IP Library › Granted Patent US 12707211
Granted Patent B2
US 12707211 · App. 18/116,307 · Granted Aug 11, 2026

Hearing device for placement in the ear having a receiver

Inventors: Jan Johansen (Køge, DK); Henrik Nielsen (Roskilde, DK); Thomas John Chappell (Frederiksberg C, DK); Timea Denisa Merca (Køge, DK); Thomas Olsgaard (Holte, DK)
Assignee: GN Hearing A/S
H04R25/652H04R25/604H04R2225/0216H04R2460/11
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12707211
App. No.
18/116,307
Granted
Aug 11, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An in-the-ear (ITE) part includes: a connector for coupling with a BTE part; a hollow earmould comprising a front end, a rear end, and a hollow cavity, wherein the front end of the earmould is configured to face a tympanic membrane of the user, the front end comprising a front opening, the front opening comprising a front filter, the rear end comprising a rear opening; a receiver in the hollow cavity; a sound passage extending between the front opening and the rear end; an active vent, wherein when the active vent is in an open state, the active vent provides a fluid connection through the sound passage, and wherein when the active vent is in a closed state, the active vent hinders the fluid connection through the sound passage; and a rear filter at the rear opening, or in the hollow cavity between the rear opening and the active vent.

Claims (43)

1 . An in-the-ear (ITE) part configured for placement at least partially within an ear canal of a user, the ITE part comprising:

a connector configured for coupling with a BTE part, the BTE part configured to be worn behind a pinna of the user;

an earmould comprising a front end, a rear end, and a hollow cavity, wherein the front end of the earmould is configured to face a tympanic membrane of the user during use, the front end comprising a front opening, the front opening comprising a front filter, and the rear end comprising a rear opening;

a receiver at least partly in the hollow cavity;

a sound passage extending between the front opening and the rear end;

an active vent comprising a valve, wherein when the valve is in an open state, the valve provides a fluid connection through the sound passage, and wherein when the valve is in a closed state, the valve hinders the fluid connection through the sound passage; and

a rear filter surrounding a part of the receiver.

2 . The ITE part according to claim 1 , wherein the earmould is a hard earmould.

3 . The ITE part according to claim 1 , wherein the earmould is made of an acrylic.

4 . The ITE part according to claim 1 , wherein the rear end of the earmould is an open shell structure.

5 . The ITE part according to claim 1 , wherein the rear filter comprises a filter mesh or a reticulated foam filter.

6 . The ITE part according to claim 1 , wherein the receiver is configured to be removably arranged within the earmould.

7 . The ITE part according to claim 1 , wherein the earmould further comprises a filter holding element, which extends from a part of the earmould, the filter holding element being configured to secure the rear filter.

8 . The ITE part according to claim 1 , wherein the active vent is between the receiver and the front opening.

9 . The ITE part according to claim 1 , wherein the front opening is in fluid communication with an exterior of the earmould.

10 . The ITE part according to claim 1 , wherein the active vent is closer to the front end than to the rear end of the earmould.

11 . A hearing device comprising:

the ITE part according to claim 1 , and

the BTE part;

wherein the ITE part is coupled to the BTE part via the connector.

12 . The ITE part according to claim 1 , further comprising a supporting structure configured to hold the receiver, wherein the supporting structure is located closer to the rear end of the earmould than to the front end of the earmould.

13 . The ITE part according to claim 1 , further comprising a supporting structure configured to hold the receiver, wherein the supporting structure comprises a first opening configured to accommodate a part of the receiver, and a second opening defining a part of the sound passage.

14 . The ITE part according to claim 1 , further comprising a supporting structure configured to hold the receiver, and wherein at least a part of the sound passage is between the supporting structure and a wall of the earmould.

15 . An in-the-ear (ITE) part configured for placement at least partially within an ear canal of a user, the ITE part comprising:

a connector configured for coupling with a BTE part, the BTE part configured to be worn behind a pinna of the user;

an earmould comprising a front end, a rear end, and a hollow cavity, wherein the front end of the earmould is configured to face a tympanic membrane of the user during use, the front end comprising a front opening, the front opening comprising a front filter, and the rear end comprising a rear opening;

a receiver in the hollow cavity;

a sound passage extending between the front opening and the rear end;

an active vent comprising a valve, wherein when the valve is in an open state, the valve provides a fluid connection through the sound passage, and wherein when the valve is in a closed state, the valve hinders the fluid connection through the sound passage;

a faceplate that is attached to the rear end of the earmould; and

a filter coupled to the faceplate, wherein the filter extends around at least a part of the connector.

16 . The ITE part according to claim 15 , wherein the faceplate is removably attached to the earmould.

17 . The ITE part according to claim 15 , wherein the filter is incorporated into the faceplate.

18 . The ITE part according to claim 15 , wherein the filter is removably incorporated into the faceplate.

19 . An in-the-ear (ITE) part configured for placement at least partially within an ear canal of a user, the ITE part comprising:

a connector configured for coupling with a BTE part, the BTE part configured to be worn behind a pinna of the user;

an earmould comprising a front end, a rear end, and a hollow cavity, wherein the front end of the earmould is configured to face a tympanic membrane of the user during use, the front end comprising a front opening, the front opening comprising a front filter, and the rear end comprising a rear opening;

a receiver in the hollow cavity;

a sound passage extending between the front opening and the rear end;

an active vent comprising a valve, wherein when the valve is in an open state, the valve provides a fluid connection through the sound passage, and wherein when the valve is in a closed state, the valve hinders the fluid connection through the sound passage; and

a rear filter at the rear opening, or in the hollow cavity between the rear opening and the active vent;

wherein the receiver comprises a receiver body, the rear filter being removably attached to the receiver body, and wherein when the rear filter is removably attached to the receiver body, the rear filter extends away from the receiver body at a non-zero angle with respect to a surface of the receiver body.

20 . The ITE part according to claim 19 , wherein the rear filter surrounds the receiver body.