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
       FIG. 2   b  shows a section view of the short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20  taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 2   a . The jaws  22 ,  24  are in mechanical communication with each other at an intermediately located and laterally connected pivot pin  26  which provides for axial mounting of the jaws  22 ,  24  to the internal torsion spring  30 . The spring  30  applies a force to rear portions of each jaw  22 ,  24 , thereby holding the jaws  22 ,  24  closed and under the spring force when the thumb pad  50  and short handle  40  are released. The forwardly extending portion of each jaw  22 ,  24  each include an inwardly-facing serrated edge  28  to provide a positive grip upon the earpiece portion of the hearing aid  110  (see  FIG. 2   a ). 
       FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show a close-up view and section view of the device  10  in terms of an alternate embodiment, a long handled hearing aid insertion tool  80 . The of the device in terms of the preferred embodiment  80  includes substantially similar construction and function as the short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20 ; however, the long handled hearing aid insertion tool  80  includes a long handle  82  and an elongated and rearwardly extending second lower jaw  86 . The long handled hearing aid insertion tool  80  is approximately three (3) to four (4) inches in length and is especially useful at home and other permanent locations and especially convenient for users  100  having reduced hand strength or dexterity. The long handle  82  provides an increased gripping surface for use of a plurality of fingers. 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a storage pouch  120 . Both the short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20  and the long handled hearing aid insertion tool  80  can be protectively stored within the storage pouch  120 . The storage pouch  120  provides a way to transport and protect both embodiments  20 ,  80  as well as provides ample inner space  124  for associated hearing aid supplies such as, but not limited to: batteries, cleaning tools, wipes, lubricant, and the like. The storage pouch  120  includes an elliptically-shaped body  122  with an open top, a flap  126 , and a flap retainer  128 . The body  122 , the flap  126 , and the flap retainer  128  are made of a flexible textile material such as vinyl, leather, or the like and are provided in various colors and patterns. The flap retainer  128  is a strip of material which extends laterally across a front surface of the body  122  having opposing ends that are anchored to the body  122 . In use, the flap  126  is downwardly inserted into the flap retainer  128  to form an enclosure around the included embodiments  20 ,  80 . 
     It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles and configurations of the invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only two (2) particular configurations have be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the invention, the preferred and alternate embodiments can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it is installed and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
     The method of utilizing a short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20  can be achieved by performing a series of steps including, but not limited to the following steps. Procuring a pouch  120  with at least one (1) short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20  stored inside. Opening the flap  126  of the pouch  120  and removing the short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20 . Positioning index finger and thumb of the user&#39;s  100  hand upon respective short handle  40  and thumb pad  50  and squeezing the short handle  40  and thumb pad  50  together to open the forward ends of the jaws  22 ,  24 . Inserting a rearward portion of the earpiece of the hearing aid  110  between the jaws  22 ,  24  using a free hand, such that the inserted portion of the hearing aid  110  extends forwardly from the jaws  22 ,  24 . Releasing the short handle  40  and thumb pad  50  to secure the hearing aid  110  between the jaws  22 ,  24 . Holding the short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20  and directing the earpiece portion of the hearing aid  110  into the ear/ear canal  115  and releasing the earpiece portion of the hearing aid  110  within the ear/ear canal  115  of the user  100  by squeezing the short handle  40  and thumb pad  50  together to open the jaws  22 ,  24 . Retracting the short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20  from the ear/ear canal  115  and benefiting from having an improved grip and control of a hearing aid  110  during insertion into one&#39;s  100  ear/ear canal  115 . 
     In an event that two (2) hearing aids  110  are inserted, the above procedure can be repeated, as the short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20  can be utilized for a left or right ear/ear canal  115  of the user  100  with equal benefit. 
     The procedure described above can be reversed to remove the ear piece portion of the hearing aid  110  or the hearing aid  110  can also be removed by utilizing a pull tab portion of the hearing aid  110 , if so equipped, or by pulling the wire or sound tube portions, if so equipped. 
     The method of utilizing the alternate long handled hearing aid insertion tool  80  of the device  10  can be achieved by performing a series of steps substantially similar to those described for the short handled hearing aid insertion tool  20 . However, the long handled hearing aid insertion tool  80  provides improved gripping capability by allowing grasping of the long handled hearing aid insertion tool  80  using a plurality of fingers due to the length of the long handle  82 , thereby being especially useful when utilized at permanent locations such as home, or when utilized by users  100  having reduced strength or dexterity. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.