BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor

Abstract

An inventive earpiece auditory device is provided. In one embodiment, the earpiece auditory device includes a behind-the-ear component, the behind-the-ear component preferably being shaped to fit behind an ear of a user. In some embodiments, the behind-the-ear component includes a module that includes processing circuitry. In a preferred embodiment, the earpiece auditory device also includes a completely-in-canal component, the completely-in-canal component preferably being shaped to fit into the ear canal of the user in such a manner as to touch the bony portion of the ear canal of the user. In some embodiments, the completely-in-canal component includes an ear mold. Moreover, in one embodiment, the earpiece auditory device includes a connector physically coupling the behind-the-ear component to the completely-in-canal component. In a preferred embodiment, the connector includes at least one end detachably coupled to the behind-the-ear component or the completely-in-canal component.

1 - 60 . (canceled)  
     
     
         61 . A hearing aid system, comprising: 
 a receiver comprising a housing to be positioned in an open ear configuration within an ear canal, said housing comprising a speaker and having an arm extending from said housing, and a portion of said arm contacting said ear canal to suspend the receiver in the ear canal and away from the ear canal walls; and    a microphone sampling position, said sampling position located remote from the ear canal and the speaker positioned therein, wherein sound from the microphone sampling position is amplified and passed via electrical connection around a portion of the external ear and through the ear canal opening to the speaker that is positioned within the ear canal in an open ear configuration wherein said microphone sampling position and an amplifier are positioned within a behind the ear unit.    
     
     
         62 . A hearing aid system according to  claim 61 , further comprising means for transmitting amplified sound connected to said housing.  
     
     
         63 . A hearing aid system according to  claim 62 , wherein said amplified sound transmitting means comprises a wire coated with a plastic material connected to said receiver.  
     
     
         64 . A hearing aid system according to  claim 61 , wherein said receiver is disconnectable.  
     
     
         65 . A hearing aid system according to  claim 61 , wherein said arm is formed from a flexible material.  
     
     
         66 . A hearing aid system according to  claim 61 , wherein said arm is formed from a plastic material.  
     
     
         67 . A hearing aid system comprising a microphone sampling position located externally of an ear canal of a user, a receiver comprising a speaker positioned in an open ear configuration and suspended within said ear canal and away from the ear canal walls, wherein sound from the microphone sampling position is amplified and passed via electrical connection around a portion of the external ear and through the ear canal opening to the speaker that is positioned within the ear canal in an open ear configuration wherein said microphone sampling position and an amplifier are positioned within a behind the ear unit.  
     
     
         68 . A hearing aid system according to  claim 73 , wherein said wire comprises a plastic coated wire.  
     
     
         69 . A hearing aid system according to  claim 67 , wherein said receiver is disconnectable.  
     
     
         70 . A hearing aid system according to  claim 67 , wherein said receiver is housed within a disc positioned within the user's ear canal.  
     
     
         71 . A hearing aid system according to  claim 70 , wherein the disc is formed from a sound filtering material.  
     
     
         72 . A hearing aid system according to  claim 70 , wherein the disc has a rim formed from a flexible material.  
     
     
         73 . A hearing aid system according to  claim 67 , wherein said electrical connection passed around a portion of the external ear and through the ear canal opening to the speaker comprises a wire.  
     
     
         74 . A hearing aid system according to  claim 67 , wherein said receiver has a housing and an arm extending from said housing, said arm suspending said receiver within said ear canal.