Testing Of Hearing Aids Patents (Class 381/60)
  • Patent number: 11924616
    Abstract: A hearing device includes: a processing unit configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device; and a memory unit; wherein the processing unit is configured to: obtain an access right certificate, the access right certificate comprising an access right identifier, verify the access right certificate, and if the access right certificate is verified, provide an access right according to the access right identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: GN Hearing A/S
    Inventors: Brian Dam Pedersen, Allan Munk Vendelbo
  • Patent number: 11877124
    Abstract: An audio system for user hearing assessment includes one or more audio capture devices, and processing circuitry. The one or more audio capture devices are configured to capture audio of a conversation of a user and convert the audio to audio signals. The processing circuitry is configured to use the audio signals to identify multiple conditions associated with user hearing difficulty. The conditions include any of words, phrases, frequencies, or phonemes, and environmental audio conditions that are followed by an indication of user hearing difficulty. The processing circuitry is configured to generate a hearing profile for the user based on the identified conditions associated with user hearing difficulty. The processing circuitry is configured to adjust an operation of an audio output device using the hearing profile to reduce a frequency of user hearing difficulty if the user requires audio enhancement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Haytham Mohamed Fayek Abdallah Abdelrehim Abokela, Antonio John Miller
  • Patent number: 11869515
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatuses and methods for enhancing call quality in wireless earbuds. A first wireless earbud includes a first speaker and a first downlink speech process path, and a second wireless earbud includes a second speaker and a second downlink speech process path. The first and the second downlink speech process paths receive the same mono speech data from a mobile phone, and process the mono speech data to generate first and second analog signals, respectively, so that the first and the second speakers play the first and second analog signals, respectively. An inverter is disposed on the first downlink speech process path to generate the inverted digital data or analog signal from received digital data or analog signal corresponding to the mono speech data, but no inverter is disposed on the second downlink speech process path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: AIROHA TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventor: Yu-Cheng Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11863944
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for intelligently activating an amplifier in a playback device based on proximity detection. The playback device may be in a quasi-idle state when the playback device is not rendering media content. The quasi-idle state of the playback device may involve an amplifier in the playback device being inactive, while some other components or modules of the playback devices remain active. The playback device may include a proximity sensor configured to detect movement relative to the playback device. If movement is detected indicating that a user input to cause the playback device to render media content is anticipated, the amplifier may be pre-emptively activated such that the playback device enters an active state from the quasi-idle state. In some cases, the playback device may send a message to one or more other playback devices to cause the other playback devices to enter an active state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Jonathan Lang
  • Patent number: 11832046
    Abstract: Occlusion devices, earpiece devices and methods of forming occlusion devices are provided. An occlusion device is configured to occlude an ear canal. The occlusion device includes an insertion element and at least one expandable element disposed on the insertion element. The expandable element is configured to receive a medium via the insertion element and is configured to expand, responsive to the medium, to contact the ear canal. Physical parameters of the occlusion device are selected to produce a predetermined sound attenuation characteristic over a frequency band, such that sound is attenuated more in a first frequency range of the frequency band than in a second frequency range of the frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventor: Steven W. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 11812227
    Abstract: A method of at least partially fitting a hearing prosthesis device to a recipient, including obtaining access to a sensory prosthesis that has been used to evoke a sensory percept using a first focusing regime for a temporal period corresponding to at least acclimation to the first focusing regime and adjusting a control setting of the prosthesis to increase focusing relative to that which is the case with respect to the first focusing regime, wherein the action of adjusting the control setting includes purposely adjusting the control setting to have focusing that is effectively less focused than a maximum focus possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Wendy Potts, Sara Ingrid Duran, Zachary Mark Smith
  • Patent number: 11792581
    Abstract: A hearing aid that includes a microphone, a signal processor, and a speaker transmits a signal to a computer. The signal transmitted to the computer can be the input to the microphone (before processing) or the output to the speaker (after processing). This enables the capturing of a HRTF that does not or that does include the enhancements of the hearing aids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Osman, Danjeli Schembri
  • Patent number: 11792580
    Abstract: A hearing device (2) comprises a recording unit (5) for recording an input signal (I), an audio processing unit (6) for determining an output signal (O) and a playback unit (7) for playing back the output signal (O) to a user (U). The audio processing unit (6) comprises a neural network (8) for separating a user voice signal (u) from the input signal (I). Further, a system (1) and a method for processing audio signals are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Peter Udo Diehl, Elias Sprengel, Manon Barbier
  • Patent number: 11783845
    Abstract: A method for processing sound that includes, generating one or more noise component estimates relating to an electrical representation of the sound and generating an associated confidence measure for the one or more noise component estimates. The method further comprises processing, based on the confidence measure, the sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Stefan J. Mauger, Adam A. Hersbach, Pam W. Dawson, John M. Heasman
  • Patent number: 11770669
    Abstract: An audio personalisation method for a user includes: testing the user with an audio test, the audio test comprising: moving a portable device, comprising a position tracking mechanism and a speaker, to a plurality of predetermined test positions relative to the user's head; when within a threshold distance of a predetermined test position, playing a test sound through the speaker of the portable device; and detecting the test sound using a microphone proximate to each of the user's ears, and associating resulting measurement data with the predetermined test position, where the resulting measurement data derived from the detected test sounds is characteristic of the user's head morphology; for a corpus of reference individuals for whom respective HRTFs have been generated, comparing the measurement data from the user's audio test or a head-related transfer function ‘HRTF’ derived from this measurement data with corresponding measurement data of some or all respective reference individuals in the corpus or HRTF
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Marina Villanueva Barreiro, Danjeli Schembri, Calum Armstrong, Alexei Smith
  • Patent number: 11763791
    Abstract: Adaptive noise cancellation systems and methods comprise a reference sensor operable to sense environmental noise and generate a corresponding reference signal, an error sensor operable to sense noise in a noise cancellation zone and generate a corresponding error signal, a noise cancellation filter operable to receive the reference signal and generate an anti-noise signal to cancel the environmental noise in the cancellation zone, an adaptation module operable to receive the reference signal and the error signal and adaptively adjust the anti-noise signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Trausti Thormundsson, Ali Abdollahzadeh Milani, Govind Kannan
  • Patent number: 11750990
    Abstract: A method for automatically setting at least one signal processing parameter of a hearing device. The immediate surroundings of the hearing device are examined for the presence of at least one node of a wireless communication network. Characteristic information of a detected node is ascertained for a node that has been found to be present and the characteristic information for the detected node is compared with a first dataset of first characteristic information that was respectively stored beforehand for nodes that are marked as known. The comparison results are used to characterize the node that has been detected as present as a known node or as an unknown node on the basis of the characteristic information. The ascertained characteristic information of the detected node is used as a basis for setting the at least one parameter for the signal processing of the hearing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Christoph Kukla, Sven Schoen
  • Patent number: 11750987
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method, performed in an accessory device, for controlling a hearing device, the accessory device comprising an interface, a memory, a display, and a processor. The method comprises determining an environment parameter. The method comprises determining a processing context parameter based on the environment parameter. The method may comprise displaying on the display a first user interface object representative of the processing context parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: GN HEARING A/S
    Inventors: Søren Dierks, Astrid Haastrup, Denise De Leeuw Kristensen
  • Patent number: 11743643
    Abstract: An electronic device for configuring a hearing device parameter of a hearing device to be worn by a user, includes: a processor; a memory; and a user interface, wherein the processor is configured to: electronically obtain an initial audiogram; obtain, via the user interface, a first configuration parameter indicative of hearing loss and/or user preference in a first frequency range; determine a configuration audiogram based on the first configuration parameter and the initial audiogram; determine a gain parameter based on the configuration audiogram; and configure the hearing device parameter of the hearing device based on the gain parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: GN HEARING A/S
    Inventors: Jonathan Boley, Almer Jacob Van Den Berg, Adam H. Svec
  • Patent number: 11729565
    Abstract: Method and devices for processing audio signals based on sound profiles are provided. A sound profile can include data related to haptic movement of the audio data which is specific to a left ear or a right ear, demographic information, ethnicity information, age information, location information, social media information, intensity score of the audio data, previous usage information, or device information. A sound profile can be customized for individual user to include the inaudible frequency range at high frequency end and low frequency end. Audio data within the inaudible frequency range can be compensated by haptic movement corresponding to the inaudible frequency range. A sound profile can further include an audio frequency range and its lowest audible volume for a user. A sound profile can be provided to a user without any action from the user's part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: ALPINE ELECTRONICS OF SILICON VALLEY, INC.
    Inventors: Rocky Chau-Hsiung Lin, Thomas Yamasaki, Hiroyuki Toki, Koichiro Kanda
  • Patent number: 11717191
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a processor. The processor is configured to output a caution, based on an operation history of a device, the device being worn by a user and emitting sound, and on a judging result regarding whether biological information concerning the user satisfies a condition for hearing loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Agama-X Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Tokuchi, Masahiro Sato
  • Patent number: 11711655
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting when a device is placed into an operational position are disclosed. Upon determination that the device is in the operational position, one or more processes can be executed. Execution or initialization of the processes upon detection of the operational position provides for the determination of optimal settings than would otherwise be determined if the processes automatically executed before detection of the operational position. Further aspects of the present disclosure relate to determining when the device is no longer in an operational position upon which time the execution of the processes are terminated. The settings in place upon termination can be saved and reapplied the next time the device is in the operational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Martin Evert Gustaf Hillbratt, Kristian Gunnar Asnes
  • Patent number: 11706572
    Abstract: A method including obtaining data based on a current and/or anticipated future state of a hearing prosthesis and adjusting a set gain margin of the hearing prosthesis based on the current or anticipated future state of the hearing prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Martin Hillbratt, Mark Flynn, Bjorn Davidsson
  • Patent number: 11683645
    Abstract: A device, system, and a method for adjusting audio parameters for a user are disclosed. The method comprises performing a hearing test of the user. The hearing test comprises playing an audio and capturing an auditory response of the user towards the audio. A hearing profile of the user is generated based on one or more results of the hearing test. A playing speed of the audio is adjusted based on the hearing profile, thereby adjusting the audio parameters for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Leigh M. Rothschild
  • Patent number: 11638085
    Abstract: A system, device and method for assessing a fit quality of an earpiece while in use in a noisy environment. The earpiece having an external microphone for capturing an outer-ear audio signal and an internal microphone for capturing an inner-ear audio signal. The fit quality being assessed by estimating a filter according to the captured inner-ear and outer-ear audio signals, and determining a fit quality according to identified coefficients of the estimated filter. A system, device and method for assessing a seal quality of an earpiece while in use in a quiet environment. The earpiece having a loudspeaker for emitting a sound stimulus towards the ear canal and an internal microphone for capturing an audio signal inside the ear canal. The seal quality being assessed by estimating a transfer function according the emitted and captured sound stimulus, and determining at least one seal-quality indicator according to a signal magnitude of the transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: ECOLE DE TECHNOLOGIE SUPERIEURE
    Inventors: Hami Monsarrat-Chanon, Jeremie Voix, Vincent Nadon, Thomas Habrant
  • Patent number: 11627406
    Abstract: A wearable audio device includes a speaker, a wireless communications interface, an audio sensor configured to capture ambient noise in an environment occupied by a user wearing the wearable audio device, and memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including receiving, via the wireless communications interface, a first user input identifying a frequency range to be attenuated, generating an audio signal from the captured ambient noise, attenuating the audio signal to reduce an amplitude of one or more frequency components based on the frequency range, and causing the speaker to produce sound based on the attenuated audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Change Healthcare Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: David Alan Wright
  • Patent number: 11622210
    Abstract: A method of personalizing at least one hearing aid for a hearing aid user including manufacturing at least one hearing aid (1), receiving an audiogram from a server (37) for the hearing aid user, programming the at least one hearing aid (1) by the audiogram, whereby the at least one hearing aid (1) becomes personalized for the hearing aid user. The at least one personalized hearing aid (1) is delivered to the hearing aid user. Once the user has received the at least one personalized hearing aid (1), he may take the hearing aids into use. If there arises a need for fine tuning, the hearing aid user may request a consultation with a hearing healthcare professional. The hearing healthcare professional has equipment (44, 45) for fine tuning the hearing aid (1), and he may fine tuning the at least one personalized hearing aid (1) in dialogue with the hearing aid user. Also provided is a hearing aid delivering system and an Internet enabled personal communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventors: Anders Westergaard, Niels Erik Boelskift Maretti
  • Patent number: 11622203
    Abstract: A method (300) of fitting a hearing aid system, based on the use of hearing aid system setting data and data related to a possible hearing aid system performance verification for a multitude of different hearing aid system users, as well as a hearing aid system adapted to carry out such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventor: Peter Magnus Noergaard
  • Patent number: 11622216
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interactive mobile fitting of hearing aids are provided. The method includes a mobile device receiving a reduced size fitting data set having a set of sampling points from a hearing aid. The method includes interpolating the reduced size fitting data set into a continuous fitting curve presented at a display of the mobile device with user interface objects that each correspond with one or more sampling points. The method includes receiving a user input manipulating a user interface object. The user input adjusts a value of sampling point(s) corresponding to the user interface object to generate an updated reduced size fitting data set that is communicated to the hearing aid. The method includes generating a substitute complete fitting data set based on the updated reduced size fitting data set for application to input audio to generate modified audio that is output from the hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Team IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Keith L. Davis, Lingming Wang, Todd J. Palmer, Bennett Griffin, Timothy D. Schnell
  • Patent number: 11615801
    Abstract: A personal listening system and a method of using the personal listening system to enhance speech intelligibility of audio playback, are described. The method includes determining a speech intelligibility metric, such as a speech reception threshold, of a user. Based on the speech intelligibility metric, a tuning parameter is applied to an audio input signal. The speech reception threshold is compared to an environmental signal-to-noise ratio to determine whether enhancement of the audio input signal is warranted. Application of the tuning parameter to the audio input signal generates an audio output signal having reduced noise, making playback of the audio output signal more intelligible to the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Narimene Lezzoum, Yacine Azmi, Jakub Mazur, Lars Rasmus Elofsson Bernstedt, Tarun Pruthi
  • Patent number: 11611820
    Abstract: Occlusion devices, earpiece devices and methods of forming occlusion devices are provided. An occlusion device is configured to occlude an ear canal. The occlusion device includes an insertion element and at least one expandable element disposed on the insertion element. The expandable element is configured to receive a medium via the insertion element and is configured to expand, responsive to the medium, to contact the ear canal. Physical parameters of the occlusion device are selected to produce a predetermined sound attenuation characteristic over a frequency band, such that sound is attenuated more in a first frequency range of the frequency band than in a second frequency range of the frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventor: Steven W. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 11611838
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for individualized hearing aid prescription which consists of a test procedure that enables the fitting of an individualized estimation of the SII model to individual listeners efficiently and an optimization process which translates the resulting individualized model to the prescribed gains across frequencies for programming into the user's hearing aids. The test involves the recognition of one or more words presented in background noise, which better approximates the daily listening experiences of hearing-aid users compared to the pure-tone detection in a silent environment task which is commonly utilized during conventional audiometric testing. In the estimated SII model, five parameters describe in a custom fashion the relative weights of speech information across the five frequency bands for a given listener. The results from the speech test is used to determine the desirable amount of gain for each frequency region to optimize the user's aided speech intelligibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Trustees of Indiana University
    Inventor: Yi Shen
  • Patent number: 11559224
    Abstract: An optimization system for testing a patient's hearing comprises a controller, an ear piece, and a memory. The controller: provides a series of tones to the ear piece; receives feedback from the patient between each tone; generates a data point to be used in an audiogram after receiving each feedback; after each data point is generated, computes a statistical distribution based on the generated data points; identifies an area of the statistical distribution most in need of additional data; and selects a subsequent tone to provide in the series of tones. Each feedback indicates whether the respective tone was detected or not detected, and each data point is based on the respective feedback. Each subsequent tone provided in the series of tones is a tone represented in the area of the statistical distribution most in need of additional data at the time of selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Soundwave Hearing, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Boven, Reagan John Roberts
  • Patent number: 11550535
    Abstract: An analysis system has at least one monitoring assembly that includes at least one microphone to monitor an acoustic field proximate the monitoring assembly. The at least one microphone produces at least one microphone signal responsive to the acoustic field. The analysis system further includes a data storage device configured to buffer the at least one microphone signal and an audio analysis system configured to analyze a content of the data storage device where the audio analysis system is configured to analyze the content of the buffer to process at least a sound into a response or action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wayne Goldstein, John Usher
  • Patent number: 11540070
    Abstract: A hearing aid system (100), wherein changes to the settings is only allowed if a hearing aid performance verification is carried out with a successful result as well as a method of operating such a hearing aid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventor: Peter Magnus Norgaard
  • Patent number: 11516604
    Abstract: A system for evaluating a seal between an earphone of a hearing device and an ear canal that includes a first microphone positioned outside the ear canal, a second microphone positioned inside the ear canal, and a controller. The controller is configured to measure a sound level at one or more test frequencies using the first microphone, measure a sound level at the one or more frequencies using the second microphone, calculate a difference between the sound levels measured using the first and second microphones at each of the one or more test frequencies, and determine a measurement of an ear seal based on the calculated one or more differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Aleksey S. Khenkin
  • Patent number: 11503413
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for customizing an auditory prosthesis or other medical device. Customizing the auditory prosthesis includes obtaining and evaluating system data. The system data includes data from multiple sensors, including one or more sensors of an auditory prosthesis and one or more sensors of a recipient computing device. Based on the evaluation of the system data, a target behavior is determined, such as operating the auditory prosthesis in a particular sonic environment or with particular auditory prosthesis settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Jan Patrick Frieding, Carl Uvesten, Fredrik Breitholtz, Nicholas Feeney
  • Patent number: 11429255
    Abstract: A system for dynamically adjusting content for an interaction impairment can include a data provider, an end-user electronic device, a user identification module, and a data adjustment module. The data provider can be capable of providing access to electronic data. One or more characteristics of the electronic data can be incompatible with an impairment of an impaired user. The end-user electronic device can be configured to allow the impaired user to interact with electronic data. The user identification module can be configured to identify an identity of the impaired user and/or the impairment of the impaired user. The data adjustment module can be configured to automatically adjust incompatible characteristics of the electronic data prior to presentation by the end-user electronic device. This adjustment can increase the ability of the impaired user to utilize the electronic data with the end-user electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Dunne, Paul B. French, James P. Galvin, Jr., Patrick J. O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11336982
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Yashvant Venkatakrishnan, Xiuming Zhu, Michael Au, Frank Wang, Grace Gardner, Marius Ruefenacht, Barjinder Chana, Erdal Karamuk
  • Patent number: 11310611
    Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, the invention comprises a light tip cable including a cartridge assembly affixed to a medial end of the cable, the cartridge assembly including an emitter housing where the emitter housing includes an opening at a medial end of the housing and a flange at a lateral end of the housing. In embodiments of the invention, the cartridge assembly includes a light emitting element in the housing extending to the opening, retention features covering at least a portion of the housing, including the flange, the retention features comprising a lateral face and a lobe and at least one load bearing strand extending from the cable to the emitter; and electrical connectors extending from the cable to the light emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Earlens Corporation
    Inventors: Eric B. Johnson, Vincent W. Ku, Patricia Ho, Ryan Lane-Lutter, Daniel K. Hallock
  • Patent number: 11285314
    Abstract: An apparatus including an actuator and an electrode array support, wherein the apparatus is configured to insert an electrode array into a cochlea via controlled actuation of the actuator, wherein the controlled actuation is at least partially based on data that is at least partially based on electrical characteristics associated with the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Charles Pawsey, Frank Risi
  • Patent number: 11277695
    Abstract: A method including obtaining data based on a current and/or anticipated future state of a hearing prosthesis and adjusting a set gain margin of the hearing prosthesis based on the current or anticipated future state of the hearing prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Martin Hillbratt, Mark Flynn, Bjorn Davidsson
  • Patent number: 11268848
    Abstract: In-ear sound pressure level, SPL, is determined that is caused by output audio being converted into sound by a headset worn by a user. The in-ear SPL is converted into a sound sample having units that are suitable for evaluating sound noise exposure. These operations are repeated to produce a sequence of sound samples during playback. This sequence of sound samples is then written to a secure database. Access to the database is authorized by the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jakub Mazur, Tyrone T. Chen, Hang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11240578
    Abstract: Described embodiments generally relate to a signal processing device for on ear detection for an earbud. The device comprises a first microphone input for receiving a microphone signal from a first microphone, the first microphone being configured to be positioned within an ear of a user when the earbud is being worn; a second microphone input for receiving a microphone signal from a second microphone, the second microphone being configured to be positioned outside the ear of the user when the earbud is being worn; a signal generator configured to generate a signal for acoustic playback from a speaker configured to be positioned within the earbud; and a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: Brenton Steele
  • Patent number: 11224360
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating hearing health of a given user. An input audio signal is transformed into the frequency domain and a first and second hearing profile are applied to the input audio sample. The first hearing profile represents a healthy hearing standard and the second hearing profile is the given user's hearing profile. Using the hearing profiles, first and second perceptually relevant information (PRI) values are generated for the input audio sample. The first and second PRI values are analyzed against each other to generate a PRI index value for the given user, where the PRI index value is a hearing health index value for the given user. The given user's hearing profile may additionally be applied to differently processed audio samples to evaluate the amount of perceptual rescue offered by various digital signal processing algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Mimi Hearing Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Guido Knook, Nicholas R. Clark
  • Patent number: 11166115
    Abstract: A method and a device for determining a device parameter of a hearing device to be worn at the ear of a user, the method comprising: obtaining image data of one or more images, the image data including first image data of a first image of the outer human ear at a first angle; identifying, based on the first image data, a first anatomical landmark and a second anatomical landmark of the outer human ear using a processor; identifying the position of the first anatomical landmark and the second anatomical landmark in the first image; determining the device parameter of the hearing device based on the first anatomical landmark and the second anatomical landmark; and outputting the device parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: GN Hearing A/S
    Inventors: Mehdi Hoorzad, Kexia Sun, Jesper Thaysen, Vince Maye
  • Patent number: 11159898
    Abstract: A module of a hearing device is removably connectable with a housing of the hearing device, the module being prepared for insertion of a removal tool. The module includes at least two side walls opposing each other. The side walls are provided with a first engagement means, and the side walls are deformable such to allow engagement of the first engagement means and a second engagement means formed on an anchoring portion of the removal tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Christian Frei, Matthias Stadler, Andre Lucien Ochsenbein, Tobias Balmer
  • Patent number: 11153699
    Abstract: A method (200) of fitting a hearing aid system, and a hearing aid fitting system (100) as well as a hearing aid system adapted to carry out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: WIDEX A/S
    Inventors: Anders Westergaard, Morten Surballe, Jacob Palitzsch Lund, Jacob Midtgaard
  • Patent number: 11138989
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer storage media for sound quality prediction and real-time feedback about sound quality, such as room acoustics quality and background noise. Audio data can be sampled from a live sound source and stored in an audio buffer. The audio data in the buffer is analyzed to calculate a stream of values of one or more sound quality measures, such as speech transmission index and signal-to-noise ratio. Speech transmission index can be calculated using a convolution neural network configured to predict speech transmission index from reverberant speech. The stream of values can be used to provide real-time feedback about sound quality of the audio data. For example, a visual indicator on a graphical user interface can be updated based on consistency of the values over time. The real-time feedback about sound quality can help users optimize their recording setup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Adobe Inc.
    Inventors: Prem Seetharaman, Gautham J. Mysore, Bryan A. Pardo
  • Patent number: 11107866
    Abstract: An array test apparatus includes a signal transmission unit which transmits a data signal to each of a plurality of data lines of a low-temperature polysilicon (“LTPS”) substrate, a signal measurement unit which measures the data signal of each of the data lines of the LTPS substrate, a timer which generates a horizontal period for setting a section in which the data signal is transmitted from the signal transmission unit to each of the data lines and a section in which the data signal output from each of the data lines is measured by the signal measurement unit, and a determination unit which determines whether each of the data lines of the LTPS substrate is normal based on the data signal measured by the signal measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joon Geol Kim, Si Joon Kim, Hee Seon Kim
  • Patent number: 11095991
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Concha Inc.
    Inventors: Amy Li, Matthew Sorg, David Northway
  • Patent number: 11095995
    Abstract: A method and software program is used by patients in situ for fitting and refitting of a DSP-based hearing assistance device. Hearing is tested by selection of one of twenty four playbacks of speech, for each ear. Cognitive training/testing exercises test and train the user to relearn to distinguish between various sounds and particularly speech using the hearing assistance device. The preferred cognitive training/testing includes noise detection exercises, spatial hearing exercises, volume recognition exercises and speech differentiation exercises. The regimens for using the hearing aid depend upon the measured cognitive loss, with different sets of DSP parameters for self-directed, non-assessed cognitive training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Intricon Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Perscheid, Sandra Kappner
  • Patent number: 11026602
    Abstract: Disclosed is a graphical user interface operational on a portable device that allows users to test their minimum audio hearing level at various frequencies using a single button. The graphical user interface generates sound frequencies that are played to the user, one ear at a time. Starting from zero decibels, sound intensity levels are gradually increased to intensity levels perceptible by the user. The users indicate recognition of the sound frequency by interacting with the graphical user interface. The intensities of the sound pressure levels (SPLs) are registered as estimates of a user's hearing sensitivity at the tested frequency bands. The process is repeated at different frequency bands for each ear, and hearing levels for each ear established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: BITWAVE PTE LTD
    Inventors: Siew Kok Hui, Leon Shi Terng Tan
  • Patent number: 11020593
    Abstract: A method of enhancing binaural representation for a subject includes receiving a first signal and a second signal in response to a plurality of sound sources, generating a number of estimated interaural time differences using the first signal and the second signal, converting each of the number of estimated interaural time differences to a corresponding interaural level difference, using one or more of the corresponding interaural level differences to generate an adjusted first signal, and using the adjusted first signal to generate a number of signals delivered to the subject for enhancing the hearing of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignees: University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Arizona Board of Regents Acting for and on Behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventor: Christopher A. Brown
  • Patent number: 10986454
    Abstract: Method and devices for processing audio signals based on sound profiles are provided. A sound profile can include data related to haptic movement of the audio data which is specific to a left ear or a right ear, demographic information, ethnicity information, age information, location information, social media information, intensity score of the audio data, previous usage information, or device information. A sound profile can be customized for individual user to include the inaudible frequency range at high frequency end and low frequency end. Audio data within the inaudible frequency range can be compensated by haptic movement corresponding to the inaudible frequency range. A sound profile can further include an audio frequency range and its lowest audible volume for a user. A sound profile can be provided to a user without any action from the user's part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: ALPINE ELECTRONICS OF SILICON VALLEY, INC.
    Inventors: Rocky Chau-Hsiung Lin, Thomas Yamasaki, Hiroyuki Toki, Koichiro Kanda