Abstract:
A cushioning device for use with a hearing aid instrument for positioning in the ear of a user is disclosed. The cushioning device comprises a ring volume that encircles a predetermined portion of a hearing aid housing and separates the hearing aid housing from an ear canal of a user. A pliant substances is disposed within the ring volume and a reservoir which is in fluid communication with the ring volume in a manner permitting bi-directional flow of the pliant substance between the reservoir and the ring volume.

Description:
This is a non-provisional application of provisional application Ser. No. 60/365,944 by O. Saltykov filed Mar. 20, 2002. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to the field of hearing aids. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Hearings aids may be inserted either partially or completely into a user&#39;s ear canal. Hearing aid housings typically comprise a rigid material. However, hearing aid housings may also be constructed using a semi-rigid material. 
   Gaps between the material and the ear canal can decrease the effectiveness of the hearing aid. Further, some users of completely-in-the-canal (CIC) type hearing aids have reported their use as uncomfortable. Moreover, it is common for CICs to have to be returned to the lab for modifications or housing remakes for comfort. One reason for the remakes is that ear canals move, adding an additional complication to an already complicated fitting. Further, acoustic sealing within and sensitivity of the deeper bony portion of the ear canal make fitting CIC hearing aids challenging. 
   For non-customized fit hearing aids, a “standard” hearing aid housing can have problems providing an adequate seal inside an ear canal, given variances in bony structures, cartilage, and other occlusions. 
   Portions of the hearing aid may be rigid and other portions, e.g. the tip end, may be of a softer material. However, these softer tip ends may not fit or conform to a wide variety of ear canal shapes, necessitating a plurality of such softer tip ends, e.g. replaceable tip ends. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A cushioning device may be used with a hearing aid instrument for positioning in the ear of a user. The cushioning device comprises a ring volume that encircles a predetermined portion of a hearing aid housing and separates the hearing aid housing from a portion of a user&#39;s ear canal. A pliant substance is disposed within the ring volume and a reservoir, which is in fluid communication with the ring volume, in a manner permitting bidirectional flow of the pliant substance between the reservoir and the ring volume. 
   In a first exemplary embodiment, the reservoir is disposed mainly on the outside of the housing. In a second exemplary embodiment, the reservoir is disposed at least partially within the housing, contacting against a movable door which in a closed position increases pressure of the pliant fluid within the reservoir and which in an open position allows for decreased pressure of the pliant fluid within the reservoir. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a partial cutaway, perspective plan view showing a first exemplary embodiment of a hearing aid cushioning device with a reservoir substantially disposed outside the hearing aid housing; and 
       FIG. 2  is a partial cutaway, perspective plan view showing a second exemplary embodiment of a hearing aid cushioning device with a reservoir disposed at least partially inside the hearing aid housing. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , hearing aid, generally referred as the number “ 10 ,” comprises electronics contained within a housing  4 . In a preferred embodiment, housing  4  is configured to generally conform to the shape of ear canal  3 , either for a specific user or for a generic shape. As shown in these exemplary embodiments, hearing aid  10  is generally of the type known as a completely in canal (“CIC”) hearing aid  10 , although the present invention is not limited to a CIC configuration. 
   Housing  4  is designed to be placed at least partially within ear canal  3  proximate bony sections  1  and cartilaginous sections  2  of the ear. 
   Cushioning device  15  comprises ring volume  5  which, in a preferred embodiment, is a generally torus-shaped ring volume, reservoir  6 , and tube  7 . 
   Ring volume  5  comprises a flexible material and encompasses a pliant substance. In a preferred embodiment, ring volume  5  comprises a flexible material to permit distortion of ring volume  5  in response to external pressure such as that exerted on ring volume  5  by ear canal  3 . Ring volume  5  is disposed proximate to distal tip  11  of housing  4  which is positioned proximate the user&#39;s inner ear. Ring volume  5  may be secured such as by glue to a predetermined outer section of housing  4  or otherwise attached to a predetermined outer section of housing  4 , e.g. fitted into a recessed channel sized to receive ring volume  5 . 
   Reservoir  6  may comprise a pliant material and is attached to ring volume  5  in a manner that supports bi-directional flow of the pliant material between ring volume  5  and reservoir  6 , e.g. by tube  7 . Tube  7  may be of any appropriate material, e.g. the same pliant material as either ring volume  5  or reservoir  6 . Reservoir  6  and tube  7  may be secured to a predetermined outer section of housing  4 , e.g. by glue. In an alternative embodiment, reservoir  6  and tube  7  may be the same unit, i.e. reservoir  6  in fluid communication substantially directly with ring volume  5 . 
   In typical configurations, reservoir  6 , tube  7 , and ring volume  5  create a substantially self-contained, sealed container for the pliant material. The pliant material flows bi-directionally between ring volume  5  and reservoir  6  and comprises a fluid, a liquid, a gel such as a silicone gel, or a malleable substance, or the like, or a combination thereof. Compressible gas volume  8  may be present within the pliant material and comprises material other than the pliant material, e.g. an air bubble, inert gas bubble, fluid other than the pliant material, and the like, or a combination thereof. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , in an alternative embodiment cushioning device  15  comprises ring volume  5  which, in a preferred embodiment, is a generally torus-shaped ring volume, reservoir  6 , and tube  7 . As with the embodiment in  FIG. 1 , ring volume  5  comprises a flexible material and encompasses a pliant substance. In a preferred embodiment, ring volume  5  comprises a flexible material to permit distortion of ring volume  5  in response to external pressure such as that exerted on ring volume  5  by ear canal  3 . Ring volume  5  is disposed proximate to distal tip  11  of housing  4  which is positioned proximate the user&#39;s inner ear. Ring volume  5  may be secured such as by glue to a predetermined outer section of housing  4  or otherwise attached to a predetermined outer section of housing  4 , e.g. fitted into a recessed channel sized to receive ring volume  5 . 
   Reservoir  6  may comprise a pliant material and is at least partially disposed within housing  4  in a manner that supports bi-directional flow of the pliant material between ring volume  5  and reservoir  6 , e.g. by tube  7 . Tube  7  may be of any appropriate material, e.g. the same pliant material as either ring volume  5  or reservoir  6 . 
   In typical configurations, reservoir  6 , tube  7 , and ring volume  5  create a substantially self-contained, sealed container for the pliant material. The pliant material flows bi-directionally between ring volume  5  and reservoir  6  and comprises a fluid, a liquid, a gel such as a silicone gel, or a malleable substance, or the like, or a combination thereof. As with other embodiments, compressible gas volume  8  may be present within the pliant material and comprises material other than the pliant material, e.g. an air bubble, inert gas bubble, fluid other than the pliant material, and the like, or a combination thereof. 
   Door  9  comprises movable battery holder  9   b  which can hold battery  9   a . When in a closed position, a portion of door  9  contacts reservoir  6 , e.g. either battery  9   a , battery holder  9   b , or a combination thereof. This causes pressure to be exerted on the pliant material in reservoir  6 . When in an open position, door  9  is removed at least partially from contacting reservoir  6 , causing pressure to be relieved on the pliant material in reservoir  6 . 
   In the operation of an exemplary embodiment, cushion  15  provides a comfortable seal between housing  4  of hearing aid  10  and ear canal  3 , especially in non-custom hearing aids  10  where a one size housing  4  is typically used. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 1 , in typical configurations, housing  4  is either custom made to fit a specific ear canal  3  or is made to be smaller in its dimension than an average ear canal  3 . Ring volume  5  is filled with pliant material and then fitted or otherwise attached, such as by gluing, to a predetermined portion of distal tip  11  of housing  4 . Ring volume  5  is connected with reservoir  6 , such as by tube  7 , and reservoir  6  is also filled with the pliant material. In a preferred embodiment, compressible gas volume  8  is left in reservoir  6 . 
   When hearing aid  10  is being inserted into ear canal  3 , as distal tip  11  goes deeper into ear canal  3 , excessive pliant material is displaced (step  100  in  FIG. 3 ) from ring volume  5  into the reservoir  6 , e.g. through tube  7 . As the insertion progresses, reservoir  6  begins to contact ear canal  3 , compressing the pliant material inside reservoir  6  and moving the pliant material into ring volume  5 , back through tube  7 . Ring volume  5  inflates with the pliant material, sealing an area between distal tip  11  and ear canal  3  (step  120  in  FIG. 3 ). 
   Compressible gas volume  8  is compressed as hearing aid  10  is inserted into ear canal  3  (step  110  in  FIG. 3 ) and helps to avoid excessive pressure within cushion  15 . Compressible gas volume  8  acts as a spring, helping to prevent the creation of excessive pressure where ring volume  5  contacts ear canal  3 . 
   In an alternate embodiment, referring back to  FIG. 2 , hearing aid  10  has a different configuration. Reservoir  6  is located at least partially inside housing  4 , proximate door  9 . When door  9  is open, reservoir  6  is not impacted and ring volume  5  is not inflated (step  100  in  FIG. 3 ). In this configuration, hearing aid  10  can be inserted into ear canal  3 . After hearing aid  10  is inserted into ear canal  3 , the user closes door  9 , allowing a predetermined portion of door  9 , e.g. battery  9   a  and/or battery holder  9   b , to provide pressure to reservoir  6 , causing the pliant material to flow from reservoir  6  into ring volume  5 , e.g. through tube  7 . This inflates ring volume  5 , causing it to seal ring volume against ear canal  3  (step  120  in  FIG. 3 ). As with other embodiments, compressible gas volume  8  acts as a spring and prevents against creating excessive pressure where ring volume  5  contacts ear canal  3  (step  110  in  FIG. 3 ). 
   Alternatively, door  9  may be opened and closed while hearing aid  10  is situated in ear canal  3  to more comfortably fit hearing aid  10  within ear canal  3  without having to remove and/or reposition hearing aid  10  within ear canal  3 .