公开(公告)号：US09794704B2

公开(公告)日：2017-10-17

申请号：US14500882

申请日：2014-09-29

Applicant: The Regents of the University of California

Inventor： Hamid Djalilian ,  Mark Bachman ,  Peyton Paulick ,  Mark Merlo

IPC: H04R25/00

CPC classification number: H04R25/606

Abstract: A hearing aid apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, a system and method are provided for using a tympanostomy tube as a platform for driving the middle ear. The system and method may employ a mechanical interface for driving the middle ear. In another embodiment, a hearing aid apparatus includes a direct-drive hearing device (DHD) having a silicone mold on one end, where the silicone mold has an attached magnet; and a tympanostomy tube with a ferromagnetic cap, where the tympanostomy tube is insertable into a tympanic membrane. The DHD is configured for insertion in an ear canal such that the magnet attached to the silicone mold is in contact with the ferromagnetic cap of the tympanostomy tube.