Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing wind noise in an electronic hearing protector are provided. The electronic hearing protector includes a housing and a windscreen. The housing includes a cut-out portion having at least one acoustic inlet. The windscreen covers the cut-out portion and includes an outer surface. An acoustic path within the cut-out portion from an effective center of the acoustic inlet(s) to the windscreen is at least 100 degrees. A minimum distance from the effective center of the acoustic inlet(s) to the outer surface of the windscreen is at least 2.5 millimeters. In various embodiments, the electronic hearing protector may include a high-level limiter disposed in the housing. The high-level limiter selectively attenuates a frequency below a voice range more than a frequency in the voice range of a microphone input signal to provide a signal output with noise reduction at frequencies outside of the voice range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing wind noise in an electronic hearing protector are provided. The electronic hearing protector includes a housing and a windscreen. The housing includes a cut-out portion having at least one acoustic inlet. The windscreen covers the cut-out portion and includes an outer surface. An acoustic path within the cut-out portion from an effective center of the acoustic inlet(s) to the windscreen is at least 100 degrees. A minimum distance from the effective center of the acoustic inlet(s) to the outer surface of the windscreen is at least 2.5 millimeters. In various embodiments, the electronic hearing protector may include a high-level limiter disposed in the housing. The high-level limiter selectively attenuates a frequency below a voice range more than a frequency in the voice range of a microphone input signal to provide a signal output with noise reduction at frequencies outside of the voice range.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a hearing testing probe apparatus. The hearing testing probe apparatus includes a probe tube detachably coupled at a first end to a probe body and extending through a center hole in an eartip to align proximate a face of the eartip at a second end. The probe tube includes a plurality of stimulus lumens for receiving and carrying stimulus from the first end of the probe tube for output at the second end of the probe tube. The probe tube includes one or more microphone lumens for receiving and carrying one or more measured responses from the second end of the probe tube to one or more microphones at the first end of the probe tube.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system and method that control idling current of a pulse modulated driver. The system may include an audio input device configured to receive an audio input signal. The system can include sliding bias control circuitry configured to generate a sliding bias control signal based on a level of the audio input signal. The system may include sliding bias generation circuitry configured to generate a sliding bias voltage superimposed onto the audio input signal to generate a pulse modulated driver input signal that is input into an amplifier. The sliding bias voltage may be based on the sliding bias control signal.

Abstract: A system and/or method is provided for enhanced listening of audio signals acquired via a telecoil by performing hum filtering. The system may include a telecoil and a telecoil hum filter. The telecoil hum filter may include a comb notch filter. The comb notch filter may include a delay module and a comb notch filter summing module. The telecoil may be operable to receive a magnetic signal and convert the magnetic signal to an input audio signal. The delay module of the comb notch filter may be configured to generate a delayed signal by applying a delay to the input audio signal. The delay may be based on a fundamental hum frequency. The comb notch filter summing module may be configured to generate a comb notch filter output signal by adding the input audio signal and the delay signal.

Abstract: Provided is a disclosure for measuring the occlusion effect due to the depth of seal of the earpiece in the ear canal using a single microphone.

Abstract: A speech intelligibility system. Embodiments comprise a talker unit, a listener unit and an earpiece. The talker unit includes a microphone to receive audible speech content and to produce electrical signals representative of the speech content, and a transmitter coupled to the microphone to produce wireless transmissions containing the speech content. The listener unit includes a receiver to receive the wireless transmissions and to produce electrical signals representative of the speech content. At least one of the talker unit and the listener unit includes an amplifier to amplify spectral components of the speech content within a frequency range having a lower end between about 800 Hz and 1,700 Hz and an upper end between about 7,000 Hz and 11,000 Hz. The earpiece is coupled to the listener unit and includes a speaker to produce audible speech content having the amplified spectral components and a tube to direct the audible speech content from the speaker toward a user's ear canal.

Abstract: A hearing screening system for testing hearing abilities of a patient includes an otoacoustic emission (OAE) module operable to perform OAE tests, a tympanometry (tymp) module operable to perform tymp tests, and at least one probe in communication with at least one of the OAE and tymp modules. The probe includes a probe tip that is configured to be positioned within an ear canal of a patient.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a system and method for measurement of the force applied to a bone-conduction oscillator during application to a subject, resolving the measured force relative to a pre-determined criteria, and providing an indication to the user to specify whether an external force applied to an applied force indication system coupled with a bone-conduction oscillator is within a pre-determined acceptable range. A mechanical arrangement is prescribed which allows the full extent of the force applied to be represented onto the pressure measurement apparatus. The system and apparatus may be applied onto or integrated into bone-conduction oscillators.

Abstract: Methods and systems for rapidly determining and displaying the depth of ear tip placement to improve the reliability of hearing tests may comprise in a hearing assessment system comprising a control system and a probe with a sealing ear tip, a microphone, and a sound source: measuring a pressure versus frequency of an ear canal, determining a first half-wavelength frequency of the ear canal using the measured pressure versus frequency and/or or from the phase of the ear canal reflectance, and calculating a distance between the hearing probe and an eardrum in the ear canal based on the determined first half-wavelength frequency. Subsequent measurements of the ear canal may be performed using the calculated distance. The calculated distance may be stored in a memory in the control system for the subsequent measurements of the ear canal. The calculated distance may be displayed on a gauge on the control system.

Abstract: A system and/or method is provided for enhanced listening of audio signals acquired via a telecoil by performing hum filtering. The system may include a telecoil and a telecoil hum filter. The telecoil hum filter may include a comb notch filter. The comb notch filter may include a delay module and a comb notch filter summing module. The telecoil may be operable to receive a magnetic signal and convert the magnetic signal to an input audio signal. The delay module of the comb notch filter may be configured to generate a delayed signal by applying a delay to the input audio signal. The delay may be based on a fundamental hum frequency. The comb notch filter summing module may be configured to generate a comb notch filter output signal by adding the input audio signal and the delay signal.

Abstract: The present technology relates to an earphone apparatus adapted for use in audiometry examinations. The earphone apparatus comprises a housing and a receiver having an acoustic output adapted to connect with an audio signal source. The earphone apparatus can also include a circuit board with an electrical equalization network connected to the receiver. A coupling can be connected to the acoustic output of the receiver. A sound tube can be connected to the acoustic output and extends out from the housing to an ear piece. The earphone also includes a resonance cancellation assembly comprising a damping chamber and a tubing section acoustically connecting the damping chamber to the coupling. The damping chamber can provide an acoustic compliance to the sound delivered by the receiver. The earphone can also comprise an electrical connector with a protector that is adapted to connect with a female connector delivering electrical power.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a conformable eartip. The conformable eartip includes a round flange and a core. The round flange includes a sealing surface for mating with walls of an ear canal. The round flange extends from an insertion end to an opposite end of the conformable eartip. The sealing surface is tapered from the opposite end toward the insertion end of the conformable eartip. The core is joined to the round flange at the insertion end of the conformable eartip. The core extends from the insertion end to a base of the core toward the opposite end of the conformable eartip. The core includes a channel extending through the core from the insertion end of the conformable eartip to the base of the core. In various embodiments, the conformable eartip provides an elongation ratio of at least 1.4 and/or a compression ratio of at least 2.0.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an in-the-ear device. The in-the-ear device includes a housing including a microphone inlet. The in-the-ear device also includes a microphone and a windscreen. The microphone is disposed within the housing adjacent to the microphone inlet. The windscreen includes a porous screen and an attachment mechanism coupled to the porous screen. The attachment mechanism is configured to detachably couple to the housing surrounding a perimeter of the microphone inlet such that an acoustic seal is formed between the windscreen and the housing.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in an ultra low power dosimeter assembly. The ultra low power dosimeter assembly may comprise a low power voltage source and a table circuit. The table circuit may be adapted to convert an input voltage to a second voltage level. The second voltage level may correspond to noise dose. The ultra low power dosimeter assembly may also comprise a switch adapted to trigger a control circuit. The control circuit may provide progressive attenuation of an output signal as the second voltage level increases. In certain embodiments, the control circuit may also be adapted to send one or more warning signals to a user of the ultra low power dosimeter. The one or more warning signals may be sent when the control circuit determines the second voltage level has reached one or more pre-determined threshold voltage levels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing communication and protection by an electronic earplug are provided. A communication and protection system includes an electronic earplug operable in a transmit mode and a receive mode. The electronic earplug includes an external microphone, an ear canal microphone, processing circuitry, and a receiver. In the receive mode, the external microphone is configured to transduce sound pressure levels received from exterior to an ear canal to electrical signals; the processing circuitry is configured to process the electrical signals from the external microphone to provide processed electrical signals; and, the receiver is configured to convert the processed electrical signal to sound. In the transmit mode, the ear canal microphone is configured to transduce sound pressure levels received from in the ear canal to electrical signals provided to a communication device; and, one or more of the external microphone, the processing circuitry, and the receiver is disabled.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a conformable eartip. The conformable eartip includes a round flange and a core. The round flange includes a sealing surface for mating with walls of an ear canal. The round flange extends from an insertion end to an opposite end of the conformable eartip. The sealing surface is tapered from the opposite end toward the insertion end of the conformable eartip. The core is joined to the round flange at the insertion end of the conformable eartip. The core extends from the insertion end to a base of the core toward the opposite end of the conformable eartip. The core includes a channel extending through the core from the insertion end of the conformable eartip to the base of the cor. In various embodiments, the conformable eartip provides an elongation ratio of at least 1.4 and/or a compression ratio of at least 2.0.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a hearing testing system. The hearing testing system includes a transducer and an environmental sensor coupled with an acoustic channel. The environmental sensor is configured to measure environmental conditions of the acoustic channel. The hearing testing system includes a processor. The processor is configured to receive the environmental conditions from the environmental sensor. The processor is configured to apply, based on the measure environmental conditions, correction data to a transducer response to generate a corrected transducer response. In certain embodiments, the processor is configured to control a heating element based on a measured temperature to maintain a pre-defined temperature, or range of temperatures, at a testing probe.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a hearing testing probe apparatus. The hearing testing probe apparatus includes a probe tube detachably coupled at a first end to a probe body and extending through a center hole in an eartip to align proximate a face of the eartip at a second end. The probe tube includes a plurality of stimulus lumens for receiving and carrying stimulus from the first end of the probe tube for output at the second end of the probe tube. The probe tube includes one or more microphone lumens for receiving and carrying one or more measured responses from the second end of the probe tube to one or more microphones at the first end of the probe tube.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing speech intelligibility using a companion microphone system can include microphones, a position sensor and a microcontroller. In certain embodiments, the position sensor is configured to generate position data corresponding to a position of the companion microphone system. In various embodiments, the microphones and the position sensor include a fixed relationship in three-dimensional space. In certain embodiments, the microcontroller is configured to receive the position data from the position sensor and select one or more of the microphones to receive an audio input based on the received position data.