Open Ear Canal Hearing Aid

Abstract

The invention provides systems and methods for providing hearing aid. An open ear canal hearing aid may be provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The hearing aid may include a part that contains electronic components, a passive amplifier, and a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism may include bristles or balloons. The securing mechanism may have various configurations and be adjustable.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An open ear canal hearing aid, comprising:
 a housing having first and second ends, a longitudinal axis and an electronics containing portion, said housing further including a non-occluding securing mechanism that is configured to secure said hearing aid in an ear canal,   said securing mechanism comprising a plurality of flexible elongated members configured to contact a surface of said ear canal,   each of said plurality of elongated members having first and second ends, said first ends being restrained proximate said housing and said second ends being unrestrained, said second ends being configured to provide a plurality of contact points when said securing member is disposed in said ear canal,   each of said plurality of elongated members having a first length in the range of 0.1 mm-3 cm and a maximum thickness along said first length no greater than 3.0 mm,   said plurality of elongated members being disposed circumferentially around said housing and projecting outwardly therefrom at an angle relative to said housing longitudinal axis in the range of approximately 5°-85°, whereby said second ends of said elongated members are directed toward said first end of said housing,   said securing mechanism being configured to allow external/non-amplified sound to be transmitted therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The hearing aid of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of elongated members comprises at least 3 of said plurality of elongated members. 
     
     
         3 . The hearing aid of  claim 1 , wherein said second ends of said elongated members are directed toward said second end of said housing. 
     
     
         4 . The hearing aid of  claim 1 , wherein said elongated members have a first cross sectional shape comprising a shape selected from the group consisting of a flat, round, elliptical, square, triangular and hexangular shape, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The hearing aid of  claim 1 , further comprising an introduction/removal portion connected to said electronics containing portion, wherein a microphone is positioned on an end of said introduction/removal portion. 
     
     
         6 . The hearing aid of  claim 1 , further comprising a sound conduction channel connected to said electronics containing portion, said sound conduction channel being configured to conduct sound to/from an electronic component disposed in said electronics containing portion. 
     
     
         7 . The hearing aid of  claim 6 , wherein said electronic component comprises an electronic component selected from the group consisting of a microphone, speaker, receiver and actuator.