Abstract: A battery assembly is constructed of an elongated plastic shell irregularly shaped to fit optimally in anatomical cavities, particularly ear canals. The battery assembly relies structurally on a thin plastic shell which is designed to be inexpensively formed in a variety of complex shapes, thus offering superior volumetric utilization and energy capacity when compared with conventional metal button cell designs. In preferred embodiments, the shell is domed to distribute axial stresses so that it can be thin and still provide sufficient strength to avoid breakage in an extended wear environment despite its plastic composition. A preferred embodiment of a hearing device incorporating the battery assembly is disposable, to be discarded upon depletion of the electrical energy of the battery assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system with multi-mode radiator panels used to reproduce sound. The multi-mode radiator panels include at least one driver, a core layer and two cover layers connected to the core layer. The panels are typically mounted in a frame with attachments providing a connection between the frame and the unit formed of the core layer and the cover layers. To protect the system against overload and damage, the entire driver electronics is housed in a hermetically sealed air space located between the frame, the core layer and the attachments. The driver electronics includes a power amplifier powered by low-voltage power supply. The voltage supply may be buffered by a battery to keep the average power supplied to the electronics small, while still being able to reproduce infrequently occurring peak power events.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hearing aid for insertion in the auditory canal, comprising a hearing aid housing and a face plate and a shell that is matched to the auditory canal of a user and has a tightening protrusion that extends along the surface of the shell and at least partly encircles the shell thereby providing a tight seal against the auditory canal wall when the shell is inserted in the auditory canal.

Abstract: A hearing device comprising at least two microphones, a processor and an output for further processing in a reproducer, the microphones being electrically coupled to the processor, and the output for further processing in a reproducer being connected to the processor. The processor comprises: a summer providing a sum signal of the microphone signals, and to which summer a proportional amplifier is connected, and a summer for providing a difference signal of the microphone signals, to which summer an integrator is connected, and that the proportional amplifier and the integrator are coupled on the output side to a third summer providing a sum signal of the proportional amplifier and the integrator, and that the third summer forms the output for further processing in a reproducer.

Abstract: A middle ear hearing aid transducer is provided. The middle ear hearing aid includes: first and second permanent magnets arranged such that the same poles face each other; a coil separated a predetermined distance from the outer surfaces of the first and second permanent magnets, and surrounding the first and second permanent magnets; a case for accommodating the first and second permanent magnets and the coil; and a vibration member for supporting the first and second permanent magnets to keep a predetermined distance between the coil and the outer surfaces of the first and second permanent magnets, and for transmitting vibrations of the first and second permanent magnets to the case.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for removably supporting a microphone in an operative position and in a manner which will protect the microphone against attenuating high impact phonetic peaks. A plurality of support assemblies are selectively attachable to one another to assume a variety of predetermined individually selectable configurations, wherein each of the predetermined configurations are determinative of a preferred operative orientation of the microphone. The plurality of support assemblies include a microphone support structured, to suspend the microphone in a predetermined orientation; a filter support structured, to adjustably support a filter in a substantially aligned, protective relation to the microphone; and an auxiliary support, structured to be removably and adjustably attached in supporting relation to at least one of said filter or microphone supports.

Abstract: A canal hearing device with a dual acoustic seal system for preventing feedback while minimizing occlusion effects. The two-part device comprises a main module and an elongated tubular insert for conducting sound to the tympanic membrane and sealing within the bony region of the ear canal. The main module is positioned in the cartilaginous portion of the ear canal. The tubular insert comprises a sound conduction tube and a cylindrically hollow primary seal medially positioned in the bony region. The device also comprises a secondary seal laterally positioned in the cartilaginous region. The secondary seal, although providing additional acoustic sealing for the prevention of feedback, is sufficiently vented to provide a path of least acoustic resistance for occlusion sounds within the ear canal.

Abstract: A voice sound transmitting and receiving unit having an earpiece that is adapted for insertion into the external auditory canal of a user, the earpiece having an expansion module. The voice sound transmitting unit includes a sensor, which may be a bone conduction sensor or an air conduction sensor, or both. Prior to transmission, additional processing, modification, or formatting of sensor output maybe done by the expansion module. Alternatively, all local processing, modification, or formatting of sensor output may be done via the expansion module. The transmission of the voice sound signal may be through a wireless linkage.

Abstract: A holder to carry portable electronic equipment on the body of a user, include a cord loop adapted for carrying on the body of a user; the cord loop having a support to hold the electronic equipment and a connector adapted to normally maintain the cord loop and disconnect the cord loop the moment it is applied with a larger pulling force than a predetermined force.

Abstract: A bandpass loudspeaker enclosure system including at least one electro-acoustic transducer with a vibratable diaphragm having a first acoustical coupling surface and a second acoustical coupling surface, and at least one differential area passive radiator with three separate acoustical coupling surface areas. The first acoustical coupling surface of the vibratable diaphragm is substantially air coupled through a first enclosure volume to a first of the three separate acoustical coupling surface areas of the at least one differential area passive radiator. A second of the three separate acoustical coupling surface areas of the at least one differential area passive radiator is substantially air coupled through a second chamber to the external environment through a restricted acoustic opening or passive acoustic radiator of predetermined characteristics.

Abstract: An earplug type earphone without impulse noise and surroundings blockade includes an earphone housing having a sound chamber inside thereof and a loudspeaker mounted therein, wherein a plurality of sound outlet meshes is provided on the front end of the earphone housing. A proper distance is given between the front end of the earphone housing and the loudspeaker mounted therein. A plurality of sound inlet meshes is provided on and encircled the earphone housing within the proper distance. The lower impulse noise output end with respect to two output ends of the loudspeaker is arranged to face to the sound outlet meshes. Therefore, the earphone can prevent not only the impulse noise directly impact to the middle ear but also the damage of the middle ear and the cause of conductive hearing loss.

Abstract: A low battery detection circuit is disclosed for detecting low battery voltages in hearing aids and other battery operated devices. The low battery detection circuit operates reliably on a small amount of current, which does not significantly increase overall battery drain. An output signal is generated whose amplitude and frequency increase as battery voltage decreases below a predetermined level. The circuit's minimal number of components and output signal characteristics make it particularly applicable as a low battery early warning device for hearing aid devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electret condenser microphone including the vibratory diaphragm which is comprised of an electret film into which an electric charge is charged; a conductive film formed on one side of the electret film and a polar ring disposed at a peripheral edge of the underside of the conductive film. Also, this microphone includes a vibratory diaphragm support member which is disposed on the vibratory diaphragm and has a concave groove and a concave portion. On the vibratory diaphragm support member is attached an integrated circuit serving to receive and amplify a transformed electrical signal from the vibratory diaphragm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a listening assistance device (1) comprising hearing modules (3) mounted on the ends of the arms of an eyeglass frame (2), said modules being designed to support the eyeglass frame on the ear of the user. The hearing modules also have a formed part (5) which extends into the auditive canal without closing the latter and which includes the sound outlet hole (6) of the module. The modules comprise a speech spectrum frequency response and linear dynamics in order to improve speech intelligibility. This makes it possible to provide a listening assistance device compensating for mild hearing loss that can be produced easily and economically, is more comfortable to use and is not regarded at first sight as a hearing aid by an observer.

Abstract: A device (8) which includes an electroacoustic transducer (7) for the acoustic reproduction of sound signals to an ear (14) of a user (2) who assumes a user position at the device. The transducer is optimized for the acoustic reproduction of speech-signal sound waves and is equipped with arrangement means (25) for realizing a distinct directivity for the speech-signal sound waves emitted by the transducer. As a result of its directivity, the transducer directs the speech-signal sound waves which it emits preferentially to the ear of a user who is in the user posture.

Abstract: A loudspeaker having an improved air cooling system. The loudspeaker includes a speaker frame, a diaphragm connected to the speaker frame, a voice coil which is formed on a voice coil bobbin and is connected to the diaphragm for vibrating the diaphragm, a permanent magnet having a central opening, a pole piece disposed coaxially within the central opening of the permanent magnet to form an air gap into which the voice coil is disposed, and a heat transfer plate disposed over the permanent magnet. The heat transfer plate has a plurality of cooling fins which are radially outwardly extending toward an outer rim thereof and inner and outer air openings on the outer rim. The outer rim has a step like shape in cross section and has a flat upper surface which is higher than top ends of the cooling fins. The vibration of the diaphragm produces air flows through air passages on the heat transfer plate between the inside and outside of the loudspeaker.

Abstract: A loudspeaker has a diaphragm with a voice coil disposed about its perimeter and extending in a gap into which the flux of an annular rare earth magnet is focused. An opening behind the diaphragm communicates through the speaker frame. The voice coil may have two or more windings that are connected in parallel, and may, e.g., be layered on top of one another, so that the impedance of the coil, as well as its depth in the front/back direction of motion, are low. The voice coil is preferably implemented using a polyimide form or bobbin, which has patterned lead-in conductors embedded therein to bring power to wire windings on the perimeter of the coil. The lead-in conductors extend to, or through, the central opening of a ring magnet, providing a robust ribbon input connection. The ribbon lead-in may be symmetrical, and the central opening further provides an air channel that couples to an auxiliary chamber for enhanced sound.

Abstract: An operating element (31) is provided on a behind-the-ear hearing aid which can be operated in two different directions (K, F) and performs a different switching function in each of them.

Abstract: The present invention includes a compact and economical construction of a microphone wherein the housing is preferably constructed of two identical halves that form a chamber in which the microphone is retained. The housing also includes first and second acoustic passages in an acoustic relationship with the first and second ports of the microphone and extending to an exterior surface of the housing. A switching mechanism is preferably rotatably secured to the housing such that when the switching mechanism is in a first position, the first and second passages are in an acoustic receptive state and when rotated to a second position only one of the acoustic passages is in an acoustic receptive state.

Abstract: A loudspeaker has a cylindrical frame, a magnetic circuit formed on the frame, a voice coil disposed in a magnetic gap of the magnetic circuit, a diaphragm. A damper is attached to the frame and supports the voice coil. Leads are connected to both ends of the voice coil. The leads are attached to the damper by stitching.