A semi-permanent hearing device is disclosed which is adapted to be completely positioned within the ear canal of an individual for long-term use The device comprises a sealing retainer (70) substantially positioned in the bony region of the ear canal and a core assembly (35) including a receiver assembly (60) coaxially positioned within the sealing retainer When the device is inserted into its completely-in-the-canal position, the core assembly (35) extends from the sealing retainer (70) to the cartilaginous region of the ear canal in a non-occluding fashion, thereby minimizing interference with hair and earwax production present in the cartilaginous region In a preferred embodiment of the device, the core assembly comprises a battery assembly (50) conforming substantially to the shape and dimensions of the battery enclosed within the assembly A connector (53) in the form of a thin ribbon film provides electrical and flexible mechanical connectivity between the receiver assembly (60), the centrally positioned battery assembly (50), and a microphone assembly (40) positioned in the cartilaginous region

Semi-permanent canal hearing device

An embodiment provides a user interface for remotely controlling the operational state of a hearing device positioned in the ear canal. The interface comprises a controller, a switch coupled to the controller and an audio port coupled to the controller. The controller switches between the operational states of a hearing device having at least a first and a second operational state, such as an off-state, an on-state. The switch receives inputs from the user to change the operational state of the hearing device and is actuable by an external magnetic field source held in the hand of the user within a selected proximity envelope from the switch. The controller switches between the states responsive to a pattern of movement of the magnetic field source made relative to the proximity envelope. The audio port produces an audio output indicating to the user the operational state of the hearing device.

Remote magnetic activation of hearing devices

A proximity switch system includes a switch portion, configured to connect and disconnect at least one electrical path, and a magnetically active actuator. The switch portion has a casing formed of a magnetically noninteracting material, at least one electrical contact disposed in the casing, a magnetically active armature member moveable along the casing between a first position and a second position, wherein the armature member contacts the electrical contact when in the first position to connect the at least one electrical path and the armature member being electrically isolated from the electric contact when in the second position to disconnect the at least one electrical path, and a magnetically active biasing member disposed in the casing, wherein the biasing member magnetically interacts with the armature member to bias the armature member in one of the first and second positions. The magnetically active actuator is movable with respect to the switch portion between proximal and distal positions. The actuator magnetically interacts with the armature member when in the proximal position to move the armature to the other one of the first and second positions, and at least one of the armature member and the biasing member include a magnet.

Magnetic proximity switch system

A biometrically authenticated portable access device, includes a biometric sensor for measuring a live biometric parameter of an unverified user, an authenticator controfling a switch that enables and disables a conventional RFID tag and a stored biometric template corresponding to a previously measured biometric parameter of an authorized user. The authenticator compares the live biometric parameter of the unverified user to the stored biometric template and enables the RFID tag when the live biometric parameter matches the stored biometric template. The RFID tag is programmable in conventional RFID tag programmers that may be proprietary permitting the portable access device to be used with existing installed systems of proprietary and non-proprietary RFID tag programmers and readers.

Biometrically authenticated portable access device

Hearing devices configured to fit within the bony portion of the ear canal and batteries that may be used with same.

Canal hearing devices and batteries for use with same

A small reed switch having a glass tubularly shaped envelope containing a ir of reed contacts is modified to ensure its being biased to either an open or a closed position. A donut-shaped piece of a rubber-bonded, barium-ferrite, magnetic material is circumferentially mounted on the reed switch at a position where its magnetic field influences the contacts to an open position or a closed position. Thusly arranged, an actuating magnet, having a sufficient field at a single pre-established distance from the contacts, actuates the switch from all radial directions from the switch. Potting the modified switch in an epoxy resin further ensures a greater reliability and makes it ideal for implantations in laboratory animals.

Coated magnetically biased reed switch

The broadband auditory thresholds of marine mammals are determined by an apparatus which compensates for the animals' movement artifact. A number of evoked responses to audio stimuli are average during discrete time intervals. This approach reduces the effects of potentials attributed to movements of the animal, for example, the opening and closing of the blow hole. A threshold detector circuit, a tape delay and related circuitry electronically cooperate to block potentials attributed to the movement artifact when the potentials exceed the likely magnitude of the evoked response. Optionally, an oscilloscope is used to provide a visual representation of the evoked response and the potentials are manually inhibited when the movement artifact masks or otherwise overrides the evoked response.

Biopotential movement artifact inhibiting system

An improved dual threshold switch is actuated by magnetic fields in the sch's proximity. An elongate glass envelope contains a pair of reed contacts. The contacts are biased by a piece of donut-shaped magnetic material circumscribing the envelope to be switched to a closed position at one magnetic threshold or an open position at another magnetic threshold. Both magnetic thresholds are induced in the contacts by external actuating magnets and the thresholds can be changed by physically moving the donut along the elongate glass envelope. A coil is provided and encompasses the envelope and magnetic donut to provide an electro-magnetic field which shifts the biasing field induced by the donut. When the electro-magnetic shifting field is turned on the thresholds established by the biasing field are shifted so that the contacts would be actuated from external actuation fields at different magnetic thresholds. This feature gives flexibility since various combinations of weak or strong external magnetic fields can be employed as the situation demands without sacrificing reliability or calling for extensive modifications of the switch. A delay circuit energizes or initiates the coil to provide the electromagnetic shifting field upon the occurrence of a variety of conditions such as the passage of time, the changing of the tide, the proximity or absence of external electric, gravitational or magnetic fields, for example.

Robert L. Seeley

Papers

Coated magnetically biased reed switch

Biopotential movement artifact inhibiting system

Dual threshold magnetic proximity switch