Devices and methods for hearing
AssigneeEarlens Corporation
InventorsSunil Puria, Micha Rosen, Jonathan P. Fay, Paul Rucker, James Stone
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device to transmit an audio signal to a user comprises a transducer and a support. The support is configured for placement on the eardrum to drive the eardrum. The transducer is coupled to the support at a first location to decrease occlusion and a second location to drive the eardrum. The transducer may comprise one or more of an electromagnetic balanced armature transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a magnetostrictive transducer, a photostrictive transducer, or a coil and magnet. The device may find use with open canal hearing aids.
Claims9
A method of inductively transmitting an audio signal to a user, the method comprising:
- inductively coupling a first coil to a second coil, wherein the first coil is placed in an ear canal of the user and the second coil is a part of a transducer placed at least partially against an eardrum of the user;
- driving a current through a third coil, wherein the second coil is electrically connected to the third coil;
- moving a balanced armature in response to the current driven through the third coil wherein the third coil is wrapped around at least a portion of the balanced armature;
- vibrating the eardrum of the user through a reed post connected to the balanced armature;
- and
- supporting the transducer while the balanced armature is moved in response to the current driven through the third coil, by providing a support configured for placement at least partially against an outer portion of the eardrum without penetrating the outer portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.