Erwin M Weiss

US Patent:

48706892, Sep 26, 1989

Filed:

Mar 31, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/170023

Inventors:

Erwin W. Weiss - Northbrook IL

Assignee:

Beltone Electronics Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H04R 2502
A61F 1102

US Classification:

381 686

Abstract:

An ear wax barrier for a hearing aid to prevent ear wax from contacting and damaging the internal components of a hearing aid or hearing aid receiver. The barrier includes a housing defining a central axis of passage, as well as a plurality of projections and a variable acoustic attenuator. The projections extend inwardly from the interior surface of the housing, each projection partially occluding the cross-sectional area of the housing. The projection provides a tortuous path for ear wax migrating into the hearing aid. The variable acoustic attenuator and the projections provide a constricted passageway for damping of the acoustic response of the hearing aid.

US Patent:

49724886, Nov 20, 1990

Filed:

Jun 12, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/365083

Inventors:

Erwin M. Weiss - Northbrook IL
Mark F. Stanton - Mundelein IL

Assignee:

Beltone Electronics Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H04R 2502

US Classification:

381 686

Abstract:

A barrier for a hearing aid that combines the feature of both (1) preventing ear wax from contacting and damaging the internal components of a hearing aid or hearing aid receiver and (2) variably dampening the acoustic response of the hearing aid. The barrier includes, in combination, a housing defining a central axis of passage, as well as a plurality of projections and a screen. The projections extend inwardly from the interior surface of the housing, each projection partially occluding the cross-sectional area of the housing. The projections provide a tortuous path for ear wax migrating into the hearing aid, and the screen provides additional area for wax accumulation. The projections and screen also dampen or otherwise modify the frequency response of the hearing aid. The screen may also be interchanged or adjusted to accommodate the specific frequency attenuation needs of a particular user.