Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc.

Martin W Masters

Christopher Marxen

The manufacture of a hearing instrument having a hard inner shell and a softer outer covering, for insertion into the ear canal of the user, may be accomplished using rapid manufacturing and prototyping techniques. Starting with a digital model of the ear canal, a mold for the softer outer covering may be fabricated using a process such as stereo lithography.

Fabrication of a soft-silicone cover for a hearing instrument shell

The benefits of rapid modeling and prototyping of a hearing instrument housing can be increased by fashioning the housing as a monolithic unit, incorporating the faceplate as an integral part of the housing. An opening in the faceplate region of the housing can be created to accept a module containing various electronic components of the hearing instrument.

Rapid prototype fabrication of a monolithic hearing instrument housing with an integrally-fabricated faceplate

A force opposing tab on the peripheral surface of an electronics module will prevent inadvertent dislodging of the module from the hearing instrument housing when force is applied the battery door.

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Hillsborough, NJ, United States of America

Martin W Masters