US 12,233,264 B2
Hearing device and method of using same
Kendra Griffin, Fort Lauderdale, FL (US); Justin R. Burwinkel, Eden Prairie, MN (US); and Michael Karl Sacha, Chanhassen, MN (US)
Assigned to STARKEY LABORATORIES, INC., Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Filed by STARKEY LABORATORIES, INC., Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Filed on Dec. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/076,457.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/286,780, filed on Dec. 7, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0173272 A1, Jun. 8, 2023
Int. Cl. H04R 25/00 (2006.01); A61B 5/0205 (2006.01); A61N 1/36 (2006.01)
CPC A61N 1/36038 (2017.08) [A61B 5/0205 (2013.01); H04R 25/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hearing device comprising:
a housing comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;
electronic components disposed within the housing and comprising a speaker, a microphone, and a controller electrically connected to the speaker and the microphone;
a port disposed in the housing extending between a first end at the outer surface of the housing and a second end disposed within the housing, wherein the port is acoustically connected to at least one of the speaker or the microphone; and
a sensor comprising a first electrode and a second electrode each electrically connected to the controller, wherein the first electrode is disposed at least partially within the first end of the port, and further wherein the second electrode is disposed on the outer surface of the housing and spaced apart from the first electrode;
wherein the controller is adapted to detect a change in capacitance of the sensor, wherein the change in capacitance is associated with debris at least partially occluding the port.