Abstract: An earphone system (1; 23) comprising a wireless earphone (2; 20, 21) and a portable holding device (3; 22). The earphone (2; 20, 21) comprises an ear hook (8) for attaching the earphone (2; 20, 21) to the ear (14) of a user. The holding device (3; 22) comprises an outer surface (25) with an earphone recess (4; 30, 31) adapted for receiving the earphone (2; 20, 21) with the ear hook (8), such that the ear hook (8) follows the outer surface (25) of the holding device (3; 22), and attachment means for attaching the earphone (2; 20, 21) in the earphone recess (4; 30, 31).

Abstract: A behind-the-ear wireless device includes a main body casing including a wireless circuit housed therein and an audio transmission unit having a function of transmitting sound to an ear. The main body casing and the audio transmission unit are integrally connected to each other, whereby the wireless device can be fitted to the ear. An antenna element having a length of about half wave length is disposed in a hollow of the sound tube. A parasitic element having a length of about a half wave length is disposed in the main body casing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, including, but not limited to connections for receiver-in-canal hearing devices. In various embodiments, a hearing device includes a hearing device component adapted to rest on or behind the ear and hearing assistance electronics disposed in the component. A first connector portion is disposed in the component, the first connector portion electrically connected to the hearing assistance electronics. A second connector portion is adapted to conform to a portion of the component and to electrically and physically connect a cable to the first connector portion. In various embodiments, at least one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion employ scratch pads for contacts. The first connector portion is top loading, in an embodiment.

Abstract: Adaptive notch filters can be used to estimate offending frequencies caused by feedback within a hearing aid system. The offending frequencies can be suppressed by filtering. Offending frequencies can be identified based on variability of the adaptive notch filter parameters.

Abstract: Earbud headphones may be configured to be secured to a user's outer ear. The earbud headphones may comprise a speaker assembly configured to convert an audio signal into a sound wave audible to the human ear. A main body portion may support the speaker assembly. An extension may extend from the main body portion away from the speaker assembly to define a gap between the extension and the speaker assembly. The gap may be sized and positioned to receive a portion of a user's outer ear within the gap such that the portion of the user's outer ear is disposed between the extension and the speaker assembly and retains the earbud headphone in the ear of the user when the earbud headphone is worn by the user.

Abstract: In an earloop headset or earphone or other ear-mounted audio device, a housing is attached to an earloop by providing a ball and complementary socket arrangement between the earloop and a pivot post secured to the housing. The earloop or pivot post are made of an elastomeric material to allow the earloop and pivot post to each be made of a single piece of material and be clipped into engagement after manufacture.

Abstract: A cable includes a first portion and a second portion. An earpiece speaker is attached to the first portion of the cable. An earhook is provided and a multi-purpose clip is simultaneously attached, in a first use mode, only to the earpiece speaker and the earhook. In a second use mode, the clip is simultaneously attached to the earhook, the earpiece speaker and the second portion of the cable. Also in a first use mode, each of a pair of clips is simultaneously connected only to a respective earpiece speaker and a respective earhook. In a second use mode, at least one of the clips is simultaneously connected to a respective earhook, a respective earpiece speaker and the second portion of the cable.

Abstract: Headphones with a pair of glasses include two headphone bodies, a glasses headband, and two engaging members. Each headphone body includes an engaging protrusion having a plurality of dentate portions. The glasses headband includes a glasses frame, two lenses on the glasses frame, and two extension sheets extended outwardly from two side ends of the glasses frame. Each engaging member is movably engaged with one of extension sheets and includes an annular ring having an inner peripheral face with a plurality of engaging teeth. The engaging protrusion of each headphone body is received in an associated annular ring, and the dentate portions of the engaging protrusion are coupled with the engaging teeth of the associated annular ring. Each annular ring is capable of rotating relative to an associated engaging protrusion, allowing a headphone user to use a pair of glasses simultaneously.

Abstract: The earphone housing is essentially mirror symmetric about a first plane, which is orthogonal to the first side, and which extends through the wire position and the center of the earphone housing. The wearing device extends from the earphone housing at an attachment position, which lies at the upper end of the earphone housing. The attachment position can be a first attachment position for holding the earphone housing at the left ear or a second attachment position for holding the earphone at the right ear. The first and the second attachment positions are mirror symmetric located about the first plane.

Abstract: An earphone includes a speaker unit, a housing that covers a rear surface of the speaker unit, and a bushing having a cord holding portion that holds a cord that carries an audio signal to the speaker unit and is running to the outside of the housing. The bushing also has an extended portion that is extended into the housing and spread along an inner surface of the housing. The inner surface of the housing faces the rear surface of the speaker unit.

Abstract: A hearing enhancement system that enhances a user's hearing is disclosed. For example, the system can include an interface unit that has a directional speaker and a microphone. The microphone captures input audio signals that are transformed into ultrasonic signals. The speaker transmits the ultrasonic signals, which are transformed into output audio signals by interaction with air. At least a portion of the output audio signals are modified to enhance the hearing of the user. Based on the system, the user's ear remains free from any inserted objects and thus is free from annoying occlusion effects. Compared to existing hearing aids, the system is relatively inexpensive. In another embodiment, the system can also be used as a phone. In yet another embodiment, the system can also access audio signals from other portable or non-portable instruments, wired or wirelessly, such as from home entertainment units, phones, microphones at a conference or speakers at a movie theater.

Abstract: An audio device worn in a piercing in an ear of a user. The audio device extends through the piercing and includes a wireless communications unit disposed at a first end and a sound-production unit coupled to an opposite second end thereof. The signal path from a master device to the sound-production unit for producing audio outputs thus passes through the pinna of the ear. The sound-production unit may include an ornamental cover such that the device can be worn as jewelry. The speaker and the wireless communications unit may be removable from a body of the device to enable the body to be worn alone as jewelry and to allow replacement of the wireless communications unit with a wired connection. The device may include a control surface useable to provide inputs to the master device coupled to the device.

Abstract: A headset having a loudspeaker housing and a microphone which are interconnected by a microphone boom arm that includes two opposed spaced apart arm parts, and wherein a name tag display is seatable between the arm parts and retaining tongue and grove pairs are provided at the arms and/or at the name tag display.

Abstract: There is provided an auditory canal earphone comprising a housing (120) for receiving an electroacoustic transducer and a sound guide unit (130) on the housing (120) for feeding audio signals produced by the sound transducer into an auditory canal of a user of the auditory canal earphone. The sound guide unit (130) has an outside (136). The auditory canal further has at least one ear adaptor (200) with an inside wall (220) for at least partial placement over the sound guide unit (130) and an outside wall (210) for sealing off the auditory canal. The auditory canal earphone further has a tube (400) between the outside (136) of the sound guide unit (130) and the inside wall (220) of the ear adaptor (200).

Abstract: An in-ear earphone has a housing in which a driver is located. An articulated acoustic tube is coupled to the housing at its near end portion. The acoustic tube has an open far end portion that is to be inserted into an ear. A hinge or pivot mechanism is formed in the tube, between the near and far end portions. An acoustic aperture formed within the mechanism acoustically couples sound pressure waves, generated by the driver, to the far end portion of the acoustic tube. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A wearable electronic display includes an eyewear display and a flexible band attached to the eyewear display for securing the eyewear display to the user's head. At least one speaker is slidably attached below the flexible band by a slidable mount. The slidable mount is capable of sliding forwardly and rearwardly on the flexible band for adjusting the at least one speaker to the user's ears.

Abstract: A hearing aid (100) comprises a body case (2) that is worn behind an ear (1), a sound conductor (3) that is linked at one end to the body case (2) and is linked at the other end to an earpiece (6), and an engaging component (8) for holding the earpiece linked to the other end of the sound conductor in the external auditory canal (7) of the ear (1). The engaging component (8) is made up of a first arc part (8a) disposed on the earpiece (6) side, a second arc part (8b) that is larger than the first arc part (8a) and is disposed opposite the first arc part (8a), a first linking part (8c) that links one end of the first arc part (8a) and one end of the second arc part (8b), and a second linking part (8d) that links the other end of the first arc part (8a) and the other end of the second arc part (8b). The second linking part (8d) has a shape such that its center part protrudes toward the first linking part (8c). This constitution allows the hearing aid (100) to be put on more easily.

Abstract: An apparatus that securely positions a typical earbud-type earphone outside of the ear canal which allows users to concurrently listen to sounds from the speaker and sounds from the outside environment. It is comprised of an earhook that rests over and behind the user's ear with a fastener connected to one end to grip the stem of a conventional earbud. When the speaker is repositioned just outside of the ear canal, there is nothing physically blocking the entrance of the ear canal, thus allowing the user to hear what is going on around them. This provides a much safer manner in which a user can listen to their audio device. The apparatus is fully adjustable allowing the user to control the amount of outside noise that is heard along with the sounds from the earbud speaker by varying the proximity of the speaker to the ear canal.

Abstract: An earphone support for an in-ear, earbud-type of headphone has an earphone with a portion for insertion into a user's ear canal, and a portion for connecting to a cable. An armature connects the earphone to the cable and the armature is associated with a connector for maintaining a portion of the earphone cable in a slack condition when another portion or the earphone cable is drawn taught. It is anticipated that support for the slack portion of the cable may be provided by a separate ear hook apparatus, or by a loop formed of the earphone cable.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a main body and a BLUETOOTH earphone that can be detachably attached to the main body. The earphone includes a keyboard capable of generating signals to control the electronic device in response to user input. The main body includes a detecting unit, a processing unit, and a touch-sensitive screen. The detecting unit generates a signal when the earphone is attached to the main body. The processing unit controls to display information without specific information or with specific information on the touch-sensitive screen upon receiving the signal from the detecting unit.

Abstract: This includes systems and methods for noise cancellation and power management in a wireless headset. The wireless headset can perform noise cancellation by using two or more omni-directional microphones to generate a noise canceling “cone.” Audio signals received outside of the cone can be filtered out. An accelerometer can be used to determine the location of the wireless headset and the system can then properly position the cone to face the user's voice and filter out other audio signals. Additionally, by monitoring the ambient noise, the system can save power by turning off the noise cancellation system when the amount of ambient noise is below a threshold value.

Abstract: A glasses apparatus which works in conjunction with a display apparatus which operates in a multi-view mode to combine and output a plurality of contents. The glasses apparatus includes: a first interface module which receives a synchronization signal in a first wireless communication method; first and second glasses mounted on a glasses frame and which are driven in synchronization with one of the plurality of contents based on the synchronization signal; a second interface module which receives an audio signal of at least said one content in a second wireless communication method; a controller which selects an audio signal of said one content from among audio signals corresponding to the plurality of contents, and an audio outputter which outputs the audio signal of the selected content, and which is integrally formed with the glasses frame.

Abstract: A data input management system is disclosed, for allowing a user to select one or more data sources, to be placed either simultaneously or one at a time into electrical communication with a single user interface. The user interface may comprise a wearable support, such as an eyeglass frame, adapted to carry one or more of speakers, microphone and video display, depending upon the desired functionality. Source electronics may be carried by the support or carried remotely, and in wireless communication with the support using Bluetooth protocols or other data transmission technology.

Abstract: An adaptation device that removably attaches to earbud style headphone/s and provides security and retention of the earbud to a wearer's ear.

Abstract: A personal sound delivery apparatus which can be worn by a person has speakers held close to the ears and does not include any insert into the auditory canal or any ear muff that could muffle or suppress other ambient sounds. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a wireless speaker is anchored by an arcuate hanger shaped and dimensioned to rest behind the ear. The speaker is positioned within a range from 0 to 20 centimeters (0 to 8 inches) from the auditory canal and may be surrounded by baffles that focus the incoming sound toward the entrance of the auditory canal. In other embodiments, a pair of speakers are embedded into the collar of a garment, a scapulary that rests upon the shoulders, a clamp that is bridging the nape of the neck, in pendants suspended from the neck, or hidden in a pair of earrings.

Abstract: The adjustable mouth shield device provides an adjustably fitted mouth shield with adjustable headband for secure fit. The adjustable headband is fastened to the padded earpiece. The straight first extension from the earpiece is angled downwardly and forwardly to terminate in a swivel joint providing almost 360 degrees of swivel. The second extension is arced both downwardly and forwardly. The u-shaped mouthpiece is fitted to the adjustable spring mount for horizontal pivot of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may, by virtue of the swivel joint and the spring mount, be moved completely away from a user's mouth and, in turn, pivoted and swiveled to be directly in front of the user's mouth. The inward curves at the distal end of the mouthpiece aid in sliding on the disposable pads that shield a user from objects, foods and other materials.

Abstract: A hearing instrument with at least one microphone and signal processing includes at least two receivers having a different frequency response. At least a first one of the receivers can be placed outside the ear canal, for example in a behind-the-ear component. A behind-the-ear component and an external component can be provided for being placed in the user's ear canal or in the user's ear with a connection link between the behind-the-ear component and the external component. The sound processing means can feed the first receiver with a first signal of a first central frequency and the second receiver with a second signal of a second central frequency. The signal processing means can be one or two signal processing units. A frequency separating filter can have an input operatively connected to an output of the signal processing unit.

Abstract: An adaptation device that removably attaches to earbud style headphone/s and provides improved security and retention of the earbud to a wearer's ear yet positions the speaker in substantially the same distance relative to the concha and/or ear canal of a wearer as a wearer would ordinarily wear an earbud.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a hearing aid is provided. The hearing aid may include a behind-the-ear component, a sound tube coupled with the behind-the-ear component at its one end, and a loudspeaker coupled with the sound tube at the other end of the sound tube opposite to the behind-the-ear component. The hearing aid may further include a joint connected between the loud-speaker and the sound tube, wherein the joint is moveable or flexible such that a degree of freedom in movement is provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to an insertion direction of the loudspeaker into an ear canal.

Abstract: There is provided a headphone including: a housing that accommodates a driver unit; a sound guiding tube that protrudes from the housing in a predetermined direction and guides a sound generated from the driver unit to an external auditory canal; and a hanger that rotatably supports the housing via a supporting shaft provided in approximately the same direction as a depth direction of the external auditory canal and in a direction inclined to a protruding direction of the sound guiding tube. According to this structure, by rotating the housing with respect to the hanger via the supporting shaft, the protruding direction of the sound guiding tube with respect to the hanger can be adjusted. Thus, by adjusting the protruding direction of the sound guiding tube according to the inclined angle of the external auditory canal of a user, wearability of a headphone can be improved.

Abstract: An In-The-Ear (ITE) device is disclosed. This ITE is adapted for connection to a cable from a Behind-The-Ear (BTE) device, the ITE device including a releasable mechanical retention device for the cable, such that the cable may be customized in length and may be attached to the retention device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a hearing assistance device housing for use in real ear measurements. The methods and apparatus for configuration of a hearing assistance device using an apparatus including an opening to receive a sound tube for real ear measurements and providing an opening for connection of a sound hook to a housing of the hearing assistance device.

Abstract: There is provided a microphone unit comprising a hoop (10) with a first and second end (11, 12), a microphone capsule (20) at the first end (11) and a connection plug (30) at the second end (12) of the hoop (10). The hoop (10) has a flexible or bendable tubular hoop and is bent or is bendable to form a loop.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a headset includes a body housing a pivot coupling, a speaker capsule operably coupled to the body, and an arm operably coupled to the body. The arm is capable of pivoting open and close about the pivot coupling for accessing a microphone at a free end of the arm. A method for accessing a headset microphone is also provided. Advantageously, the apparatus and method of the present disclosure provide for improved headset use and speech clarity.

Abstract: A system and method for acoustical communication, in which an eyeglass frame includes at least one directionally dependent microphone for capturing voice signals of a user and a communication device for signal transmission to external electronic devices, so that the directional dependence of the at least one microphone is user-specifically adjustable in an adaptive way. The directionally dependent microphones can be implemented as microphone arrays and/or in MEMS technology, and contact microphones can be used.

Abstract: An earhook (1), for example for a headset, to be worn around the root of the auricle (14) in the postauricular sulcus. The earhook (1) extends between a first end (5) and a second end (6) and has at least a first (2) and a second (3) curved element interconnected at the first end (5). Each curved element (2, 3) has a concave first side pointing forward towards the root of the auricle (14) and a convex second side pointing away from the root of the auricle (14) when worn. The curved elements (2, 3) are arranged with lateral distance (w) seen in a direction essentially perpendicular to the side of the head.

Abstract: An earphone having an under hanger reduces movement of the earphone from vibrations that occur while a user is typically in motion. The earphone preferably includes: a housing for housing a speaker therein; a protector installed in a front surface of the housing and having a mesh for delivering a sound from the speaker; and an under hanger provided at a lower part of the housing to closely contact along a lower part of the rear side of an earflap of a user. The provision of an under hanger in a lower part of the earphone prevents from being easily separated from a user's ear. Further, by providing an under hanger made of a soft material, as the earphone closely contacts with the user's ear, a sound quality is improved and a wearing feeling of the earphone is improved.

Abstract: A battery bay of a hearing device should be better protected against unwanted opening. A housing for a hearing device is therefore provided with: a battery bay that is mounted on the housing and can be moved into an open position as well as a closed position; a projection that is permanently attached to the housing, and a securing element to prevent a movement of the battery bay. The securing element is supported on the battery bay and can be pivoted between a secured position and an unsecured position. The securing element also engages behind the projection in the secured position and the closed position of the battery bay so that the battery bay cannot be moved into the open position. The securing element has a recess in which, in the secured position, a tool can be held to move the securing element into the unsecured position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a headset system comprises a headset comprising a body and an earpiece, and a docking station comprising a receiving mechanism sized to receive a portion of the body. The earpiece can be located outside of the receiving mechanism when the portion of the body is coupled to the receiving mechanism. Other examples and embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: In order to connect a hearing device to a carrying hook, a connecting element is used, which has to satisfy high demands with regards to its precision and stability. To ensure this, the connecting element is designed as a powder injection molded part, in particular as a ceramic injection molded part or metal part, which is manufactured in a ceramic injection molding process or a metal injection molding process.

Abstract: A hearing aid device is described. The device including a housing having a plurality of sides, the housing also having a first color. At least one electrical component is held within the housing. A clip removably attachable to the housing is provided. The clip has a second color. The clip covers at least a portion of the plurality of sides of the housing.

Abstract: An earphone includes a body with a surrounding side, a rotatable loop and an ear hook. The rotatable loop is pivotally connected with the body on two opposite ends of the surrounding side. The body and the rotatable loop can rotate with respect to a first axis and with respect to each other. The ear hook is pivotally mounted on one side of the rotatable loop near where the rotatable loop is connected with the body, and the ear hook can rotate with respect to a second axis, which is different from the first axis.

Abstract: An ear loop, and an assembly of an ear loop and ear bud, wherein the ear loop retains the shaft of the ear bud such that the position and angle of the ear bud relative to the ear loop can be adjusted axially and rotationally.

Abstract: A cable includes a first portion and a second portion. An earpiece speaker is attached to the first portion of the cable. An earhook is provided and a multi-purpose clip is simultaneously attached, in a first use mode, only to the earpiece speaker and the earhook. In a second use mode, the clip is simultaneously attached to the earhook, the earpiece speaker and the second portion of the cable. Also in a first use mode, each of a pair of clips is simultaneously connected only to a respective earpiece speaker and a respective earhook. In a second use mode, at least one of the clips is simultaneously connected to a respective earhook, a respective earpiece speaker and the second portion of the cable.

Abstract: A miniature audio earphone includes a pair of audio earphones, an electrical connector adapted for making a selectively detachable physical and electrical connection to a source of stereo audio signals, a generally Y-shaped electrical lead assembly having a bifurcated upper portion and an adjoining lower portion, whose lower end is coupled to the connector. The upper portion has a pair of branch leads each of which is coupled to a respective one of said earphones. A plurality of exteriorly disposed mechanical shielding elements at least partially surrounds an underlying portion of at least one of said branch leads to resist damage to the lead assembly due to abrasion, crushing, kinking and cutting without unduly impairing the flexibility of the assembly or causing it to have an unattractive appearance. A tensile stress-relief line is also provided for resisting damage to the upper portion of the assembly due to tension.

Abstract: An earpiece. The earpiece includes an electronics module for wirelessly receiving incoming audio signals from an external source. The earpiece further includes a positioning and retaining structure comprising at least an outer leg and an inner leg, each of the outer leg and inner leg being attached at an attachment end to the body and attached at a joined end to each other. The outer leg lies in a plane. The positioning and retaining structure is substantially stiffer in one direction than in another. In its intended position, one of the two legs contacts the anti-helix at the rear of the concha, the joined end is under the anti-helix; a planar portion of the body contacts the concha; and a portion of the body is under the anti-tragus.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the ear-loop earphone comprises a main body, an ear-loop base and an ear-loop. The main body has a surrounding side, a front side, and a back side, wherein the front side is opposing to the back side, the front side has a plurality of sounding apertures for outputting an audio, and the surrounding side surrounds and connects to the front side and the back side. The ear-loop base is fixed on the surrounding side of the main body in a rotatable manner, and rotates with respect to a first axis. The ear-loop is fixed on the ear-loop base in a rotatable manner, and rotates with respect to a second axis different from the first axis.

Abstract: This includes systems and methods for noise cancellation and power management in a wireless headset. The wireless headset can perform noise cancellation by using two or more omni-directional microphones to generate a noise canceling “cone.” Audio signals received outside of the cone can be filtered out. An accelerometer can be used to determine the location of the wireless headset and the system can then properly position the cone to face the user's voice and filter out other audio signals. Additionally, by monitoring the ambient noise, the system can save power by turning off the noise cancellation system when the amount of ambient noise is below a threshold value.

Abstract: A communication device comprises a housing with a housing wall encapsulating a housing interior. A microphone is arranged in the housing interior and communicates via an audio passage with the outside of the housing. An electrical socket is adapted to receive an electrical plug through a socket opening, which is accessible from the outside of the housing. The audio passage comprises the socket opening and the electrical socket includes a socket casing which surrounds the socket opening and extends in the insertion direction of the electrical plug. The socket casing includes through-going holes which form a part of the audio passage. The electrical plug is adapted to be removably inserted in the electrical socket and is provided with latching protrusions, which are adapted to be received in the through-going holes in the socket casing, when the electrical plug is inserted in the electrical socket.

Abstract: Audio apparatus comprising a housing and a piezoelectric transducer (12) mounted in the housing (10) so that the transducer is adjacent a user's pinna whereby the transducer excites vibration in the pinna to cause it to transmit an acoustic signal from the transducer to a user's inner ear characterised by comprising a coupler (14) coupling the transducer (12) to the housing (10) with the coupler (14) approximating to a simple support for the transducer (12).