Abstract: An integrated circuit that senses a phenomenon, such as a magnetic field, may be mounted upside down on a carrier substrate so that the electrical connections to the integrated sensor circuit may be made on the side facing the carrier. This eliminates the need for wirebonds on the side of the sensor integrated circuit that faces the phenomenon being sensed, thereby substantially eliminating any uneven topography on that side. The sensor integrated circuit is able to sense the phenomenon by sensing it through the body of the sensor integrated circuit. The body of the sensor integrated circuit may have a thickness within a vicinity of fifty microns.

Abstract: A digital hearing aid is provided that includes front and rear microphones, a sound processor, and a speaker. Embodiments of the digital hearing aid include an occlusion subsystem, and a directional processor and headroom expander. The front microphone receives a front microphone acoustical signal and generates a front microphone analog signal. The rear microphone receives a rear microphone acoustical signal and generates a rear microphone analog signal. The front and rear microphone analog signals are converted into the digital domain, and at least the front microphone signal is coupled to the sound processor. The sound processor selectively modifies the signal characteristics and generates a processed signal. The processed signal is coupled to the speaker which converts the signal to an acoustical hearing aid output signal that is directed into the ear canal of the digital hearing aid user.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for transmitting audio via the serial data port of a hearing instrument. At least one hearing instrument microphone may be used for receiving an audio input signal. A sound processor may be used for processing the audio input signal to compensate for a hearing impairment and generate a processed audio signal. At least one hearing instrument receiver may be used for converting the processed audio signal into an audio output signal. A serial data port may be used to couple the hearing instrument to an external device in order to transmit bi-directional audio signals between the hearing instrument and the external device. The serial data port may be coupled to the external device to transmit at least one of the audio input signal, the processed audio signal and the audio output signal to the external device.

Abstract: A vent configuration for a hearing instrument comprises a vent tube having a length and a vent opening, and at least one cell positioned around the periphery of the vent tube. The at least one cell is closed at a first inner end and open at an outer end, which is adjacent the vent opening. The cell is a tube that extends around the periphery of the vent tube along a portion of the length of the vent tube. A hearing instrument incorporating the vent configuration is also included.

Abstract: A hearing instrument includes a faceplate and a shell. The faceplate is a round plate that has a moat defined in the surface of the plate and at least one feature associated with the plate for joining with a hearing instrument component. The moat is a trench or channel that is defined in the surface of the faceplate and includes a wall structure for coupling with a shell of a hearing instrument. The moat may be defined symmetrically about the at least one feature. The moat may be oval in shape and have a rectangular cross-section. A cut out is positioned on the faceplate for use in speeding the excising of material from the faceplate once the shell has been coupled to the faceplate.

Abstract: A low-noise directional microphone system includes a front microphone, a rear microphone, a low-noise phase-shifting circuit and a summation circuit. The front microphone generates a front microphone signal, and the rear microphone generates a rear microphone signal. The low-noise phase-shifting circuit implements a frequency-dependent phase difference between the front microphone signal and the rear microphone signal to create a controlled loss in directional gain and to maintain a maximum level of noise amplification over a pre-determined frequency band. The summation circuit combines the front and rear microphone signals to generate a directional microphone signal.

Abstract: A hearing instrument system detects the insertion or removal of a hearing instrument into a space and includes first and second acoustic transducers, first and second level detection circuitry, and signal processing circuitry. The first acoustic transducer receives a first electrical signal and in response radiates acoustic energy, and the second acoustic transducer receives radiated acoustic energy and in response generates a second electrical signal. The first level detection circuitry is operable to receive the first electrical signal and generate a first intensity signal, and the second level detection circuitry is operable to receive the second electrical signal and generate a second intensity signal. The signal processing circuitry is operable to receive the first and second intensity signals and compare the first and second intensity signals and determine whether the hearing instrument is inserted into the space or removed from the space based on the comparison.