Vivatone Hearing Systems, Shelton, Conn, reports the US Patent and Trademark Office has issued Vivatone patent number 7,421,086, which includes 81 claims encompassing unique features of open fit, receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aids.

Leon C. Hirsch, the company’s chairman said it is gratifying to know that after more than two years the patent office has validated its claims for patent protection for the unique product line.

Open fit, RITE products represent the fastest growing segment in the hearing aid industry, and the company plans to protect its intellectual property by vigorously enforcing the patent, he said. The company has patent protection in Japan, and a European patent should be issued soon.