Abstract: A vestibular stimulation array is disclosed having one or more separate electrode arrays each operatively adapted for implantation in a semicircular canal of the vestibular system, wherein each separate electrode array is dimensioned and constructed so that residual vestibular function is preserved. In particular, the electrode arrays are dimensioned such that the membranous labyrinth is not substantially compressed. Furthermore, the electrode array has a stop portion to limit insertion of the electrode array into the semi-circular canal and is still enough to avoid damage to the anatomical structures.

Abstract: A component of a bone conduction device, such as a passive transcutaneous bone conduction device or an active transcutaneous bone conduction device, or a percutaneous bone conduction device, used to evoke a hearing percept comprising a housing and a bender apparatus located in the housing, wherein the bender apparatus is a device of a piezoelectric bender.

Abstract: Presented herein are acoustic port covers for attachment to electronic devices. An electronic device includes a housing having at least one acoustic port extending through the housing. An acoustic port cover in accordance with embodiments presented herein is configured to be detachably coupled to the housing so as to cover the at least one acoustic port and function as a barrier to the accumulation of foreign materials/contaminants at a protective membrane associated with the at least one acoustic port.

Abstract: A device, including an insertion tool including an insertion guide that is flexible in a direction lying in at least a plane lying on a longitudinal axis thereof, the insertion guide having a slit and/or a gap extending in the longitudinal direction, the plane extending through the slit and/or gap, wherein the guide configured to maintain a pre-curved electrode assembly in a substantially straight configuration while preventing the electrode assembly from twisting in response to stresses induced by bias forces which urge the assembly to return to its pre-curved configuration, when the insertion guide is flexed in the plane.

Abstract: A component of a bone conduction device, including a housing and a piezoelectric bender located in the housing, wherein the component is configured to limit bending of the piezoelectric bender relative to that which would otherwise be the case in the absence of the limits via application of a stopping force at a centralized location of an assembly of which the bender is a part.

Abstract: A method including receiving input indicative of a parameter related to an operating environment of an implantable portion of a prosthesis and adjusting an adjustable system of the prosthesis based on the received input.

Abstract: Presented herein are contaminant-proof microphone assemblies for use with devices/apparatuses, such as auditory prostheses, that include one or more microphones disposed within a housing. A contaminant-proof microphone assembly in accordance with certain embodiments presented herein includes a microphone, a microphone plug, and a contaminant-proof membrane. The microphone plug has a first end coupled to the microphone and a second end that is configured to be positioned adjacent the contaminant-proof membrane. As such, the microphone plug is disposed between a sound inlet of the microphone and the contaminant-proof membrane. The microphone plug may be configured to mate with the housing or a gasket attached to the housing.

Abstract: Technologies disclosed herein can be used to test vibrating actuators, such as those found in auditory prostheses. An example test system includes a trigger signal generator that emits a trigger signal, a test frequency generator that operates in a test mode responsive to receiving a trigger signal, and a diagnostic tool comprising a vibration sensor. The diagnostic tool can measure an output of the vibration sensor.

Abstract: Certain medical devices, such as auditory prostheses, have an implantable portion and an external portion. The implantable portion and external portion each include a transmission/receiver coil that communicates signals between the two portions. The implanted coil is implanted about the ear canal while the external coil is disposed about the pinna or in the ear canal itself. The proximity of the two coils allows for signal transmission between the implantable and external portions.

Abstract: An apparatus, including an implantable portion of a transcutaneous bone conduction device and a pedestal attached to the implantable portion, the pedestal configured to be implanted into a skull bone of a recipient. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus is an implantable portion of a transcutaneous bone conduction device that can be fully covered by skin of a recipient.

Abstract: Presented herein are dissolution barriers for use with tissue-stimulating prostheses. As described further below, a tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprises a stimulating assembly including an elongate insulating carrier member and a plurality of electrode contacts disposed along the carrier member. A continuous dissolution barrier is disposed on the surface of the stimulating assembly so as to substantially encapsulate/enclose the plurality of electrode contacts and the carrier member. The continuous dissolution barrier is configured to inhibit in situ dissolution of the plurality of electrode contacts.

Abstract: A method is provided which includes receiving first signals indicative of sound in an environment of a recipient. The method further includes receiving second signals indicative of sound perception by the recipient. The method further includes, in response to the first signals and the second signals, determining whether the recipient is experiencing tinnitus. The method further includes, while the recipient is experiencing tinnitus, transmitting stimulation signals to the auditory system of the recipient.

Abstract: An external device of a prosthesis, including an electronics component, which can be a sound processor of a hearing prosthesis, and a power component, which can be a battery, the power component being removably attached to the electronics component, wherein the BTE device is configured with electrostatic discharge protection between the electronics component and the power component.

Abstract: An external portion of an auditory prosthesis includes an external magnet that interacts with an implantable magnet to hold the external portion against the skin. Magnetic force generated by the stray field of these magnets can disturb the operation of a vibrating element of the auditory prosthesis. The technologies described herein utilize additional magnets disposed within portions of the auditory prosthesis to redirect the magnetic flux, which allows the vibrating element to be disposed more closely to the magnets, reducing the overall height profile of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A vibrator including a housing, a transducer mounted in the housing such that there is a gap between the housing and transducer; and an impulse force damper that substantially fills the gap. Such a damper includes: a first layer in contact with the housing; and a second layer in contact with the transducer and the first layer; wherein substantially no adhesion is exhibited between the first and second layers or between at least one of the first and second layers and at least one of the housing and the transducer.

Abstract: Embodiments are generally directed to a securable inner drug delivery plug or stopper that is configured to be inserted into, and secured (retained) within, an opening of the inner ear of a recipient. The securable inner drug delivery plug is configured to deliver drugs directly into the inner ear.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes a plurality of conduits and a plurality of valves in fluidic communication with the plurality of conduits. The plurality of conduits is configured to receive liquid from at least one liquid reservoir configured to be implanted on or within a recipient. Each conduit of the plurality of conduits has a corresponding flow resistance to the liquid. The plurality of valves is configured to controllably allow flow of the liquid through a selected set of the conduits to be administered internally to the recipient with a selected flow rate.

Abstract: A vibrator including a housing, a transducer positioned within the housing such that there is a gap between the transducer and housing, and a damper assembly, disposed in the gap between the housing and at least a portion of the transducer, the damper assembly extending a sub-distance of the total distance of the gap.

Abstract: A method, including obtaining data relating to electric hearing, obtaining data relating to acoustic hearing and preparing a prescription for a multimodal hearing prosthesis for an individual based on the obtained data relating to the electric hearing and the acoustic hearing. In an exemplary embodiment, the method entails comparing the data relating to electric hearing to the data relating to acoustic hearing and preparing the prescription based on the results of the comparison.

Abstract: Presented herein are implantable sound sensors that include a non-uniform diaphragm mechanically coupled to a vibrating structure of a recipient's middle or inner ear. The non-uniform diaphragm includes a central region and a peripheral region, where the thickness of the central region is greater than the thickness of the peripheral region.