Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in an ultra low power dosimeter assembly. The ultra low power dosimeter assembly may include 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 include 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: A directional microphone assembly for a hearing aid, and methods of assembling a directional microphone, are provided. The hearing aid has one or more microphone cartridge(s), and first and second sound passages. Inlets to the sound passages, or the sound passages themselves, are spaced apart such that the shortest distance between them is less than or approximately equal to the length of the microphone cartridge(s). A sound duct and at least one surface of a microphone cartridge may form each sound passage, where the sound duct is mounted with the microphone cartridge. Alternatively, each sound duct may be formed as an integral part of a microphone cartridge.

Abstract: A directional microphone array system generally for hearing aid applications is disclosed. The system may employ a broadside or an endfire array of microphones. In either case, the signals generated by the microphone are added using a plurality of summation points that are connected together via a single signal wire or channel. In the case of the endfire array, all but one of the signals is delayed so that the summation of the signals are in phase. The summation of the signals is then used to generate an output signal for a speaker of a hearing aid or the like.

Abstract: A method and system for providing low-noise, high-fidelity wireless Bluetooth earphones with control operation either at the earphone or the player that operate to control the volume and other functionality from either location in a seamless manner and provide probe volume control display regardless of which location is used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for protecting acoustic devices. In particular embodiments, barriers are useful for preventing a variety of solid, liquid, and vapor contaminants from modifiying or damaging the performance of acoustic transducers, while at the same time providing essentially an acoustically transparent passage of sound.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless communication can include a first unit configured to synchronously transmit a first digital audio packet redundantly in at least a first dedicated slot and a second dedicated slot over a time period, and a second unit configured to receive wireless transmissions from the first unit. In certain embodiments, the second unit does not listen for a transmission in the second dedicated slot if the first digital audio packet is received in the first dedicated slot. In certain embodiments, the units are encoded with a group code that identifies group members, such that the units only receive data packets transmitted by group members with the same group code.

Abstract: A programmable digital hearing aid circuit and method for operating and programming same are disclosed. The device provides a flexible means to compensate for undesirable frequency response distortion normally due to the electro-acoustical characteristics of the microphone, receiver, and sound coupling mechanisms employed in hearing aid design. Parameters of the programmable hearing aid circuit may also be set to tailor the hearing aid response characteristics for the frequency-dependent hearing loss of an individual hearing aid user. The device is intended to make available a significant improvement in audio fidelity to users of hearing aid devices.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for predicting long-term exposure to a hazardous environment based on a user-controllable measurement interval of short duration. In an embodiment, the system includes an electronic circuit for receiving one or more signals representative of the level of a hazard in an environment using one or more of a hazard level sensor and a direct input jack. The system further includes a processor within the electronic circuit for determining an accumulated dose over a user-controllable measurement interval. In addition, the processor predicts hazardous exposure for a user-settable extended period greater than the user-controllable measurement interval and based on the accumulated dose. The dosimeter also includes a user-operable switch within the electronic circuit and in communication with the processor for controlling the user-controllable measurement interval to be less than a nominal measurement interval.

Abstract: A hearing aid apparatus is disclosed that employs both an omnidirectional microphone and at least one directional microphone of at least the first order. The electrical signals output from the directional microphone are supplied to an equalization amplifier which at least partially equalizes the amplitude of the low frequency electrical signal components of the electrical signal with the amplitude of the mid and high frequency electrical signal components of the electrical signals of the directional microphone. A switching circuit accepts the signals output from both the omnidirectional microphone and the directional microphone. The switching circuit connects the signal from the omnidirectional microphone to an input of a hearing aid amplifier when the switching circuit is in a first switching state, and connects the output of the equalization circuit to the hearing aid amplifier input when the switching circuit is in a second switching state.

Abstract: A stimulus analysis system and artifact rejection method are disclosed. The method may be used in many applications, such as, for example, DPOAE testing, TEOAE testing, BAER testing, ultrasound, MRI, RADAR, GPS, EEG, EKG, or communications. In one embodiment, a system receives a signal, and depending on the noise power of the signal, the signal is placed in one of a plurality of buffers or is discarded. This process is repeated. The combination of buffers that yields the lowest noise power is then selected. The selected combination of buffers may then be used to calculate a signal to noise ratio, which may be used to determine whether the signal received is acceptable, indicating, for example, that a test has been passed or failed.

Abstract: Wireless earphone systems provide earphones configured to be supported entirely by the ear canals of the wearer and to provide stereophonic reproduction of sound to the wearer based on a two-channel stereophonic signal from a transceiver that is attachable to a device. Certain systems include earphones configured such that channel reception can be switched between the earphones. Certain systems include an earphone that includes: a housing; a ground plane comprising circuitry; and a multi-segmented antenna configured to receive a signal from a transceiver, wherein the antenna and the ground plane are disposed within the housing, wherein the antenna is substantially parallel to the ground plane, and wherein the antenna and the ground plane are separated by a distance.

Abstract: A two-way voice communication device which provides a high-level of acoustic noise reduction is disclosed. A resilient ear tip provides acoustic isolation and secures the earphone within the ear canal of the user. The ability to rotate the earphone within the ear canal allows the user to easily position an attached microphone. The audio signals may be conveyed by an included radio frequency receiver and radio frequency transmitter, or the earphone may be connected to an electrical audio device using a multi-conductor cable. Audio signals may be conveyed to one or both ears of a user. A switch to mute the audio signal from the microphone, or for supporting a push-to-talk mode of operation, may be included in the earphone housing, or on the cable.

Abstract: A hearing improvement device using a multi-coil coupling system and methods for operating such a device are disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may use an array microphone to provide highly directional reception. The received audio signal may be filtered, amplified, and converted into a magnetic field for coupling to the telecoil in a conventional hearing aid. Multiple transmit inductors may be used to effectively couple to both in-the-ear and behind-the-ear type hearing aids, and an additional embodiment is disclosed which may be used with an earphone, for users not requiring a hearing aid.

Abstract: A directional microphone array system generally for hearing aid applications is disclosed. The system may employ a broadside or an endfire array of microphones. In either case, the signals generated by the microphone are added using a plurality of summation points that are connected together via a single signal wire or channel. In the case of the endfire array, all but one of the signals is delayed so that the summation of the signals are in phase. The summation of the signals is then used to generate an output signal for a speaker of a hearing aid or the like.

Abstract: A hearing screener apparatus is disclosed and may include a housing and a testing probe operatively coupled to the housing. The testing probe may generate electrical signals based on otoacoustic emissions of the inner ear of a test subject, when the testing probe is inserted into the ear canal of the test subject. The hearing screener apparatus may also include a housing, a digital signal processor (DSP) within the housing, and a testing probe operatively coupled to the housing. The DSP may generate measurement data based on the electrical signals. At least one microphone may be mounted with the testing probe for generating the electrical signals based on the otoacoustic emissions. The testing probe may be vibrationally isolated from the housing. The testing probe may be elastically coupled to the housing. The hearing screener apparatus may also include an isolation body elastically coupled between the testing probe and the housing.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present technology provide wireless earphone systems that include earphones configured to be supported entirely by the ear canals of the wearer and to provide stereophonic reproduction of sound to the wearer based on a two-channel stereophonic signal from a transceiver that is attachable to a device. Certain embodiments of the present technology provide wireless earphone systems that include earphones configured such that channel reception can be switched between the earphones. Certain embodiments of the present technology provide wireless earphone systems that include an earphone that includes: a housing; a ground plane comprising circuitry; and a multi-segmented antenna configured to receive a signal from a transceiver, wherein the antenna and the ground plane are disposed within the housing, wherein the antenna is substantially parallel to the ground plane, and wherein the antenna and the ground plane are separated by a distance.

Abstract: An improved insert earphone for audiometric testing is provided, having a housing, a receiver located within the housing, a flexible eartip located externally to the housing, and a tube nipple acoustically coupled between the receiver and the flexible eartip. The flexible eartip has a flexible tube portion that is coupled to an output end of the tube nipple, which may be rigid. The housing and tube nipple are configured and arranged such that the angle between a longitudinal axis of the tube nipple and the vertical axis is obtuse, minimizing the stress on the ear canal when the flexible eartip is inserted therein. An acoustic damper may be located at or near the input end of the tube nipple to prevent ear wax from clogging the damper and minimize the need for damper replacement.

Abstract: A directional microphone assembly for a hearing aid is disclosed. The hearing aid has one or more microphone cartridge(s), and first and second sound passages. Inlets to the sound passages, or the sound passages themselves, are spaced apart such that the shortest distance between them is less than or approximately equal to the length of the microphone cartridge(s). A sound duct and at least one surface of a microphone cartridge may form each sound passage, where the sound duct is mounted with the microphone cartridge. Alternatively, each sound duct may be formed as an integral part of a microphone cartridge.

Abstract: An insert earphone is provided in which a piece of foam material is used to resiliently mount a receiver within a chamber portion of a one-piece plastic housing member. The receiver has an output port extending through a central aperture of the piece of foam material and into one end of a passage defined by a tubular portion of the housing member with a damper being disposed in the other end of the passage. The tubular portion is inserted into an ear tip or other coupling device and has an enlarged diameter end section to achieve a locking action. Two such insert earphones may be coupled through cables to a junction unit and filters are provided for enhancing the drive of the earphones at high frequencies, the filters being preferably mounted in the junction unit.