Abstract:
Detachable shells on hearing system components are used to provide protection to the hearing system components, to be visually pleasing, to provide visibility and to increase system attachment stability, among other functions. The detachable shells allow the overall shape and appearance of the components to be changed, thereby complementing a variety of activities that constitute a hearing system user&#39;s unique lifestyle.

Description:
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/435,407, filed Dec. 20, 2002, which application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to hearing aid and cochlear implant systems and, more particularly, to coverings for the external components of such systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Users of hearing aid and cochlear implant systems (hearing systems) have limited options to alter the appearance or function of external components for these systems. The only currently available options for altering the appearance or function of external components such as behind-the-ear sound or speech processors and headpieces are to change the color of the external components by replacing specific plastic parts of the processor or headpiece or by applying a decal to the outer surface of the processor or headpiece. Although desirable, replacing specific plastic parts is inconvenient for users. Often, users who desire to replace specific plastic parts of a processor or headpiece with a different color must request the specific color before the piece is manufactured. Then, after the new piece is manufactured and sent to the user, the original piece, which is not easily removable, can only be replaced using a tool. Even when the piece is successfully replaced, the user has only succeeded in replacing the color of the processor and has not significantly modified the overall aesthetic appearance, dimensions, shape, or function of the external components. Further, replacing plastic parts that protect the electronic circuitry of a processor can expose delicate and expensive electronic circuitry to damage. 
     “My days are all different, and no hour is quite like another.” Helen Keller, “Dreams that Come True”, as published in  Personality , December 1927. The life of each user of a hearing system represents a unique blend of cultural, social, educational, and physical activity. This variety of activity requires a unique blend of aesthetic and functional characteristics of hearing system external components to match each user&#39;s lifestyle. Unfortunately, as mentioned above, users of hearing systems currently lack the ability to significantly, conveniently, and safely alter the external appearance and function of hearing system components. Therefore, a need exists for a system that permits users of hearings systems to significantly, conveniently, and safely alter the appearance and function of hearing system components. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a protective, interchangeable shell capable of covering a variety of separate hearing system components. The shell serves to both enhance the aesthetic appearance and protect the delicate nature of each hearing system component, thereby permitting each hearing system user to modify the user&#39;s hearing components to meet the demands of the user&#39;s unique lifestyle. 
     The shell adds protection. Because the shell is attached to the outer surface of the plastic component covering, it is unnecessary to remove the plastic component covering and expose delicate and expensive electronic circuitry to damage in order to change the overall color or appearance of the component. Further, an embodiment of the shell covers and protects controls that can be inadvertently changed by younger users or by active users during aggressive activity where there is no protective covering or shell on the component. The protective shell also shields the valuable component upon impact if the component falls off the user or is hit or jostled during activity. Often, hearing system users sweat during physical activity or otherwise expose their components to moisture. The protective shell serves as an added barrier that absorbs moisture or prevents moisture from penetrating the components&#39; original casings and damaging electronic circuitry that is encased within the component&#39;s original casings. 
     The shell provides convenient interchangeability. The shell is conveniently and interchangeably attached to the outer surface of a Behind-the-Ear (BTE) processor, a hearing aid, a headpiece, or other hearing system component through a variety of different magnetic or mechanical attachment means, such as a simple clip-on or snap-on arrangement. 
     The shell improves appearance. In one embodiment, the shell is made of a disposable material so that by replacing shells, the component can maintain an overall clean and new appearance. Further, a variety of different shapes, sizes, and color schemes may be applied to the shell in a manner that makes the hearing systems more aesthetically pleasing. 
     The shell adds stability. The shell includes additional structure that extends around the ear or other body part to which the component attaches in order to increase the component&#39;s ability to adhere to the body. The shell can also include materials with unique characteristics that increase the shell&#39;s adherence to a user&#39;s body. This additional structure or unique material secures the component to the user better than the component could be secured alone and thus protects the component from falling off the body of a user or from unwanted movement or jostling of the component. 
     All of the above mentioned and other benefits of the present invention permit a hearing system user to live life unfettered by concerns of protection, usability, and appearance that previously limited the user&#39;s freedom and hampered the user&#39;s unique lifestyle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a shell system wherein a shell is attached to a headpiece and a shell is attached to a Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Unit; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a second embodiment of a shell system wherein a shell is attached to a headpiece and a shell is attached to a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a third embodiment of a shell system wherein a shell is attached to a headpiece and a shell is attached to a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a shell that attaches to a headpiece; 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view of the fourth embodiment of the shell of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the shell of  FIG. 4A  taken along lines  4 B- 4 B of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a fifth embodiment of a shell attached to a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a sixth embodiment of a shell attached to a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a seventh embodiment of a shell attached to a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of an eighth embodiment of a shell attached to a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of a ninth embodiment of a shell attached to a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of a tenth embodiment of a shell attached to a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of an eleventh embodiment of a shell attached to a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of a twelfth embodiment of a shell attached to a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of a thirteenth embodiment of a shell attached to a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of a fourteenth embodiment of a shell attached to a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of a fifteenth embodiment of a shell attached to a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of a sixteenth embodiment of a shell attached to a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 17  is a front view of a seventeenth embodiment of a shell attached to both a headpiece and a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 18  is a front view of an eighteenth embodiment of a shell attached to a BTE Unit; 
         FIG. 19  is a top diagonal view of a nineteenth embodiment of a shell attached to a BTE Unit; and 
         FIG. 20  is a front view of a twentieth embodiment of a shell attached to a BTE Unit. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a shell system wherein a headpiece shell  100  is attached to a headpiece and a shell  110  is attached to a Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Unit. Both headpiece shell  100  and shell  110  attach to external components (a headpiece and a BTE Unit) of hearing systems. Alternate embodiments of the present invention may attach to other hearing systems housing internal electronic circuitry, such as a hearing aid for amplifying ambient sounds. 
     Headpiece shell  100  attaches to the exterior of the headpiece and can be made of a sturdy, yet lightweight material such as plastic, rubber, or metal. The strong material of headpiece shell  100  provides added support and protection for the electronic circuitry of the headpiece from damage caused by impact or moisture. The interior of headpiece shell  100  may be formed to fit along the contours of the outside of the headpiece. A small ferrous disk may be attached to the inside of headpiece shell  100  allowing the magnetic force of the magnet inside of the headpiece to hold headpiece shell  100  onto the headpiece. Alternatively, a clip-on or snap-on attachment or any other attachment means could be used to attach shell  100  to the headpiece. 
     Because a simple magnetic or simple mechanical attachment means attaches headpiece shell  100  to the headpiece, no tool is required to remove and replace headpiece shell  100 . Therefore, a headpiece user could easily remove and replace headpiece shell  100  with any other compatible shell to change the protective features, functions, shape, size, design, and/or overall color of the headpiece. In other words, easy interchangeability of headpiece shell  100  permits users to quickly and safely change the overall appearance and function of the BTE Unit to complement the user&#39;s current activity. 
     In another embodiment, headpiece shell  100  forms both the outside shell and the outer casing of the headpiece. In this embodiment, headpiece shell  100  is not as interchangeable as the previous embodiment, yet headpiece shell  100  still offers protection to the electronic circuitry of the headpiece and may be replaced using a tool. 
     Shell  110  may be constructed of stiff and durable materials such as plastic, hard rubber, or metal. The strong material of shell  110  provides added support and protection for the electronic circuitry of the BTE Unit from damage caused by impact or moisture. Portions of shell  110  may also be constructed of more flexible or soft materials such as soft plastic or rubber. Preferably, the portions of shell  110  that come into contact with a user&#39;s skin are covered with or made of a material that is comfortable against the skin. A material such as fabric or foam or other material with similar qualities may be used to maintain a comfortable feel against the user&#39;s skin in moist environments, such as when a user sweats. 
     The interior surface of shell  110  may be molded or formed to fit snugly along the contours of the back surface of a BTE Unit and may be attached to a BTE Unit through a simple mechanical attachment. For example, in one embodiment, shell  110  may be attached to the BTE Unit by sliding shell  110  onto the BTE Unit until buttons on the inside of shell  110  snap into place with corresponding holes on the BTE Unit. Easy interchangeability of shell  110  permits users to quickly and safely change the overall appearance and function of the BTE Unit to complement the user&#39;s current activity. 
     Shell  110  should be narrow enough to permit a user to place the tips of a pair of glasses around the pinna and next to shell  110  without feeling crowded. Further, an embodiment of shell  110  may be molded to accommodate the tips of a pair of sunglasses in a groove on an exterior surface of the shell. Further still, another embodiment of shell  110  may be molded to permit the tips of a pair of sunglasses to engage with shell  110  by snapping into a groove shaped to fit snugly with the tips. 
     Shell  110  covers controls on the surface of the BTE Unit in a manner that the controls cannot be manipulated when shell  110  is on the BTE Unit. This prevents unwanted manipulation of the controls while shell  110  is on the BTE Unit. An alternate embodiment of shell  110  includes an opening in the shell to allow a user to manipulate the controls of the BTE Unit. Yet another alternate embodiment of shell  110  includes corresponding control buttons and wheels in the shell to allow a user to manipulate the BTE controls through the buttons and wheels of the shell. 
     Shell  110  includes appendages that extend from the body of shell  110 . These appendages may be an elongated nose  120  and an elongated tail  130  that wrap around the pinna of the ear. Nose  120  and tail  130  add stability to the BTE Unit on the ear and prevent the BTE Unit from falling off, moving, or jostling during aggressive activity. The weight of the battery at the bottom of the BTE Unit generates force when turning the head rapidly in either direction. This is the primary reason why the BTE Unit falls off when a user is engaged in sports. Securing the weight along the bottom of the ear reduces the centrifugal force that increases as the battery swings further from the ear. 
     Nose  120  and tail  130  may be constructed of a pre-molded plastic that may be formed to fit the shape of different sized ears. Alternatively, nose  120  and tail  130  may be constructed of bendable material with a bendable wire (preferably 1 mm in diameter) running through the center of nose  120  and tail  130  (see  FIG. 5 , wire  520 ) so that a user may bend and shape nose  120  and tail  130  to fit the user&#39;s unique ear shape. The bendable material is preferably a cast urethane or an injection molded thermoplastic elastomer. 
     Both headpiece shell  100  and shell  110  are attached to the outer surface of their respective components. Thus, by using headpiece shell  100  and shell  110 , a user need not remove and replace the outer covering of the components themselves, thereby exposing the delicate and expensive electronic circuitry to damage in order to change the appearance or function of the outer covering. In essence, headpiece shell  100  and shell  110  are attachable and detachable to their respective external components of hearing systems without deconstructing or opening the external component to thereby expose internal electronic circuitry contained within the external components. 
     Headpiece shell  100  and shell  110  and related embodiments are not limited to fit only with BTE Units and headpieces, but may be adapted to fit any hearing system component and other consumer electronics devices small enough to be placed behind the ear such as radios, MP3 players, pagers, two-way radios and communication devices, miniature cell phones, and other after-arising technologies. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of a second embodiment of a shell system wherein a headpiece shell  200  may be attached to a headpiece and a shell  210  may be attached to a BTE Unit. Shell  210  includes a control wheel  220  that corresponds with a volume or other control of the BTE Unit, thus allowing a user to control the volume or other parameter of the BTE Unit with the shell  210  attached to the BTE Unit. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of a third embodiment of a shell system wherein a headpiece shell  300  may be attached to a headpiece and a shell  310  may be attached to a BTE Unit. Shell  310  includes an opening  320  that permits a user to access a control wheel or button on the BTE Unit, thus permitting the user to control at least one function of the BTE Unit with the shell  310  attached to the BTE Unit. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a shell  400  that attaches to a headpiece. Shell  400  may be a thin and flexible plastic membrane that may be thermally formed to fit the outside of the headpiece. The edge of shell  400  defines a hole or arch  410  that fits around a cable exiting the headpiece.  FIG. 4A  is a top view of shell  400 .  FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of shell  400  taken along lines  4 B- 4 B of  FIG. 4A . A small and thin ferrous disk  420 , preferably constructed of nickel plated steel or any other conductive metal, may be attached to the inside of shell  400 . Disk  420  may be glued to the underside of shell  400 , molded into shell  400 , slid into a pocket on the underside of shell  400 , or attached by any other similar means. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of a shell  500  attached to a BTE Unit. Shell  500  differs from shell  110  ( FIG. 1 ) in that shell  500  lacks nose  120 . Further, shell  500  presents an added element of a boot  510  that attaches to the bottom, inside corner of the BTE Unit in order to strengthen the secure fit between shell  500  and the BTE Unit. All other corresponding elements, advantages, and alternate embodiments of shell  110  are a part of the design of shell  500 . 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of a shell  600  attached to a BTE Unit. Shell  600  differs from shell  500  ( FIG. 5 ) in that shell  600  presents an added element of a sleeve  610  that strengthens the secure fit between the top portion of shell  600  and the ear hook of the BTE Unit. All other corresponding elements, advantages, and alternate embodiments of shell  500  are a part of the design of shell  600 . 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of a seventh embodiment of a shell  700  attached to a BTE Unit. The embodiment of  FIG. 7  is an alternate embodiment of shell  600  ( FIG. 6 ). All corresponding elements, advantages, and alternate embodiments of shell  600  are a part of the design of the shell  700  of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 8  is a front view of a shell  800  attached to a BTE Unit. Rather than a tail portion shown in earlier figures, the body of shell  800  includes an appendage that forms a complete ring  810  that wraps around the circumference of the ear. Like the appendages described elsewhere in this disclosure, ring  810  helps stabilize the shell  800  around the ear of a user. All other corresponding elements, advantages, and alternate embodiments of shell  600  are a part of the design of shell  800 . 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of a ninth embodiment of a shell  900  attached to a BTE Unit. The embodiment of  FIG. 9  is an alternate embodiment of shell  500  ( FIG. 5 ). All corresponding elements, advantages, and alternate embodiments of shell  500  are a part of the design of the shell  900  of  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of a shell  1000  attached to a BTE Unit. Shell  1000  differs from shell  110  in that shell  1000  lacks a nose  120  ( FIG. 1 ), and a tail  1010  is not connected to a body  1020  of shell  1000  but may be rather connected directly to the base of the BTE Unit by means of a simple mechanical connection such as a snap-on or threaded arrangement. Both tail  1010  and body  1020  are attached to the BTE Unit in a manner similar to shell  110 . Like the appendages described elsewhere in this disclosure, tail  1010 , which is an appendage of the BTE Unit, helps stabilize the shell  1000  and BTE Unit on the ear of a user. All other corresponding elements, advantages, and alternate embodiments of shell  110  are a part of the design of shell  1000 . 
       FIG. 11  is a front view of a shell system  1100  attached to a BTE Unit. Shell system  1100  includes a body  1110  without nose or tail portions and with an elongated ear hook  1120 . Elongated earhook  1120  is an appendage to the BTE Unit that may be attached by removing a normal earhook and screwing, clipping, snapping, or otherwise attaching elongated earhook  1120  to the main portion of the BTE Unit. Like the appendages described elsewhere in this disclosure, elongated earhook  1120  adds stability to the BTE Unit when worn by a user. Other than these differences noted, shell  1100  includes all other corresponding elements, advantages, and alternate embodiments of shell  110 . 
       FIG. 12  is a front view of a shell  1200  attached to a BTE Unit. Shell  1200  includes a base  1210 ; a hoop tail  1220  that attaches to or extends from the base of the BTE Unit and may additionally or alternately attach to or extend from base  1210 ; and a separate and attachable earhook extension  1230  that slides, clips, snaps, or otherwise attaches onto the end of the BTE earhook. Like the appendages described elsewhere in this disclosure, earhook extension  1230  is an appendage to the BTE Unit that helps stabilize the BTE Unit on the ear of a user. Other than these differences noted, shell  1200  includes all other corresponding elements, advantages, and alternate embodiments of shell  110 . 
       FIG. 13  is a front view of a thirteenth embodiment of a shell  1300  attached to a BTE Unit. The shell  1300  of  FIG. 13  is an alternate embodiment of shell  1000  ( FIG. 10 ) and includes all corresponding elements, advantages, and alternate embodiments of shell  1000 . 
       FIG. 14  is a front view of a shell  1400  attached to a BTE Unit. Shell  1400  includes a body  1410 , but lacks a nose or tail as shown in  FIG. 1 . All other corresponding elements, advantages, and alternate embodiments of shell  110  are a part of the design of shell  1400 . 
       FIG. 15  is a front view of a fifteenth embodiment of a shell  1500  attached to a BTE Unit. The embodiment of  FIG. 15  is an alternate embodiment of shell  500  ( FIG. 5 ). All corresponding elements, advantages, and alternate embodiments of shell  500  are a part of the design of the shell  1500  of  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 16  is a front view of a sixteenth embodiment of a shell  1600  attached to a BTE Unit. The embodiment of  FIG. 16  is an alternate embodiment of shell  500  ( FIG. 5 ). All corresponding elements, advantages, and alternate embodiments of shell  500  are a part of the design of the shell  1600  of  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 17  is a front view of a shell  1700  attached to both a headpiece  1710  and a BTE Unit  1720 . Shell  1700  is a head band or sweat band that simultaneously secures and protects both the BTE Unit  1720  and the headpiece  1710 . Shell  1700  secures the BTE Unit  1720  and the headpiece  1710  by fitting snugly over the top of them. Alternately, shell  1700  includes pockets into which the top portion of the BTE Unit  1720  and the entire headpiece  1710  may be inserted. Each pocket is shaped to fit its corresponding component. 
       FIG. 18  is a front view of a shell  1800  attached to a BTE Unit. Shell  1800  includes a neckband  1810  portion combined with the features of this invention. Like other appendages described in this disclosure, neckband  1810  is an appendage to shell  1800  that increases the stability of the BTE Unit and thereby serves to prevent the BTE Unit from falling off a user&#39;s head. Shell  1800  lacks a tail and a nose but otherwise includes all other elements, advantages, and alternate embodiments of shell  110 . 
       FIG. 19  is a top diagonal view of a shell  1900  attached to a BTE 
     Unit. Shell  1900  is substantially similar to shell  1800  ( FIG. 18 ) but adds a tail  1910  and a nose  1920  at each end of shell  1900 . 
       FIG. 20  is a front view of a shell  2000  attached to a BTE Unit. Shell  2000  is designed for children and is constructed of plastic, rubber, foam, elastic fabric, or a similar material that is preferably lightweight. Plastic, rubber, foam, and thick fabric can help protect the component from scratch, moisture, or other substantial damage that is likely to occur with a young hearing system user. Shell  2000  shows a frog  2010  attached to the back portion of the BTE Unit. Alternate embodiments can include other animals, characters, or designs in different shapes, sizes, colors, and locations relative to the BTE Unit. For example, an alternate embodiment of shell  2000  includes a foam sock that slides onto the bottom portion of the BTE Unit and covers most of the BTE Unit body. Another embodiment of shell  2000  includes a sock formed of elastic fabric that slides onto the BTE Unit in a similar manner. Other embodiments of shell  2000  include foam or elastic fabric socks that cover headpieces or other hearing system components. Shell  2000  and its related embodiments can be made of disposable materials that are quickly and easily replaced in order to maintain a clean overall appearance of the hearing system components. 
     In summary, the present invention provides detachable shells to attach to components of a hearing system. The hearing system may be a cochlear implant system having both a behind-the-ear (BTE) external component which also includes a headpiece that is electrically connected by an electrical cord to the BTE. In the cochlear implant system, there may be a first detachable/attachable shell that covers at least part of the exterior surface of the BTE and a second, detachable/attachable headpiece shell that covers at least part of the headpiece. Alternatively, the hearing system may be a hearing aid, that amplifies ambient sounds, which hearing aid can be a behind-the-ear (BTE) device and which can be covered by a shell. Such a BTE hearing aid device, however, does not have a headpiece. 
     In one aspect of the invention, an attachable shell is provided for attaching to an external component of a hearing system, which shell comprises: a body with an interior surface and an exterior surface, which interior surface is formed to fit the outer surface of the external component and wherein the shell is attachable and detachable to the external component without deconstructing or opening the external component to thereby preclude exposure of internal electronic circuitry contained within the external component. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a hearing system is provided comprising: an external component with a housing that covers internal electronic circuitry; and a shell covering at least a part of the external component, which shell has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The shell may be attachable and detachable to the external component without deconstructing or opening the external component housing to thereby preclude exposure of internal electronic circuitry contained within the external component. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, a cochlear implant system is provided comprising: an external, behind-the-ear (BTE) component with a housing that covers internal electronic circuitry; a headpiece electrically connected to the internal electronic circuitry; a first shell covering at least a part of the BTE housing; and a second, headpiece shell covering the headpiece, which headpiece shell is formed to cover at least part of the headpiece. The first shell may be attachable and detachable to the external, BTE component without deconstructing or opening the external BTE component housing to thereby preclude exposure of the internal electronic circuitry contained within the BTE component. In addition, the second, headpiece shell may be attachable and detachable to the headpiece. 
     In various embodiments of the invention, the first shell may include an appendage selected from the group including a nose, a tail, a hoop tail, a neckband, a ring, a nose with bendable wire along its inner diameter, a tail with bendable wire along its inner diameter, and a ring with bendable wire along its inner diameter. 
     The external component may be the housing of a cochlear implant BTE for directly stimulating cochlear nerves or the housing of a hearing aid BTE for amplifying ambient sounds. The external component housing of either type of devices can include an appendage selected from the group including a nose, a tail, a hoop tail, a neckband, a ring, a nose with bendable wire along its inner diameter, a tail with bendable wire along its inner diameter, and a ring with bendable wire along its inner diameter. 
     The exterior surface of the first shell may include a groove shaped to accommodate the tips of a pair of glasses. Further, the exterior surface of the first shell may include at least one tactile control, which at least one control can manipulate at least one corresponding control along the surface of an external component, e.g., the cochlear implant BTE or the hearing aid BTE. 
     While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.