Abstract: A hearing aid device configured to communicate wirelessly with an external device is disclosed. The hearing aid device comprises a housing with a microphone, an amplifier, where the hearing aid device comprises an antenna and either: a) a tube configured to deliver sound acoustically from a receiver in the housing to an ear mould or a dome or electrically to a receiver in an ear mould or a dome or b) a hook configured to deliver sound acoustically from a receiver in the housing to an ear mould or a dome. The antenna extends along at least a portion of the tube or the hook.

Abstract: A pre-distorted electrical excitation signal is generated for an acoustic transducer having an armature and a non-linear transfer characteristic by applying an electrical input signal (x) representative of a desired acoustic output to a computable non-linear function that is a function of the electrical input signal (x). When applied to an input of the transducer, the pre-distorted electrical excitation signal results in an improved acoustic output signal.

Abstract: A hearing aid device having a telecoil and a power consuming element is disclosed. The hearing aid device further comprises an at least partial loop in the power supply line, which at least partial loop provides a magnetic signal that at least attenuates or cancels noise induced from the power draw of the power consuming component.

Abstract: An auditory device assembly (1) comprises an earpiece (3) having an audio output device (7) for an ear (9) of a user and an audio processing unit (11, 33). The audio processing unit (11, 33) has a hearing-test mode and an audio streaming mode. In the hearing test mode the audio processing unit (11, 33) is arranged to determine at least one ear characteristic of the ear of the user based on at least one hearing test. In the audio streaming mode the audio processing unit (11, 33) is arranged to output an audio stream via the audio output device (7). The audio processing unit (11, 33) is arranged to adjust the output of the audio stream in the audio streaming mode based on the at least one ear characteristic determined in the hearing-test mode.

Abstract: A sounding device, an audio transmission system, and an audio analysis method thereof are disclosed. The sounding device is used to establish a connection with an electronic device. The sounding device includes an output module, a data collection module, and a communication module. The output module is used to output an audio signal. The data collection module is used for collecting the audio signal to generate a sound information. The communication module is used for transmitting a notice signal to the electronic device; wherein the notice signal is generated base on the sound information. Then the communication module is used for receiving a voice signal returned from the electronic device, thus the output module is allowed to output the voice signal.

Abstract: A joint spectral gain adaption module, which comprises: an aided-ear loudness model, wherein an aided-ear loudness spectrum is obtained by performing computations on an aided-ear threshold elevation profile and a spectrum selected from the group consisting of an input spectrum and a first spectrum derived from the input spectrum; a bare-ear loudness model, wherein a bare-ear loudness spectrum is obtained by performing computations on a bare-ear threshold elevation profile, and a modified spectrum previously obtained; and a spectrum shaping sub-module, wherein the modified spectrum previously obtained is passed to the bare-ear loudness model as an input, and a modified spectrum and a linear spectral gain vector are obtained by performing computations on the input spectrum, the bare-ear loudness spectrum, and a loudness spectrum selected from the group consisting of the aided-ear loudness spectrum and a first loudness spectrum derived from the aided-ear loudness spectrum.

Abstract: A hearing device includes: an input transducer for providing an electrical signal representing ambient sound, a sound processor for processing the electrical signal, an output transducer, an extractor cord, attached to the housing, for removing and/or inserting the hearing device in the ear canal of the wearer, an antenna unit for reception and/or emission of electromagnetic energy, the antenna unit being at least partly disposed within the extractor cord, a communication unit, and a coaxial cable configured as a transmission line connecting the communication unit and the antenna unit. The coaxial cable is configured to transfer a signal from the communication unit to the antenna unit and/or from the antenna unit to the communication unit, so as to minimize parasitic effects on the antenna unit. The coaxial cable includes a shield and the shield of the coaxial cable is terminated at a battery inside the housing.

Abstract: The present application relates to a battery-powered electronic device, such as an electronic hearing protector, with switchable electrical contacts. The device includes a housing enclosing the battery and an electronics assembly. The electronics assembly is powered by the battery, and the electronics assembly comprises a processor controlled by updatable software. The device further includes a first electrical contact that is a ground line; a second electrical contact that is a data programming line in a first state, and that is a charging voltage line in a second state; and a third electrical contact that is a clock line in a first state, and that is a charge enable line in the second state. The first, second and third electrical contacts are accessible from outside the housing. A switch enclosed by the housing changes the second electrical contact between the first state and the second state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for modifying an audio signal using custom psychoacoustic models. A user's hearing profile is first obtained. Subsequently, an audio processing function is parameterized so as to optimize the user's perceptually relevant information. The method for calculating the user's perceptually relevant information comprises first processing audio signal samples using the parameterized processing function and then transforming samples of the processed audio signals into the frequency domain. Next, masking and hearing thresholds are obtained from the user's hearing profile and applied to the transformed audio sample, wherein the user's perceived data is calculated. Once perceptually relevant information is optimized, the resulting parameters are transferred to the audio processing function and an output audio signal is processed.

Abstract: Described is a solid wax mitigation barrier for a hearing aid that is cleanable via a simple wiping motion, is not a cause of irritation within the ear canal, and is acoustically transparent. In one embodiment, a wax barrier function is provided by a tube cap for fitting over the acoustic port tube of a hearing aid receiver. The tube cap may be constructed of an elastomeric high tear strength material so as create a small flexible acoustic tube cap that prevents direct ingress of wax into the hearing aid receiver. The design of the cap may also include a bridge that spans an acoustic port inlet so as to block direct material ingress.

Abstract: A bone conduction device configured to couple to an abutment of an anchor system anchored to a recipient's skull. The bone conduction device includes a vibrating electromagnetic actuator configured to vibrate in response to sound signals received by the bone conduction device, and a coupling apparatus configured to attach the bone conduction device to the abutment so as to impart to the recipient's skull vibrations generated by the vibrating electromagnetic actuator. The vibrating electromagnetic actuator includes a bobbin assembly and a counterweight assembly. Two axial air gaps are located between the bobbin assembly and the counterweight assembly and two radial air gaps are located between the bobbin assembly and the counterweight assembly. No substantial amount of the dynamic magnetic flux passes through the radial air gaps.

Abstract: A device or a method using the device includes a balloon configured to seal a user's orifice, where the balloon is configured to produce an acoustic seal between a first side and a second side of the balloon in an ear canal. At least a second side of the balloon is fitted into the ear canal. Audio processing circuitry produces an audio signal for driving a speaker in the device and to measure sound level using output from the microphone in the device while the speaker is being driven by the audio signal. The device or method further includes control circuitry to evaluate a seal quality of the device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary hearing device configured to assist a user in hearing comprises a memory storing instructions and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor may be configured to execute the instructions to receive, by way of a first wireless link established between the hearing device and a first external device using a first wireless communication protocol, audio content transmitted by the first external device, receive signaling data transmitted by a second external device and indicating that the second external device has additional audio content available to be transmitted to the hearing device, the signaling data transmitted to the hearing device using a second wireless communication protocol that is of a different type than the first wireless communication protocol, and perform, in response to receiving the signaling data, an action with respect to the additional audio content.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to hearing protection devices which incorporate a calibration mode which allows the user to perform a calibration test to determine an individualized hearing threshold. Embodiments of the device may also comprise a normal mode to prevent input signals greater than the individualized hearing threshold from being transmitted to the user's ear canal. In addition, embodiments may comprise a normal mode configured to limit input signals to less than or equal to a standard industry threshold in the case no calibration test has been completed by the user. This may increase user comfort and prevent hearing damage.

Abstract: A method and software program is used by patients for fitting and refitting of a DSP-based hearing assistance device. An audiologist user interface and patient user interface include soundmaps and slidebars to control collections of hearing parameters within the DSP of the device. Based on cognitive testing and training of the patient, the range of adjustment allowed within at least the patient user interface is limited. The software therefore always maintains 100% safety for the patient and/or user to finetune the hearing aid parameters without worrying about selecting parameter values which would leading to slowing the cognitive learning of the patient.

Abstract: A hearing assistance device such as a hearing aid includes an antenna for wireless communication with another device. The antenna includes two antenna elements and a cross-feed that provides for electrical connection between the two antenna elements. The cross-feed having a flared structure configured to reduce an effect of head loading on the performance of the wireless communication by approximately minimizing capacitive coupling between the cross-feed and a wearer when the hearing assistance device is worn by the wearer.

Abstract: A binaural hearing system comprises A) left and right hearing devices, each comprising a1) an input unit providing an electric input signal representing sound; and a2) an output unit, B) a binaural level and/or gain estimator comprising b1) left and right level estimators, each comprising respective fast and slow level estimators configured to provide respective fast and slow level estimates of respective electric input signals, b2) a fast binaural level comparison unit receiving the fast level estimates of the respective left and right fast level estimators and providing a fast binaural level comparison estimate; and b3) a fast binaural level and/or gain enhancer providing respective left and right binaural level and/or gain modification estimates, in dependence of said fast binaural level comparison estimate at said left and right ears, respectively, of the user. The binaural hearing system provides that the interaural level cues are either compressed, maintained or enhanced independent of each other.

Abstract: A multi-channel communication device comprising: a plurality of receivers, each usable for receiving radio-signals within a corresponding distinct selected frequency band within a spectrum; a Radio Frequency (RF) power splitter usable for splitting an input radio-signal into a plurality of split radio-signals; and a filter bank that comprises a plurality of filters each having a respective distinct passband within the spectrum, and a routing mechanism configured to route each of the split radio-signals into respective selected filters of the filters, selected in accordance with the selected frequency band of each of the receivers, wherein each of the selected filters outputs a corresponding output radio-signal, in the passband of the respective filter, to a respective receiver of the receivers.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a hearing device with selective adjustment of processor settings based on various characteristics of an input sound, in response to adjustment of output sound volume by a user. This addresses problems of undesirable sound effects resulting from applying same changes to processor settings to input sounds of all levels, frequencies, and classes.

Abstract: A system may include an input configured to receive an audio signal, a filter having a negative group delay within a range of frequencies which are human-audible, the filter configured to receive the audio signal and filter the audio signal to generate a filtered audio signal, and a modulator configured to receive the filtered audio signal and modulate the filtered audio signal to generate a modulated filtered audio signal for communication over a digital interface.

Abstract: Methods of compensating for lost data packets in hearing aid systems wherein a data streaming device streams packets of data to at least two hearing aids are disclosed.

Abstract: Canceling acoustic echoes includes picking up with a microphone sound generated by a sound source and transferred from the sound source to the microphone via an unknown transfer path having an unknown transfer function, and providing an electrical microphone signal therefrom. It further includes approximating the unknown transfer function with an estimated transfer function of an adaptive filter and filtering an electrical signal representative of the sound generated by the sound source with the estimated transfer function to provide an estimated signal therefrom, the adaptive filter having an adaptive adaptation step size. It further includes filtering a difference signal, which is the difference between the microphone signal and the estimated signal, with a post filter transfer function of an adaptive post filter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present systems and methods may provide techniques that provide automatic, reliable performance of the point cloud cleanup task. Embodiments may provide the capability to progressively learn the object-background segmentation from tracking sessions in augmented reality (AR) applications. The 3D point cloud may be used for tracking in AR applications, by matching points from the cloud to regions in the live video. A 3D point that has many matches is more likely to be part of the object, while a 3D point that rarely has matches is more likely to be part of the background. Advantages of this approach include that no manual work is needed to do the segmentation, and the results may be constantly improved over time, as the object is being tracked in multiple environments.

Abstract: A sound adjustment method includes the following steps: obtaining a sound signal including frequency bands with a corresponding original sound pressure level value; converting the original sound pressure level value of each frequency band into a corresponding loudness level value; adjusting each loudness level value by a preset loudness level value to obtain an adjusted loudness level value of each frequency band; converting each adjusted loudness level value into a corresponding adjusted sound pressure level value; calculating a target sound pressure level value of each frequency band according to the original sound pressure level of each frequency band and each adjusted sound pressure level value; adjusting the original sound pressure level value of each frequency band by each target sound pressure level value to obtain an adjusted sound signal; outputting the adjusted sound signal.

Abstract: An audio output device may include one or more audio sensors configured to detect ambient sound and noises around the audio output device. The audio output device may include a controller configured to analyze the detected sound and noises and may adjust audio settings of the audio output device accordingly. In an embodiment, the controller may analyze and recognize that the detected noise is another person's attempt to get the user's attention or to talk to the user, such as audio sound of the user's name. In response, the controller may stop the audio output or lower the volume of the audio output.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for modifying an audio signal using custom psychoacoustic methods, for encoding the audio signal. A user's hearing profile is first obtained. Subsequently, a sample of the audio signal is split into frequency components. Next, masking and hearing thresholds are obtained from the user's hearing profile and applied to the frequency components of the audio sample, wherein the user's perceived data is calculated. User's imperceptible audio signal data is then disregarded. The audio sample is quantized and the resulting transformed audio sample encoded.

Abstract: A hearing aid configuration managing system for configuring at least one hearing aid having a wireless connection to the Internet via a gateway. The hearing aid includes a processor controlling its configuration, and a memory containing configuration settings for customizing the configuration of the hearing aid. The remote server manages user accounts for multiple hearing aid users, including managing the configuration of the hearing aid, and creates a service level status change event for the account upon change of the service level status to a new configuration of the hearing aid. The remote server sends a configuration change instruction to the hearing aid via the gateway upon the occurrence of the service level status change event. The hearing aid processor stores new configuration settings in the hearing aid memory upon reception of the configuration change instruction, and changes the hearing aid to the new configuration.

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: There is provided a method of controlling access of a client to a service of a hearing instrument, the method comprising the steps of: requesting access of the client to the service of the hearing instrument by providing a client authenticator to the hearing instrument; authenticating the client based on a validation of the provided client authenticator by the hearing instrument; upon successful authentication, comparing a security level associated with the service requested by the client with a highest security level assigned to the client by the hearing instrument, wherein the security level is selected from a plurality of hierarchically structured security levels, and granting access of the client to the service of the hearing instrument, if the requested security level is below or equal to the highest security level assigned to the client.

Abstract: A new binaural hearing aid system is provided with a hearing aid in which signals that are received from external devices, such as a spouse microphone, a media player, a hearing loop system, a teleconference system, a radio, a TV, a telephone, a device with an alarm, etc., are filtered with binaural filters in such a way that a user perceives the signals to be emitted by respective sound sources positioned in different spatial positions in the sound environment of the user, whereby improved spatial separation of the different sound sources is facilitated.

Abstract: A hearing instrument includes: a first portion shaped and sized for placement at a pinna of a user's ear; and a second portion having an earpiece for placement in the user's ear canal; wherein the second portion also comprises a connector assembly configured for electrically coupling to the first portion, the connector assembly having a plurality of connector wires, the plurality of connector wires comprising a first connector wire; wherein the second portion also comprises a receiver or miniature loudspeaker for receipt of an audio drive signal through at least the first connector wire; and wherein the second portion also comprises a non-volatile memory circuit having a data interface configured for receipt and transmittal of module data, the non-volatile memory circuit configured to store the module data, wherein the stored module data at least comprises electroacoustic calibration parameter(s) of the receiver or the miniature loudspeaker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recipient customization of a bone conducting hearing device. Customization of the bone conducting hearing device may include attaching the bone conducting hearing device to a recipient, establishing communication between the hearing device and an external device, generating at least one control setting with the external device, and storing the at least one control setting in a memory device in the hearing device.

Abstract: A method of operating a personal audio device configured to be removed from and inserted into a user's ear can include generating an input signal by an input signal generating device. The method can also include determining whether an insertion event has occurred based on the generated input signal and causing the personal audio device to operate in a low power mode responsive to an absence of an insertion event determination after a first period of time. The method can also include causing the personal audio device to operate in an ultra-low power mode responsive to the absence of an insertion event determination after a second period of time that occurs after the first period of time, the ultra-low power mode having a lower power consumption than the low power mode.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method, performed at a hearing device, for updating a hearing device configuration at the hearing device of a hearing system. The hearing system comprises the hearing device, a fitting device configured to be controlled by a dispenser and a server device. The method comprises receiving a configuration package and a configuration authentication package, the configuration authentication package comprising a dispenser certificate. The method comprises determining if an update criterion is fulfilled. The update criterion is based on verifying the configuration authentication package. The method comprises updating the hearing device configuration based on the configuration package if the update criterion is fulfilled.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method to integrate audiogram data into a device may include obtaining audiogram data including a first amplification value for each of multiple first frequencies. In some embodiments, the first amplification values may be configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user. The method may also include translating the audiogram data to amplification settings for multiple audio frequencies. A number of the multiple audio frequencies may be less than a number of the multiple first frequencies. The method may further include associating the amplification settings with a user profile of the user in a transcription system and directing the amplification settings from the transcription system to a device associated with the user profile. The method may also include applying the amplification settings to audio output by the device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of method, system and devices to convert whispered speech to normal speech intelligently through deep learning, therefore whispered speech can be more robust to interference and more intelligible to listener. A first audio signal is received including first whispered speech; a first plurality of computations are performed on the first audio signal to extract a first features; the first features are provided as input to a trained deep neural network (DNN) model to obtain output of the DNN model comprising a second features; and an inverse of the first plurality of computations are performed on the second features to produce a second audio signal corresponding to a non-whispered version of the first whispered speech.

Abstract: A hearing device includes: a sound analyser configure to receive a sound signal and determine a contribution of at least one sound source associated with the sound signal; a difference estimator coupled to the sound analyser, and configured to estimate spatial cue information of the at least one sound source for storage in the hearing device; and a communication device configured to receive from a second hearing device information related to the at least one sound source; wherein the difference estimator is configured to update the stored spatial cue information of the at least one sound source based on the information received by the communication device.

Abstract: A method operates a hearing aid for a user. A neuronal signal of the user is measured in the method and a listening effort of the user is determined therefrom. Both an intensity of the listening effort and a hearing direction are determined from the neuronal signal. The intensity and the hearing direction form a hearing vector. A mode of operation of the hearing aid is adapted or set depending on the hearing direction, for the purposes of reducing the intensity of the listening effort.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of managing adaptive feedback cancellation in a hearing device comprising at least a microphone (1); a receiver (2); and a signal processing circuitry, configured to receive from said microphone (1) an input signal (Xtd, Xfd, Xc) and to provide said receiver (2) with an output signal (Yfd, Ufd, Utd). An external acoustic feedback path (300) defined by feedback sound (fb) traveling from the receiver (2) to the microphone (1) is represented by an external feedback path transfer function (3). The signal processing unit comprises at least a gain unit (4); a feedback canceller unit (5) comprising an adaptive filter element (6) configured to adaptively accommodate changes in said external acoustic feedback path transfer function (3); and a frequency shift unit (7) configured to stabilize an adaptation of the feedback canceler unit (5).

Abstract: A method and device for detecting whether a headset is on ear. A probe signal is generated for acoustic playback from a speaker. A microphone signal from a microphone is received, the microphone signal comprising at least a portion of the probe signal as received at the microphone. The microphone signal is passed to a state estimator, to produce an estimate of at least one parameter of the portion of the probe signal contained in the microphone signal. The estimate of the at least one parameter is processed to determine whether the headset is on ear.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include methods, apparatus and computer programs for detecting the proximity of an ear to an audio device. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a system for detecting the presence of an ear in proximity to an audio device. The system comprises: an input for obtaining a data signal from the environment of the audio device; and an ear biometric authentication module configured to: compare one or more ear biometric features, extracted from the data signal, to an ear biometric template; and generate a first output indicative of the presence or absence of any ear in proximity to the audio device based on the comparison of the one or more extracted ear biometric features to the ear biometric template.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting data ultrasonically through biological tissue employs a network of a plurality of nodes, at least a portion of the nodes implantable within the biological tissue. At least one implanted node includes a transmitter having an orthogonal frequency division multiplex signal generator to encode an ultrasonic signal for transmission through the biological tissue to an ultrasonic receiver at another node.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hearing device and in particular to hearing device and related method for configuration or operation of a hearing device. Disclosed is a hearing device comprising a processing unit configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device, a memory, and an interface. The processing unit/hearing device may be configured to receive a mode request via the interface; authenticate the mode request; and place the hearing device into the requested mode if authentication of the mode request succeeds.

Abstract: A hearing device includes: a processing unit configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device; a memory unit; and an interface; wherein the memory unit has a hearing device certificate stored therein, the hearing device certificate comprising: a hearing device identifier, a plurality of hearing device keys, at least one hearing device key identifier indicative of one of the hearing device keys.

Abstract: A method of securing communication for a user application on a user accessory device of a hearing system comprising a hearing device is disclosed. Securing communication for the user application comprises obtaining challenge data in a server device; transmitting the challenge data from the server device to the user application; transmitting a challenge request comprising the challenge data from the user application to the hearing device; receiving a challenge response comprising response data from the hearing device; forwarding the response data from the user application to the server device; verifying the response data in the server device based on the challenge data; and approving the user application in the server device if verifying the response data is successful.

Abstract: A method for evaluating hearing of a user comprising: generating a baseline hearing profile for the user comprising a set of gain values based on a volume setting, each gain value in the set of gain values corresponding to a frequency band in a set of frequency bands; accessing a soundbite comprising a phrase characterized by a frequency spectrum predominantly within one frequency band; playing the soundbite amplified by a first gain in the frequency band; playing the soundbite amplified by a second gain in the frequency band; receiving a preference input representing a preference of the user from amongst the soundbite amplified by the first gain and the soundbite amplified by the second; and modifying a gain value, corresponding to the frequency band, in the baseline hearing profile based on the preference input to generate a refined hearing profile compensating for hearing deficiency of the user.

Abstract: A control apparatus of a network camera includes a determination unit configured to determine an overlapping state of a cursor with each of a slider bar and a slider thumb, which configure a slider control, on a display screen of a display unit, a decision unit configured to decide information that relates to the slider control and is to be displayed on the display unit, based on a condition corresponding to a result of the determination by the determination unit, a display control unit configured to display the information decided by the decision unit on the display unit, and a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the network camera, a control signal that corresponds to a position of the slider thumb and is changed in response to input of an instruction by a user.

Abstract: A device to transmit an audio signal to a user comprises a transducer and a support. The support is configured for placement on the eardrum to drive the eardrum. The transducer is coupled to the support at a first location to decrease occlusion and a second location to drive the eardrum. The transducer may comprise one or more of an electromagnetic balanced armature transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a magnetostrictive transducer, a photostrictive transducer, or a coil and magnet. The device may find use with open canal hearing aids.

Abstract: There is provided a system for providing hearing assistance to a user, comprising: a table microphone unit (10) for capturing audio signals from a speaker's voice, comprising a microphone arrangement (16) comprising at least three microphones (M1, M2, M3) arranged in a non-linear manner, a beamformer unit (48) comprising a plurality of beamformers (BF1, BF2, . . . ), wherein each beamformer is configured to generate an acoustic beam (B1, B2, . . .

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for equalization preference learning for digital audio modification. A method for listener calibration of an audio signal includes modifying a reference sound using at least one equalization curve; playing the modified reference sound for a listener; accepting listener feedback regarding the modified reference sound; and generating a weighting function based on listener feedback. A listener audio configuration system includes an output providing a sound for listener review; an interface accepting listener feedback regarding the sound; and a processor programming an audio device based on listener feedback.