Abstract: A method of mitigating effects of alternating or changing pneumatic pressures within a substantially sealed ear canal includes providing an indication of ear canal sound pressure level associated with sound for an audio program produced by a corresponding audio listening device substantially sealing an ear canal to form a substantially trapped volume; and performing audio signal processing on the audio program based on the indication of ear canal sound pressure level using a predetermined frequency response curve for the audio listening device to mitigate effects of pneumatic pressure within the ear canal.

Abstract: An improved earbud design providing for full modularity; improved and variable hearing protection, sound quality, comfort, fit, aesthetics, and signal connectivity; and the ability to maintain environmental sound directionality comprised of a multitude of new features with variable vents and membranes which dilute the harmful pneumatic effects of sound while improving its acoustic quality. A location-based transmission system provides event attendees to mix live sound with streamed sound through Ambrose Earbuds for reduced hearing risk and no quality detriments due to timing gaps, occlusion or ear tip spectral broadening, and enables noise pollution-free musical performances. A displacement-based digital compression algorithm caps maximum output air displacement as well as sound pressure level. Thus, an earbud is provided that through adjustments and modularity can act as a personal listening device, a hearing protection device and as a personal aesthetic statement with customized fit and comfort.

Abstract: An ear device having a bubble for placement approximate a user's ear canal and capable of inflation and deflation. An inflation tube for delivering inflating air to the bubble during inflation of the bubble and an inflation source, such as a diaphonic valve, cause the bubble to extend automatically into the user's ear canal during inflation and retract from the user's ear canal during deflation. The bubble is substantially cylindrical and is comprised of a plurality of adjacently adjoined inflatable chambers. The bubble may also comprise at least one non-inflatable section interspersed therein. Where the ear device is used to convey sound to the user's ear, the device includes a sound tube positioned within the cylindrical bubble. At least one resilient member attached to a portion of the bubble, which may be a non-inflatable section of the bubble, is used to retract the bubble automatically. The ear device, equipped with a cerumen removing mechanism, may be used to clean a user's ear canal as well.

Abstract: A method of mitigating effects of alternating or changing pneumatic pressures within a substantially sealed ear canal includes providing an indication of ear canal sound pressure level associated with sound for an audio program produced by a corresponding audio listening device substantially sealing an ear canal to form a substantially trapped volume; and performing audio signal processing on the audio program based on the indication of ear canal sound pressure level using a predetermined frequency response curve for the audio listening device to mitigate effects of pneumatic pressure within the ear canal.

Abstract: A device and method for alleviating the effects of alternating or changing pneumatic pressures when sound is transmitted through an audio device into a substantially trapped volume to the tympanic membrane. Alternating or changing pneumatic pressures are partially or fully alleviated and allowed to remain as normal sound waves. The audio device and method could be any number of audio devices including ear buds, over-ear headphones or hearing aids. A passageway from the substantially trapped volume to an unsealed space at ambient pressure is blocked by a flexible compliant member.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and devices incorporate a novel expandable bubble portion which provides superior fidelity to a listener while minimizing listener fatigue. The expandable bubble portion may be expanded through the transmission of low frequency audio signals or the pumping of a gas to the expandable bubble portion. In addition, embodiments of the acoustic device may be adapted to consistently and comfortably fit to any ear, providing for a variable, impedance matching acoustic seal to both the tympanic membrane and the audio transducer, respectively, while isolating the sound-vibration chamber within the driven bubble. This reduces the effect of gross audio transducer vibration excursions on the tympanic membrane and transmits the audio content in a manner which allows the ear to utilize its full inherent capabilities.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and devices incorporate a novel expandable bubble portion which provides superior fidelity to a listener while minimizing listener fatigue. The expandable bubble portion may be expanded through the transmission of low frequency audio signals or the pumping of a gas to the expandable bubble portion. In addition, embodiments of the acoustic device may be adapted to consistently and comfortably fit to any ear, providing for a variable, impedance matching acoustic seal to both the tympanic membrane and the audio transducer, respectively, while isolating the sound-vibration chamber within the driven bubble. This reduces the effect of gross audio transducer vibration excursions on the tympanic membrane and transmits the audio content in a manner which allows the ear to utilize its full inherent capabilities.

Abstract: A diaphonic valve utilizing the principle of the Synthetic Jet is disclosed herein. A diaphonic valve pump is provided for the inflation of an in-ear balloon. More complex embodiments of the present invention include stacks of multiple synthetic jets generating orifices as well as an oscillating, thin polymer membrane. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a novel application is provided for the creation of static pressure to inflate or to deflate an inflatable member (balloon). In addition, sound can be utilized to inflate or deflate an inflatable member in a person's ear for the purpose of listening to sound.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and devices incorporate a novel expandable bubble portion which provides superior fidelity to a listener while minimizing listener fatigue. The expandable bubble portion may be expanded through the transmission of low frequency audio signals or the pumping of a gas to the expandable bubble portion. In addition, embodiments of the acoustic device may be adapted to consistently and comfortably fit to any ear, providing for a variable, impedance matching acoustic seal to both the tympanic membrane and the audio transducer, respectively, while isolating the sound-vibration chamber within the driven bubble. This reduces the effect of gross audio transducer vibration excursions on the tympanic membrane and transmits the audio content in a manner which allows the ear to utilize its full inherent capabilities.

Abstract: An ear device, system and method which through use of at least one vented opening, helps protect against the potentially damaging condition of temporary and even permanent hearing loss as a result of oscillating static pressure in a sealed ear canal. Embodiments include venting for earbuds, headphones, hearing aids, balanced armature transducers and the like.

Abstract: A system for linking together audio signal producing, signal processing, and ear coupling devices comprising, in an embodiment: (1) an in-ear audio coupling device; (2) hearing aid electronics; (3) an external audio signal generating device; and (4) a module for audio mixing and enhancement.

Abstract: An ear device having a bubble for placement approximate a user's ear canal and capable of inflation and deflation is disclosed. An inflation tube for delivering inflating air to the bubble during inflation of the bubble and an inflation source, such as a diaphonic valve, cause the bubble to extend automatically into the user's ear canal during inflation and retract from the user's ear canal during deflation. The bubble is substantially cylindrical and is comprised of a plurality of adjacently adjoined inflatable chambers. The bubble may also comprise at least one non-inflatable section interspersed therein. Where the ear device is used to convey sound to the user's ear, the device includes a sound tube positioned within the cylindrical bubble. At least one resilient member attached to a portion of the bubble, which may be a non-inflatable section of the bubble, is used to retract the bubble automatically.

Abstract: A diaphonic valve utilizing the principle of the Synthetic Jet is disclosed herein. A diaphonic valve pump is provided for the inflation of an in-ear balloon. More complex embodiments of the present invention include stacks of multiple synthetic jets generating orifices as well as an oscillating, thin polymer membrane. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a novel application is provided for the creation of static pressure to inflate or to deflate an inflatable member (balloon). In addition, sound can be utilized to inflate or deflate an inflatable member in a person's ear for the purpose of listening to sound.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and devices incorporate a novel expandable bubble portion which provides superior fidelity to a listener while minimizing listener fatigue. The expandable bubble portion may be expanded through the transmission of low frequency audio signals or the pumping of a gas to the expandable bubble portion. In addition, embodiments of the acoustic device may be adapted to consistently and comfortably fit to any ear, providing for a variable, impedance matching acoustic seal to both the tympanic membrane and the audio transducer, respectively, while isolating the sound-vibration chamber within the driven bubble. This reduces the effect of gross audio transducer vibration excursions on the tympanic membrane and transmits the audio content in a manner which allows the ear to utilize its full inherent capabilities.