Abstract: A neurofuzzy device is described that provides a fuzzy logic based user-machine interface for optimal fitting of programmable hearing prosthesis using a neural network that generates targets to be matched by the hearing prosthesis based on individual audiometric and other relevant data to the specific impairment and on the neural network accumulated learning from previous successful fittings. The incorporated learning process can occur on or off line and implements fitting rationales that can satisfy the needs of a general or specific clientele. The parameters of the programmable prosthetic device are set as a group in order to achieve optimal matching to the targets. The user-machine interface realized by a fuzzy logic system deciphers the commends/responses of the user while listening to various stimuli and modifies the targets accordingly thus, providing a closed loop system for in-situ interactive fitting.

Abstract: A compressible hearing aid includes an exterior deformable skin which bounds an internal region which is filled, at least in part, with an open-cell foam, the foam can be wrapped around or molded to contain an audio output transducer. The skin is not self-supporting and in response to applied forces from user's ear canal, the skin and the foam both deform and readily compress exhibiting a reduced volume. Though compressed, the foam exerts an outward force against the skin thereby continuing to form an elongated seal between the skin and the external periphery of the user's dynamically changing ear canal. As the volume of the ear canal increases, the skin and open-cell foam expand, exhibiting an increased internal volume, while maintaining a comfortable seal with the ear canal. A plurality of external ribs carried on the skin not only reduces feedback but promotes drying of the ear canal and promotes retention of the hearing aid in the ear canal.

Abstract: A cable incorporates at least one flexible conductor and a non-conductive, elongated, strain relieving member bound mechanically to the conductor. The strain relieving member is mechanically attached between two relatively movable components. The electrical conductor is in turn electrically attached to contacts on the components. Movement of the components relative to one another will be limited by the strain relieving member thereby protecting a somewhat longer electrical conductor extending therebetween. Alternately, a plurality of conductors can be integrally combined with the elongated strain relieving member, by braiding or twisting, to form a unitary cable which incorporates the strain relieving member. In this configuration, all of the conductors in the cable are mechanically protected by the strain relieving element.

Abstract: A method of processing an impression of a portion of a user's ear canal that produces a flexible hearing aid housing which duplicates the shape of at least a portion of that impression. A female mold is created using the previously obtained ear impression. A compliant molding material is used to form the female mold. The same material is used to form a male mold in the cavity left in the female mold when the ear impression has been removed. Subsequent to curing of the male mold, it is removed from the female mold and covered with a curable, hardenable plastic such as a UV curable acrylic. Once cured, the compliant male mold is removed leaving a rigid plastic shell whose internal volume conforms in shape to the exterior shape of the ear impression. Mandrels can be inserted into the volume to provide post molding compartments for electronic components. A matrix can be inserted into the internal region or wrapped around the mandrels or respective components.

Abstract: A compliant hearing aid has a housing formed with an exterior peripheral layer of a deformable material. Electronic components located within the deformable layer can be encapsulated, at least in part, with a second deformable material. The second material also fills voids in the interior of the deformable peripheral layer. The second material can be cured within the deformable layer. Alternately, the second material can be cured apart from the deformable layer. The layer can then be attached to the second material.

Abstract: Hearing aids having housings formed as standardized shapes include electronic components. The components can be separate or integrated into a single unit. The housings can be formed as one or more spheroidal-like surfaces of revolution which are symmetrical along an axis. Alternately, the housings can be formed by lofting ellipses along a central axis. Representative housing shapes include egg-shaped and pear-shaped surfaces. An insertion and extraction element is fixedly attached to an end of the housing which extends toward the outer ear when the aid is inserted into an ear canal. The insertion/extraction member can be formed as either a rigid or a flexible element. The housing can carry a soft, deformable outer layer to improve performance and user comfort when installed in an ear canal.

Abstract: A hearing aid housing which is formed of a substantially rigid plastic material carries a deformable compliant region. The region, which could be in the form of an annular seal, or which could extend in part axially along the housing improves user comfort and hearing aid performance by providing an improved seal with the user's ear canal. The housing can be formed with a substantially constant wall thickness which includes the regions wherein the compliant material is located.

Abstract: Hearing aids having housings formed as standardized shapes include electronic components. The components can be separate or integrated into a single unit. The housings can be formed as one or more spheroidal-like surfaces of revolution which are symmetrical along an axis. Alternately, the housings can be formed by lofting ellipses along a central axis. Representative housing shapes include egg-shaped and pear-shaped surfaces. An insertion and extraction element is fixedly attached to an end of the housing which extends toward the outer ear when the aid is inserted into an ear canal. The insertion/extraction member can be formed as either a rigid or a flexible element. The housing can carry a soft, deformable outer layer to improve performance and user comfort when installed in an ear canal.

Abstract: A bilateral hearing instrument incorporates first and second units which could, for example, be worn by an individual having hearing deficiencies in both ears. One unit includes an audio input transducer coupled to a transceiver. The second unit includes a second audio input transducer coupled to a second transceiver which is coupled, wirelessly, to the first transceiver. An output of the second transceiver is coupled to an input port of a signal processor. A second input to the signal processor comes from the second audio input transducer. One output from the signal processor Is transmitted Tirelessly to the first unit for presentation to one ear of the user. The other output of the processor is coupled to an output transducer for the user's second ear. A single signal processor generates representations of audio output signals for both of the user's ears.

Abstract: An ear wax barrier for an in-the-ear or in-the-canal type hearing aid device positioned at least in part between a receiver output port and a shell acoustic output port includes a substantially cylindrical housing having a barbed portion for press-fitting the barrier into position. The barrier may include a screen and/or a plurality of undulations, such as a thread internal thereto for providing wax accumulation sites to retard the migration of wax into the hearing aid. The barrier is more easily inserted than removed.

Abstract: An acoustic attenuator and wax barrier for a hearing aid includes a substantially cylindrical, color coded, housing having a barbed portion for press-fitting the barrier into position. As the channel diameters increase, an associated peak output frequency also increases for the respective housing. The barrier may include one of a plurality of attenuating or damping screens which provides predetermined sound damping characteristics. Alternately, the barrier may include housings having different acoustic channel diameters to provide the different, predetermined audio attenuation or damping characteristics. The barrier is field changeable and is more easily inserted than removed. The barrier may be provided as part of a system which includes a tool for performing field replacement of the barrier.

Abstract: A hand held hearing screening device includes a housing with a spacing element extending therefrom. Word generating circuitry is carried within the housing. A control switch on the housing cycles the generating circuitry to produce one or more output word or phrase sequences.

Abstract: An ear wax barrier for an in-the-ear or in-the-canal type hearing aid device positioned at least in part between a receiver output port and a shell acoustic output port includes a substantially cylindrical housing having a barbed portion for press-fitting the barrier into position. The barrier may include a screen and/or a plurality of undulations, such as a thread internal thereto for providing wax accumulation sites to retard the migration of wax into the hearing aid. The barrier is more easily inserted than removed.

Abstract: A low noise miniature potentiometer utilizes thick film deposits of resistive material which extend adjacent to deposits of conductive material. The conductive region is sliced into a plurality of spaced-apart conductive elements. Electrical paths through resistive elements can be lengthen by laser trimming of the resistive material thereby providing for very precise incremental resistances between pairs of spaced apart conductive elements. If desired, an increased range of resistivity can be achieved by utilizing a second deposited thick film region extending along the conductive region and in contact therewith. Laser trimming can be used to increase conductive path lengths in the second resistive element thereby providing a broader range of resistance values.

Abstract: A modular hearing aid system has an exterior shell and a removable interior housing. The shell can be customized for a user's right or left ear. The housing has a standard, bilateral shape useable with either ear. The housing can be removably locked to the shell. A vent channel is molded into the shell adjacent a region of the housing.

Abstract: A hearing aid that generally provides greater amplification for speech signals than noise signals. The hearing aid includes a microphone, variable highpass filter, transducer, and sensor assembly. The sensor assembly detects the amplitude of a band of low frequencies of the highpass filtered microphone signal, and provides a feedback signal to the variable filter to influence its cutoff frequency based on the characterisics of the highpass filtered microphone signal. The sensor also takes the time characteristics of the signal envelope into account, distinguishing between steady state noise-like signals and dynamically varying signals, such as speech. In response to loud, low frequency, substantially steady state signals, above a threshold amplitude, the sensor provides a feedback signal to the variable filter such that the cutoff frequency is raised.

Abstract: A precision thick film resistor has a deposited thick film conducting layer which is adjacent to and in contact with a deposited thick film resistive layer. A laser scribed line, having a width on the order of 2 mils, separates the conductive region into two parts and then extends into the resistive layer. The value of the resistor is set based on the extent that the line extends into the resistive layer. A plurality of thick film conducting elements can be formed by depositing a continuously extending thick film conducting layer on a substrate. Laser scribed lines can be used to isolate various conducting elements in the deposited film from one another. Elements are separated from one another by 2 mil wide laser scribed lines.

Abstract: A high efficiency amplifier circuit includes first and second modulator circuits. The output waveform from the first modulator is modulated by the input electrical signal to be amplified. The output waveform from the second modulator is simultaneously modulated with an inverted representation of the input electrical signal. Outputs from the two modulator circuits are coupled to a push-pull output bridge. The load is coupled across first and second output terminals of the bridge such that a tri-level output representation of the amplified input signal is applied thereto.

Abstract: A barrier for a hearing aid that combines the feature of both (1) preventing ear wax from contacting and damaging the internal components of a hearing aid or hearing aid receiver and (2) variably dampening the acoustic response of the hearing aid. The barrier includes, in combination, a housing defining a central axis of passage, as well as a plurality of projections and a screen. The projections extend inwardly from the interior surface of the housing, each projection partially occluding the cross-sectional area of the housing. The projections provide a tortuous path for ear wax migrating into the hearing aid, and the screen provides additional area for wax accumulation. The projections and screen also dampen or otherwise modify the frequency response of the hearing aid. The screen may also be interchanged or adjusted to accommodate the specific frequency attenuation needs of a particular user.