Bte/cic auditory device with an at least partially in canal module having a removable cushion tip

Abstract

In representative embodiments, the present invention is directed to an at least partially in-the-canal module. The module may include a speaker module that generates audio signals from an electrical driving signal. The speaker module has a tubular body with a diameter that is smaller than the ear canal of the user. The speaker module also includes an arcuate raised ridge. A cushion tip of deformable material may be used to enclose the speaker module within a tubular portion that applies an elastic force to the arcuate raised ridge to prevent removal of the speaker from the cushion tip. Also, the tubular portion is longer than the speaker module to cause the cushion tip to deflect during navigation through the canal. Further, the tip portion of the cushion tip possesses sufficient structural rigidity to prevent the speaker from being pushed through the cushion tip during navigation through the canal.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A connector and speaker link for a hybrid auditory device comprising:
 a speaker module a speaker that generates audio signals from an electrical driving signal, the speaker having a diameter that is smaller than the canal, thereby allowing the speaker to be inserted into the ear canal of the user; and   a connector having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end physically and electrically connected to the speaker module, wherein the connector has at least three portions, a first portion adjacent to the proximal end of the connector that is shaped to fit over the ear of a user, a second portion adjacent to the distal end of the user that has sufficient length to place the speaker module at least partially past a first bend in the ear canal of the user, and a third portion, between the first portion and second portion, that is shaped to place at least a portion of the third portion taut against the head of the user when in the auditory device is being worn by the user.   
     
     
         27 . The connector and speaker link of  claim 26  further comprising a cushion tip attached to the speaker module. 
     
     
         28 . The connector and speaker link of  claim 26  further comprising an ear-mold attached to the speaker module. 
     
     
         29 . The connector and speaker link of  claim 26  wherein the proximal end of the connector connects to a behind-the-ear sound processing device. 
     
     
         30 . The connector and speaker link of  claim 27  wherein the cushion tip is an umbrella tip. 
     
     
         31 . The connector and speaker link of  claim 27  wherein the cushion tip is an open fit tip. 
     
     
         32 . The connector and speaker link of  claim 27  wherein the speaker module is designed to reduce the occlusion effect. 
     
     
         33 . The connector and speaker line of  claim 27  wherein the speaker module is fit in the ear canal such that the cushion tip touches the bony portion of the ear canal 
     
     
         34 . The connector and speaker line of  claim 28  wherein the speaker module is fit in the ear canal such that the ear mold touches the bony portion of the ear canal 
     
     
         35 . The connector and speaker link of  claim 26  wherein at least a portion of the connector can be used to insert or remove the speaker module from the ear canal of the user. 
     
     
         36 . A connector and speaker link for a hybrid auditory device comprising:
 a speaker module a speaker that generates audio signals from an electrical driving signal, the speaker having a diameter that is smaller than the canal, thereby allowing the speaker to be inserted into the ear canal of the user; and   a connector having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end physically and electrically connected to the speaker module, wherein the connector has at least two bends, the first bend adjacent to the proximal end of the connector and shaped to fit over the ear of a user, the second bend near the distal end of the user such that the speaker module is placed at least partially past a first bend in the ear canal of the user, wherein the first bend and the second bend also act to place a portion of the connector between the first bend and second bend taut against the head of the user when in the auditory device is being worn by the user.   
     
     
         37 . The connector and speaker link of  claim 36  further comprising a cushion tip attached to the speaker module. 
     
     
         38 . The connector and speaker link of  claim 36  wherein at least a portion of the connector can be used to insert or remove the speaker module from the ear canal of the user. 
     
     
         39 . The connector and speaker link of  claim 36  wherein the proximal end of the connector connects to a behind-the-ear sound processing device. 
     
     
         40 . The connector and speaker link of  claim 37  wherein the cushion tip is an umbrella tip. 
     
     
         41 . The connector and speaker link of  claim 37  wherein the cushion tip is an open fit tip. 
     
     
         42 . The connector and speaker link of  claim 37  wherein the speaker module is designed to minimize the occlusion effect. 
     
     
         43 . A speaker link for use with a behind the ear component, the speaker link comprising:
 a speaker module, the speaker module including a speaker that generates audio signals from an electrical driving signal, said speaker having a diameter that is smaller than the ear canal, thereby allowing the speaker to be inserted into the ear canal of the user, wherein the speaker module has a proximal end connected to a wire providing an electrical signal to the speaker and the speaker module is inserted into the ear canal of the user past the first bend of the user's ear canal, such that the proximal end is completely in the ear canal of the user;   a tip composed of a deformable material, the tip attached to the speaker module; and   a connector having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end physically and electrically connected to the speaker module, wherein the connector has at least two bends, the first bend adjacent to the proximal end of the connector and shaped to fit over the ear of a user, the second bend near the distal end of the user such that the speaker module is placed at least partially past a first bend in the ear canal of the user, wherein the first bend and the second bend also act to place the portion of the connector between the first bend and second bend taut against the head of the user when in the auditory device is being worn by the user.   
     
     
         44 . The speaker link of  claim 43  wherein the deformable material forming the tip is a polymer material. 
     
     
         45 . The speaker link of  claim 43  wherein the deformable material forming the tip is a silicone material. 
     
     
         46 . The speaker link of  claim 43  wherein the tip is sized to substantially seal the ear canal when inserted therein. 
     
     
         47 . The speaker link of  claim 43  wherein the tip does not seal the ear canal. 
     
     
         48 . The speaker link of  claim 43  wherein the connector has sufficient length between the second bend and the distal end to place the speaker module in the cartilaginous portion of the ear canal. 
     
     
         49 . The speaker link of  claim 43  wherein the tip is contacts the inner surface of the ear canal to provide resistance to the speaker module slipping out of the ear canal.