WO2004004416A1

WO2004004416A1 - Behind the ear device for a hearing prosthesis

Info

Publication number: WO2004004416A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/000810
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rupert Christian Scheiner
Original assignee: Cochlear Limited
Priority date: 2002-06-26
Filing date: 2003-06-26
Publication date: 2004-01-08
Also published as: AUPS318302A0

Abstract

A system for securely and discretely maintaining a device positioned behind an ear of a human. The system can secure a hearing prosthesis unit, with the unit (40) comprising a casing mountable on and/or behind an outer ear of a user, an attaching element, such as a magnet (41) that is locatable on or within the casing, and a securing mechanism that is locatable at least partially within the outer ear of the user and having a positioning element, again such as a magnet (43), mounted on or within the securing mechanism.

Description

"Behind the ear device for a hearing prosthesis"

The present invention resides in an improved behind the ear device for a hearing prosthesis and in one example, an improved behind the ear device for use with an implantable hearing prosthesis.

Background of the Invention

In modern society, the occurrence of hearing loss is quite common, with approximately 10% of the population suffering from some degree of hearing impairment. This can be attributed to a number of causes, such as old age, prolonged exposure to loud sounds, the result of disease or illness, or congenital problems.

Hearing loss is generally of two types, namely conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss occurs when the normal mechanical pathways for sound to reach the hair cells in the cochlea are impeded, for example, by damage to the ossicles. In such cases, the hearing loss may often be improved by the use of conventional hearing aids, which amplify the sound so that acoustic information reaches the cochlea and the hair cells. Such hearing aids utilise acoustic mechanical stimulation, whereby the sound is amplified according to a number of varying techniques, and delivered to the inner ear as mechanical energy. This may be through a column of air to the eardrum, or direct delivery to the ossicles of the middle ear.

Sensorineural hearing loss, however, is due to the absence or at least partial destruction of the hair cells in the cochlea which are needed to transduce acoustic signals into auditory nerve impulses. Individuals suffering from this type of hearing loss are unable to derive any benefit from conventional hearing aid systems, no matter how loud the acoustic stimulus is made, because their mechanisms for transducing sound energy into auditory nerve impulses have been damaged. It has only been relatively recently that this type of hearing loss has been able to be successfully treated, through the introduction and use of cochlear implants. In cochlear implants, electrical stimulation is provided via stimulating electrodes positioned as close as possible to the nerve endings of the auditory nerve, essentially bypassing the role of the hair cells in a normally functioning cochlea. The application of a stimulation pattern to the nerve endings causes impulses to be sent to the brain via the auditory nerve, resulting in the brain of the recipient perceiving the impulses as sound. One common feature of most conventional devices used to restore hearing to individuals suffering from a form of hearing impairment, has been the need to provide an externally worn device to capture and process environmental sounds for delivery to the recipient. In conventional hearing aid devices this has typically been in the form of a unit worn behind the ear or positioned within the ear canal. In conventional cochlear implant devices, the external processor has traditionally been worn on the recipient's body, such as on a belt clip or in a pouch carried on the body, however with various improvements in technology, it has been possible to provide the device in a package that can be supported on and worn behind the recipient's ear. These devices are often referred to as behind the ear or BTE devices.

In all externally worn devices, particularly those units worn in or behind the recipient's ear, the primary focus in the design of such devices has been to ensure that they restore hearing to the recipient in an efficient and effective manner. In this regard, the aesthetic appeal of such devices has been of lesser design importance and as a result, many devices are often regarded by recipients as sharing a common, unappealing appearance. The common aspect of such devices has often been the use of an ear-hook to secure the device to the recipient's ear. In this regard, the devices have been shaped and weighted in such a manner to facilitate attachment to the ear via an ear-hook. As such, these devices have often been quite noticeable when worn and cumbersome to wear, especially if the recipient also wears eyeglasses. Due to the distinctive appearance of such devices, they have often also carried with them the stigma of hearing loss.

Apart from the aesthetic aspects, traditional behind the ear devices have also been limited in their use, due to the fact that they have often only been secured to the ear via the ear-hook. Whilst such a securing mechanism may be adequate when the recipient is sitting or standing in an upright position, the effectiveness of this securing mechanism is greatly reduced if the recipient is running or exercising, or if they are in a horizontal position. A number of mechanisms have been proposed to provide a more secure attachment to the ear to allow the recipient to be more active while wearing such a device, but the majority of these solutions have resulted in the device being more noticeable and complicated. In particular, such mechanisms typically fit over the ear and securely fix the device to the recipient's ear. Such mechanisms do not allow easy removal of the device from behind the ear following physical activity, or easy release of the device from the ear should the device become captured on a piece of clothing or other element, which may cause damage to the recipients outer ear

Therefore, there is a need to provide an externally worn hearing prosthesis device that preferably offers the convenience of a behind the ear worn device, but which improves the aesthetic appeal of the device and provides a more sturdy and robust attachment than has previously been the case with conventional ear hook attachments

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application

Summary of the Invention

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps

The present invention preferably provides a system for securely and discretely maintaining a device positioned behind an ear of a human without the need for relatively elaborate mechanical fasteners and ear hooks More preferably, the present invention provides a system for securely and discretely maintaining a hearing prosthesis device behind the ear of a user in conjunction with or without the need for conventional ear hook mechanisms that define such devices

According to a first aspect, the present invention is an apparatus for securely and discretely holding a device on and/or behind an outer ear of a user, the apparatus comprising an attaching element locatable on or within said device, and a securing mechanism locatable at least partially within the outer ear of the user and having a positioning element mounted on or within the securing mechanism, wherein at least one of said attaching element and said positioning element comprise a magnet and further wherein said device is positionable in place on and/or behind the user's ear via magnetic attraction between the attaching element and the positioning element.

In a preferred embodiment, the device is a hearing prosthesis unit capable of detecting and processing environmental sounds for delivery to the user.

In another aspect, the present invention is a hearing prosthesis unit for a user comprising: a casing mountable on and/or behind an outer ear of a user; an attaching element locatable on or within said casing; and a securing mechanism locatable at least partially within the outer ear of the user and having a positioning element mounted on or within the securing mechanism; wherein at least one of said attaching element and said positioning element comprise a magnet and further wherein said unit is positionable in place on and/or behind the user's ear via magnetic attraction between the attaching element and the positioning element.

In one embodiment of the aspects, the hearing prosthesis unit is an amplifying hearing aid. In another embodiment, the unit comprises an external component of a cochlear implant hearing prosthesis. In this embodiment, the external component preferably includes a microphone and speech processing circuitry.

The strength of the magnetic attraction maintaining the unit on and/or behind the user's ear is preferably determined by the strength of the magnet comprising said at least one of said attaching element and said positioning element. Where a user anticipates undertaking an activity that is more likely to dislodge the device, such as a sport, a stronger magnet can be employed by the user. Similarly, where the user does not anticipate undertaking vigorous activity, a weaker magnet can be employed by the user.

In one embodiment, the attaching element comprises a magnet and the positioning element comprises a material that is attracted to the magnet. A suitable material can comprise a suitable metal, or a composite material containing a suitable quantity of a suitable metal. In another embodiment, the positioning element comprises a magnet and the attaching element comprises a material, such as defined above, that is attracted to the magnet. In a still further embodiment, the attaching element and the positioning element each comprise magnets that are respectively positionable to be attracted to each other.

In one embodiment, the positioning element of the securing mechanism is adapted to remain, in use, located within the outer ear of the user. In this embodiment, there is preferably no physical contact between the positioning element and the attaching element. For example, the tissue of the outer ear can be between the positioning element positioned within the outer ear and the attaching element mounted on or within the device or casing that is positionable on the outer ear.

In one embodiment, the securing mechanism comprises an outer housing that at least partially, and preferably fully, surrounds the positioning element. The outer housing can comprise a coating of relatively soft and/or resiliently flexible material. For example, the housing can be formed from a silicone, an elastomeric material, or a polymeric material. The coating is preferably alterable in shape to conform to the shape of the ear, particularly the ear canal, of the user, and to provide a relatively comfortable and secure fit within the user's ear, such as within the user's ear canal. The coating can be provided with an adhesive to assist in securing the mechanism within the user's ear. The coating can be moulded around the magnet or the material constituting the positioning element.

In yet another embodiment, the positioning element can extend into and preferably through the tissue of the outer ear of the user. In this embodiment, the positioning element preferably comprises a post that can be passed through an orifice formed through the pinna of the user. In this regard, the orifice in the pinna can be formed in a manner similar or the same to that used to place an item of ear jewellery in the ear, such as an ear ring or ear stud.

The post preferably has a head or stud at one end thereof having a diameter larger than that of the post and the orifice to prevent the post passing through the pinna in at least one direction once the post has been positioned in the outer ear. The head or stud is preferably formed integrally with the post. The post is preferably also engageable with a clasp that is releasably engageable with the post at a location distal the head or stud. In one embodiment, the stud and/or clasp can be relatively ornate. In this embodiment, the head or stud can be adapted to be magnetically attracted to the attaching element The head or stud can be formed from a material that is attracted to a magnet comprising the attaching element In another embodiment, the head or stud can comprise a magnet that is attracted to the attaching element, the attaching element being formed of a suitable magnetic material or being a magnet

In a preferred embodiment, the orifice for the post and stud is located within the pinna above the top of the entrance to the ear canal In another embodiment, the securing mechanism is located in any part of the user's outer ear, for example the auricle, triangular fossa, cms of helix, or the concha of the ear

In a preferred embodiment, the device or casing is constructed to fit behind the ear of the user In use, it is preferred that the device or casing is at least partially concealed by the user's pinna and or hair More preferably, the device or casing is constructed to conform to the shape of the area behind the pinna

In a preferred embodiment, the attaching element is located within the device or casing adjacent the edge of the device or casing that abuts with the pinna when the device is in position In another embodiment, the attaching element is located on the surface of the device or casing that abuts with the pinna when the device is in position The attaching element is preferably a magnet that is removable from the device or casing As such, one magnet located on or within the device or casing can be removed, if desired, and replaced with a magnet of a different strength

The present invention allows for an alternative means of mounting a hearing prosthesis unit to an outer ear of a user of the component that is not solely reliant on an ear-hook to perform this function The means of mounting has the potential to significantly change the visual appearance of conventional devices to allow them to become more attractive to many users, and it will preferably safely hold the unit to the outer ear even when the user is lying down or engaging in relatively vigorous exercise The mounting arrangement also provides the potential for the component to be significantly less visible to a casual observer of the user which is attractive for some users who find they suffer the unreasonable stigma of hearing loss due to the visible nature of the prosthesis Brief Description of the Drawings

By way of example only, embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a pictorial representation of one type of prior art cochlear implant system;

Fig. 2 is a representation of another embodiment of a speech processor device that can be used in a cochlear implant system, such as that depicted in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3a is a top view of the speech processor device and attachment system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3b is a side view of the speech processor device and attachment system of

Fig 3 a;

Fig. 4 is a view of the speech processor device and attachment system of Fig 3a and Fig 3b in use;

Fig. 5 is a top view of a speech processor device and attachment system according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 6 is a view of the speech processor device and attachment system of Fig. 5 in use.

Preferred Mode of Carrying out the Invention

Before describing the features of the present invention, it is appropriate to briefly describe the construction of one type of known cochlear implant system with reference to Fig. 1.

Known cochlear implants typically consist of two main components, an external component including a speech processor 29, and an internal component including an implanted receiver and stimulator unit 22. The external component includes a microphone 27. The speech processor 29 is, in this illustration, constructed and arranged so that it can fit on and behind the outer ear or pinna 11 and is held in place behind the outer ear 11 via an ear-hook arrangement 18. Alternative versions may be worn on the body. A transmitter coil 24 is attached to the speech processor 29 by a cable an is used to transmit electrical signals to the implanted unit 22 via a radio frequency (RF) link.

The implanted component includes a receiver coil 23 for receiving power and data from the transmitter coil 24. A cable 21 extends from the implanted receiver and stimulator unit 22 to the cochlea 12 and terminates in an electrode array 20. The signals thus received are applied by the array 20 to the basilar membrane 8 and the nerve cells within the cochlea 12 thereby stimulating the auditory nerve 9. The operation of such a device is described, for example, in US Patent No. 4532930.

Figure 2 is another prior art speech processor unit 29 that is adapted to be positioned behind the outer ear 11 in a similar manner to the device described above in relation to Figure 1.

In this particular design, the unit consists of a housing unit generally depicted as 30, which is made up of an upper portion 31 and a lower portion 32. The lower portion 32 may be arranged to receive the power supply for the unit, for example it may be arranged to receive a battery and/or batteries to provide power to the unit and also, if required, the implanted componentry. The upper portion may be arranged to house a microphone 33 and speech processing circuitry which can cooperate together to process environmental sounds detected by the microphone 33 into useful signals to be received by the recipient as sound. In a cochlear implant application, this may be in the form of coded stimulation signals transmitted to an implanted stimulator to produce a desired electrical stimulation representative of the detected sounds, and in a hearing aid application this may include amplified sound signals delivered to the middle ear as mechanical energy.

As shown, the speech processing unit 29 further includes an ear hook 34 to secure the unit 29 to the ear of the user. In use, the ear hook 34 extends between the pinna and the cranium of the user towards the front of the user, allowing the housing unit 30 to extend downwardly behind the pinna of the user. The ear hook 34 is typically curved and extends forwardly and downwardly from the upper portion of the housing 30 as is shown in Fig. 2. As can be appreciated by reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2, traditional devices worn on and/or behind the ear of the user are quite noticeable and are easily dislodged from position, due to the simple nature of the securing mechanism. It should also be appreciated that the use of such a device makes it difficult for the user to wear corrective lenses and sunglasses, as these such devices also require fixation to the ears for secure placement.

Figures 3a and 3b show one embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, the speech processor unit is shown generally as 40 and can include the same functionality as existing devices, such as those depicted with numeral

29 in Figures 1 and 2. The structure of the unit is quite different however, as the unit is designed to fit behind the pinna and to conform to the shape of the head in this region, without the need for an ear hook device to extend over and forwardly of the ear.

Preferably, the shape of the speech processor unit 40 is such that the unit is at least substantially concealed by the pinna and/or the hair of the user. As the speech processor unit 40 does not require an ear hook to remain in position, the shape of the speech processor unit 40 is not limited due to the ear hook requirement and can easily be modified to create a more aesthetically pleasing device. Alternatively, the speech processor unit 40 can be provided with a detachable ear hook which can be attached to the unit to provide an additional securing means if required. In any regard, the present invention provides for a greater variation in design of the speech processor unit 40 which has not traditionally been possible..

Included with the speech processor unit 40 is a magnet 41. This magnet 41 can be formed within the speech processor unit 40, as shown, or alternatively may be placed on a surface of the speech processor unit 40. The depicted magnet 41 is arranged on or close to the surface of speech processor unit 40 that abuts the pinna, this surface being shown as reference numeral 42 in Figures 3a and 3b.

A securing mechanism 45 for the unit 40 is provided and consists of a positioning magnet 43 that provides an attracting force for the magnet 41 positioned in or on the speech processor unit 40. The securing mechanism 45 is preferably adapted, in use, to be located within the ear of the user, preferably at the top of the entrance to the ear canal, and as such, is sized accordingly. To allow the securing mechanism 45 to comfortably and snugly fit within the user's ear, an overmould 44 is provided around the positioning magnet 43. The overmould 44 may be of a relatively soft and resiliently flexible material, such as a silicone, so that the overall shape of the securing mechanism 45 can easily be altered to best conform with the individual shape of the user's ear and provide comfort. The overmould 44 may also include an adhesive substance that aids in maintaining the securing element 45 within the user's ear during use.

The securing mechanism 45 may be located within any part of the user's outer ear, such as the auricle, triangular fossa, crus of helix, or the concha, and may be constructed so as to conform to the desired shape of the ear. The choice of which part of the user's ear to provide the securing mechanism 45, may depend upon the desired degree of visibility of the securing mechanism 45, as it has been found that by positioning the securing mechanism 45 near the entry to the ear canal, it is substantially invisible to a casual onlooker. The purpose of this positioning magnet 43 is to provide a coupling force to hold the speech processor unit 40 in place on the pinna. The strength of the magnets 41 and 43 can be varied according to comfort and the amount of force required to securely hold the speech processor unit 40 in place. It will be appreciated that one of the magnets could be replaced with a suitable material that is attracted to the remaining magnet.

Figure 4 shows the system of Figures 3a and 3b in use. The speech processor unit 40 is shown located behind the pinna 11 of the user. As can be seen, the speech processor unit 40 is substantially covered by the user's pinna 11, with only a small portion of the unit 40 being visible, and is capable of being held in place without the need of an ear hook attachment. In this regard, there is no visible part of the speech processor unit at the top of the pinna and extending over and forwardly of the pinna, as there is no longer a need for an ear hook device which has been an essential design feature of prior art devices. In this regard, the device of the present invention no longer resembles a traditional hearing prosthesis device and as such the stigma associated with wearing traditional hearing assistance devices is potentially greatly overcome.

In Figure 4, the securing mechanism 45 comprising a magnet acting as a positioning element is shown positioned at the top of the ear canal entry 50. In this position the magnet of the securing mechanism 45 and the magnet positioned in the speech processor unit 40 have an attractive force which holds the speech processor unit in position behind the pinna. Altering the strength of both the magnets as desired can alter the strength of the "sandwiching action" upon the pinna between the two magnets. Through initial experiments by the present applicant, it has been found that the present invention holds the speech processor in place far more securely than a conventional ear hook system, and is particularly effective in situations where the user is not in an upright position, this being a situation where the conventional ear hook system has proven largely ineffective. Further, it has been found that the present invention, when used in conjunction with a traditional ear hook system provides a far more robust and sturdy attachment mechanism that enables the user increased freedom of movement and security that the speech processor will not be easily dislodged from behind the ear.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the device according to the present invention. In this embodiment the speech processor unit is again shown by the reference numeral 40. The structure of the unit is the same as that shown in Figures 3 a,

Figure 3b and Figure A, with the unit 40 being designed to fit behind the pinna and to conform to the shape of the head in this region.

Included with the speech processor unit 40 is an attachment mechanism 55.

This attachment mechanism 55 preferably consists of a magnet that is formed within the speech processor unit 40, as shown, or alternatively may be placed on a surface of the speech processor unit 40. The attachment mechanism 55 is positioned on or close to the surface 58 of the speech processor unit 40 that abuts the flexible, cartilage portion of the pinna 11.

A securing mechanism 60 is provided and consists of a rod member having a metallic stud element 65 that extends through an orifice formed in the wall 62 of the pinna 11, in much the same manner as an item of ear jewellery that pierces that part of the outer ear. A securing clasp 64 is also provided to firmly maintain the rod member in position. The securing mechanism 60 may be located through any part of the user's outer ear, such as the auricle, triangular fossa or the crus of helix, and the stud 65 and clasp 64 elements may be ornate so that in use they resemble a common ear piercing to the casual observer. For this matter, this embodiment may better suit a female user, although should not be restricted to such a user. In use, as is shown in Figure 6, the stud element of the mechanism 60 is receivable in the attachment means 55 and held in place via the attracting force of the metal of the securing mechanism 60, to the magnet of the attachment means 55. The strength of this force being sufficient to ensure that the speech processor unit 40 can be securely and discretely held behind the user's ear 11, even when the user is in a non- vertical position or performing substantial physical activity.

The benefit of utilising a force such as a magnetic force rather than a locking mechanism directly locking the speech processor unit 40 to the ear is that damage to the structure of the outer ear is avoided. In this embodiment and in the previously described embodiment, if the speech processor unit 40 experiences an excessive force, it will easily detach from its position behind the ear, the point at which this occurs being when the applied force is greater than the magnetic attracting force. If the speech processor unit 40 was lockingly engaged behind the ear, an excessive force to the speech processor unit 40, such as if the unit became caught on a user's item of clothing in the action of removing that item of clothing, would have the potential to cause serious damage to the pinna, as well as considerable pain to the user. Therefore, the present invention also offers this safety advantage.

It is envisaged that with the system of the present invention, the design of speech processor units for the hearing impaired will no longer be primarily governed by the provision of an ear hook to maintain the device in place, a feature that has defined such products as being for the hearing impaired in the past. Without this design restriction, it will be possible for such units to evolve in new directions making them more ergonomic and more functional, and also allow for more efficient packaging of the internal electronics. This will also allow for smaller units to be designed, further benefiting the users of such devices.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1 An apparatus for holding a device on and/or behind an outer ear of a user, the apparatus comprising an attaching element locatable on or within said device, and a securing mechanism locatable at least partially within the outer ear of the user and having a positioning element mounted on or within the securing mechanism, wherein at least one of said attaching element and said positioning element comprise a magnet and further wherein said device is positionable in place on and/or behind the user's ear via magnetic attraction between the attaching element and the positioning element

2 The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device is a hearing prosthesis unit capable of detecting and processing environmental sounds for delivery to the user

3 A hearing prosthesis unit for a user comprising a casing mountable on and/or behind an outer ear of a user, an attaching element locatable on or within said casing, and a securing mechanism locatable at least partially within the outer ear of the user and having a positioning element mounted on or within the securing mechanism, wherein at least one of said attaching element and said positioning element comprise a magnet and further wherein said unit is positionable in place on and/or behind the user's ear via magnetic attraction between the attaching element and the positioning element

4 The hearing prosthesis unit of claim 3 wherein the unit is an amplifying hearing aid

5 The hearing prosthesis unit of claim 3 wherein the unit comprises an external component of a cochlear implant hearing prosthesis

6 The hearing prosthesis unit of claim 3 wherein the attaching element comprises a magnet and the positioning element comprises a material that is attracted to the magnet

7. The hearing prosthesis unit of claim 3 wherein the positioning element comprises a magnet and the attaching element comprises a material that is attracted to the magnet.

8. The hearing prosthesis of claim 3 wherein the attaching element and the positioning element each comprise magnets that are respectively positionable to be attracted to each other.

9. The hearing prosthesis of claim 3 wherein the securing mechanism comprises an outer housing that at least partially surrounds the positioning element, the outer housing comprising a coating of a relatively soft and/or resiliently flexible material.

10. The hearing prosthesis of claim 9. wherein the outer housing is configured to conform with at least a portion of the inside of the user's ear.

11. The hearing prosthesis of claim 10 wherein the outer housing is provided with an adhesive to assist in maintaining the securing mechanism in place within the user's outer ear.

12. The hearing prosthesis unit of claim 3 wherein the positioning element extends into and through the tissue of the outer ear of the user.

13. The hearing prosthesis unit of claim 12 wherein the positioning element comprises a post that is positionable through an orifice formed through the pinna of the user.

14. The hearing prosthesis unit of claim 13 wherein the post has a head or stud at one end thereof having a diameter larger than that of the post and the orifice to prevent the post passing through the pinna in at least one direction once the post has been positioned in the outer ear.

15. The hearing prosthesis unit of claim 14 wherein the head or stud is engageable with a clasp that is releasably engageable with the post at a location distal the head or stud. 16 The hearing prosthesis unit of claim 14 wherein the head or stud is magnetically attracted to the attaching element

17 The hearing prosthesis unit of claim 16 wherein the head or stud is formed from a material that is attracted to a magnet comprising the attaching element

18 The hearing prosthesis unit of claim 16 wherein the head or stud is a magnet that is attracted to the attaching element, the attaching element being formed of a suitable magnetic material or being a magnet

19 The hearing prosthesis of claim 3 wherein the casing is constructed to fit behind the ear of the user

20 The hearing prosthesis of claim 19 wherein the attaching element is located within the casing adjacent the edge of the casing that abuts with the pinna when the device is in position

21 The hearing prosthesis of claim 19 wherein the attaching element is located on the surface of the device or casing that abuts with the pinna when the device is in position

22 The hearing prosthesis of claim 20 wherein the attaching element is a magnet

23 The hearing prosthesis of claim 21 wherein the attaching element is a magnet