Patent ID: 8023674

Claim:
An electronic hearing aid apparatus comprising: a first component including a vibration sensor for sensing acoustic vibrations and generating a vibration signal based on the sensed acoustic vibrations, electronics for processing and amplifying the vibration signal to generate an amplified vibration signal, and an output port for providing access to the amplified vibration signal; a second component including an input port for receiving the amplified vibration signal and a vibration generator for generating vibrations based on the amplified vibration signal; and a cable assembly for electrically connecting the first component to the second component and for conducting the amplified vibration signal from the output port of the first component to the input port of the second component, the cable assembly including: a first connector for electrically connecting to the output port of the first component; a second connector for electrically connecting to the input port of the second component; and a flexible cable portion including a plurality of wires for electrically connecting the first connector to the second connector, the first and second connectors each including: an inner connector housing having: a plurality of electrical contacts for conducting the amplified vibration signal; a rear cavity formed in the inner connector housing; a plurality of solder joints disposed within the rear cavity, the solder joints providing electrical connection between the electrical contacts and the wires of the flexible cable portion; and potting material disposed in the rear cavity and encasing the solder joints; and an outer connector shell encasing at least a portion of the inner connector housing and at least a portion of the flexible cable portion connected to the inner connector housing.