Patent ID: 7260232

Claim:
A miniature hearing device adapted to be positioned substantially in the ear canal of a wearer, said device comprising: electrical circuit means for receiving and processing incoming signals representative of audio signals and converting them to an output for exciting the tympanic membrane of the wearer; and a magnetically controlled miniature switch assembly for controlling at least one of activation and deactivation of the hearing device or an operating parameter of the hearing device, the assembly including a rare earth magnet and a switch actuable by an externally applied magnetic field from a hand held magnet located substantially outside of the ear canal or substantially physically disengaged with the hearing device, wherein the switch assembly can be incorporated into a space in the hearing device having a volume of about 6.3 mm 3 , the magnet effecting actuation of the switch when the magnet is at a first orientation with respect to the switch and when the magnet is at a second orientation with respect to the switch.