(19)
(11) EP 2 001 263 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
28.01.2009 Bulletin 2009/05

(43) Date of publication A2:
10.12.2008 Bulletin 2008/50

(21) Application number: 08075777.6

(22) Date of filing: 29.08.2003
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
H04R 25/00(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

(30) Priority: 10.09.2002 US 238829

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
03795635.6 / 1537760

(71) Applicant: Hear-wear Technologies, LLC
Tulsa, OK 74129 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Feeley, Jim
    South Bixby, OK 74008 (US)
  • Feeley, Mike
    Tulsa, OK 74137 (US)

(74) Representative: Jackson, Richard Eric et al
Carpmaels & Ransford 43-45 Bloomsbury Square
London WC1A 2RA
London WC1A 2RA (GB)

   


(54) a BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor


(57) An earpiece auditory device includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) component, which includes processing circuitry. In an embodiment, the device also includes a completely-in-canal (CIC) component, shaped to fit into the ear canal of the user such that it touches the bony portion of the ear canal. In some embodiments, the CIC component includes either a universal fit or a custom fit ear mold. The custom fit ear mold can be fabricated using a rapid prototyping technology, in which the contours of the users'ear canal are scanned, and the scan data is used either directly or indirectly to replicate the ear canal contours of that user into the custom fit ear mold. In some embodiments, the ear mold is detachably interconnected with a speaker module, preferably using either an intermediate sleeve or a detachable locking pin assembly. In another embodiment, the speaker module is permanently encapsulated within the ear mold.







Search report