Patent ID: 7442164

Claim:
An implantable hearing device comprising: a vibrational assembly enclosed in a hermetic housing, wherein said hermetic housing comprises a sealed end, wherein said sealed end comprises a wall; and wherein said vibrational assembly is configured to vibrate said hermetic housing and wherein said vibrational assembly comprises: a) at least one controllable vibrating element, wherein said controllable vibrating element comprises: i) a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in a stack, wherein said piezoelectric elements are configured to alternately expand and contract when a voltage is applied to said piezoelectric elements; and ii) a plurality of electrically conductive bonding layers which are located between said piezoelectric elements in said stack, wherein said electrically conductive bonding layers serve to connect said piezoelectric elements mechanically and electrically in said stack; b) an inertial mass configured to vibrate in response to vibration of said controllable vibrating element; c) a base ring, d) a non-conductive insert and e) an interface element, wherein said base ring is attached to said wall of said hermetic housing, wherein said non-conductive insert is attached to said base ring, and wherein said interface element is attached to at least one of said electrically conductive bonding layers and said non-conductive insert.