Janet Lee Richardson

US Patent:

20170311098, Oct 26, 2017

Filed:

May 8, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/589244

Inventors:

- EDEN PRAIRIE MN, US
GARY ZAJICEK - WACONIA MN, US
TOTO SAYKEO - EDEN PRAIRIE MN, US
JEROME C. RUZICKA - PLYMOUTH MN, US
JANET RICHARDSON - CHANHASSEN MN, US

International Classification:

H04R 25/00
H04R 25/00
H04R 25/00

Abstract:

Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for improved microphone protection for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device, such as a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) type hearing aid, that includes a battery door with a microphone slit and a battery contact including a microphone port. In various embodiments, the microphone slit and the microphone port are configured to create a nonlinear acoustic path to a microphone of the hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the acoustic path is configured to prevent earwax from blocking and/or damaging the microphone, such as during insertion, removal or cleaning of the hearing assistance device.

US Patent:

20150146901, May 28, 2015

Filed:

Nov 22, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/087482

Inventors:

Janet Richardson - Eden Prairie MN, US
Toto Saykeo - Eden Prairie MN, US

Assignee:

Starkey Laboratories, Inc. - Eden Prairie MN

International Classification:

H04R 25/00
H04R 1/10

US Classification:

381323

Abstract:

A removal handle design for a hearing aid is described in which the removal handle is attached to the battery door of the hearing aid. By locating the removal handle in the battery door, the removal handle may be added as the last step in the manufacturing process, thus ensuring no damage from cutting/beveling/buffing equipment. The design also eliminates interference with the opening and closing of the battery door.

US Patent:

20140334651, Nov 13, 2014

Filed:

Nov 20, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/085031

Inventors:

- Eden Prairie MN, US
Gary Zajicek - Waconia MN, US
Toto Saykeo - Eden Prairie MN, US
Jerome C. Ruzicka - Plymouth MN, US
Janet Richardson - Eden Prairie MN, US

Assignee:

Starkey Laboratories, Inc. - Eden Prairie MN

International Classification:

H04R 25/00

US Classification:

381323

Abstract:

Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for improved microphone protection for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device, such as a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) type hearing aid, that includes a battery door with a microphone slit and a battery contact including a microphone port. In various embodiments, the microphone slit and the microphone port are configured to create a nonlinear acoustic path to a microphone of the hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the acoustic path is configured to prevent earwax from blocking and/or damaging the microphone, such as during insertion, removal or cleaning of the hearing assistance device.