Contact hearing device and retention structure materials

1. An apparatus for placement with a user, the apparatus comprising:

a transducer; and

a retention structure comprising:

a shape profile corresponding to a tissue of the user to couple the transducer to the user, wherein the retention structure maintains a location of the transducer when coupled to the user; and

a layer of elastomer, wherein the elastomer has a hardness of between 0 A and 100 A, and a thickness of between approximately 25 microns and approximately 500 microns

wherein the retention structure comprises a curved portion having an inner surface toward an eardrum of the patient when placed, and wherein the curved portion couples to an ear canal wall of the patient, oriented toward the eardrum when placed to couple the transducer to the eardrum, and

wherein the curved portion and the second portion are connected so as to define an aperture extending therebetween to view at least a portion of the eardrum when the curved portion couples to the first side of the ear canal and the second portion couples to the second side.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer has a Young's modulus of between 0.5 MPa and 50 MPa.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer has a hardness of between approximately 25 A and approximately 95 A.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer has an ultimate tensile strength of between 0.5 MPa and 5.0 MPa, or the elastomer has an ultimate tensile strength of between 5 MPa and 50 MPa.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer has an ultimate tensile strength of between approximately 1 MPa and approximately 300 MPa, between approximately 20 MPa and approximately 100 MPa, or between approximately 40 MPa and approximately 60 MPa at an elongation of approximately 650%.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer has a tensile stress of between approximately 2.0 MPa and approximately 4.0 MPa at 50% elongation.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer has a tensile stress of between approximately 3.0 MPa and approximately 5.0 MPa at 100% elongation.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the layer of elastomer has a change in Young's Modulus of less than 15%, less than 50%, or less than 75%, compared to a reference layer of elastomer following exposure to a test bath for 16 days at 37° C., the test bath comprising 10 wt % Synthetic Cerumen, 10 wt % EN1811 Sweat, and 80 wt % mineral oil.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the layer of elastomer has a change in weight of less than 30% compared to a reference layer of elastomer, following exposure to a test bath for 16 days at 37° C., the test bath comprising 10 wt % Synthetic Cerumen, 10 wt % EN1811 Sweat, and 80 wt % mineral oil.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the layer of elastomer has a change in wall thickness of less than 15% compared to a reference layer of elastomer, following exposure to a test bath for 16 days at 37° C., the test bath comprising 10 wt % Synthetic Cerumen, 10 wt % EN1811 Sweat, and 80 wt % mineral oil.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the layer of elastomer further comprises between approximately 5% and approximately 15% polydimethylsiloxane by weight, or wherein the layer of elastomer comprises between approximately 9% and approximately 11% polydimethylsiloxane by weight.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the layer of elastomer comprises a polyurethane, a polycarbonate urethane with a silicone rubber soft segment, a polycarbonate urethane, an aromatic polyurethane, a fluoropolymer, a polyetherurethane, a nylon, a polyetherblockamide, an aliphatic polyetherurethane, a propylene, a propylene with rubber, or any combination thereof.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the layer of elastomer comprises a polycarbonate-based silicone elastomer, a polycarbonate urethane with poly(dimethylsiloxane) soft segment, a fluoropolymer, THV [poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene-co-vinylidene fluoride)], a polycarbonate urethane-co-poly(dimethyl siloxane), any derivative thereof, or any combination thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the layer of elastomer comprises one or more of aliphatic polycarbonate-based thermoplastic urethane, polycarbonate urethane with poly(dimethyl siloxane) soft segment, and polycarbonate urethane-co-poly(dimethyl siloxane).

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the curved portion couples to the ear canal on a first side of the ear canal opposite the eardrum, and wherein a second portion of the retention structure couples to a second side of the ear canal opposite the first side to hold the retention structure in the ear canal.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the retention structure includes ridges along a tissue facing surface.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the ridges are formed as part of a three dimensional printing process.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the three dimensionally printed component is a mold used to form the layer of elastomer.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the layer of elastomer has a surface air-water contact angle of between approximately 100 degrees and approximately 130 degrees, or wherein the layer of elastomer has a surface air-water contact angle of between approximately 115 degrees and approximately 125 degrees, or wherein the layer of elastomer has a surface air- water contact angle of between approximately 20 degrees and approximately 80 degrees.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises an umbo lens, wherein the umbo lens comprises one or more of polycarbonate urethane with poly(dimethyl siloxane) soft segment or polycarbonate urethane-co-poly(dimethyl siloxane).

21. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a coating polymer, the coating polymer comprising a poly(p-xylylene) polymer.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer has a hardness of between 65 A and 100 A.

23. A method of treating a user in need of a hearing device, the method comprising:

providing the user with the apparatus of claim 1 ; and

inserting the apparatus into an ear of the user, such that the transducer is in proximity to the eardrum of the user.

24. The method of claim 23 , further comprising the step of administering mineral oil to the apparatus, to the ear of the user, or any combination thereof.

25. A kit, the kit comprising:

the apparatus of claim 1 ; and

instructions for use of the apparatus.

26. The kit of claim 25 , further comprising mineral oil.

27. A method of manufacturing the apparatus of claim 1 , the method comprising an injection molding process.

28. A method of manufacturing the apparatus of claim 1 , the method comprising a solvent coating process.

29. A method of manufacturing the apparatus of claim 1 , the method comprising a 3D printing process.