WATER-RESISTANT, WIDEBAND MICROPHONE SUBASSEMBLY

A moisture-resistant, wideband microphone subassembly for a Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing device, provides a barrier to perspiration and rain, while maintaining a good frequency response. The microphone subassembly is contained in the case of the BTE hearing device and comprises a microphone, a boot, and a moisture-resistant membrane. The boot structurally supports the microphone, provides a moisture seal around the microphone case, and provides the microphone with isolation from vibrations in the case of the BTE hearing device. The membrane resists the passage of moisture, while providing an acoustic window permitting sound waves to reach the microphone. In one embodiment high compliance washers sandwich the membrane to improve frequency response. A preferred embodiment provides a substantially flat acoustic frequency response to beyond 10 KHz.