Abstract:
An ergonomically designed tool for detachably mounting an earpiece dome having a receiver and an acoustic air tube/wire to a variety of open ear hearing aids includes using a cylindrically shaped body having a length configured to be held with the fingers of a relaxed free floating hand for inserting and properly seating the dome into an ear canal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    (1) Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a hearing aid and more specifically to an earpiece insertion device for self use while inserting the earpiece. 
         [0003]    (2) Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Hearing aids of the type used to assist a person having impaired hearing to perceive sound properly have improved greatly since their inception, so much so, that they are no longer cumbersome to carry and today are readily accepted as a hi-tech device that is easy and almost unnoticeable to wear. Both moderate and advanced technologies mean that hearing aids can now be programmed with a computer for various listening situations. Both advanced technologies may offer multiple channels and multiple microphones. Both advanced technologies allow the audiologist to shape the hearing aid&#39;s responses to various listening situations and gives the user more control over the hearing instrument. One type, specifically an open ear type of hearing aid that uses a receiver for directing and amplifying the sound via an air tube/wire to an ear-piece that is inserted into the auditory canal is the type of hearing aid to which this invention particularly relates to. 
         [0005]      FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  are perspective views of a conventional open ear hearing apparatus of the prior art, illustrating several viewpoint positions of an earpiece dome  102  with receiver unit  103  attached at the proximal end of a air tube/wire  104 . The earpiece dome diameters are available in 6 mm, 8 mm and 10 mm sizes.  FIG. 1   a  illustrates a conforming behind the ear microphone module  101  proximally connected to a top of ear formed air tube/wire section  107  wherein the distal end section of the air tube/wire  104  connects to receiver unit  103  and earpiece dome  102 .  FIG. 1   b  illustrates a partial side and frontal view of the earpiece dome  102  with receiver unit  103  connected to the end section of the air tube/wire  104 .  FIG. 1   c  illustrates the back-side of microphone module  101  showing a clip-on microphone cover  106  securing batteries in battery compartment  105  also again showing the top of ear formed air tube/wire section  107  with the distal end section of the air tube/wire  104  connected to receiver unit  103  and earpiece dome  102 . The insertion length of the air tube/wire  104  connected to the power pack and dome/receiver unit permits the correct depth insertion of the dome/receiver unit in to the ear canal. The insertion length is fashioned by an Audiolagist while fitting and forming the tip of ear air tube/wire section  107 . 
         [0006]    A principle disadvantage of existing hearing aids, of the type just referred to is that the receiver unit must be properly inserted and seated in the auditory canal. Due to its small size, proper seating of the dome-receiver unit is very difficult to manipulate using only the feel of fingertips. Moreover, the delicate wire or air tube connected to the receiver unit may be damaged during insertion. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Hearing aid technology has come far, however, even the most advanced hearing aids cannot bring the speaker&#39;s voice closer to the listener&#39;s ear. In order to accomplish that, open ear hearing instruments with assistive listening devices must be used in addition to hearing aids, since the loudness of the speaker&#39;s voice decreases with distance. This is true for the hearing aid user, and the non-hearing user alike. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, counseling an individual about the advantages of a hearing instrument that includes a strong telecoil that picks up signals from various magnetic sources should be a factor of any hearing aid evaluation and fitting process. Moreover, to ensure the finest hearing with a hearing instrument, proper seating of the dome receiver unit is essential. The present invention assists in properly seating the dome receiver unit into the auditory canal. The fashioned length of the wire or tube connected to the power pack and dome/receiver unit permits the correct depth insertion of the dome/receiver unit into the ear canal 
         [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to improve the methodology for inserting a dome receiver portion of a hearing aid into the auditory canal. 
         [0010]    It is still another object of the present invention to prevent damage to the insubstantial air tube or wire thereon connecting the dome receiver portion of the hearing aid. to the clip-on microphone 
         [0011]    It is yet another object of the present invention to eliminate the use of a person&#39;s fingertips for insertion of the dome receiver portion thereby improving the human factor by allowing the user more degrees of freedom for properly inserting the dome receiver into the auditory canal. 
         [0012]    The foregoing, together with other objects features and advantages of this invention, can be better appreciated with reference to the following specification, claims, and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  are perspective viewpoints of a conventional open ear hearing aid of the prior art. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2   a , illustrates a perspective view of the insertion tool of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2   b  illustrates a planar top view of the insertion tool of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a rendering showing the actual application of the insertion tool of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0017]    As described earlier,  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c  illustrate a conventional open ear hearing aid showing various viewpoints of a dome and receiver unit to which this invention relates. The earpiece dome diameters at present are in 6, 8 and 10 mm sizes.  FIG. 1   a  shows a behind the ear microphone module proximally connected to a top of ear formed air tube/wire section wherein the distal end section of air tube/wire connects with receiver unit and earpiece dome.  FIG. 1   b  illustrates a partial side and frontal view of the earpiece dome with receiver unit connected to the air tube.  FIG. 3  shows the backside of microphone module showing a clip-on microphone cover securing batteries in battery compartment. 
         [0018]    Referring to the drawings and especially  FIG. 2   a  thereof, an earpiece insertion tool  20  is a human engineered component that is designed to be complementary for inserting the ear-piece dome  102 , shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   c , to a proper depth into the auditory canal. The earpiece insertion tool operates as an extension for the fingers and can accommodate a plurality of dome sizes and shapes. It is made using an ABS plastic. Referring also to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  3 , illustrating how the insertion tool  20  is used. The tool  20  has a receiving slot  24 , having a proper length, to receive by interposing the air tube/wire  104  within the receiving slot  24 . A lead-in channel  29  having an angle of about 34° helps guide the tube into the opened bore  28  (best illustrated in the top view of  FIG. 2   b ). The bottom of the dome receiver  103  is placed and uprightedly supported by conical surface  21  of tool  20 . The proper length of the air tube/wire  104 , specified by a fitting Audioligist, permits the correct insertion depth of the dome/receiver unit into the ear canal. 
         [0019]    To accommodate the presently available 6, 8 and 10 mm earpiece domes, two earpiece tool sizes are offered having similar embodiments. A first tool is provided for the 6 mm dome having dimensions that are labeled “21, 26, 27 and 28 that are adjusted to correspond with the smaller, 6 mm dome. A second insertion tool is provided for both the 8 and 10 mm domes. The labeled dimensions “21, 26, 27, and 28 are similarly adjusted to correspond with the larger, 8 and 10 mm domes. However, the design is not limited to the present dome sizes and is easily adaptable for a plurality of sizes and shapes. The tools are made using a plastic comprising acrylonitrile butodiene (ABS) acrylonitrile styrene (AS) or styrene acrylonitrile (SAN). 
         [0020]    In summary, a hand held insertion tool for holding an open ear hearing aid dome is disclosed. The hearing aid dome has an attached receiving unit and flexible tube. The insertion tool includes a cylindrically shaped body having a length configured to be held with the fingers of a relaxed free floating hand. The body comprises a top flanged portion with a concave conical surface and a centered bore extending downward. A lead-in channel is formed starting at the top flanged periphery extending downward below the flanged surface while inwardly converging and conjoining with the bore. The bore and lead-in channel has a depth to accommodate a length portion of the flexible tube without crimping the flexible tube. The receiving tube is inwardly guided by the lead-in channel and urged into the open bore segment, thereafter the receiving tube is pulled downward until the bottom of the dome in cradled and supported by the concave top surface. 
         [0021]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.