| 摘要 |
<p>An ear piece (4) is formed for insertion and placement in an external auditory canal (2). The ear piece has an inflatable balloon (7) that may be selectively inflated and deflated. When the balloon is inflated, it expands and braces against the walls of the auditory canal (2). When it is deflated, it may be withdrawn from the auditory canal (2). The ear piece may be used in connection (9) with a hearing aid, an MP3 player, a cell phone, or the like. A pump is provided for inflating the balloon (7) and a valve may be controlled for selectively deflating the balloon (7). The air intake to the pump (8) is disposed so as to be protected against contamination from inside the auditory canal (2). For that purpose it is formed inside a housing the air inlet of which is as far outside the ear canal as possible. In the case of a behind-the-ear application, the intake opening is formed in the housing that is to be placed behind the user's ear. It is further preferable to provide a filter, which may be replaceable, so as to avoid contamination of the pump and valve assembly.</p> |
