Abstract:
In some embodiments, a receiver tube for use with a hearing aid having a receiver may include a receiver tube that is removably connectable to the hearing aid and removably connectable to the receiver, wherein the receiver tube includes a locking mechanism configured to interface with a mating feature disposed about the receiver such that the receiver tube may be selectively coupled to the receiver; and an ear wax trap comprising a microporous membrane disposed within the receiver tube. The length of the receiver tube may be adjusted by the dispenser or audiologist during the office visit by clipping it accordingly.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/579,426, filed Nov. 12, 2004, which is a national stage application of PCT/US2004/037733 filed Nov. 12, 2004, which claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/519,742, filed Nov. 13, 2003. Each of the aforementioned related patent applications is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an in-the-ear hearing aid comprising an ear wax trap in a receiver tube that stops the moisture damage to hearing aid receivers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Conventional methods of removing earwax (cerumen) from hearing aids are non-efficient and expensive in that, when a hearing aid becomes clogged with earwax and no longer works optimally, neither the wax nor moisture can be removed or trapped by the hearing aid wearer or the hearing aid dispenser. 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0004]    In the prior art, a partial sectional/three dimensional view of a conventional hearing aid  2  is shown in  FIG. 1 . With reference to  FIG. 1 , a conventional hearing aid is constructed in a manner wherein hearing aid receiver  4  and receiver tube  6 , which functions as a sound wave guide, are permanently joined together so as to form a single unit. Receiver tube  6  includes ear insertion end  8  for insertion into the hearing aid wearer&#39;s ear canal. Mesh  10  is lodged within receiver tube  6  to prevent earwax from traveling down tube  6  from insertion end  8  and clogging the acoustic transducer (not shown) within receiver  4 . While a permanently joined receiver  4  and receiver tube  6  helps stabilize receiver tube  6  within the ear canal, such hearing aid construction does not permit the easy removal of ear wax from hearing aid  2 . 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,982,908 discloses a fixed receiver tube which is lined with a removable tube that includes an ear wax trap. The removable tube may be removed as needed from the fixed tube to clean the sound transparent ear wax trap which is a net made of plastic mesh or a re-washable fabric material, after which it may be reinserted into the fixed tube of the hearing aid. The removable tube may be secured to the fixed tube by engaging threaded portions located on the tubes. Alternatively, this patent discloses securing the fixed tube to the removable tube by means of one or more mating cams for engaging cammed shoulders; joining the tubes together with an adhesive; or by employing plastic cammed shoulders and mating cams which can be snapped together and pulled apart. 
         [0006]    Given the miniaturized dimensions of hearing aids, a need exists to have a practical means to couple and decouple a removable tube that comprises an earwax trap capable of the dual function of trapping the earwax and preventing moisture from damaging the acoustic transducer of the hearing aid; especially since the fumbling involved with attempting to join portions of two small tubes together often leads to breakage of the fixed tube; loss of the removable tube; and great difficulty in joining the two tubes together. 
         [0007]    Hearing aids are constructed so that the receiver tube is glued to the hearing aid&#39;s receiver. Approximately eighty percent of manufacturers&#39; hearing aid repairs are due to wax and moisture in the receiver and tubing. This wax and moisture cannot be removed by the hearing aid wearer nor the hearing aid dispenser. While there are wax guard systems, they are inadequate because they do not stop moisture damage to hearing aid receivers. Some of these systems require the end user to have a high degree of fine motor skills and dexterity, which is a problem for the elderly population. Also, about eighty percent of repairs still involve receivers and receiver tubes. 
         [0008]    This invention resolves this problem, by eliminating costly repairs by enabling the hearing aid dispenser to repair hearing aids in the office in a matter of minutes. Currently, hearing aids must be returned to the manufacturers for repair, in large measure due to moisture damage, causing the wearer to be without the hearing aid for a period of one to two weeks. This invention enables preventive maintenance, i.e. changing of the receiver tube every three to six months because of improvement against earwax clogging and moisture damage, thereby making hearing aids more reliable and potentially increasing the number of hearing aid wearers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In some embodiments, a receiver tube for use with a hearing aid having a receiver may include a receiver tube that is removably connectable to the hearing aid and removably connectable to the receiver, wherein the receiver tube includes a locking mechanism configured to interface with a mating feature disposed about the receiver such that the receiver tube may be selectively coupled to the receiver; and an ear wax trap comprising a microporous membrane disposed within the receiver tube. The length of the receiver tube may be adjusted by the dispenser or audiologist during the office visit by clipping it accordingly. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, a hearing aid may include a receiver having an opening; a receiver tube that is removably coupled to the receiver about the opening; a funnel disposed about the opening of the receiver to guide the receiver tube to the opening; and an ear wax trap disposed in the receiver tube, the ear wax trap comprising a microporous membrane. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, a hearing aid may include a receiver having an opening; a receiver tube that is removably coupled to the receiver about the opening; a funnel disposed about the opening of the receiver to guide the receiver tube to the opening; a locking mechanism to maintain the selective coupling of the receiver tube to the receiver; and an ear wax trap disposed in the receiver tube, the ear wax trap comprising a waterproof microporous membrane. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a partial sectional/three dimensional view of a conventional hearing aid. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a partial sectional/three dimensional view of a first preferred embodiment according to the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a partial sectional/three dimensional view of a second preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a partial sectional/three dimensional view of a third preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a three-dimensional view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a three-dimensional view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a three-dimensional view of the receiver tube according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates a three-dimensional view of the sliding cap of the fifth preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Applicable reference numbers have been carried forward. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    A hearing aid is provided according to the invention, having a receiver tube which is removably connected to a hearing aid receiver. The receiver tube includes a water proof ear wax collecting mesh which prevents ear wax from clogging the hearing aid receiver. The receiver tube which also functions as a sound wave guide can be trimmed in length according to need by the hearing aid dispenser/audiologist during a patient office visit, using suitable cutting tools. More importantly, the receiver tube can be replaced or cleaned by the dispenser/audiologist during a patient office visit should the tube become clogged with earwax. It is further contemplated that the receiver tube containing the water proof earwax trap according to the invention can be sold to audiologists, hearing aid dispensers, or to the public for ready replacement of a receiver tube which has been clogged with earwax. The features described in this paragraph apply to all embodiments of the subject invention. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates a partial sectional/three dimensional view of a first preferred embodiment according to the invention. With reference to  FIG. 2 , hearing aid  2  includes receiver  12  and receiver tube  14  which is removably connected to receiver  12 . The waterproof earwax mesh trap  16  is lodged within tube  14  and it serves as an ear wax trap to prevent ear wax from reaching receiver  12  which includes an acoustic transducer (not shown). Additionally, the hearing aid includes a microphone, power source and volume control (all not shown) coupled to receiver  12 . The waterproof earwax mesh trap  16  is made of a foamed and stretched PTFE that is characterized by very fine pores, and carries the trademark GORE-TEX. The GORE-TEX membrane of foamed and stretched pure polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a microporous membrane containing more than nine billion pores per square inch. Each pore is 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water which makes the fabric or mesh to which it is laminated waterproof. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  illustrates a partial sectional/three dimensional view of a second preferred embodiment of the invention. Encircling receiver  12 , at aperture end  13 , in a radial plane thereof is an annular locking rib  18  of substantially constant radial dimension having an upwardly presented and upwardly convergent cam surface  20  thereon and an abruptly angled (e.g., substantially perpendicular with respect to cam surface  20 ) lower annular face  22  which in the present embodiment is in substantially a radial plane for positive holding engagement with the cooperating portion of receiver tube  14  as hereinafter described. More than one annular face  22  is present in this second preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , locking rib  18  includes at least one gap  24  therethrough defined by annular face(s)  22 . Receiver tube  14  when applied to aperture end  13  of receiver  12  is rotatable thereon about the axis of receiver  12 . Receiver tube  14  includes a cylindrical skirt  26 . At least one locking lug  30 , on said cylindrical skirt, projects radially inwardly from one side of skirt  26  for locking reception beneath locking rib  18  of receiver  12 . Rotation of receiver tube  14  can angularly orient tube  14  so as to bring locking lug  30  into alignment and registry with gap  24  through locking rib  18 , lug  30  being proportioned for free movement vertically through gap  24  to permit removal of receiver tube  14  from engagement with aperture end  13  of receiver  12 . Cylindrical skirt  26  has radially inwardly projecting annular rib  27  integral therewith around its inner periphery in the same radial plane as lug  30  and in spaced relation from plane  32  through receiver  12 , such that when receiver tube  14  is operatively applied to aperture end  13  of receiver  12 , ribs  18  and  27  cooperate to press receiver tube  14  into sealing engagement with receiver  12  such that annular end  13  lies in plane  32 . Rotation of receiver tube  14  so as to move lug  30  out of alignment with gap  24  serves to secure receiver tube  14  to receiver  12 . Receiver tube  14  is formed of a suitable plastic or other material having sufficient elastic resiliency that skirt  26  and rib  27  are elastically expansive for snap-fitting of rib  27  over locking rib  18 . Thereafter, expanded skirt  26  and its rib  27  will resiliently contract beneath locking rib  18 . In order to remove receiver tube  14  from receiver  12  at alignment end  13 , tube  14  can be rotated to its removal position such that lug  30  aligns and registers with gap  24 . Such position can be determined either by sense of touch or by means of aligning indicia arrow  38  with indicia arrow  40 . With receiver tube  14  thus oriented, it is then necessary to apply but a moderate amount of upward finger pressure to urge lug  30  through gap  24 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  illustrates a partial sectional/three dimensional view of a third preferred embodiment of the invention. Receiver tube  14  includes a plurality of phalanges  50  located along the perimeter of tube  14  and extending radially from its center axis. Phalanges  50  are flexible and deformably resilient so as to bend when engaging receiver tube  14  with receiver  12  at its aperture end  13 . Phalanges  50  flex and grip the interior of receiver  12  at aperture  13  so as to adhere receiver tube  14  to receiver  12 . Receiver  12  may optionally include a plurality of raised grooves, bumps or cooperating phalanges (all represented by symbols  51 ) at its aperture end  13  to assist in securing receiver tube  14  to receiver  12 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  illustrates a three-dimensional view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention. Receiver  12  includes a conically-shaped aperture end  13 , in the form of a funnel, having a tapered cross-section in the direction toward the aperture, which serves to guide receiver tube  14  into locking engagement with receiver  12 . Receiver  12  includes threads  54  located near the aperture end of receiver  12 . Receiver tube  14  includes cooperating threads  56  which is capable of being secured to aperture end  13  of receiver  12  in conjunction with cooperating threads  54 . The small dimensions of a hearing aid in relation to the human ear are well accommodated by the funnel-shaped aperture end  13  which provides directional guidance of receiver tube  14  into locking engagement with receiver  12  with a twist of the fingers. This allows receiver tube  14  to be removably screwed on to receiver  12  at aperture end  13 . The conical shape of aperture end  13  provides precision engagement of receiver tube  14  with receiver  12  in a manner similar to that used to accomplish in-flight refueling of aircraft whereby the refueling tube of the tanker craft engages a conically-shaped receptor of the aircraft to be refueled. 
         [0026]      FIG. 6  illustrates a three-dimensional view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention. Receiver tube  14  is removably secured to aperture end  13  of receiver  12  with sliding ring or cap  60 . Sliding ring  60  includes a threaded portion  62  on an interior perimeter of ring  60  for engagement with cooperating threads  64  on aperture end  13 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 7  illustrates a three-dimensional view of receiver tube  14  according to the sixth preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown, receiver tube  14  extends from a plane through point B, lying along the radial axis of tube  14 . Receiver tube  14  includes a hollow center of radius BD and a flanged end  66  of radius BC. With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , sliding cap  60  can slide along and be positioned coaxially with tube  14 . The sliding motion is stopped by flanged end  66  of receiver tube  14 . Sliding cap  60  can be removably screwed onto receiver  12  as its threads  62  removably lock into cooperative engagement with cooperating threads  64  on aperture end  13  of receiver  12 , to removably join receiver  12  to receiver tube  14 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 8  illustrates a three-dimensional view of sliding cap  60  according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the invention. Sliding cap  60  includes a hollowed portion of radius BD′ which is substantially equal to or greater than radius BD, the hollow center of receiver tube  14 . Radius BD′ is less than radius BC of flanged end  66  and radius BC is substantially equal to or less than radius BC&#39;, the radius of sliding cap  60 . With reference to  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 , these relative radii dimensions prevent cap  60  from sliding completely off of receiver tube  14  at flanged end  66 . Sliding ring  60  holds receiver tube  14  in place on aperture end  13  of receiver  12  in a manner similar to the way a conventional baby bottle nipple is held in place with a locking ring on a baby bottle 
         [0029]    Although the invention has been described in detail herein with reference to its preference embodiment, it is to be understood that this description is by way of example only and it is not to be construed in a limiting sense. It is to be further understood that numerous changes in the details of the embodiment of the invention, and additional embodiments of the invention, and additional embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to, and may be made by persons of ordinary skill in the art having reference to this description. It is contemplated that all such changes and additional embodiments are within the true scope and spirit of the invention as claimed below.