Abstract: A receiver is disclosed for use in listening devices, such as hearing aids. The receiver comprises an electromagnetic drive assembly that includes a bobbin having a coil of conductive wire formed thereon. The bobbin is capable of compensating for the deflections on the armature that may be caused by shock. The bobbin is also capable of centering an armature leg within the coil.

Abstract: A directional microphone includes a housing, a diaphragm dividing the housing into a front volume and a back volume, electronics for detecting signals corresponding to movements of the diaphragm, and front and back inlets for the front and back volumes, respectively. To obtain additional low frequency roll-off in the directional microphone, the directional microphone includes an elongated acoustical conduit connecting the front volume and the back volume. The acoustical conduit may be external or internal to the housing.

Abstract: A high impedance circuit includes a diode-connected MOSFET circuit. This circuit may be used in a buffer amplifier of a hearing aid microphone, coupled across an input of the buffer amplifier and providing a high input impedance.

Abstract: A microphone and method for dampening the frequency response of the microphone by disposing a dampening frame in a rear volume of the microphone. The microphone generally includes a housing, a diaphragm, a damping frame, and a backplate. The diaphragm rests on embossments in the housing, and a damping frame including a damping slit cut into an inner edge of the damping frame is positioned against the diaphragm. The backplate is positioned adjacent the damping frame to define an aperture which allows air to escape from the area between the backplate and the diaphragm into the rear volume of the microphone, thus dampening the frequency response of the microphone. The method includes the steps of aligning a sheet of diaphragms with a sheet of damping frames, curing these two sheets to form a carrier sheet having a plurality of subassemblies, singulating each subassembly, installing a backplate onto each subassembly to form a cartridge, and placing the cartridge into a microphone housing.

Abstract: A microphone for converting sound into an electrical signal includes a generally cylindrical housing including an inlet for receiving sound, an inner backplate, and an outer backplate. The inner and outer backplates are generally cylindrical and substantially concentric with each other. A cylindrical membrane is disposed between the inner and outer backplates. The membrane divides an interior of said housing into a front volume and a back volume. The front volume is in direct communication with the inlet. The backplates and/or membrane are charged. Electronics are included for detecting movement of the membrane relative to the inner and outer backplates in response to the membrane moving when subjected to the sound. The backplates and membrane may be of a shape that approximates a cylinder, such as those that have a hexagonal or octagonal cross-section.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of receiving and processing both audio and non-audio signals for use in a hearing aid or other listening device comprising converting electromagnetic radiation to electrical signals, amplifying said electrical signals to produce amplified signals, and filtering the amplified signals in an audio frequency range. The invention extends to a novel integrated amplified telecoil system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: Microphone/amplifier system in which the microphone comprises a case with an inlet opening, a diaphragm and a backplate, and the amplifier is arranged in the case and is coupled to the diaphragm/backplate system. In the case, the diaphragm forms a first partition between a first compartment containing the inlet opening to the surroundings and a second compartment accommodating the amplifier. According to the invention, the second compartment is divided by a second partition into a first and second subcompartment, while an opening of a predetermined volume is provided in the second partition, this volume having a magnitude such that air in the first subcompartment can be caused to vibrate only with sound vibrations of low frequencies. Through this feature, the frequency characteristic of the system can be influenced.

Abstract: A microphone is constructed to be more tolerant to a wide range of relative humidity conditions without adversely affecting the performance of the microphone. The microphone includes a housing with a sound port for receiving sound and an electret assembly for converting the sound into an output signal. The electret assembly includes a diaphragm and a backplate. The backplate is made of at least two layers, usually polymeric layers. The first layer of material has a first hygroscopic coefficient and a second layer of material has a second hygroscopic coefficient. The first and second layers cause the backplate to bend in response to higher humidity conditions, thereby minimizing the adverse effects on microphone performance caused by characteristic changes in the diaphragm at the higher humidity conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly comprising an electrical element, such as a coil, and especially to an assembly more easily assembled. Assemblies of this type are used for receivers for hearing aids or sound generators for e.g. mobile telephones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a directional microphone assembly comprising a front and a rear microphone for compact communication devices, such as hearing aids, mobile phones etc. The present invention integrates most or all electronic processing circuits required to form a directional microphone output signal using a front and a rear microphone signal. Accordingly, the directional microphone assembly according to the present invention occupies less volume compared to traditional microphone assemblies.

Abstract: A transducer comprising a coil having a first air gap, a magnetic member having a second air gap and an armature. The armature includes an armature leg that extends through the first and second air gaps. The armature leg is capable of movement-within the air gaps. The magnetic member includes at least one nub extending into the second air gap. The nub limits the movement of the armature leg within the second air gap.