Patent Abstract:
An assistive hearing device having a sound entrance aperture on a first side, the sound entrance aperture placed against a voice emitting speaker (or receiver) of the telephone, a sound egress aperture on a second side opposite the first side, and the sound egress aperture located within closer proximity to a hearing device relative to the sound entrance aperture and the speaker to facilitate transmission of sound from the speaker to the hearing device located nearby is provided. The assistive hearing device includes a hollow interior, which connects the sound entrance and sound egress apertures, and allows sound waves entering the sound entrance aperture to travel through the hollow interior and exit the sound egress aperture. The sound entrance aperture of the assistive hearing device surrounds the speaker of the mobile device to capture sound waves transmitted from the speaker. The transmitted sound waves enter the sound entrance aperture, traverse through the hollow interior of the assistive hearing device and exit the sound egress aperture, which is located within closer proximity to the hearing device microphone relative to the sound entrance aperture and to the telephone speaker,

Full Description:
[0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/076,294 filed Mar. 21, 2016 (Publication No. 2016/0277556), which is pending; which claims benefit of Provisional Application Nos. 62/136,272 filed Mar. 20, 2015 and 62/194,780 filed Jul. 20, 2015; all of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    According to the World Health Organization, over 5% of the world&#39;s population—360 million people—have disabling hearing loss (328 million adults and 32 million children). Approximately one-third of people over 65 years of age are affected by disabling hearing loss. Disabling hearing loss refers to hearing loss greater than 40 dB in the better hearing ear in adults and a hearing loss greater than 30 dB in the better hearing ear in children. 
         [0003]    Hearing aids are electrical devices that assist in optimizing perception of speech or other sounds. Most hearing aids are designed for hearing impaired individuals, of which there are approximately 37 million in the United States. Hearing aid unit sales in 2013 came very close to topping the 3-million unit mark for the first time in industry history. Industry experts are projecting 4 million unit sales by 2020. 
         [0004]    Even though hearing aids can have a substantial impact on mitigating hearing loss, use of hearing aids with mobile or cordless telephones can be problematic. The configuration of Behind the Ear (BTE) or Receiver in the Canal (RIC) hearing aids can impede transfer of the sound from the voice emitting speaker (or receiver) of telephones thereto. For example, the position of the microphones of BTE hearing aids is often removed from the traditional placement of the voice emitting speakers of such telephones adjacent the ear. To illustrate, a user of a BTE hearing aid can oftentimes hear the phone ring, but cannot clearly hear callers due to the BTE hearing aid ear mold obstruction preventing the transfer of sounds from the voice emitting speaker. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a need for a device facilitating the transfer of sounds from the voice emitting speaker of a telephone to a hearing aid. 
         [0006]    The assistive hearing device described herein is designed to improve communication on telephones, including cordless or mobile phones, for people who wear BTE or RIC hearing aids. The assistive hearing device eliminates the need to place a phone receiver behind the ear to obtain the clearest sound. The assistive hearing device redirects telephonic sound via an acoustical accumulator and director to the microphone of the hearing aid located behind the ear or in the ear canal of the user. The acoustical accumulator and director extends beyond the top of the phone whereby it redirects the telephonic sound from the phone closer to where the BTE or RIC microphone is located. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In its simplest form, the assistive hearing device consists of a small outer case having opposite top and bottom ends, with a sound entrance aperture proximate the bottom end of the assistive hearing device, which is coupled (preferably with an elastic band, an adhesive material, or a hook and loop fastener) to the phone and a sound exit aperture located proximate the top end of the assistive hearing device. The two apertures are located approximately 1.5 to 2 inches apart. The assistive hearing device does not require a power source and is easy to install. The assistive hearing device adheres to the receiver end of a phone via a small O-Gasket creating a secure and soundproof seal. The O-Gasket material used to adhere the device to the phone can be, for example, a custom made high-density polyethylene film with double-sided synthetic rubber adhesive or a high friction rubber material. 
         [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, an assistive hearing device having a sound entrance aperture on a first side, the sound entrance aperture placed against a voice emitting speaker (or receiver) of the telephone, a sound egress aperture on a second side opposite the first side, and the sound egress aperture located within closer proximity to a hearing device relative to the sound entrance aperture and the speaker to facilitate transmission of sound from the speaker to the hearing device located nearby is provided. The assistive hearing device includes a hollow interior, which connects the sound entrance and sound egress apertures, and allows sound waves entering the sound entrance aperture to travel through the hollow interior and exit the sound egress aperture. The sound entrance aperture of the assistive hearing device surrounds the speaker of the mobile device to capture sound waves transmitted from the speaker. The transmitted sound waves enter the sound entrance aperture, traverse through the hollow interior of the assistive hearing device and exit the sound egress aperture, which is located within closer proximity to the hearing device microphone relative to the sound entrance aperture and to the telephone speaker. 
         [0009]    While most telephone speakers are designed to be placed against the ear of a user adjacent to the ear opening leading to the ear canal, the assistive hearing device takes into account that many hearing devices are worn behind the ear, which is at the opposite side of the ear opening. Specifically, the sound egress aperture is located on an opposite side of the sound entrance aperture to direct sound waves that enter the sound entrance aperture to the sound egress aperture, which is in closer proximity and oriented on the same side with respect to the BTE hearing aid microphone. 
         [0010]    The assistive hearing device may include an adhesive portion that contains an adhesive material that is bonded to a surface surrounding the sound entrance aperture of the assistive hearing device. A removable strip can be removably attached to the adhesive material bonded to the first adhesive containing portion. The removable strip covers the adhesive material until it becomes desirable to attach the assistive hearing device to the mobile phone. The assistive hearing device may be connected to a strap, which straps the assistive hearing device to the mobile device. The assistive hearing device also may be connected to the mobile device by an elastic/silicone band or a band securable by hook and loop that fastens at its ends. The band may be adjusted to fit a variety of phone sizes and shapes. 
         [0011]    The assistive hearing device of the present invention can be constructed from a variety of materials, including but not limited to plastic, metallic, compound materials, etc. Furthermore, the assistive hearing device may be constructed into a variety of shapes and sizes to account for the distance between the phone speaker and the input/microphone of the hearing device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the present invention disclosed in the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate aspects of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present invention. In the drawings: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a telephone with a first embodiment of an assistive hearing device of the present invention having a band for connecting to the telephone; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded rear perspective view of the telephone with the first embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 1  showing the band and a spacer; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a hook and loop fastener for connecting the assistive hearing device to the telephone; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the telephone with the first embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a partial side elevational view of the telephone with a partial cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of the first embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 1 , the arrows illustrating a direction of sound generated from the voice emitting speaker of the telephone traveling into a sound entrance aperture, through a hollow interior of the assistive hearing device, out of a sound egress aperture, and to a Behind the Ear (BTE) or Receiver in the Canal (RIC) hearing aid of a user also depicted therein; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4A  is a top plan view of the first embodiment of he assistive hearing device of  FIG. 1  coupled with the band; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4B  is a front elevational view of the first embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 1  coupled with the band; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4C  is a side elevational view of the first embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 1  coupled with the band; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5A  is a partial front perspective view of a telephone with a second embodiment of an assistive hearing device of the present invention with a band having sound openings; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 B- 5 B of the second embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 5A  with a sliding cover in the closed position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 B- 5 B of the second embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 5A  with the sliding cover in the open position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6A  is a front perspective view of a telephone with a third embodiment of an assistive hearing device of the present invention including a sleeve that fits over the end of the telephone; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6B  is an exploded front perspective view of the telephone with the third embodiment of an assistive hearing device of  FIG. 6A  including the sleeve that fits over the end of the telephone; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7A  is a front perspective view of a telephone with a fourth embodiment of an assistive hearing device of the present invention having an angled configuration; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7B  is a side perspective view of the telephone with the fourth embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 7A  in use by a user wearing the BTE hearing aid, the sound emanating from an egress aperture of the assistive hearing device placed in proximity to the BTE hearing aid of the user; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7C  is a side elevational view of the telephone with the fourth embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 7A , the arrows illustrating a direction of sound generated from the voice emitting speaker of the telephone traveling into a sound entrance aperture, through a hollow interior of the assistive hearing device, out of a sound egress aperture, and to the BTE hearing aid of the user; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of the telephone with the fourth embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the telephone with the fourth embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the telephone with the fourth embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 7A , showing the sound egress aperture positioned in proximity of the BTE hearing aid of the user; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of a telephone with a fifth embodiment of the assistive hearing device of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of the telephone and the fifth embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 13A  is a side perspective view of the telephone with the fifth embodiment of the assistive hearing device having a straight configuration in use by a user wearing a BTE hearing aid, the sound emanating from a sound egress aperture of the assistive hearing device placed in proximity to the BTE hearing aid of the user; 
           [0035]      FIG. 13B  is a side elevational view of the telephone with the fifth embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 11 , the arrows illustrating a direction of sound generated from the voice emitting speaker of the telephone traveling into a sound entrance aperture, through a hollow interior of the assistive hearing device, out of the sound egress aperture, and to the BTE hearing aid of the user; 
           [0036]      FIG. 14  is front elevational view of the telephone with the fifth embodiment of he assistive hearing device of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of the telephone with the fifth embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 16  is another front elevational view of the telephone with the fifth embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 11  oriented in a horizontal direction relative to the telephone; 
           [0039]      FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of a telephone with a sixth embodiment of the assistive hearing device attached to the telephone by a hook and loop strap; 
           [0040]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  18 - 18  of the telephone and the sixth embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 17 ; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 19  is front perspective view of the telephone with one part of a hook and loop fastener around the sound entrance aperture and a rear perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the assistive hearing device of  FIG. 11  with another part of the hook and loop fastener around the voice emitting speaker of the telephone. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0042]    The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the present invention may be practiced. It will be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without these specific details. 
         [0043]    Various embodiments of an assistive hearing device according to the present invention are described below. Each of these embodiments serve in redirecting telephonic sound via an acoustical accumulator and director to the microphone of a hearing aid located behind the ear or in the ear canal of the user. To that end, the embodiments of the assistive hearing device employ a sound entrance aperture, a sound egress aperture, and a sound conduit formed by a hollow interior of the devices to transmit telephonic sound to the microphone of a hearing aid. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 1, 2A, 3, and 4  illustrate an assistive hearing device  100  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment, assistive hearing device  100  includes a band  110 , a sound egress aperture  104 , and a spacer  106 . Band  110  is preferably made of an elastic material such as silicone or rubber and is placed around a phone  150  to secure assistive hearing device  100  to phone  150 . In a preferred embodiment, assistive hearing device  100  has molded arcs to engage the circular portion of band  110 . Examples of phone  150  may include conventional telephone handsets, wireless handsets, or a mobile phones. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , spacer  106  of assistive hearing device  100  is positioned against the surface of phone  150  surrounding a sound entrance aperture  102  of assistive hearing device  100 . When placed on phone  150  ( FIG. 4 ), spacer  106  preferably surrounds a voice emitting speaker (or receiver)  152  of phone  150 . Spacer  106  may be in the form of a donut seal, but is not limited to such a configuration. 
         [0046]    Assistive hearing device  100  is fixed relative to phone  150  by band  110  so that sound from voice emitting speaker  152  can be conducted through spacer  106  and into sound entrance aperture  102  for transmission through a hollow interior  108  of assistive hearing device  100 . Spacer  106  is preferably made of a high friction rubber to prevent assistive hearing device  100  and phone  150  from sliding relative to each other. 
         [0047]    In a preferred embodiment, one end of band  110  is adjustable and has a plurality of holes  120  and the opposite end has a plurality of pegs  122  projecting from band  110 . Band  110  is placed around phone  150  and the length of band  110  may be adjusted by securing pegs  122  into selected holes  120  depending on the configuration and size of phone  150 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , in another preferred embodiment, assistive hearing device  100  includes a band  170  with a hook and loop fastener at its end to removably secure assistive hearing device  100  to phone  150 . One end of band  170  having a hook part  172  is attachable to the opposite end of band  170  having a loop part  174  by positioning and pressing the two ends together. When the two ends are pressed together, band  170  fastens at its ends and binds together assistive hearing device  100  and phone  150 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , assistive hearing device  100  includes a first portion  111  and a second portion  112 . Assistive hearing device  100  is configured such that second portion  112  is offset approximately 0.25 to 0.75 inches from first portion  111  to permit sound egress aperture  104  to be position proximate a BTE hearing aid  160 . An angled transition portion  114  positioned between first and second portions  111  and  112  creates the offset position of second portion  112  relative to first portion  111 . As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the offset position of second portion  112  provides for the transmission of sound from sound egress aperture  104  towards BTE hearing aid  160  in a manner that is not impeded by the user&#39;s ear or any other portion other user&#39;s head against which phone  150  is placed. The offset configuration offers the added advantage of reducing the chances of muffling the sound in the event the user presses assistive hearing device  100  against a portion of the user&#39;s ear or head to block sound egress aperture  104 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , with assistive hearing device  100  coupled to phone  150 , sound can be directed from voice emitting speaker  152  of phone  150  to a position more proximate to the microphone of BTE hearing aid  160  being worn by a user. Sound entrance aperture  102  is placed proximate the bottom of assistive hearing device  100 . Sound egress aperture  104  is placed proximate the top end of assistive hearing device  100 . Sound entrance aperture  102  and sound egress aperture  104  communicate with one another via a hollow interior  108  that extends through first portion  111 , second portion  112 , and angled transition portion  114 . Sound entrance aperture  102  of assistive hearing device  100  surrounds voice emitting speaker  152  of phone  150  to capture sound from voice emitting speaker  152 . As indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 4 , sound from voice emitting speaker  152  of phone  150  enters sound entrance aperture  102 , is conducted through hollow interior  108  of assistive hearing device  100 , and exits sound egress aperture  104  proximate the microphone of BTE hearing aid  160 . As such, sound (such as the voice of a caller) can be better picked-up by BTE hearing  160  aid and the user is able to better hear the voice of the caller via BTE hearing aid  160  when using phone  150 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4C , various views of assistive hearing device  100  coupled with band  110  are shown. Band  110  can have a thickness B of approximately 0.08 inches, a minimum width of approximately 0.50 inches, and a maximum width E of approximately 0.98 inches. Assistive hearing device  100  can have a width A of approximately 1.19 inches at the top and a height F of approximately 2.09 inches, with the molded arcs having a width C of approximately 0.87 inches. Second portion  112  is preferably offset from first portion  111  by a distance G of approximately 0.63 inches. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5C , alternatively, assistive hearing device  100 ′ has a band  110 ′ that includes sound openings  130 , a lever  132 , and a sliding cover  134 . Sound openings  130  are for a user without the need for BTE hearing aid  160 . Sound openings  130  can be opened or closed by moving sliding cover  134  with lever  132 . In a closed position, sliding cover  134  covers sound openings  130 . In an open position, sound from voice emitting speaker  152  of phone  150  may be transmitted through sound openings  130  and directly to the ear of a user adjacent to the ear opening leading to the ear canal. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , another preferred embodiment of an assistive hearing device is generally referred to by the number  200 . Assistive hearing device  200  includes a sleeve  202  that fits over the end of phone  150 , preferably surrounding voice emitting speaker  152  of phone  150 . Sleeve  202  is configured to form a friction fit with the end of phone  150 . Sound from phone  150  is conducted through assistive hearing device  200  to BTE hearing aid  160  in a similar manner described above in connection with assistive hearing device  100 . 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 7A-7C , another preferred embodiment of an assistive hearing device is generally referred to by the number  300 . Assistive hearing device  300  includes a sound entrance aperture  302 , a sound egress aperture  304 , an adhesive portion  306 , and a hollow interior  308 . In a preferred embodiment, sound entrance aperture  302  is proximate, but spaced apart from one end of assistive hearing device  300 . Sound egress aperture  304  is proximate, but spaced apart from the opposite end of assistive hearing device  300 . Sound entrance aperture  302  and sound egress aperture  304  are on opposite facing sides of assistive hearing device  300 . Assistive hearing device  300  includes a first portion  310 , a second portion  312 , and an angled transition portion  314 . Assistive hearing device  300  preferably has an angled or offset configuration with first portion  310  adapted to be coupled to phone  150  and second portion  312  being offset from first portion  310 . Second portion  312  extends beyond phone  150  when assistive hearing device  300  is coupled to a phone  150 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 7B, 7C, and 10 , with assistive hearing device  300  coupled to phone  150 , sound can be directed from voice emitting speaker  152  of phone  150  to a position more proximate to the microphone of BTE hearing aid  160  being worn by a user. As indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 7C , sound from voice emitting speaker  152  of phone  150  enters sound entrance aperture  302 , is conducted through hollow interior  308  of assistive hearing device  300 , and exits sound egress aperture  304  proximate the microphone of BTE hearing aid  160 . As such, sound (such as the voice of a caller) can be better picked-up by BTE hearing aid  160  and the user is able to better hear the voice of the caller via the microphone of BTE hearing aid  160  when using phone  150 . 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , assistive hearing device  300  is configured such that second portion  312  is offset approximately 0.25 inches from first portion  310  to permit sound egress aperture  304  to be positioned proximate BTE hearing aid  160 . Angled transition portion  314  between first and second portions  310  and  312  creates the offset position of second portion  312  relative to first portion  310 . The offset position of second portion  312  provides for the transmission of sound from sound egress aperture  304  towards BTE hearing aid  160  in a manner that is not impeded by the user&#39;s ear or any other portion other user&#39;s head against which phone  150  is placed. The offset configuration offers the added advantage of reducing the chances of muffling the sound in the event the user presses assistive hearing device  300  against a portion of the user&#39;s ear or head to block sound egress aperture  304 . 
         [0057]    In a preferred embodiment, assistive hearing device  300  is coupled to phone  150  by adhesive portion  306  which may be in the form of a closed cell foam “donut” seal that contains an adhesive material having an approximate thickness of ⅛ inches that bonds to a surface that surrounds sound entrance aperture  302 . When placed on phone  150 , adhesive portion  306  preferably surrounds voice emitting speaker  152  and adheres to phone  150 . In this manner, assistive hearing device  300  is fixed relative to phone  150  and sound from voice emitting speaker  152  can be conducted through the seal created by adhesive portion  306  and into sound entrance aperture  302  for transmission through assistive hearing device  300 . 
         [0058]    Adhesive portion  306  preferably includes an adhesive material that removably bonds to a surface that surrounds sound entrance aperture  302  of assistive hearing device  300  to a surface of phone  150  that at least partially surrounds voice emitting speaker  152  of phone  150 . Preferably, adhesive portion  306  includes an open area in communication with sound entrance aperture  302  and voice emitting speaker  152  to conduct sound transmitted from voice emitting speaker  152  through sound entrance aperture  302  and into hollow interior  308  of assistive hearing device  300 . The adhesive material may be derived from any material with physical and/or chemical properties that facilitate attachment of a mobile phone surface to assistive hearing device  300 . One or more removal strips (not shown) can be removably attached to the adhesive material. The removal strip may be constructed from any material with properties that allow the removal strip to be removably attached to the adhesive material without adversely affecting the adhesive properties of the adhesive material. 
         [0059]    In a preferred embodiment, assistive hearing device  300  has a length in the range of approximately 2.5 inches to 3.0 inches, with 3.0 inches being preferred; a width in the range of approximately 0.5 inches to 1.0 inches, with 1.0 inches being preferred; and a depth of approximately 0.15 inches to 0.25 inches, with 0.25 inches being preferred. Sound entrance aperture  302  has a maximum dimension in the range of approximately 0.25 inches to 0.5 inches, with 0.5 inches being preferred. Sound egress aperture  304  has a maximum dimension in the range of approximately 0.5 inches to 1.0 inches, with 1.0 inches being preferred. Sound entrance aperture  302  and sound egress aperture  304  being spaced apart in the range of approximately 1.75 inches, with 1.75 inches being preferred. 
         [0060]    In a preferred embodiment, assistive hearing device  300  is shown to have a generally rectangular configuration, but is not limited to such a configuration. Other shapes and configurations providing for a sound entrance aperture  302  on one side proximate one end, a sound egress aperture  304  on an opposite side proximate an opposite end, and communication therebetween via a hollow interior  308  suitable for the intended purpose of communicating sound from voice emitting speaker  152  to BTE hearing aid  160  or RIC hearing aid are within the scope of the present invention, 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIGS. 11, 12, 13A, 13B, 14, and 15 , another preferred embodiment of assistive hearing device  400  is shown having a generally rectangular configuration similar to assistive hearing device  300 , except without the offset. Accordingly, the description herein with respect to assistive hearing device  300  is applicable to assistive hearing device  300  and is incorporated here by reference. Reference numerals identifying features of assistive hearing device  400  that correspond to like reference numerals identifying features of assistive hearing device  300  are used to denote similar features. 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , assistive hearing device  400  is shown in an alternative position when coupled to phone  150 . In this positioning, assistive hearing device  400  is in a generally horizontal position with sound egress aperture  404  extending from a side of phone  150  as compared to the top of phone  150 . 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , assistive hearing device  400  alternatively may be secured to phone  150  via a strap  460 . One end of strap  460  is secured to a first side of assistive hearing device  400  via a first loop connected to assistive hearing device  400 . Strap  460  is then placed around phone  150  and the opposite end is secured to an opposite side of assistive hearing device  400  via a second loop connected to assistive hearing device  400 . The end of strap  410  may be secured by hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro to prevent loosening. In this embodiment, assistive hearing device  400  may be secured to phone  150  with a hook and loop fasteners  462  and  464  to hold assistive hearing device  400  in position on phone  150 . 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIG. 19 , alternatively, adhesive portion  406  need not be used, but it is appreciated that a rubber seal may be secured to assistive hearing device  400  surrounding the sound entrance aperture  402  to facilitate transmission of the sound into assistive hearing device  400 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 7