Low profile offset spout for hearing assistance device

摘要

Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatuses for hearing assistance low profile offset spouts. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a hearing assistance spout consisting of a one-piece spout with a curved path to an off-axis (e.g., offset) port. The spout may be manufactured using metal injection molding to provide for a reflow solder attachment to the hearing assistance microphone. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to placing a full-sized spout off-axis while maintaining an open state that does not restrict the acoustic path, which may allow the offset spout to include a radial seal independent of the microphone body itself. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to an offset spout including a sealed acoustic barrier wall to protect the acoustic inlet of the microphone from debris or moisture.

主权项

1. A low-profile hearing assistance spout device for a hearing assistance device including a microphone having a planar acoustic microphone port, the spout device comprising:
a planar portion, the planar portion configured to mount adjacent the microphone with a planar surface forming an opening in alignment with the planar acoustic microphone port of the hearing assistance device; and a cylindrical spout portion connected to the planar portion, the cylindrical spout portion including an aperture that defines a curved path for sound, the aperture offset from the planar portion surface so that the planar portion surface is approximately coplanar with the center of the aperture, the cylindrical spout curved path in acoustic communication with the planar acoustic microphone port to provide an acoustic pathway for sound received by the cylindrical spout portion to reach the microphone, the cylindrical spout curved path forming a spout connection to the planar portion at an angle that is not perpendicular, the aperture offset and spout connection to reduce ingress of unwanted materials that may reach the microphone.