Hearing Aid and Micro-Precision Rubber Parts
Types of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and models. This guide consists of information to assist you in understanding the basic styles of hearing aid devices and their essential components.
Hearing aids today can be grouped into the following categories:
Behind-the-Ear (BTE) - These hearing aids sit behind your ear and are connected to an ear mold placed inside your ear via tubing. BTE devices are fastened on the ear with an ear hook and the ear molds are custom-made to fit the user's ear. BTE hearing aids are known for being robust and durable. They have the ability to produce a lot of power, which accommodates all types of hearing loss.
In the Ear (ITE) - These hearing aids are placed in the ear of the wearer. They are often used by those who suffer moderate hearing loss. Some people who have extremely small ears may not find these models suitable.
In the Canal (ITC) and Completely in the Canal (CIC) - With ITCs and CICs, the whole hearing aid is placed inside the ear canal. ITCs are often larger than CIC devices. CICs are extremely tiny in size and are almost invisible. Some people due to their canal shape or size are unable to wear these types of devices.
Performance and Comfort
The usage of rubber in hearing aids is critical to both the performance and the comfort of the device.
- Acoustics – Rubber is used in hearing aids to perform acoustic damping and sound isolation. Damping prevents sound from escaping and isolation allows for greater clarity and elimination of ambient noise.
- Comfort – In the ear rubber such as silicone provides for maximum comfort. Ear buds and domes that sit in the ear must be firm enough to maintain device position but soft enough to provide a comfortable feel for long wear.
Parts and Materials
Common hearing aid parts and the materials used in hearing aids components include:
- Ear buds/Domes – Silicone
- Sound tubes/Elbows – Q-flex, FKM, fluorosilicone
- Receivers/Suspensions/Mic (Boots) – Q-Flex, FKM, fluorosilicone, Butyl, Chloroprene
This is a small sampling of the parts we make and the materials that we use for hearing aid applications. Please contact us to learn more about the range of possibilities available. The only limit is your imagination.
Micro-Precision: A Miniature World
Micro-precision parts are typically smaller rubber parts with tight tolerances and complex tooling needs. They require both additional care and expertise throughout the molding process to insure quality parts that meet or exceed customer specifications. Micro-precision parts also require additional finishing techniques, such as cryogenic de-flashing and inspection. There is a high demand for micro-precision parts in applications such as hearing aid, hydraulics, pneumatics, and military. Below are several current trends we have found in molding these types of parts.
- Smaller, Thinner Parts with Inserts
- Increasingly Demanding Performance Specifications
- Greater Regulatory Control
- More complex part and tool designs
We want to be your partner in design and development. Our experience with micro-precision parts makes us an excellent resource for development teams early in the R&D process. We believe the following factors can improve the quality of collaboration on micro-precision projects.
- Early consultation saves money and design iterations
- Material selection is our responsibility
- Prototyping in 3 weeks is our goal
- Working together to determine critical and non-critical areas can save money in de-flashing and inspection
- The more fragile the core pins, the higher ongoing tool maintenance costs will be
- Design and Development capabilities in both Chicago and Suzhou
- Flexan is determined to become the world leader in molded rubber solutions for the micro-precision market
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