Importance

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Abstract

An ear piece is formed for insertion and placement in an external auditory canal, preferably for deep insertion and in close vicinity of a tympanic membrane inwardly bounding the auditory canal. The ear piece has an inflatable balloon which, when it is inflated, expands and braces against the walls of the auditory canal. When it is deflated, it may be withdrawn from the auditory canal. The ear piece has a receiver module with a sound generator and a connection to an exterior device (e.g., a hearing aid, an MP3 player, a cell phone). The receiver module is integrally formed with a pressure relief valve that allows the balloon to be deflated by external activation. A pull cord pulls a valve piston off a valve seat, whereupon the pressure in the balloon is relieved and the ear piece may be pulled out of the auditory canal.

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First Claim