Abstract: Machine learning is used to classify a pleasantness of a sound emitted from a device. A plurality of pleasantness ratings from human jurors are received, each pleasantness rating corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of sounds emitted by one or more devices. Differences between each pleasantness rating and each of the other pleasantness ratings is determined via pairwise comparisons. These differences are converted into binary values based on which pleasantness rating is higher or lower in each comparison. Measurable sound qualities are received associated with the sounds. Second differences between each of the measurable sound qualities and every other of the plurality of measured sound qualities is determined in pairwise fashion. A classification model is trained to classify sound pleasantness by comparing the binary values with the second differences.

Abstract: Machine learning is used to predict a pleasantness of a sound emitted from a device. A plurality of pleasantness ratings from human jurors are received, each pleasantness rating corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of sounds emitted by one or more devices. A microphone system detects a plurality of measurable sound qualities (e.g., loudness, tonality, sharpness, etc.) of these rated sounds. A regression prediction model is trained based on the jury pleasantness ratings and the corresponding measurable sound qualities. Then, the microphone system detects measurable sound qualities of an unrated sound that has not been rated by the jury. The trained regression prediction model is executed on the measurable sound quality of the unrated sound to yield a predicted pleasantness of the unrated sound.

Abstract: A system includes a processor in communication with one or more sensors. The processor is programmed to receiving, from the one or more sensors, vibrational information and sound information associated with the vibrational information from a test device, generating a training data set utilizing at least the vibrational data and the sound information associated with the vibrational data, wherein the training data set is sent to a machine learning model configured to output sound predictions, receiving real-time vibrational data from a run-time device running an actuator or electric dive emitting the real-time vibrational data, and based on the machine learning model and the real-time vibrational data, output a sound prediction indicating a purported sound emitted from the run-time device.

Abstract: A system includes a processor, wherein the processor is programmed to receive sound information and vibrational information from a device in a first environment, generate a training data set utilizing at least the vibrational information and a sound perception score associated with the corresponding sound of the vibrational information, wherein the training data set is fed into an un-trained machine learning model, in response to meeting a convergence threshold of the un-trained machine learning model, outputting a trained machine learning model, receive real-time vibrational information from the device in a second environment, and based on the real-time vibrational information as an input to the trained machine learning model, output a real-time sound perception score indicating characteristics associated with sound emitted from the device.

Abstract: A hearing device sizer tool in accordance with at least one of the present inventions includes a shaft defining a medial end and a lateral end, and an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing device seal associated with the medial end of the shaft. A hearing device sizer tool system in accordance with at least one of the present inventions includes a plurality of hearing device sizer tools with differently sized ITC hearing device seals.

Abstract: A hearing device including a housing, a receiver within the housing, and a contaminant guard having a guard sound port and one or both of an outer contaminant receptacle, which is located outward of the guard sound port and that extends around the guard sound port, and an inner contaminant receptacle, which that is located on the central axis of the guard sound port and operably connected to a location outward of the guard sound port.

Abstract: An exemplary hearing device may comprise a housing configured to be worn at an ear of a user and an absorbing member positioned on the housing and configured to absorb a biofluid secreted by outer ear tissue of the user while the housing is worn by the user. The hearing device may further comprise an electrode assembly positioned with respect to the absorbing member such that the electrode assembly is in fluidic contact with the biofluid when the biofluid is absorbed by the absorbing member.

Abstract: An ITE hearing instrumentality, for use in an ear canal, that includes a housing, a receiver located within the housing, an earpiece on the housing that is configured to mount the housing within the ear canal, and at least one biometric sensor on the earpiece.

Abstract: Hearing device housing blanks and methods of making hearing device housings that store energy.

Abstract: A hearing device including a housing, a receiver within the housing, and a contaminant guard having a guard sound port and one or both of an outer contaminant receptacle, which is located outward of the guard sound port and that extends around the guard sound port, and an inner contaminant receptacle, which that is located on the central axis of the guard sound port and operably connected to a location outward of the guard sound port.

Abstract: A hearing device seal module for use with a hearing device core including a tubular seal carrier defining a lumen configured for passage of the hearing device core and including a resilient seal support region formed from resilient material and configured to receive the hearing device core, a seal carrier support configured to hold at least a portion of the resilient seal support region open during an insertion of the hearing device core, and a first seal secured to a first portion of the seal support region and extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: An in-ear optical sensor device sits deep within the ear canal of a subject such that is in the cartilaginous region and/or the bony region of the ear canal where effects from temporomandibular joint activity or other movement, and external light, are limited. The device has a lateral housing and a medial articulating head joined at an articulation joint so that the medial articulating head may be angled relative to the lateral housing to help the device fit within tortuous ear canals. The device also includes a seal configured to conform to the shape of the ear canal to physically support the device to further limit movement and block environmental light. An audio receiver is also included in the device.

Abstract: An exemplary hearing device configured to facilitate hearing by a user may comprise an in-the-ear (“ITE”) component comprising a shell having a contoured outer surface configured to fit at least partially within an ear canal of the user. The contoured outer surface of the shell may include a first region having a first modulus of elasticity and a second region having a second modulus of elasticity that is different than the first modulus of elasticity. The first region and the second region may be formed of a same material.

Abstract: Hearing devices, configured to fit within the ear canal, having a hearing device core defining an exterior surface with a medial end and a medial corner, and including a battery, a microphone and a receiver, at least one seal, defining a seal compliance, carried on the hearing device core, and a medial bumper, defining a medial bumper compliance that is greater than the seal compliance, carried on the hearing device core.

Abstract: An ITE hearing instrumentality, for use in an ear canal, that includes a housing, a receiver located within the housing, an earpiece on the housing that is configured to mount the housing within the ear canal, and at least one biometric sensor on the earpiece.

Abstract: An in-ear optical sensor device sits deep within the ear canal of a subject such that is in the cartilaginous region and/or the bony region of the ear canal where effects from temporomandibular joint activity or other movement, and external light, are limited. The device has a lateral housing and a medial articulating head joined at an articulation joint so that the medial articulating head may be angled relative to the lateral housing to help the device fit within tortuous ear canals. The device also includes a seal configured to conform to the shape of the ear canal to physically support the device to further limit movement and block environmental light. An audio receiver is also included in the device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for insertion of a deep-in-the-canal hearing aid—alternatively designatable as extended wear hearing aid—into an ear canal of an individual user, at a pre-determined insertion depth (d) thereof. The insertion device comprises a customized support comprising an outer profile conforming to the shapes of at least a portion of a conchal cavity and of an ear canal of said individual user; and a guide channel, disposed internal to said outer profile, extending between a lateral entry opening thereof, for loading said hearing aid; and a medial exit opening thereof, for releasing said hearing aid into said ear canal. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an insertion device for inserting a hearing aid deep into an ear canal of an individual hearing aid user, at a pre-determined insertion depth (d) thereof.

Abstract: Hearing devices, configured to fit within the ear canal, having a hearing device core defining an exterior surface with a medial end and a medial corner, and including a battery, a microphone and a receiver, at least one seal, defining a seal compliance, carried on the hearing device core, and a medial bumper, defining a medial bumper compliance that is greater than the seal compliance, carried on the hearing device core.

Abstract: A hearing device seal module having a tubular seal carrier formed from resilient material, defining a medial-lateral axis and a lumen configured for passage of the hearing device core, and including a seal support region with a first portion defining a first portion perimeter in a plane perpendicular to the medial-lateral axis and a second portion, lateral of the first portion, defining a second portion perimeter in a plane perpendicular to the medial-lateral axis that is less than the first portion perimeter when the seal support region is in an unstressed state, and a first seal secured to the first portion of the seal support region and extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A system for generating a database of labeled foreign canonical titles includes an interface and a processor. The interface is to receive a title in a second language. The processor is to 1) store a set of n-grams in a first language in a first database; 2) sanitize the title into a sanitize title in the second language; 3) translate the sanitized title into a translated title in the first language; 4) break the translated title into n-grams; 5) determine labels for the n-grams using the first database; and 6) determine label to associate with the title.