Abstract: Sound-producing acoustic receivers are disclosed. The acoustic receiver includes a receiver housing with a first internal volume and a second internal volume, a first diaphragm separating the first internal volume into a first front volume and a first back volume such that the first front volume has a first sound outlet port, a second diaphragm separating the second internal volume into a second front volume and a second back volume such that the second front volume has a second sound outlet port, a motor disposed at least partially inside the housing such that the motor including an armature mechanically coupled to both the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm, an acoustic seal between the first front volume and the second back volume such that the acoustic seal accommodates the mechanical coupling of the armature to one of the first diaphragm or the second diaphragm.

Abstract: An acoustic receiver includes a first receiver subassembly having a bottom housing plate with a motor assembly fastened thereto, and a second receiver subassembly having a closed-ended receiver housing sidewall fastened to the bottom housing plate that includes at least one sidewall opening where a portion of the acoustic receiver is disposed in the at least one sidewall opening.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer includes an armature that is mounted for deflection between magnets where an elongated portion of the armature includes a protrusion on opposite sides thereof for limiting the deflection of the armature. The protrusions are arranged transversely with respect to the elongated portion of the armature. Among other advantages, deflection of the armature is limited to provide improved shock performance. In one example, the protrusions are located within a magnet zone of the electroacoustic transducer.

Abstract: A hearing device such as a hearing aid, ear pod, headphone, or other wearable is provided, whose components include the following: an acoustic transducer with a vent port operable to produce sound, a housing of the acoustic transducer with a sound opening, and an actuatable acoustic valve disposed in the housing, where the acoustic valve is actuatable to alter passage of sound through the acoustic vent to change the state of the hearing device between an open vent state and a closed vent state, so that actuation of the valve changes an acoustic characteristic of the hearing device.

Abstract: Acoustic valves include a housing having an acoustic inlet, an acoustic outlet, and an acoustic passage between the inlet and the outlet. An electrical coil is disposed in the housing and configured to generate a magnetic field when energized by an actuation signal. A spring is coupled to an armature movably disposed in the housing between a first surface and a second surface. The valve has a first stable state wherein the armature is positioned against one surface when the electrical coil is not energized, and the valve has a second stable state wherein the armature is positioned against the other surface when the electrical coil is not energized. The armature is movable between the first and second states when the electrical coil is energized, wherein the acoustic passage is more obstructed when the armature is in one state than when the armature is in the other state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus determine the actual state of one or more acoustic valves e.g., whether an acoustic valve is open or closed, in a hearing device. A sensor in the hearing device is configured to generate an output signal indicative of a state of the acoustic valve. An electrical circuit actuates the acoustic valve if the actual state is different than a desired state. The determination of the state of the acoustic valve can be done on the hearing device or on a remote device.

Abstract: An acoustic receiver employs one or more housing endplates recessed below an edge of a sidewall of the housing. In some implementations, a cured b-stage material is disposed in a recess along an interface between an endplate and a sidewall of the housing, wherein the cured b-stage material acoustically seals at least a portion of the housing. In some implementations, both a top housing endplate and a bottom housing endplate are recessed and have cured b-stage material disposed in respective recesses along an interface between the endplates and housing sidewalls wherein the cured b-stage material acoustically seals a top and bottom portion of the housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus change operation of a hearing device based on a state of an acoustic valve in the hearing device. In some examples an electrical circuit performs one or more of differing operations depending on a state of the acoustic valve. Some operations change the signal to a sound producing transducer and other operations change other operations of the hearing device. For example, an electrical circuit changes active noise cancelling operation, changes equalization settings, provides noise reduction improvements, provides beam forming changes and other operations based on a state of the acoustic valve. In some implementations, a change in acoustic valve state is used to change the operation of the hearing device.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to hearing devices configurable between open fit and closed fit configurations at different times through actuation of one or more acoustic valves located in one or more corresponding sound passages of the hearing device. The one or more acoustic valves of the hearing device are adaptively controlled based on context detected by one or more sensors. The context may be, but is not limited to, a mode of operation of the hearing devices which may include, for example, an audio content playback mode and a voice communication mode. The actuatable valves may be actuatable in situ without having to remove the hearing device from the user's ear thereby enabling the user to experience the benefit of a closed fit or an open fit depending on the user's desire or other context.

Abstract: An acoustic receiver includes a first receiver subassembly having bottom housing plate with at least a portion of a motor fastened thereto, and a second receiver subassembly having a closed-ended housing wall with at least one open end that is fastened to the bottom housing plate. A method of making and assembling the components is also described.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, a diaphragm for an acoustic receiver is provided that includes a frame, a paddle flexibly coupled to the frame, and a gap between a portion of the paddle and the frame. The diaphragm further includes siloxane material coupled to at least a portion of the paddle and to at least a portion of the frame. The siloxane material covers the gap. In another aspect, a method is provided for making an acoustic receiver diaphragm.

Abstract: An acoustic receiver diaphragm includes a frame with an opening extending therethrough. A paddle is disposed in the opening, and a gap extends between portions of the paddle and the frame. A hinge connects the paddle to the frame. The hinge has a coined portion, and the paddle is movable relative to the frame upon flexing the coined portion of the hinge. A portion of the frame, the paddle, and the hinge form an unassembled, single-piece substantially planar member.

Abstract: Acoustic valves include a housing having an acoustic inlet, an acoustic outlet, and an acoustic passage between the inlet and the outlet. An electrical coil is disposed in the housing and configured to generate a magnetic field when energized by an actuation signal. A spring is coupled to an armature movably disposed in the housing between a first surface and a second surface. The valve has a first stable state wherein the armature is positioned against one surface when the electrical coil is not energized, and the valve has a second stable state wherein the armature is positioned against the other surface when the electrical coil is not energized. The armature is movable between the first and second states when the electrical coil is energized, wherein the acoustic passage is more obstructed when the armature is in one state than when the armature is in the other state.

Abstract: A hearing device includes a housing with a retention flange defining a retention space. A conduit is disposed about an electrical wire electrically coupled to a transducer and a ferrule is disposed about an end portion of the conduit and fixed along an axial dimension of the conduit, the ferrule having a portion disposable in the retention space. A bushing has a portion disposed at least partially about the portion of the ferrule disposable in the retention space, the bushing formed of a soft material relative to a hardness of the ferrule and the housing, wherein the bushing is located between the retention flange and the ferrule and the retention flange captures the conduit relative to the housing when the portion of the bushing is disposed in the retention space.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus determine the actual state of one or more acoustic valves e.g., whether an acoustic valve is open or closed, in a hearing device. A sensor in the hearing device is configured to generate an output signal indicative of a state of the acoustic valve. An electrical circuit actuates the acoustic valve if the actual state is different than a desired state. The determination of the state of the acoustic valve can be done on the hearing device or on a remote device.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to hearing devices configurable between open fit and closed fit configurations at different times through actuation of one or more acoustic valves located in one or more corresponding sound passages of the hearing device. The one or more acoustic valves of the hearing device are adaptively controlled based on context detected by one or more sensors. The context may be, but is not limited to, a mode of operation of the hearing devices which may include, for example, an audio content playback mode and a voice communication mode. The actuatable valves may be actuatable in situ without having to remove the hearing device from the user's ear thereby enabling the user to experience the benefit of a closed fit or an open fit depending on the user's desire or other context.

Abstract: An ear tip for coupling to an acoustic device includes a body member having an acoustic passage. The passage has an acoustic input and an acoustic output. An ear interface is disposed at least partially about the body member. The ear interface is formed of a resilient material and is configured to be disposed at least partially in a user's ear canal. An acoustically transmissive barrier is coupled to the body member and is disposed across the acoustic passage. In some embodiments, a grate is optionally disposed across the acoustic passage with the grate being located closer to the acoustic output than the acoustically transmissive barrier. A retention structure is disposed on a surface of the acoustic passage. The retention structure is configured to removably fasten the ear tip to the acoustic device, where sound propagates through the acoustic passage and across the acoustically transmissive barrier.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer includes an armature that is mounted for deflection between magnets where an elongated portion of the armature includes a protrusion on opposite sides thereof for limiting the deflection of the armature. The protrusions are arranged transversely with respect to the elongated portion of the armature. Among other advantages, deflection of the armature is limited to provide improved shock performance. In one example, the protrusions are located within a magnet zone of the electroacoustic transducer.

Abstract: A hearing device such as a hearing aid, ear pod, headphone, or other wearable is provided, whose components include the following: an acoustic transducer with a vent port operable to produce sound, a housing of the acoustic transducer with a sound opening, and an actuatable acoustic valve disposed in the housing, where the acoustic valve is actuatable to alter passage of sound through the acoustic vent to change the state of the hearing device between an open vent state and a closed vent state, so that actuation of the valve changes an acoustic characteristic of the hearing device.

Abstract: A hearing device such as a hearing aid or other type of wearable includes an acoustic transducer operable to produce sound, a housing with a sound opening which contains the acoustic transducer, an acoustic vent defined at least partially by a portion of the transducer, and an actuatable acoustic valve disposed along the acoustic vent.