CA1214999A - Wax guard system - Google Patents
Wax guard systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1214999A CA1214999A CA000457691A CA457691A CA1214999A CA 1214999 A CA1214999 A CA 1214999A CA 000457691 A CA000457691 A CA 000457691A CA 457691 A CA457691 A CA 457691A CA 1214999 A CA1214999 A CA 1214999A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hearing aid
- guard
- pliant
- port
- cross
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/65—Housing parts, e.g. shells, tips or moulds, or their manufacture
- H04R25/652—Ear tips; Ear moulds
- H04R25/654—Ear wax retarders
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A wax guard system to prevent earwax from contacting and damaging the internal components of a hearing aid. The system includes a sound channel, pliant guard, and retainer ring. The pliant guard is held in position near the sound channel by the retainer ring. The pliant guard allows sound to pass out of the hearing aid, but substantially prevents earwax from entering the sound channel.
A wax guard system to prevent earwax from contacting and damaging the internal components of a hearing aid. The system includes a sound channel, pliant guard, and retainer ring. The pliant guard is held in position near the sound channel by the retainer ring. The pliant guard allows sound to pass out of the hearing aid, but substantially prevents earwax from entering the sound channel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a wax guard system and more particularly to a system for preventing ear wax from entering the sound channel and receiver of "in the ear" or "canal" type hearing aids.
Many hearing aids include a shell that holds the components of ~he hearing aid and rests within the ear canal of a user. The components include a receiver and a sound channel interconnecting the receiver and shell. Electrical signals representative of the sounds are sent to the receiver by other components within the hearing aid, and the receiver responsively creates sound. The sound travels from the receiver~ through the sound channel and shell, to the user's ear canal and ear drum.
; The ears of most users naturally secrete a substance referred to as cerumen or earwax. While -the earwax tends to clean the interna~ structure of an ear, it also tends to flow into the sound cbannel and
The present invention relates generally to a wax guard system and more particularly to a system for preventing ear wax from entering the sound channel and receiver of "in the ear" or "canal" type hearing aids.
Many hearing aids include a shell that holds the components of ~he hearing aid and rests within the ear canal of a user. The components include a receiver and a sound channel interconnecting the receiver and shell. Electrical signals representative of the sounds are sent to the receiver by other components within the hearing aid, and the receiver responsively creates sound. The sound travels from the receiver~ through the sound channel and shell, to the user's ear canal and ear drum.
; The ears of most users naturally secrete a substance referred to as cerumen or earwax. While -the earwax tends to clean the interna~ structure of an ear, it also tends to flow into the sound cbannel and
2~ receiver of the hearing aid. Upon reaching the receiver, the earwax interferes with, or prevents, proper operation of the receiver.
Consequently, the hearing aid may require complete disassembly so that the receiver may be cleaned or replaced. Of course, bringing the hearing aid to a service center ~or such disassembly is both inconvenient and expensive for the user.
Unfortunately, presently available systems are poorly suited to guard against earwax buildup in the sound channel and receiver of a hearing aid. Some hearing aids, for example, have no protection against earwax. Other conventional systems may use a rigid .g.,. . ~ ~
metal screen that is ineEfective in stopping the flow of earwax into the receiver and must be carefully cleaned periodically with a special toolO
In a principal aspect, the present invention is a wax guard system for a hearing aid~ The hearing aid includes a shell having both an interior surface about a cavity defined by the shell and an exterior surface which is exposed to a region that is external to the hearing aid.
The shell also includes a hearing aid port between the exterior and interior surfaces. Moreover, a receiver, having an output port, rests within the cavity. A sound channel interconnects the output pork of the receiver and the hearing aid port so that sound may travel from the receiver to the external region.
The sound channel defines a centerline and a cross-sectional dimension substantially perpendicular to thecenterline.
The wax guard system includes a pliant, porous s ructure, referred to as a ~Iguard~ inserted into the hearing aid port. The guard substantially allows sound to pass from the sound channel to the external region.
Moreover, the guard substantially prevents earwax from flowing from the external region into the sound channel.
The pliant guard has a cross-sectional dimension greater than the crs~ss-sectional dimension of the sound channel. In addi~ion, a retainer ring is affixed to the hearing aid port between the pliant guard and external region. The retainer ring defines an aperture having a cross-sectional dimension less than the cross~sectional dimension of the pliant guard. As a result, the retainer ring retains the pliant guard within the hearing aid port~
;
Thus, an object of the present invention is an improved wax guard system Eor hearing aids. Another object is a wax guard system that is more e~:Eective and less expensive.
Still another object is a wax guard system that uses a more pliable and saEe guard. In adclition, an object is a wax guard system that uses a guard which collects wax and thereaEter may easily be removed, disposed of, and replaced with another guard.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THF, DRAWING
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the hearing aid shell and receiver used with the present insention;
FIGU~F. 2 is a cross-sectional view ~taken substantially along line 2-2) of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIGURE l; and FIGU~E 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view (taken substantially along line 3-3) of the sound channel, pliant guard, and retainer ring of the preferred ~mbodiment shown in FIGURE 2.
Consequently, the hearing aid may require complete disassembly so that the receiver may be cleaned or replaced. Of course, bringing the hearing aid to a service center ~or such disassembly is both inconvenient and expensive for the user.
Unfortunately, presently available systems are poorly suited to guard against earwax buildup in the sound channel and receiver of a hearing aid. Some hearing aids, for example, have no protection against earwax. Other conventional systems may use a rigid .g.,. . ~ ~
metal screen that is ineEfective in stopping the flow of earwax into the receiver and must be carefully cleaned periodically with a special toolO
In a principal aspect, the present invention is a wax guard system for a hearing aid~ The hearing aid includes a shell having both an interior surface about a cavity defined by the shell and an exterior surface which is exposed to a region that is external to the hearing aid.
The shell also includes a hearing aid port between the exterior and interior surfaces. Moreover, a receiver, having an output port, rests within the cavity. A sound channel interconnects the output pork of the receiver and the hearing aid port so that sound may travel from the receiver to the external region.
The sound channel defines a centerline and a cross-sectional dimension substantially perpendicular to thecenterline.
The wax guard system includes a pliant, porous s ructure, referred to as a ~Iguard~ inserted into the hearing aid port. The guard substantially allows sound to pass from the sound channel to the external region.
Moreover, the guard substantially prevents earwax from flowing from the external region into the sound channel.
The pliant guard has a cross-sectional dimension greater than the crs~ss-sectional dimension of the sound channel. In addi~ion, a retainer ring is affixed to the hearing aid port between the pliant guard and external region. The retainer ring defines an aperture having a cross-sectional dimension less than the cross~sectional dimension of the pliant guard. As a result, the retainer ring retains the pliant guard within the hearing aid port~
;
Thus, an object of the present invention is an improved wax guard system Eor hearing aids. Another object is a wax guard system that is more e~:Eective and less expensive.
Still another object is a wax guard system that uses a more pliable and saEe guard. In adclition, an object is a wax guard system that uses a guard which collects wax and thereaEter may easily be removed, disposed of, and replaced with another guard.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THF, DRAWING
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the hearing aid shell and receiver used with the present insention;
FIGU~F. 2 is a cross-sectional view ~taken substantially along line 2-2) of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIGURE l; and FIGU~E 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view (taken substantially along line 3-3) of the sound channel, pliant guard, and retainer ring of the preferred ~mbodiment shown in FIGURE 2.
3~
DETAILED DESCR PTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FI~URES 1-3, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as an.
improved wax guard system, generally desiynated 10, for "in the ear" or "canal" type hearing aids, illustra-tively designated 12.
Such hearing aids often include a pl.astic housing or shell 14. The shell 14 includes an interior surface 16, exterior surface 18, and hearing aid port 1~ 20. The interior surface 16 defines an interior cavity 22 of the shell 14.
The exterior surEace 18 is exposed to a region 24 that is external to the hearing aid 12. The hearing aid port 20 extends between the interior and exterior surfaces 16, 18 of the shell 14. The port 20 is cylindrically shaped, having a length between the internal and external surfaces 16, 18 of approximately .060 inch and a diameter of about oll0 inch.
In the pr~ferred embodiment, the interior cavity 22 of the shell 14 contains components for the hearing aid 12S such as a receiver 26, sound channel 28, and filler material 30~ The receiver 26 includes a protuberant output port 32. Sound is emitted from the receiver 26 through its output port 32. The filler materia:l 30 substantially fills a portion of the interior cavity 22 and cradles the receiver 260 The sound channel 28 is a hollow, substan--tially cylindrically~shaped passageway. The sound channel 28 interconnects the output port 32 of the receiver 26 with the hearing a:id port 20. It may be formed, for example, either by a tube or, as in the preferred embodiment, by the absence of filler material 30 between the output port 32 and hearing aid port 20.
The sound channel 28 ~efines a centerline 34 between the output port 32 of the receiver 26 and hearing aid port 20. The centerline 34 is in the very midd:Le of the sound channel 28 and is shown as being straight. The sound channel 28 may be formed in a variety of non-straight shapes, of course and the centerline 34, extending down the middle of the sound channel 28 would then also assume a non-straight shape.
In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGURE 3, the cross section of the sound channel 2g is perpendicular to the centerline 34 and has a pre-determined, circular shape. The diameter of the circular shape is approximately .050 inch.
The wax guard system also includes a pliant, porous structure, hereinafter referred to as a porous guard 36 and retainer cup or ring 38. The pliant guard 36 is comprised of a cylindrical disk of open cell polyurethane. While a large variety of such foams will prove suitable for use with the present invention, applicants have discovered that Scott Industrial Foam manufactured by the Foam Division of the Scott Paper Company, 1500 East Second Street, Chester, Pennsylvania 19013l functions satisfactorily.
Such foam having a density of approximately 80 pores per inch has been found acceptable. The foam is capable of allowing sound to pass therethrou~h without substantial interEerence and still resist the flow of wax therethrough n Moreover, the soft, light pliable nature of the foam makes it well-suited for use within the human ear. Even if dropped within the ear, its pliability will substantially resist irritating or abrading the skin or structures within the ear~
Moreover, the ~oam is chemically inert~ Thus it is not adversely affected by body aclds, perspiration, cr mild soaps.
In the preferred embodiment, the cylindrical, pliant guard 36 has a thickness (between the interior and exterior surfaces 16, 18 of the shell 14) of appro,ximately .030 inch. The pliant guard 36 also has a diameter (or cross-sectional dimension) of approx-imately .080 inch.
The plian~ guard 36 is inserted in the hearing aid port 20 abu~ting both the sound channel 28 and filler material 30 within the interior cavity 22 of the shell 14. Since the pliant guard 36 has a cross-sectional dimension (diameter) O030 inch larger than the cross-sectional dimension (diameter) of ~he sound channel 28, the pliant guard 36 resists moving into the sound channel 28 or output port 32 of the receiver 26.
The entire retainer ring 38 has an outside diamelter o roughly .lL0 inch and is af~ixed to the hearing aid port 20 substantially between the pliant guard 36 and external region 24. The retainer ring 38 may be permanently affixed by gluing it in the hearing aid port 20 with a strong glue 40 such as a cyano-acrylate ester.
In the preferred embodiment, the retainer ring 38 is a unitary, substantially ring-shaped device.
For purposes of illustration, however, the retainer ring 38 may~ be considered as having both an upper region 42 adjacent the sound channel 28 and filler material 30 and a lower region 44 adjacent the external region 24. The upper region 42 is approximately .030 inch thick (which is roughly the same thickness as the pliant guard 36) and defines a central aper-ture 46 that is approxirnately .080 inch in diameter (which is roughly the same #~
_g_ diameter as the pliant guard 36). Thus, the pliant guard 36 lies wil:hin the central aperture 46 of the upper region 42 of the retainer ring 38.
The lower region 44 of the retainer ring 38 abuts the upper region 42 and is also approximately .030 inch thick. The lower region 44, however, deEines at least one central aperture 48 that is only .060 inch in diameter. The upper and lower regions 42, 44 of the retainer riny 38 may thus cooperatively define a catch 50 for preventing the pliant guard 36 from slipping out of the hearing aid 12 into the external region 24.
Moreover, the lower region 44 of the retainer ring 38 also includes an outer, tapered edge 52 that is tapered away from the centerline 34 of the sound channel 23.
The tapered edge 52 acts as a gradual transition from the central aperture to the external region 24.
In operation, the hearing aid 12 is inserted into the canal of the userls ear with the hearing aid port 20 pointing toward the ear drum. Sound is emitted from the receiver 26 through the output port 32. The sound passes through the sound channel 28 and through the pliant guard 36 into the external region 24, which includes the user's ear canal and ear drum.
Earwax may flow into the hearing aid port 20, but is substantially prevented from entering the sound channel 28 and output port 32 of the receiver 26 by the pliant guard 36~ Instead, the pliant guard 36 collects the wax.
After the pliant guard 36 has collected wax, khe hearing aid 12 may be removed from the ear. An implement, such as a simple tweezers (not ~hown), may then be inserted into the hearing aid port 20 to grab onto the pliant guard 36 and remove it. The soiled pliant guard 36 may then be disposed of and a fresh, new pliant guard 36 may be inserted into the upper region 42 of the retainer ring 38. The heariny aid 12 is then ready for continued use without fear that earwax will enter the receiver 26 to clog or destroy it.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described herein. It is to be understood, however, tha-t changes and modificatlons can be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
For example, the thickness and density of the pliant guard 36 may be changed so that it will modify or dampen, in a predetermined, desired manner, the sound emitted from the hearing aid 12. In addition, the preferred embodiment previously described shows the shell 14 and retainer ring 38 as being separate elements. Those of ordinary skill in the art will quickly recognize, for example, -that the shell 14 and retainer ring 38 could also be made as a single, uni~ary cons~ruction. The true scope and spirit of the invention are defined by the following claims and their equivalents, to be interpreted in light of the foregoing specification.
DETAILED DESCR PTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FI~URES 1-3, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown as an.
improved wax guard system, generally desiynated 10, for "in the ear" or "canal" type hearing aids, illustra-tively designated 12.
Such hearing aids often include a pl.astic housing or shell 14. The shell 14 includes an interior surface 16, exterior surface 18, and hearing aid port 1~ 20. The interior surface 16 defines an interior cavity 22 of the shell 14.
The exterior surEace 18 is exposed to a region 24 that is external to the hearing aid 12. The hearing aid port 20 extends between the interior and exterior surfaces 16, 18 of the shell 14. The port 20 is cylindrically shaped, having a length between the internal and external surfaces 16, 18 of approximately .060 inch and a diameter of about oll0 inch.
In the pr~ferred embodiment, the interior cavity 22 of the shell 14 contains components for the hearing aid 12S such as a receiver 26, sound channel 28, and filler material 30~ The receiver 26 includes a protuberant output port 32. Sound is emitted from the receiver 26 through its output port 32. The filler materia:l 30 substantially fills a portion of the interior cavity 22 and cradles the receiver 260 The sound channel 28 is a hollow, substan--tially cylindrically~shaped passageway. The sound channel 28 interconnects the output port 32 of the receiver 26 with the hearing a:id port 20. It may be formed, for example, either by a tube or, as in the preferred embodiment, by the absence of filler material 30 between the output port 32 and hearing aid port 20.
The sound channel 28 ~efines a centerline 34 between the output port 32 of the receiver 26 and hearing aid port 20. The centerline 34 is in the very midd:Le of the sound channel 28 and is shown as being straight. The sound channel 28 may be formed in a variety of non-straight shapes, of course and the centerline 34, extending down the middle of the sound channel 28 would then also assume a non-straight shape.
In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGURE 3, the cross section of the sound channel 2g is perpendicular to the centerline 34 and has a pre-determined, circular shape. The diameter of the circular shape is approximately .050 inch.
The wax guard system also includes a pliant, porous structure, hereinafter referred to as a porous guard 36 and retainer cup or ring 38. The pliant guard 36 is comprised of a cylindrical disk of open cell polyurethane. While a large variety of such foams will prove suitable for use with the present invention, applicants have discovered that Scott Industrial Foam manufactured by the Foam Division of the Scott Paper Company, 1500 East Second Street, Chester, Pennsylvania 19013l functions satisfactorily.
Such foam having a density of approximately 80 pores per inch has been found acceptable. The foam is capable of allowing sound to pass therethrou~h without substantial interEerence and still resist the flow of wax therethrough n Moreover, the soft, light pliable nature of the foam makes it well-suited for use within the human ear. Even if dropped within the ear, its pliability will substantially resist irritating or abrading the skin or structures within the ear~
Moreover, the ~oam is chemically inert~ Thus it is not adversely affected by body aclds, perspiration, cr mild soaps.
In the preferred embodiment, the cylindrical, pliant guard 36 has a thickness (between the interior and exterior surfaces 16, 18 of the shell 14) of appro,ximately .030 inch. The pliant guard 36 also has a diameter (or cross-sectional dimension) of approx-imately .080 inch.
The plian~ guard 36 is inserted in the hearing aid port 20 abu~ting both the sound channel 28 and filler material 30 within the interior cavity 22 of the shell 14. Since the pliant guard 36 has a cross-sectional dimension (diameter) O030 inch larger than the cross-sectional dimension (diameter) of ~he sound channel 28, the pliant guard 36 resists moving into the sound channel 28 or output port 32 of the receiver 26.
The entire retainer ring 38 has an outside diamelter o roughly .lL0 inch and is af~ixed to the hearing aid port 20 substantially between the pliant guard 36 and external region 24. The retainer ring 38 may be permanently affixed by gluing it in the hearing aid port 20 with a strong glue 40 such as a cyano-acrylate ester.
In the preferred embodiment, the retainer ring 38 is a unitary, substantially ring-shaped device.
For purposes of illustration, however, the retainer ring 38 may~ be considered as having both an upper region 42 adjacent the sound channel 28 and filler material 30 and a lower region 44 adjacent the external region 24. The upper region 42 is approximately .030 inch thick (which is roughly the same thickness as the pliant guard 36) and defines a central aper-ture 46 that is approxirnately .080 inch in diameter (which is roughly the same #~
_g_ diameter as the pliant guard 36). Thus, the pliant guard 36 lies wil:hin the central aperture 46 of the upper region 42 of the retainer ring 38.
The lower region 44 of the retainer ring 38 abuts the upper region 42 and is also approximately .030 inch thick. The lower region 44, however, deEines at least one central aperture 48 that is only .060 inch in diameter. The upper and lower regions 42, 44 of the retainer riny 38 may thus cooperatively define a catch 50 for preventing the pliant guard 36 from slipping out of the hearing aid 12 into the external region 24.
Moreover, the lower region 44 of the retainer ring 38 also includes an outer, tapered edge 52 that is tapered away from the centerline 34 of the sound channel 23.
The tapered edge 52 acts as a gradual transition from the central aperture to the external region 24.
In operation, the hearing aid 12 is inserted into the canal of the userls ear with the hearing aid port 20 pointing toward the ear drum. Sound is emitted from the receiver 26 through the output port 32. The sound passes through the sound channel 28 and through the pliant guard 36 into the external region 24, which includes the user's ear canal and ear drum.
Earwax may flow into the hearing aid port 20, but is substantially prevented from entering the sound channel 28 and output port 32 of the receiver 26 by the pliant guard 36~ Instead, the pliant guard 36 collects the wax.
After the pliant guard 36 has collected wax, khe hearing aid 12 may be removed from the ear. An implement, such as a simple tweezers (not ~hown), may then be inserted into the hearing aid port 20 to grab onto the pliant guard 36 and remove it. The soiled pliant guard 36 may then be disposed of and a fresh, new pliant guard 36 may be inserted into the upper region 42 of the retainer ring 38. The heariny aid 12 is then ready for continued use without fear that earwax will enter the receiver 26 to clog or destroy it.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described herein. It is to be understood, however, tha-t changes and modificatlons can be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
For example, the thickness and density of the pliant guard 36 may be changed so that it will modify or dampen, in a predetermined, desired manner, the sound emitted from the hearing aid 12. In addition, the preferred embodiment previously described shows the shell 14 and retainer ring 38 as being separate elements. Those of ordinary skill in the art will quickly recognize, for example, -that the shell 14 and retainer ring 38 could also be made as a single, uni~ary cons~ruction. The true scope and spirit of the invention are defined by the following claims and their equivalents, to be interpreted in light of the foregoing specification.
Claims (5)
1. A wax guard system for a hearing aid, said hearing aid including a shell having an interior surface about an interior cavity of said shell and an exterior surface adjacent an external region of said hearing aid comprising, in combination:
a hearing aid port between said exterior and interior surfaces of said shell, said hearing aid port defining a centerline from said interior cavity to said external region and a cross-sectional dimension substantially perpendicular to said centerline;
a receiver within said interior cavity of said shell, said receiver including an acoustic output port;
a sound channel interconnecting said acoustic output port of said receiver and said hearing aid port, whereby sound may travel from said acoustic output port, through said sound channel and hearing aid port, into said external region, said acoustic output port, sound channel, and hearing aid port defining a centerline therethrough, said sound channel defining a cross-sectional dimension substantially perpendicular to said centerline;
pliant guard means, inserted in said hearing aid port, for substantially allowing sound to pass from said receiver and sound channel to said external region and for substantially preventing wax from flowing from said external region into said sound channel and receiver, said pliant guard means defining a cross-sectional dimension greater than said cross--sectional dimension of said sound channel; and retainer ring means, affixed to said hearing aid port between said pliant guard means and said external region, for retaining said pliant guard means within said hearing aid port, said retainer ring means defining a first aperture having a first cross-sectional dimension less than said cross-sectional dimension of said pliant guard means.
a hearing aid port between said exterior and interior surfaces of said shell, said hearing aid port defining a centerline from said interior cavity to said external region and a cross-sectional dimension substantially perpendicular to said centerline;
a receiver within said interior cavity of said shell, said receiver including an acoustic output port;
a sound channel interconnecting said acoustic output port of said receiver and said hearing aid port, whereby sound may travel from said acoustic output port, through said sound channel and hearing aid port, into said external region, said acoustic output port, sound channel, and hearing aid port defining a centerline therethrough, said sound channel defining a cross-sectional dimension substantially perpendicular to said centerline;
pliant guard means, inserted in said hearing aid port, for substantially allowing sound to pass from said receiver and sound channel to said external region and for substantially preventing wax from flowing from said external region into said sound channel and receiver, said pliant guard means defining a cross-sectional dimension greater than said cross--sectional dimension of said sound channel; and retainer ring means, affixed to said hearing aid port between said pliant guard means and said external region, for retaining said pliant guard means within said hearing aid port, said retainer ring means defining a first aperture having a first cross-sectional dimension less than said cross-sectional dimension of said pliant guard means.
2. A wax guard system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said retainer ring means defines upper and lower regions, said lower region substantially adjacent said external region and encompassing said first aperture with said first cross-sectional dimension, said upper region substantially adjacent said interior cavity and encompassing a second aperture defining a second cross-sectional dimension, said second cross-sectional dimension being greater than said first cross-sectional dimension and said upper and lower regions of said retainer ring means cooperatively defining catch means for holding said pliant guard means within said output port.
3. A wax guard system as claimed in Claims 1 or 2 wherein said pliant guard means comprises open cell polyurethane foam.
4. A wax guard system as claimed in Claims 1 or 2 wherein said retainer ring means is glued within said hearing aid port.
5. A wax guard system as claimed in Claims 1 or 2 wherein said retainer ring means is formed by said shell.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US58545184A | 1984-03-02 | 1984-03-02 | |
| US585,451 | 1984-03-02 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1214999A true CA1214999A (en) | 1986-12-09 |
Family
ID=24341501
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000457691A Expired CA1214999A (en) | 1984-03-02 | 1984-06-28 | Wax guard system |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS60232799A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1214999A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3504891A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2560520B1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2155276B (en) |
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| WO2008061335A1 (en) * | 2006-11-22 | 2008-05-29 | Gennum Corporation | Wax guard for a hearing aid |
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| DE8713369U1 (en) * | 1987-10-05 | 1989-02-09 | Siemens Ag, 1000 Berlin Und 8000 Muenchen, De | |
| US4953215A (en) * | 1989-10-05 | 1990-08-28 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Arrangement to prevent the intrusion of foreign matter into an electro-acoustical transducer |
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| US7403629B1 (en) | 1999-05-05 | 2008-07-22 | Sarnoff Corporation | Disposable modular hearing aid |
| ATE300853T1 (en) * | 1999-05-05 | 2005-08-15 | Sarnoff Corp | DISPOSABLE MODULAR HEARING AID |
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| US8549733B2 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2013-10-08 | Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc. | Method of forming a transducer assembly |
| US8538061B2 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2013-09-17 | Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc. | Earphone driver and method of manufacture |
| US8548186B2 (en) | 2010-07-09 | 2013-10-01 | Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc. | Earphone assembly |
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Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2437490A (en) * | 1942-06-26 | 1948-03-09 | Norman A Watson | Ear defender |
| FR1215869A (en) * | 1958-11-20 | 1960-04-21 | Alsetex | Ear protector |
| USRE26174E (en) * | 1961-12-05 | 1967-03-21 | Leale hearing aid | |
| US3408461A (en) * | 1965-05-28 | 1968-10-29 | Royal Industries | Hearing aid |
| DE1263849B (en) * | 1966-04-30 | 1968-03-21 | Siemens Ag | Hearing aid |
| GB1142831A (en) * | 1966-10-03 | 1969-02-12 | Bernatone Ltd | An in-the-ear hearing aid |
| CH528198A (en) * | 1971-12-30 | 1972-09-15 | Elektroakustik Ag F | Hearing aid |
| JPH0312000Y2 (en) * | 1981-04-20 | 1991-03-22 |
-
1984
- 1984-06-18 GB GB08415455A patent/GB2155276B/en not_active Expired
- 1984-06-28 CA CA000457691A patent/CA1214999A/en not_active Expired
- 1984-08-01 FR FR8412195A patent/FR2560520B1/en not_active Expired
-
1985
- 1985-02-13 DE DE19853504891 patent/DE3504891A1/en active Granted
- 1985-03-01 JP JP3897185A patent/JPS60232799A/en active Pending
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2008061335A1 (en) * | 2006-11-22 | 2008-05-29 | Gennum Corporation | Wax guard for a hearing aid |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2155276A (en) | 1985-09-18 |
| FR2560520B1 (en) | 1987-02-27 |
| GB8415455D0 (en) | 1984-07-25 |
| JPS60232799A (en) | 1985-11-19 |
| DE3504891A1 (en) | 1985-09-05 |
| DE3504891C2 (en) | 1988-03-24 |
| GB2155276B (en) | 1987-10-21 |
| FR2560520A1 (en) | 1985-09-06 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |