Middle Ear Direct Action Improved Hearing Aid and Related Installation Method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved acoustic prosthesis ( 1 ) having a direct action of medium ear, comprising a tubular shaped conveyor ( 12 ), canalising acoustic waves; at least a microphone picking up surrounding sounds; and amplifier, electrically connected with said microphone for amplifying picked up sounds at a suitable level; at least an audio transducer connected with said amplifier and said conveyor ( 12 ), said transducer transforming electric signals arriving from said acoustic wave amplifier, said acoustic waves being conveyed in said conveyor ( 12 ); and supply means for said amplifier and for said microphone; said acoustic prosthesis ( 1 ) being characterised in that said conveyor ( 12 ) comprises a main portion ( 12′ ), one end ( 12′ a ) of which can be placed within the medium ear ( 4 ) while its other end ( 12′ b ) can be placed within the outer ear ( 3 ) channel; and at least one more portion ( 12″, 12″′ ) that can be coupled at the end of said main portion ( 12′ ) and at said at least an audio transducer. The invention further relates to a process for installing an acoustic prosthesis.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
   
   
       31 . A middle ear prosthesis device comprising:
 a sensing microphone for converting an acoustic audio signal into a corresponding electrical audio signal;   a sensing amplifier for amplifying the electrical audio signal;   an audio transducer for converting the amplified electrical audio signal into a corresponding amplified acoustic audio signal; and   a sound conveyor for conducting the amplified acoustic audio signal from the audio transducer to the middle ear and including:
 i. a main tubular portion having an outer end for placement in the outer ear canal and an inner end for placement in the middle ear, and 
 ii. an extension portion having an outer end coupleable to the audio transducer and an inner end coupleable to the outer end of the main tubular portion. 
   
   
   
       32 . A device according to  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a hook element having a rigid longitudinal portion with:
 i. a first end coupled to the inner end of the main tubular portion of the sound conveyor, and 
 ii. a second end having a ring adapted for positioning about the malleus in the middle ear. 
   
   
   
       33 . A device according to  claim 32 , wherein the hook element is a Cousse prosthesis. 
   
   
       34 . A device according to  claim 31 , wherein the main tubular portion of the sound conveyor is adapted for insertion through the tympani by myringotomy. 
   
   
       35 . A device according to  claim 31 , wherein a portion of the sound conveyor forms a Silverstein tube. 
   
   
       36 . A device according to  claim 31 , wherein the outer end of the extension portion of the sound conveyor includes a needle cannula for receiving a needle. 
   
   
       37 . A device according to  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a gold connector for coupling the outer end of the extension portion of the sound conveyor to the audio transducer.   
   
   
       38 . A device according to  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a closeable connector for coupling the outer end of the extension portion of the sound conveyor to the audio transducer.   
   
   
       39 . A device according to  claim 31 , wherein the closeable connector is a Silverstein spindle.