Universal earpiece

摘要

An earpiece designed to fit a substantial majority (over 90%) of people without customization to the outer ears, i.e., without the need to make customized measurements or a mold of the actual ear of an individual. The device is generally C-shaped and contacts the outer ear in four locations.

主权项

1. An earpiece for a hearing device or communication device for a wearer having an inner ear, an outer ear comprising a concha bowl, a crus of concha, and an intertragal notch, and an ear canal inwardly directed from the outer ear to the inner ear, the earpiece comprising:
a generally ellipsoidal base having a height, a forward end and a rearward end defining between themselves a base longitudinal axis, and a length between the forward and rearward ends which is greater than the height; an ear canal extension of the base, generally shaped like a curved, tapered horn and defining an ear canal extension longitudinal axis which makes an inwardly directed angle with the base longitudinal axis, the ear canal extension having a larger diameter where the ear canal extension smoothly extends away from the forward end of the base than at a distal end of the ear canal extension; and a helix extension of the base which substantially curves away from and above the rearward end of the base;in which the earpiece is shaped to substantially fill the concha bowl but not contact the intertragal notch and not substantially lie over the crus of concha.