Back to results
US 5,812,680 AGranted
Hearing aid apparatus
OwnerDouglas H. Glendoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved earring-style hearing aid includes a tongue-shaped mold that fits along the bottom of the ear canal, leaving the ear canal substantially unfilled, and that delivers to the eardrum amplified sound that is received through a removably attachable connector from a combination microphone and amplification circuit that is attached to the ear lobe and that can be configured using one of many different covers to take the appearance of one of many different earrings.
Claims18
A hearing aid comprising
- a microphone for generating a signal;
- an amplifier configurable to receive a signal for producing an amplified signal;
- control means adapted to control said amplifier;
- a receiver configured to receive said amplified signal and to generate a sound pressure signal;
- a connector configurable to receive said amplified signal for conducting said sound pressure signal, said connector having an inner member and an outer member, said inner member being removably insertable into said outer member, said connector being able to conduct said sound pressure signal when said inner member is at least partially inserted into said outer member, said connector forming a breakaway nipple;
- a conduit configurable to extend into the ear canal, said conduit configurable to receive said amplified signal from said connector for conducting said amplified signal to an area proximal to the eardrum;
- a substantially flat circuit holder adapted to carry and electrically connect electronic components including said microphone, said amplifier, said control means, and a battery;
- and
- a housing to contain said circuit holder and electronic components, adapted to be attached solely to an ear lobe, said housing having a female receptacle for housing the breakaway nipple and the outer member.
6 more elements
A hearing aid comprising:
- a microphone for generating a signal;
- an amplifier;
- configurable to receive a signal for producing an amplified signal;
- control means adapted to control said amplifier;
- a receiver configured to receive said amplified signal and to generate a sound pressure signal;
- a sound-conducting connector configurable to receive said sound pressure signal for conducting said sound pressure signal, said connector having an inner member and an outer member, said inner member being removably insertable into the outer member and forming a breakaway nipple;
- a conduit configurable to extend into the ear canal, said conduit configurable to receive said sound pressure signal from said connector for conducting said sound pressure signal to an area proximal to the eardrum;
- a substantially flat circuit holder adapted to carry and electrically connect electronic components including said microphone, said amplifier, said control means, and a battery;
- a housing to contain said circuit holder and electronic components, adapted to be attached to an ear lobe, said housing having a female receptacle for housing the inner and outer members;
- and
- cosmetic jewelry attached to said housing, concealing said circuit holder.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.