Roger Paul Juneau

US Patent:

6354990, Mar 12, 2002

Filed:

May 13, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/311156

Inventors:

Roger P. Juneau - Destrehan LA
Lynn P. Creel - Kenner LA
Edward J. Desporte - Covington LA
Michael Major - Kenner LA
Gregory R. Siegle - Kenner LA
Kelly M. Kinler - Luling LA

Assignee:

Softear Technology, L.L.C. - Hashan LA

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

600 25

Abstract:

A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a receptacle with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The receptacle has a cavity for holding electronic components (eg. battery, microphone, amplifier). A soft polymeric body is preliminarily formed by encapsulating a plurality of the electronic hearing aid component shaped inserts. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. After forming, the insert is removed to provide an insert cavity that can carry electronic components. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.

US Patent:

6432247, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Oct 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/181540

Inventors:

Roger P. Juneau - Destrehan LA
Lynn P. Creel - Kenner LA
Edward J. Desporte - Covington LA
Michael Major - Kenner LA
Gregory R. Siegle - Kenner LA
Kelly M. Kinler - Luling LA

Assignee:

Softear Technologies, L.L.C. - Harahan LA

International Classification:

B29C 3340

US Classification:

156245, 156329, 156344, 264134, 264135, 264222, 264225, 264226, 264227, 26427211, 26427214, 26427215, 427301

Abstract:

A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.

US Patent:

6434248, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Oct 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/181843

Inventors:

Roger P. Juneau - Destrehan LA
Lynn P. Creel - Kenner LA
Edward J. Desporte - Covington LA
Michael Major - Kenner LA
Gregory R. Siegle - Kenner LA
Kelly M. Kinler - Luling LA

Assignee:

Softear Technologies, L.L.C. - Harahan LA

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

381322, 381328

Abstract:

A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.

US Patent:

6438244, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Oct 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/181541

Inventors:

Roger P. Juneau - Destrehan LA
Lynn P. Creel - Kenner LA
Edward J. Desporte - Covington LA
Michael Major - Kenner LA
Gregory R. Siegle - Kenner LA
Kelly M. Kinler - Luling LA

Assignee:

Softear Technologies - Harahan LA

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

381322, 381328, 381324

Abstract:

A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.

US Patent:

6473512, Oct 29, 2002

Filed:

Oct 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/181845

Inventors:

Roger P. Juneau - Destrehan LA
Lynn P. Creel - Kenner LA
Edward J. Desporte - Covington LA
Michael Major - Kenner LA
Gregory R. Siegle - Kenner LA
Kelly M. Kinler - Luling LA

Assignee:

Softear Technologies, L.L.C. - Harahan LA

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

381328, 381322

Abstract:

An apparatus and method of manufacturing a soft-solid elastomer custom ear device into which electronics are embedded provides a completely in-the-ear hearing aid with a soft body. This technology replaces hard acrylic ear molding. This hearing aid by virtue of its soft-solid design, meets the needs of the dynamic human ear canal which cannot be met with conventional hard acrylic molding. This hearing aid provides improved comfort and sound quality by better adapting to the dynamic changes in the ear canal which occur during everyday activities. This soft custom body also provides for ear-worn configurations of all subminiature electronic devices requiring discrete coupling to the human ear. These devices include digital telephones, cellular telephones, pagers, two-way communication systems, clocks, recorders, and many other subminiature technologies.

US Patent:

6695943, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

May 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/855095

Inventors:

Roger P. Juneau - Destrehan LA
Lynn P. Creel - Kenner LA
Edward J. Desporte - Covington LA
Michael Major - Kenner LA
Gregory R. Siegle - Kenner LA
Kelly M. Kinler - Luling LA

Assignee:

Softear Technologies, L.L.C. - Harahan LA

International Classification:

B29C 3340

US Classification:

156245, 156329, 156344, 264134, 264135, 264222, 264225, 264226, 264227, 26427211, 26427214, 26427215

Abstract:

A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.

US Patent:

6728383, Apr 27, 2004

Filed:

Oct 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/181539

Inventors:

Roger P. Juneau - Destrehan LA
Lynn P. Creel - Kenner LA
Edward J. Desporte - Covington LA
Michael Major - Kenner LA
Gregory R. Siegle - Kenner LA
Kelly M. Kinler - Luling LA

Assignee:

Softear Technologies, L.L.C. - Harahan LA

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

381322, 381328, 381324, 264222

Abstract:

A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a plate member with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The plate member is preferably of a harder material such as hard plastic. A soft polymeric body is bonded to the plate member and encapsulates preferably a plurality of the electronic hearing aid components. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.

US Patent:

6761789, Jul 13, 2004

Filed:

Mar 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/097540

Inventors:

Roger P. Juneau - Destrehan LA
Lynn P. Creel - Kenner LA
Edward J. Desporte - Covington LA
Michael Major - Kenner LA
Gregory R. Siegle - Kenner LA
Kelly M. Kinler - Luling LA

Assignee:

Softear Technologies, L.L.C. - Harahan LA

International Classification:

B29C 3340

US Classification:

156245, 156329, 156344, 264134, 264135, 264222, 264225, 264226, 264227, 26427211, 26427214, 26427215, 427301

Abstract:

A hearing aid instrument of the in-the-ear type (and preferably CIC) provides a receptacle with electronic hearing aid components mounted thereto. The receptacle has a cavity for holding electronic components (eg. battery, microphone, amplifier). A soft polymeric body is preliminarily formed by encapsulating a plurality of the electronic hearing aid component shaped inserts. The body is soft and is shaped to conform to the ear canal of the user. After forming, the insert is removed to provide an insert cavity that can carry electronic components. The soft polymeric body and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components define a soft structure compliant to the ear canal during use and that is substantially solid and free of void spaces between at least some of the components and the ear canal. This combination of soft compliant structure and encapsulated electronic hearing aid components addresses problems of peripheral leakage, poor fit, pivotal displacement that occurs with jaw motion and internal cross talk of components housed in prior art hollow type hearing aids.