Ball and socket connection with an acoustic seal and mounting interface for a hearing assistance device
View Patent ↗Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved connections for components of hearing assistance devices. Various embodiments include an apparatus including a receiver case configured to house a hearing assistance device receiver, the receiver case including a spherical receiver spout having an opening. The apparatus also includes a receptacle housing having a spherical socket adapted to mate with the spherical receiver spout to form a ball and socket connection. An insert within the spherical socket is configured to establish a retained interference fit with the opening of the receiver spout when the connection is formed so as to create an acoustic seal therebetween.
1. A receiver housing configured to house a hearing device receiver, the receiver housing comprising:
a spherical receiver spout including an opening configured to mate and form a ball and socket connection with a spherical socket of an interface to a hearing device, the spherical socket including a removable solid insert recessed within the socket, a lip of the insert configured to establish a retained interference fit with a lip of the opening of the receiver spout when the connection is formed so as to create an acoustic seal therebetween.
2. The receiver housing of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an injection molded housing.
3. The receiver housing of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a custom cast ear canal impression.
4. The receiver housing of claim 1 , wherein the interface includes a mounting sleeve.
5. The receiver housing of claim 4 , wherein the mounting sleeve is configured to hold an ear bud.
6. The receiver housing of claim 1 , wherein the interface includes a snap interface to a custom hearing device shell.
7. The receiver housing of claim 1 , wherein the hearing device includes a cochlear implant.
8. The receiver housing of claim 1 , wherein the hearing device includes a hearing aid.
9. The receiver housing of claim 8 , wherein the hearing aid includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid.
10. The receiver housing of claim 8 , wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid.
11. The receiver housing of claim 8 , wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid.
12. The receiver housing of claim 8 , wherein the hearing aid includes a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid.
13. The receiver housing of claim 8 , wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aid.
14. The receiver housing of claim 8 , wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid.
15. A system, comprising:
a receiver case configured to house a hearing device receiver, the receiver case including a spherical receiver spout, the spherical receiver spout including an opening; and
a receptacle housing including a spherical socket adapted to mate with the spherical receiver spout to form a ball and socket connection, and including a removable solid retention feature recessed within the socket, a lip of the insert configured to establish a snap fit with an adjustable retention force to a lip of the opening of the receiver spout when the connection is formed so as to create an acoustic seal therebetween.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the receptacle housing is configured to hold an ear bud.
17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the retention feature is configured to provide an adjustable retention force by changing a degree of undercut of the retention feature.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the retention feature is configured to be adjusted to use as a one-time snap connection.
19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the retention feature is configured to be adjusted to use as a multiple snap connection.
20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the receptacle housing is configured to connect the receiver case to a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid, an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid, a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid, a receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aid or a receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid.