초록 ▼

A direct contact hearing aid apparatus adapted to be mounted deep within the ear canal is disclosed, including an output electromechanical transducer for converting audio output signals into mechanical movement of an output coupling element without the production of discernible sound waves to preven

A direct contact hearing aid apparatus adapted to be mounted deep within the ear canal is disclosed, including an output electromechanical transducer for converting audio output signals into mechanical movement of an output coupling element without the production of discernible sound waves to prevent acoustic feedback. The coupling element is supported in direct contact with a contact element mounted on the tympanic membrane by a metal clip attached to the malleus bone to provide direct electromechanical coupling to the ossicles through the tympanic membrane. The contact element is made of magnetic material, such as a permanent magnet, and is magnetically connected to the coupling element. A pair of magnetic switches are provided within the hearing aid housing for mechanically switching the connections of the battery and a volume control while the hearing aid is mounted in the ear canal in response to changes in the polarity of a remote external magnetic actuator located outside of the housing. An external magnetic insertion probe is used for insertion and removal of the hearing aid into and from the ear canal by magnetic engagement with a magnetic holder member on the housing. The output transducer of the hearing aid may be a piezoelectric plastic film transducer in the form of a flexible diaphragm or a folded sheet bender of the bimorph type, or it may be an electromagnetic transducer. A counterpoise means which may include a weight mounted on a second transducer element that moves in an opposite direction to the output coupling element, is employed to reduce internal vibration of the hearing aid apparatus. A permanent magnet suspension means is employed to support a pivoted motor element of the output transducer connected to the output coupling element for greater resiliency.

대표청구항 ▼

Hearing aid apparatus adapted for mounting within the ear canal to provide direct coupling through the tympanic membrane, comprising: an input transducer means for converting sound waves to electrical input signals of audio frequency; amplifier means for amplifying said input signals applied to an i

Hearing aid apparatus adapted for mounting within the ear canal to provide direct coupling through the tympanic membrane, comprising: an input transducer means for converting sound waves to electrical input signals of audio frequency; amplifier means for amplifying said input signals applied to an input of said amplifier means to produce amplified electrical output signals at an ouput of said amplifier means; D.C. voltage power supply means for said amplifier means including battery means; an output transducer means for converting received signals corresponding to said output signals into mechanical movement of an output coupling element of said transducer means without the production of perceptible sound waves; mounting means for removably mounting said output transducer means in the ear canal external to the tympanic membrane; and support means for supporting said coupling element in engagement with a contact element mounted on the outer surface of the tympanic membrane by a clip means for attachment to the malleus bone of the ear by a pair of clamp arms extending through the tympanic membrane so that there is no air gap between said coupling element and the tympanic membrane, and to provide direct electromechanical coupling from the output transducer means to the ossicle bones within the ear through the tympanic membrane in response to the movement of said coupling element.