BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor

Details BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor

2006-09-19

2006-09-19

Tran, Sinh (Department: 2615)

Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices

Hearing aids, electrical

Specified casing or housing

C381S328000, C381S330000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07110562

ABSTRACT:
An earpiece auditory device includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) component, which includes processing circuitry. In an embodiment, the device also includes a completely-in-canal (CIC) component, shaped to fit into the ear canal of the user such that it touches the bony portion of the ear canal. In some embodiments, the CIC component includes either a universal fit or a custom fit ear mold. The custom fit ear mold can be fabricated using a rapid prototyping technology, in which the contours of the user's ear canal are scanned, and the scan data is used either directly or indirectly to replicate the ear canal contours of that user into the custom fit ear mold. In some embodiments, the ear mold is detachably interconnected with a speaker module, preferably using either an intermediate sleeve or a detachable locking pin assembly. In another embodiment, the speaker module is permanently encapsulated within the ear mold.

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