Sealing retainer for extended wear hearing devices

Details Sealing retainer for extended wear hearing devices Sealing retainer for extended wear hearing devices

2005-09-27

2010-02-16

Kuntz, Curtis (Department: 2614)

Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices

Hearing aids, electrical

Specified casing or housing

C381S322000, C181S135000, C424S424000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07664282

ABSTRACT:
An embodiment provides a seal for retaining a hearing device within the ear canal comprising a curved shell having an opening at a shell apex portion. The shell defines a cavity for retention of a device component. An interior surface of a shell wall has a scalloped shape configured to distribute compressive forces applied to the shell perimeter such that when the shell is positioned in the canal, the shell wall conforms to the shape of the canal to maintain an acoustical seal between a shell exterior surface and the canal walls. The scalloped shape can be configured to produce a substantially constant amount of inward deformation of a shell wall independent of a force application point on a shell perimeter. The shell can include a coating to retain the seal in the canal and/or to promote asparagine growth into the coating to fastenly retain the seal in the canal.

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