Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Bergner, Thomas Blaise

Rabel, Jay

Thomas Blaise Bergner

Sidney A Higgins

Jay Rabel

Thomas Spaulding

Susan Marie Johansson

Curt Johnson

Photoactive cleaning hearing assistance devices and methods of cleaning hearing assistance devices are described. Photoactive nanoparticles may be disposed on or in the hearing assistance devices. The photoactive nanoparticles provide a localized surface plasmon resonance effect when illuminated with light.

Photoactive self-cleaning hearing assistance device

Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for modular circuit component for a hearing assistance device flex antenna. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a universal apparatus for use with multiple hearing assistance devices. The apparatus includes a circuit module including an outer radial surface, the circuit module configured to provide electronics for a hearing assistance device. A flex circuit loop antenna is configured to be affixed to the outer radial surface, and the antenna is configured for wireless communication for the hearing assistance device. After the antenna is affixed to the outer radial surface, the circuit module is configured to be inserted into a plurality of different main hearing assistance device chassis. In various embodiments, the circuit module includes a retention feature and the antenna includes an opening configured to align with and receive the retention feature to affix the antenna to the circuit module.

Systems and methods for hearing assistance device antenna

A hearing aid is described which incorporates an antenna integrated into the housing or shell. The hearing aid shell may constructed by forming an inner shell portion, disposing an antenna on an outer surface of the inner shell portion, and forming an outer shell portion around the inner shell portion. In various embodiments, the hearing aid shell may be constructed using an injection molding process or a 3D printing process.

Hearing aid wireless antenna molded into the device shell

Described herein is a multi-pin flex-based electrical plug and socket that can be incorporated into a hearing aid and be used to serve two purposes depending on the orientation with which the plug is inserted into the socket. For example, the plug may be inserted into the socket in a first orientation (e.g., right-side up) for programming the hearing aid and inserted in a second orientation (e.g., upside down) for inputting a DAI signal. In an alternate embodiment, the plug and socket forms a both-ways-okay connector such that the plug can be inserted in a either a first orientation or a second orientation (e.g., either right-side up or upside down) and still function.

Flex-based connector for hearing aid

Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for providing an environmentally sealed hearing assistance device that is easy to manufacture. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of manufacturing a hearing assistance device. A hearing assistance device electrical component is placed into a mold and a liquid polymer resin is inserted into the mold. The polymer resin is cured into a solid state to encase the electrical component. In various embodiments, the hearing assistance device is assembled using the encased electrical component. The polymer resin is adapted to resist moisture ingress and to protect the electrical component from corrosion, shock and vibration, in various embodiments.

Environmentally sealed hearing assistance device

Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, including, but not limited to connections for receiver-in-canal hearing devices. In various embodiments, a hearing device includes a hearing device component adapted to rest on or behind the ear and hearing assistance electronics disposed in the component. A first connector portion is disposed in the component, the first connector portion electrically connected to the hearing assistance electronics. A second connector portion is adapted to conform to a portion of the component and to electrically and physically connect a cable to the first connector portion. In various embodiments, at least one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion employ scratch pads for contacts. The first connector portion is top loading, in an embodiment.

Growing community of inventors

Chaska, MN, United States of America

Thomas Blaise Bergner