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`I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII 111111111111111111
`
`US007564989B2
`
`02)United States Patent
`
`
`Schanz
`
`(10)Patent No.: US 7,564,989 B2
`
`(45)Date of Patent:Jul. 21, 2009
`
`(54)CONCHA BOWL HEARING AID APPARATUS
`AND METHOD
`
`(75)Inventor: Richard W. Schanz, St. George, UT
`
`
`
`
`(US)
`
`
`
`B2 * 9/2008 Bauman et al. ............. 381/328
`
`4,375,016 A 2/1983 Harada
`
`
`
`5,048,092 A 9/1991 Yamagishi et al.
`5,201,007 A * 4/1993 Ward et al. .................. 381/328
`
`
`
`
`5,920,635 A * 7/1999 Lenz .......................... 381/328
`
`6,021,207 A 2/2000 Puthuff et al.
`
`6,275,596 Bl 8/2001 Fretz et al.
`
`7,421,086
`
`2003/0165248 Al 9/2003 Lenz et al.
`
`
`2004/0218772 Al 11/2004 Ryan
`the term of this ( *) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer,
`
`
`
`
`et al. 2006/0023908 Al 2/2006 Perkins
`
`
`
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`
`2006/0045297 Al 3/2006 Haussmann
`
`
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 483 days.
`
`2006/0147072 Al 7/2006 Sodoma et al.
`
`
`
`UT (US)(73)Assignee: Schanz II, LLC, St. George,
`
`
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/604,128
`
`(22)Filed:
`Nov. 24, 2006
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(65)
`
`
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`
`
`US 2008/0123888 Al May 29, 2008
`
`Primary Examiner-Huyen D Le
`
`
`
`
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Marcus G. Theodore
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(51)Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H04R 25100
`A method and in the concha bowl hearing aid apparatus with
`
`
`
`381/328; (52)U.S. Cl ......................... 381/322; 381/380
`
`
`
`
`sound processor/amplifier and speaker sized to be removably
`
`
`(58)Field of Classification Search ................. 381/322,
`
`
`
`
`secured within the concha bowl of the ear and structured to
`
`
`381/324, 326,328,329,330, 380, 382; 181/129,
`
`
`allow sound to pass through the hearing aid into the ear canal
`
`181/130, 135
`
`
`
`
`
`so its speaker positioned within the external auditory canal of
`
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`
`
`
`the ear blends and provides the desired combination of exter­
`
`
`nal sound entering the ear canal with amplified sound from
`the speaker.
`
`
`
`(56)
`
`
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`3,676,611 A 7/1972 Stephens
`
`9
`
`12
`
`
`
`10 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`14
`
`APPLE 1078
`
`1
`
`

`

`Jul. 21, 2009
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
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`US 7,564,989 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`a\Mi;Ei
`newae
`hyaga
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` Bereabor?vb
`ad;
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`2
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 21, 2009
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`Sheet 2 of 2
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`US 7,564,989 B2
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`3
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`US 7,564,989 B2
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`2
`frequencies. The earpiece collects sounds, sends them via a
`conduit to the amplificr for amplification, and then transmittal
`to the inner ear via another conduit in the earpiece. (Col1,
`lines 32-44).
`Yamagishi et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,092 issued Sep. 10,
`1991 is an electro acoustic transducer apparatus that
`is
`inserted into the cavum concha. It has an in-the ear type of
`headphone provided with an air passage portion so that a
`certain amount of sound escapes to the outside to obtain
`acoustic characteristics of substantially the same level from a
`low band to a high band (Abstract).
`Fretzet al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,275,596B1 issued Aug. 14, 2001
`discloses an open ear canal hearing aid system with the
`speaker positioned in the ear canal leaving it partially open.
`Cited for general interest is Posthuff et al, U.S. Pat. No.
`6,021,207B2 issued Feb. 1, 2000 discloses wireless open ear
`canal earpiece.
`Noneofthe above references provides a hearing aid posi-
`tioned within the concha bow]of the ear, which provides an
`open ear canal hearing aid system wherein natural soundis
`blended with amplified sound to provide a more natural com-
`bined sound. Norare special ear molds required by an audi-
`ologist.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
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`1
`CONCHA BOWL HEARING AID APPARATUS
`AND METHOD
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of Invention
`The present invention relates to hearing aids. In particular,
`it relates to an improvedhearing aid and methodthat employs
`an in the concha bow]hearing aid structuredto allow sound to
`pass into the ear canal to be combined with amplified sound
`from the hearing aid microphoneinserted within the opening
`of the ear canal andsized not to obstruct the same.
`
`2. Description of Related Art
`Various hearing aids and earpiece devices are knownin the
`art. Sodoma et al, U.S. Publication No. 2006/0147072A1
`published Jul. 6, 2006 provides an open in the pinnaofthe ear
`hearing aid with its exterior components placed in and around
`the pinna connected to an interior in the canal section output
`port for emission of sounds with a short vent 22 to prevent
`occlusion (Claim 1, last line) so that the ear canal is at least
`partially open for directly receiving amplified sounds. It
`requires molding of both the exterior components as well as
`the canal components for properfitting.It also is not designed
`to send natural sounds into the ear canal for admixing with the
`amplified sounds.
`Lenz et al, U.S. Publication No. 2003/01652487A1 pub-
`lished Sep. 4, 2003, discloses a hearing aid adapted to be
`inserted within the auditory meatus of the user’s ear. It
`includes passages for ventilation, but is not designed for
`allowance of natural sound transmission. Instead it employs
`sound-dampening material to prevent exterior soundinterfer-
`ence with the amplified loudspeaker outputinto the ear canal.
`Harada, U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,016B1 issued Feb. 22, 1983
`discloses a vented eartip for a hearing aid and adapter coupler
`mounted within the bowl of the ear as a multiple standard
`sized fitted earpiece with a vented ear tip is adapted for
`insertion into the external auditory canal ofa user. The device
`requires a numberofdifferent sized in the bowl hearing aids
`to be available, which are then attacheda tight sealed coupler
`inserted into the opening andin the auditory canal(col. 2, line
`52-3), which blocks natural sounds from entering the ear
`canal.
`
`The present invention comprises a removable in the concha
`bow] hearing aid having a housing with an interior and exte-
`rior sized to fit within the concha bow!of the outer ear. The
`concha bow]andother sound funneling structure of the outer
`ear are shown in FIG. 1—the Helix, Scapha, Tossa Trianguu-
`laris, Concha, Anti-Helix, Tragus, Anti-Tragus, and Lobule.
`The housingis structured to define at least one opening such
`as a vent, channel, or passageway in communication with the
`ear canal when positioned in the concha to allow sound to
`pass through the housing into the ear canal. In one preferred
`embodiment, the openingis located along the perimeter ofthe
`housing and is as large as possible to allow more natural
`sound to pass into the ear canal.
`A microphoneis attached to the exterior surface of the
`housing in a position wheninserted within the concha bow] of
`the exterior ear to pickup sound focused by the sound funnel-
`ing structure of the outer ear. The microphonethan transfers
`Perkins et al, U.S. Publication No. 2006/002398A1 pub-
`electronic impulses via wire leads or a wireless connection to
`lished Feb. 2, 2006 discloses a custom fitted transducer for
`a sound processor/amplifier associated with a battery
`activating a surgically implanted magnetaffixed to an acous-
`mounted within the interior of the housing.
`tic member(page 3, col. 2, last lines) to produce electromag-
`The in the concha bow]hearingaid is held in place with at
`netic hearing (page 3, col. 2, lines 9-19).
`least two supports. The first bendable support is bent to
`Haussmann, U.S. Publication No. 2006/0045297A1 pub-
`removably secure to the fold of the inner ear canal proximate
`lished Mar. 2, 2006 discloses another fitted earplug (page 3,
`its opening. A preferred first bendable support attached to the
`col. 2, lines 9-12) worn in the earthatfills the entire ear canal
`housing is formed from bent wire leads in communication
`of a user and may extendto the outer ear bow]of a user.
`Lenz, U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,635 issued Jul. 6, 1999, discloses
`with and supporting a speaker to be located in the ear canal.
`These wire leads are attached to the exterior surface of the
`a hearing aid configured to be placed in the inlet of the
`housing facing toward the inner ear, when inserted. The wire
`external auditory meatus. A passage transmits sound waves
`55
`leads haveafirst end attached to and operably associated with
`picked up andtreatedby the auricle to the microphone22 (Col
`the sound processor/amplifier and a second end. Thisfirst
`4, lines 11-13), but exterior natural sounds are blocked via
`bendable support has its wire leads bent to form secure a
`sound dampening material forming a closed fit when the
`segmentagainst an interior wall fold proximate the ear canal
`hearing aid is inserted.
`opening as a first contact point to support the housing in
`Ryan, U.S. Publication No. 2004/0218772A1 published
`position wheninserted.Its other end is positioned so that the
`Nov.4, 2004 discloses a hearing aid earpiece worn in the ear
`wire second end is directed toward the inner ear. This first
`and a sound amplifier worn externally of the ear. It is remove-
`ably mounted within the ear canal with a vent tube, which
`reduces sound radiation from the vent opening using a passive
`structure (page 2, second column, lines 20-23) to provide
`feedback attenuation (page3, first column,lines 32-33).
`Stephens, U.S. Pat. No. 3,676,611, issued Jul. 11, 1972,is
`an earpiece for hearing aids having soundinlets for high
`
`30
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`35
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`
`bendable wire support is madeofplastic, nylon, or otherfluid
`resistant materials covered electrical wiring, which may be
`bentto hold its shape.
`A speaker is attached to the wire second endofthe first
`bendable support. The speakerandfirst bendable support are
`sized and positioned to fit within and partially obstruct the
`
`4
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`

`

`US 7,564,989 B2
`
`3
`interior ear canalto allow air and soundto flow there through
`and direct amplified sound toward the inner car. Thus posi-
`tioned,it directs amplified sound for admixing and blending
`with natural sound entering the ear canal to minimize echoes
`and provide more natural sound pick up and transmission.
`At least one second support is attached to the housing
`opposite the first bendable support. A preferred second sup-
`port comprises a plastic retainer rod inserted into one of a
`series of holes in the perimeter of the housing. It is cut to
`length to act as an additional anchorto secure the hearing aid
`into the concha bowloftheear.
`
`This second support is structured and adapted to secure the
`housing within the concha bow!ofthe ear canal by providing
`a second contact point generally opposite the first contact
`point. As theexterior ofthe housing also contacts the concha,
`usually only one second support is required. However, addi-
`tional supports associated with the housing, are included as
`required to assist in further securing the in the concha bowl
`hearing aid within the concha bow]ofthe ear.
`If external feedback is a problem, the in the concha bowl
`hearing aid may includefilters, such as a feedback compen-
`sation circuit associated with the amplifier to compensate for
`feedback signals and other interference. Otheradaptivefilters
`well knownin the art that change impulse responses or com-
`pensate for static or out of phase interference may also be
`incorporated, if required.
`The in the concha bow]hearing aid includes a powerswitch
`associated with the sound processor/amplifier and battery to
`turn the hearing aid on in one mode,and off in another mode.
`This not only conserves powerdrain,but allowsthe device to
`be shutoff for use of the telephone.
`Preferably, the speaker includes a wax cap to prevent its
`obstruction.
`
`4
`After the in the concha bow]hearingaidisfitted, it is then
`electively activated to combine external sound entering the
`ear canal with amplified sound from the speaker. If feedback
`orstatic is a problem,the in the concha bowlhearingaidfilters
`associated with the amplifier are adjusted to compensate for
`feedback signals and other interference. These filters are
`selectively adjusted to provide the desired combination of
`external sound entering the ear canal with amplified sound
`from the speaker.
`The present invention is therefore particularly adapted to
`provide an easily fittable in the bowl hearing aid with a
`speaker placed within an unobstructed ear canal to provide
`more natural combination amplified and natural sound pick
`up and transmission.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`10
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`15
`
`FIG.1 is a side view ofthe structure ofthe exterior ofan ear.
`
`20
`
`FIG. 2 is a side view of a preferred embodimentof the
`invention positioned on an ear.
`FIG.3 is across sectional view of the embodimentof FIG.
`
`2 positioned with the speaker in the ear canal.
`FIG.4 is a front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
`FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG.2.
`
`25
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The in the concha bow] hearing aid 10 is shown in the
`attached drawings. FIGS. 2 and 3 are front and side views of
`a preferred embodiment of the invention positioned on a
`wearer’s right ear. ‘lhe invention comprises a housing 1 with
`an interior and exterior sizedto fit within the outer ear concha
`
`bowl. The housing 1 has a perimeter opening 2 when posi-
`tioned in the bow] of the ear in communication with the ear
`
`35
`
`canal to allow soundto pass through the housing 1 into the ear
`canal.
`
`The housing design thus does not have to be individually
`fitted, reducing manufacturing cost and fitting time. The
`method of using an in the concha bow]hearing aid comprises
`first placing in the outer ear concha bowl an in the concha
`A microphone 3 is attached to the exterior surface of the
`bowlhearing aid. As the housingis sized to fit within the outer
`housing 1 positioned to pickup sound focused by the sound
`ear concha bowlofthe ear leaving an opening in communi-
`funneling structure of the outer ear. The microphone 3 picks
`cation with the ear canal, sound is allowed to pass through the
`up the sound, changesit into electronic impulses, which are
`housing into the ear canal.
`sent to a soundprocessor4 associated with a battery 5 shown
`The microphone attached to the exterior surface of the
`in FIG. 5 mounted within the interior of the housing 1. The
`housing is positioned to pickup sound focused by the sound
`battery 5 is inserted and interchanged in the interior of the
`funneling of the outer ear structure, when inserted. The
`housing 1 via a door 6. The door6 is placed on the rear lower
`microphone converts sound into electronic impulses trans-
`side of the housing 1 to minimizethe possibility of moisture
`ferred via wiresor other wireless electronic means to a sound
`and perspiration from entering the unit.
`processor/amplifier associated with a battery mounted within
`The sound wire 7 leading from the sound processor 4 to a
`the interior of the housing,
`speaker 8 acts as a first bendable support andis attached to the
`Thefirst bendable support affixed to the housing is then
`exterior surface of the housing facing toward the inner ear,
`bent, fitted, and positioned against an interior wall fold of the
`wheninserted. The sound wire 7 holds its position, when
`ear canal opening to providea first contact point for support-
`bent. It is fitted and positioned against an interior wall to
`ing the housing in position wheninserted. The endofthefirst
`removably hook againstthe inner fold of the ear canal proxi-
`bendable support with the speaker attached is pointed toward
`mate its opening asafirst contact point to support the housing
`55
`the innerear so that both fit within and partially obstruct the
`1 in position when inserted. The other end of the wire 7 is
`interiorear canal to allow air and soundto flow there through.
`directed toward the inner ear to align the speaker 8. The
`The positioned speaker, when activated, directs amplified
`speaker 8 and sound wire 7 are sized and positioned to fit
`sound toward the inner ear for admixing and blending with
`within andpartially obstructthe interior ear canalto allow air
`natural sound entering the ear to minimize echoes andprovide
`and sound to flow there through. The natural sound is com-
`more natural sound pick up and transmission.
`bined with amplified sound to minimize echoes and provide
`more natural sound pick up and transmission.
`At least one second support attached to the housing oppo-
`site the first support is then adapted to secure the housing
`Atleast one secondplastic rod support 9 is attached to the
`within the concha bow]ofthe ear canal by providing a second
`housing 1 and cut to length oppositethefirst wire 7 bendable
`opposite contact point. The bendable supports are generally
`support. It is adapted to secure the housing 1 within the
`fitted in one visit to an audiologist to secure the hearing aid
`concha bow]of the ear canal by providing a second opposite
`within the concha bow] and hold the speaker in position
`contact point. Additional rod supports 9 may be included as
`within the external auditory canal oftheear.
`shownin FIGS. 2, 3, and5 to provide multiple point contacts
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`US 7,564,989 B2
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`4. An in the concha bow]hearing aid according to claim 1,
`including a powerswitch associated with the sound processor
`and battery to turn the hearing aid on in one mode,andoff in
`another mode.
`
`5. An in the concha bowlhearing aid according to claim 1,
`wherein the speaker includes a wax cap to prevent obstruc-
`tion.
`
`6. A method of using an in the concha bow] hearing aid
`comprising:
`a. placing in the outer ear concha bow] an in the concha
`bowl hearing aid with a sound processor/ampilifier,
`microphoneand speaker powered bya battery within a
`housing with an interior and exterior sized to fit within
`the outer ear concha bowl,defining at least one opening
`in communication with the ear canal to allow sound to
`
`6
`5
`for more secure anchoring where vigoroususeis anticipated.
`direction towardthe innerear for admixing and blending
`A preferred embodiment of a bendable support9is a plastic
`with natural sound entering the ear to minimize echoes
`retainer comprising a slenderplastic rod, which can be cut to
`and provide more natural sound pick up and transmis-
`length and inserted in the plurality of holes (not shown) at
`sion, and
`desired points to provide the necessary anchoring. These
`h. at least one second support attached to the housing
`plastic retainers 9 are friction fitted or glued into the holes.
`opposite the first bendable support adapted to secure the
`Filters 11 shown in FIG. 3 maybe associated with the
`housing within the concha bow] of the ear canal by
`sound processor amplifier 4 to compensate for feedback sig-
`providing opposite contact points.
`nals, static, and other interference.
`2. An in the concha bowlhearing aid accordingto claim 1,
`The exterior of the housing 1 includes a power switch 12
`whereinthe first bendable support and electronic means com-
`associated with the sound processor amplifier 4 and battery 5
`prise wire leads attached to the housing in communication
`to turn the hearing aid on in one mode, and off in another
`with the sound processor and amplifier and speaker, bent to
`mode to conserve battery life and facilitate telephoning. It
`also includes a volumecontrol 13 so the wearer has complete
`position a segment of the wire leads against an interior wall
`control over the amount of amplification for maximum lis-
`fold ofthe ear canal proximate the openingasthefirst contact
`tening comfort.
`point to support the housing in position wheninserted.
`Preferably, the hearing aid speaker 8 includes a wax cap 14
`3. An in the concha bowlhearing aid accordingto claim 1,
`shownin FIG.3 to prevent obstruction.
`including filters associated with the sound processor and
`The invention thus provides a new in the ear concha bowl
`amplifier to compensate for feedback signals and otherinter-
`hearing aid 10 with periphery openings 2 to provide channels
`ference.
`leading into the ear canal, which allows the wearer to hear
`more natural sounds. The hearing aidis thus structuredtofit
`entirely within the concha bowl of the ear without fully
`obstructing the ear canal opening. More natural hearing is
`accomplished when the sounds pass through the perimeter
`opening 2 in the body1 of the in the concha bow]hearing aid
`10. The sounds are supplemented and further amplified by
`amplified sounds from a speaker 8 positioned within the ear
`canal to direct combined sounds onto the inner ear. This
`employment ofcombination natural and amplified sound pro-
`vides a more natural hearing system and method.
`The above description and specification should not be con-
`strued as limiting the scope of the appended claims. The
`claims themselvesrecite those features deemedessential for
`the invention.
`I claim:
`
`1. An in the concha bow]hearing aid comprising:
`a. a housing with an interior and exterior sizedto fit within
`the outer ear concha bowl, and defining at least one
`opening in communication with the ear canal to allow
`external natural soundto pass through the housing into
`the ear canal,
`b. a microphoneattached to the exterior surface of the
`housing positioned to pickup sound focused by the
`sound funneling of the outer ear and translate sound into
`electronic impulses when the housing is placed in the
`concha bowl,
`c. a sound processor with an amplifier located within the
`housinginterior in communication with the microphone
`to receive electronic impulses,
`d. a battery mounted within the interior of the housing
`operably associated to power the sound processor,
`amplifier, microphone, and a speaker,
`e. a first bendable support with first and second ends sized
`and positioned to fit within and partially obstruct the
`interior ear canal to allow air and sound to flow there
`
`through, the first end attached to the exterior surface of
`the housing and the second endstructured to removably
`secure to a fold in the wall of the ear channel proximate
`its exterior opening, when inserted,
`f. electronic means associated with the bendable support to
`transfer electronic signals from the sound processor and
`amplifier,
`g. a speaker attached to the second end of the bendable
`support operably associated with the sound processor
`and amplifier by the electronic means to receive elec-
`tronic signals and convert them to amplified sound for
`
`pass through the housing into the ear canal; wherein the
`microphoneis positioned on the exterior surface of the
`housing to pickup sound focusedby the sound funneling
`structure ofthe outer ear, when the housing is inserted in
`the concha bowl, and convert sound into electronic
`impulses for transmission to a sound processor and
`amplifier; and the speaker is structured to direct ampli-
`fied sound toward the inner ear for admixing and blend-
`ing with natural sound entering the ear to minimize
`echoes and provide more natural sound pick up and
`transmission;
`b. securing the hearing aid with a first bendable support
`with first and second ends sized and positionedto fit
`within and partially obstruct the interior ear canal to
`allow air and soundto flow there through, the first end
`attached to the exterior surface of the housing and the
`second end adapted to removably secure to a fold in the
`wall of the ear channel proximate its exterior opening,
`c. at least one second support attached to the housing
`opposite the first bendable support adapted to secure the
`housing within the concha bow] of the ear canal by
`providing opposite contact points, and
`d. selectively activating the in the bowl hearing aid to
`combine external sound entering the ear canal with
`amplified sound from the speaker.
`7. A method of using an in the concha bowl hearing aid
`according to claim 6, whereinthefirst bendable support com-
`prises wire leads in communication with the sound processor
`and amplifier and speaker, bent to position a segmentof the
`
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`US 7,564,989 B2
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`7
`wire leads against an interior wall of the ear canalasthefirst
`contact point
`to support
`the housing in position when
`inserted.
`
`8. A method of using an in the concha bowl hearing aid
`according to claim 7, wherein the bendable support is struc-
`tured to be generally fitted in onevisit to an audiologist so that
`it is placed within the bow] to hold the speaker in position
`within the external auditory canal oftheear.
`9. A method of using an in the concha bowl hearing aid
`according to claim 6, wherein the in the concha bow]hearing
`
`8
`aid includesfilters associated with the sound processor and
`amplifier to compensate for feedback signals and other inter-
`ference.
`
`10. A method of using an in the concha bowl hearing aid
`according to claim 9, wherein the filters are selectively
`adjusted to provide the desired combination of external sound
`entering the ear canal with amplified sound from the speaker.
`
`7
`
`