Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances

Abstract

Systems for manufacturing oral-based hearing aid appliances utilizing various manufacturing methods and apparatus are described herein. The oral appliance may have an electronic and/or transducer assembly for receiving incoming sounds and transmitting processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or teeth. The oral appliance may be formed or fabricated via three-dimensional digital scanning systems or via impression molding to create a housing for the electronics and/or transducer assembly as well as to securely conform the appliance to the user's dentition.

1 . A method for fabricating an oral appliance for maintaining an electronics and/or transducer assembly against at least a portion of a patient's dentition, comprising:
 scanning at least the portion of dentition such that a corresponding three-dimensional image is created;   manipulating the image such that a housing is positioned along a side surface of the portion of dentition; and   forming the oral appliance having the housing portion from the image whereby the oral appliance is conformable to the portion of dentition.