Abstract: A microphone package structure includes a substrate, sound wave transducer, processing chip, lid, sound aperture, at least one first solder pad and at least one second solder pad. The substrate has a top side, a bottom side and two opposing lateral sides. The top and bottom sides each connect the lateral sides. The sound wave transducer and processing chip are disposed on the top side. The lid covers the substrate to form a chamber for containing the sound wave transducer and the processing chip electrically connected to the substrate and sound wave transducer. The sound aperture is disposed at the substrate or lid. The at least one first solder pad is disposed on the bottom side and in electrical conduction with the processing chip. The at least one second solder pad is disposed on one of the lateral sides and in electrical conduction with the processing chip.

Abstract: The present application describes on-head detection by a capacitive sensing bone conduction transducer (BCT) system and applications thereof. An example apparatus includes a wearable computing device comprising: (1) the BCT comprising a transducer coupled to a BCT frame, wherein (a) the BCT frame couples the BCT to a component of the wearable computing device, (b) at least a portion of the BCT frame is conductive, wherein the conductive portion of the BCT frame is arranged to capacitively couple the BCT to a wearer when the wearable computing device is worn, and (c) the BCT is configured to receive and be driven by an audio signal; (2) a capacitive sensor controller; and (3) at least one connective component that further couples the conductive portion of the BCT frame to the capacitive sensor controller.

Abstract: Evaluating an implanted hearing prosthesis, including operating the implanted hearing prosthesis, capturing sound generated by a transducer of the prosthesis during said operation, and comparing the captured sound to a sound model.

Abstract: A method of thinning a multilayer laminate material used for a membrane stiffening plate is provided to obtain a membrane stiffening plate having a thickness less than currently known in the art. The method provides for a significant reduction in the thickness of a membrane stiffening plate and provides for a mechanism to tune the cut-off frequency of a loudspeaker on which the membrane stiffening plate is used.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for wireless electronics using a MEMS switch for a hearing assistance device. The present application relates to a hearing assistance device configured to be worn by a wearer. The hearing assistance device includes a housing for electronics of the hearing assistance device, including wireless electronics. The wireless electronics include a plurality of radio frequency (RF) MEMS switches, in various embodiments. A hearing assistance processor is adapted to process signals for the wearer of the hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the hearing assistance device includes an antenna, and a switchable capacitor bank configured for tuning the antenna, the switchable capacitor bank including one or more of the plurality of RF MEMS switches. The plurality of RF MEMS switches include an electrostatically deformed RF MEMS membrane, in an embodiment. Different configurations and approaches are provided.

Abstract: In an auditory prosthesis having an external unit and an internal unit for implantation in a recipient, a method of operation includes: characterizing an acoustic signal received by the auditory prosthesis; adjusting at least one parameter of the auditory prosthesis based on the characterized acoustic signal; and processing the acoustic signal to provide an encoded signal for transmission to the internal unit; wherein an amount of energy transmitted in the encoded signal depends on the at least one parameter.

Abstract: A passive radiator is provided for use in a loudspeaker system in which the passive radiator and a driver are connected to one another within a speaker enclosure by an acoustic coupler having a coupler opening such that the driver and the passive radiator are located in different planes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved connections for components of hearing assistance devices. Various embodiments include an apparatus including a receiver case configured to house a hearing assistance device receiver, the receiver case including a spherical receiver spout having an opening. The apparatus also includes a receptacle housing having a spherical socket adapted to mate with the spherical receiver spout to form a ball and socket connection. An insert within the spherical socket is configured to establish a retained interference fit with the opening of the receiver spout when the connection is formed so as to create an acoustic seal therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ear gear (100; 200), such as headphones, headset, ear protection or similar, having a pair of earpieces (102, 103; 203), being attached generally to a respective end region (106, 107; 206, 207) of an interconnecting headband (108; 208). Each earpiece is adjustably associated with the headband, for adjustment of the position of the earpieces relative to the headband. The ear gear further comprises at least two extending legs (106A, 106B, 107A, 107B; 206A, 206B, 207A, 207B) provided at the end region (106, 107; 206, 207) at the headband, and arm members (110, 111; 211) that at one end (110A, 111A; 211A) are attached to a respective earpiece. Further, the ear gear comprises an end cap (110E, 111E; 211E) provided at the respective headband end region (106, 107; 206, 207). At least one of the extended legs is rotatably arranged to each end cap (110E, 111E; 211E), such that the end cap can rotate relative to the at least one leg (106A, 106B, 107A, 107B; 206A, 206B, 207A, 207B).

Abstract: An apparatus may include an ear piece housing, an intelligent control disposed within the ear piece housing, and a transceiver disposed within the ear piece housing and operatively connected to the intelligent control. An apparatus may further include a microphone operatively connected to the intelligent control, a speaker operatively connected to the intelligent control, and a sensor operatively connected to the intelligent control. An apparatus is adapted to receive input from the microphone and/or the sensor and communicate the input through the transceiver to an electronic device in operative communication with the transceiver.

Abstract: Example techniques may involve controlling a passive radiator. An implementation may include a device buffering successive samples of audio content. For sets of buffered samples, the device predicts excursion of the passive radiator caused by playback of the respective set of buffered samples by active speakers via a model. The device limits excursion of the passive radiator to less than an excursion limit when certain sets of buffered samples are predicted to cause the passive radiator to move beyond the excursion limit. The device plays back the successive samples of the modified audio content via the active speakers. The device measures excursion of the passive radiator when sets of buffered samples are played back via the active speakers. For sets of samples, the device determines respective differences between the predicted excursion and the measured excursion and adjusts the model to offset determined differences between the predicted and measured excursion.

Abstract: A microphone includes a tubular first and second acoustic tubes configured with a gap between the second acoustic tube and an inner side of the wall surface of the first acoustic tube. A first opening portion is provided in a wall surface of the first acoustic tube. A second opening portion is provided in a wall surface of the second acoustic tube. A microphone unit is provided inside the second acoustic tube and is configured to acquire sound waves from outside the microphone. A sound wave introduction path formed by the first opening portion, the gap, and the second opening portion, is configured to transmit the sound wave from the outside to the microphone unit.

Abstract: An ear piece for use by an individual having an external auditory canal includes an earpiece housing configured for placement within the external auditory canal of the individual, a processor disposed within the ear piece housing, at least one microphone disposed within the earpiece housing wherein the at least one earpiece is positioned to detect ambient environmental sound, and at least one speaker disposed within the earpiece housing. The ear piece is configured to detect ambient environmental sound proximate the external auditory canal of the individual using the at least one microphone and reproduce the ambient environmental sound at the at least one speaker within the earpiece housing. The processor is further configured to modify the ambient environmental sound based on shape of the external auditory canal such that audio perception of the ambient environmental sound is as if the ear piece was not present.

Abstract: An earpiece includes an earpiece housing, a processor disposed within the earpiece housing, and a gesture based interface operatively connected to the processor and configured to detect changes in an energy field associated with user gestures. The processor is configured to interpret the changes in the energy field to determine the user gestures.

Abstract: An audio processing pipeline, for an auditory prosthesis, includes: a common stage, including a common frequency analysis filter bank, configured to generate a common set of processed signals based on an input audio signal; and first and second stimulator-specific stages, responsive to the common set of signals and including first and second frequency-analysis filter banks, configured to generate first and second sets of processed signals adapted for the first and second hearing stimulators, respectively.

Abstract: A resilient element is used to bias a vibration element of an auditory prosthesis towards the skin of a recipient. This helps improve transmission of vibration stimuli to the recipient. Additionally, the resilient element helps reduce feedback caused by the vibration element vibrating in close proximity to sound processing components contained within the auditory prosthesis.

Abstract: An ear mount that is used to support one or more audio components proximate to a user's ear or head is disclosed. The ear mount can include one or more wire grooves to secure wires and/or the one or more audio components. The ear mount can be malleable so its shape can be customized for a given user. The ear mount can also be length alterable for customization of its size as well as placement of audio components. The ear mount also facilitates rapid setup and/or alteration for individual users whereby different audio components and/or their placement can be customized. The ear mount can also be colored or camouflaged to match the user's skin or clothing.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide miniature sounder which includes a frame and a vibration system and a magnetic path system fixedly connected to the frame. The magnetic path system includes a lower clamping board, a primary magnet disposed on the lower clamping board, secondary magnets disposed on the lower clamping board and arranged around the primary magnet, and a cushion provided on the lower clamping board and located outside the secondary magnets, a gap being provided between two adjacent secondary magnets. The vibration system includes a voice diaphragm, a voice coil which drives the voice diaphragm to vibrate and generate a sound, and a vibrating diaphragm which elastically supports the voice coil. The vibrating diaphragm includes a first connecting portion connected to the voice coil, a second connecting portion connected to the cushion, and a corrugated rim connecting the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

Abstract: A loudspeaker device having housing and an acoustic transducer is disclosed. The housing has a transducer space for the acoustic transducer, and a back volume space. The back volume filled with a sound adsorber material and a foam material. The sound adsorber material in the back volume space is configured to virtually increase the size of the back volume space, and shift the resonant frequency of the back volume space. The foam material separates the sound adsorber from the transducer space and facilitates gas exchange and air flow within the back volume space and between the sound adsorber and the transducer space. The foam material is configured in different arrangements to facilitate the gas exchange and air flow.

Abstract: Driver for an acoustic transducer having a moving coil of substantially equal length to the air gap. The air gap may itself be extended in length using an upper or lower lip, or both. A stationary coil is also provided. The moving and stationary coils can be controlled by suitable control blocks to form an electromagnet-based transducer with reduced distortion.