# US 2014/0153762 A1 · Earpiece assembly with foil clip > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0153762 A1 - Document ID: US20140153762A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/691,624 - Filed: 2012-11-30 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30 - Assignees: iHear Medical, Inc. - Applicants: Ihear Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Adnan Shennib; Victor Valenzuela; Patrick Contioso; Greg Anderson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140153762A1 ## CPC - H04R 25/656: {Non-customized, universal ear tips, i.e. ear tips which are not specifically adapted to the size or shape of the ear or ear canal} - H04R 2225/023: Completely in the canal [CIC] hearing aids - H04R 2225/025: In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract Examples of a removable earpiece assembly configured for coupling to a canal hearing device using a foil-thin clip are described. The earpiece assembly may be readily removed for replacement when soiled or degraded after use. The earpiece assembly may include a compliant element for contact with the ear canal in a comfortable and safe manner. The earpiece assembly may function as an acoustic seal and/or a retainer for the canal hearing device. The removable earpiece assembly may provide a highly space efficient solution which may be used with miniature canal hearing devices, including a CIC device. In some embodiments, disengagement of the earpiece assembly from the canal hearing device may be accomplished by a side peel motion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A seal assembly configured for removable attachment to a canal hearing device and adapted to provide acoustic sealing in the ear canal, the seal assembly comprising: a clip element formed of metal foil having a thickness of 0.2 mm or less, wherein the clip element is configured to be attached to a rigid medial end of a canal hearing device encapsulating a speaker assembly therewithin, the clip element being deformable when the seal assembly is detached from the canal hearing device; and a relatively compliant seal element, at least partially concentrically positioned over the clip element, wherein the compliant seal element is configured to provide acoustic attenuation in the audiometric frequency range of 1,000 to 4,000 Hz. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip element further comprises one or more cut-outs configured for cooperating fit with protruding features of the canal hearing device and latching thereto. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip element is made of steel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip element comprises one or more locking tabs. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The seal assembly of claim 4, wherein the one or more locking tabs are tapered. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the compliant seal element is made of a biocompatible elastomer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip element is configured for keyed engagement with the canal hearing device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip element further comprises one or more stop tabs. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip element further comprises one or more perforated segments configured to tear during removal of the seal assembly from the canal hearing device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal assembly is configured to be attached to the canal hearing device using a snap mechanism. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal assembly is configured to be disengaged from the canal hearing device using a tool. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip element is bonded to the compliant seal element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The seal assembly of claim 12, wherein the clip element is bonded to the compliant seal element at a joint of the clip element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) The seal assembly of claim 2, wherein the one or more protruding features include one or more angled surfaces for releasable engagement with the one or more cut-outs. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the metal foil is in the range of 0.05 to 0.08 mm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip element is configured to disengage from the canal hearing device when a separating axial force of 2 lbs or more is applied between the canal hearing device and the clip element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip element is configured to engage with the canal hearing device when a clip-on force of 0.5 lbs or less is applied between the canal hearing device and the clip element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal assembly is configured to be removed from the canal hearing device by a side-peel motion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The seal assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal assembly is configured to be removed from the canal hearing device by an axial unsnap motion. ### Claim 20 An earpiece assembly for insertion into the ear canal, wherein the earpiece assembly is configured to be removably attached to a canal hearing device to securely retain the canal hearing device inside the ear canal, the earpiece assembly comprising: a clip element formed of thin metal foil not exceeding 0.2 mm in thickness, wherein the clip element is configured to securely attach to a canal hearing device encapsulating a receiver assembly concentrically therewithin; and a compliant element, at least partially concentrically positioned about the clip element, wherein the clip element is deformable when the earpiece assembly is detached from the canal hearing device. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The earpiece assembly of claim 20, wherein the clip element comprises one or more locking tabs. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The earpiece of claim 20, wherein the clip element comprises one or more cut-outs configured for cooperating fit with protruding features of the canal hearing device. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The earpiece assembly of claim 20, wherein the compliant element is made of a biocompatible elastomer. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The earpiece assembly of claim 20, wherein the earpiece assembly is attached to the canal hearing device using a snap mechanism. ### Claim 25 An earpiece assembly for removable attachment to a canal hearing device, the earpiece assembly comprising: a clip element made of a rigid material having a thickness of 0.2 mm or less, wherein the clip element is configured for attaching the earpiece assembly to a medial end of a canal hearing device including a receiver assembly therewithin; and a filter configured to be disposed across a receiver port of the receiver assembly within the canal hearing device; and a compliant element, positioned circumferentially around the clip element, wherein the clip element includes one or more cut-outs for latching with one or more bosses on the canal hearing device to provide secure attachment of the earpiece assembly to the canal hearing device when joined thereto and inserted into the ear canal. ### Claim 26 A method of use of an earpiece assembly removably coupled to a canal hearing device, the method comprising: coupling a canal hearing device to an earpiece assembly configured for cooperating fit with the canal hearing device by applying an axial force therebetween, wherein the earpiece assembly includes a clip element formed of a metal foil having a thickness of 0.2 mm or less, and a compliant element, at least partially concentrically positioned over the clip element of the earpiece assembly; and inserting the canal hearing device and the earpiece assembly attached thereto into the ear canal for delivering sound within the ear canal. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, further comprising removing the earpiece assembly from the canal hearing device. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein removing the earpiece assembly from the canal hearing device includes using a side-peel motion. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein removing the earpiece assembly from the canal hearing device includes applying an axial separating force between the canal hearing device and the clip element. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, further comprising acoustically sealing inside the ear canal when worn therein using the compliant element. ### Claim 31 A method for removing an earpiece assembly from a canal hearing device, the method comprising: wearing a canal hearing device attached to an earpiece assembly, wherein the earpiece assembly comprises a clip element formed of material having thickness of 0.2 mm or less, the clip element providing attachment to a relatively rigid end of the canal hearing device, and wherein the earpiece assembly further comprises a compliant element, at least partially concentrically positioned over the clip element of the earpiece assembly; and detaching the earpiece assembly from the canal hearing device by applying a side-peel motion with respect to a body of the canal hearing device.