Abstract: An earpiece including an intra-auricular support, a projection element coupled thereto, and a flexible body disposed thereon and inside an external ear canal of an ear, and a moldable earpiece material moldable about the intra-auricular support to conform to the auricle of an ear and curable to provide a fixed configuration of the earpiece.

Abstract: An acoustic variable porting system includes an acoustic element and an acoustic variable porting element forming a port into the acoustic element. The acoustic variable porting element is adjustable between at least an open position, in which the port is generally open, and a closed position, in which the port is generally closed. The acoustic element may be at least one of: a sub-kick, a ported drum, and a speaker.

Abstract: At least one of the first or second hearing prostheses of a binaural hearing prosthesis system includes a dual-mode sound processing unit that is configured to selectively operate in a “sound processing mode” or in a “wireless streaming mode.” When operating in the sound processing mode, the dual-mode sound processing unit is configured to convert received sound signals into output signals for use in stimulating a first ear of a recipient. However, while operating in the wireless streaming mode, the dual-mode sound processing unit is configured to capture input signals (e.g., sound signals, data signals, etc.) and to encode those input signals for direct or indirect wireless transmission to the sound processing unit of the other hearing prosthesis of the binaural hearing system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a receiver module integrated with a duct. The present disclosure provides a receiver module integrated with a duct in which a back volume and a duct are provided at an outer circumference of a frame of a receiver.

Abstract: Techniques used to selectively amplify audio signals are described in connection with audio amplification devices, such as hearing aids. A device and its operation are described to facilitate setting low and high tone/volume controls separately, using at least two selection mechanisms. In one aspect, a first selection mechanism includes a pitch frequency control rocker switch and the second selection mechanism includes a bass frequency control rocker switch disposed separately. In one aspect, the bass frequency control rocker switch causes a processor to bias the frequency response of the sound amplifier for frequencies below 1 kHz. In another aspect, the pitch frequency control rocker switch causes a processor to bias the frequency response of the hearing for frequencies above 1 kHz. In another aspect, the selection mechanism involves the separate attenuation of treble and bass adjustments in response to a user selection of a rocker switch setting for each adjustment.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel extending in a plane. The panel audio loudspeaker includes an actuator attached to the panel. The actuator includes a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel, the rigid frame including a portion extending perpendicular to the panel surface. The actuator also includes an elongate flexure attached at one end the frame, the flexure extending parallel to the plane. The actuator includes one or more tabs. The actuator includes an electromechanical module attached to a portion of the flexure, the electromechanical module being configured to displace an end of the flexure. The actuator includes a vibration damping material located between each of the one or more tabs and a corresponding feature of the frame or the electromechanical module. One or more of the tabs can engage either the rigid frame or the electromechanical module to damp the vibrations.

Abstract: A panel audio loudspeaker includes a panel extending in a plane. The loudspeaker also includes an actuator coupled to one side of the panel and configured to couple vibrations to the panel to cause the panel to emit audio waves. The actuator includes a rigid frame attached to a surface of the panel, the rigid frame includes a portion extending perpendicular to the panel surface and a plate extending parallel to the panel. The actuator also includes a magnet assembly and a magnetic coil forming a magnetic circuit. The actuator further includes at least one flexible member connecting the magnetic circuit to the portion of the rigid frame extending perpendicular to the panel surface. The actuator also includes a compliant member positioned between the magnetic circuit and the panel, the compliant member being configured to increase output of the loudspeaker compared to the actuator without the compliant member.

Abstract: A piezoelectric microelectromechanical systems microphone can be mounted on a printed circuit board. The microphone can include a substrate with an opening between a bottom end of the substrate and a top end of the substrate. The microphone can include a single piezoelectric film layer disposed over the top end of the substrate and defining a diaphragm structure, the single piezoelectric film layer being substantially flat with substantially zero residual stress and formed from a piezoelectric wafer. The microphone can include one or more electrodes disposed over the diaphragm structure. The diaphragm structure is configured to deflect when subjected to sound pressure via the opening in the substrate.

Abstract: A piezoelectric microelectromechanical acoustic transducer, having a semiconductor substrate with a frame portion and a through cavity defined internally by the frame portion; an active membrane, suspended above the through cavity and anchored, at a peripheral portion thereof, to the frame portion of the substrate by an anchorage structure, a plurality of piezoelectric sensing elements carried by a front surface of the active membrane so as to detect mechanical stresses of the active membrane; a passive membrane, suspended above the through cavity, underneath the active membrane, interposed between the through cavity and a rear surface of the active membrane; and a pillar element, which fixedly couples, and is centrally interposed between, the active membrane and the passive membrane. A ventilation hole passes through the entire active membrane, the passive membrane and the pillar element to set the through cavity in fluidic communication with the front surface of the active membrane.

Abstract: A piezoelectric MEMS microphone is disclosed. The microphone includes a base having a cavity; a piezoelectric diaphragm; a fixation beam connecting with the piezoelectric diaphragm; and a support beam connecting with the base and the fixation beam. The piezoelectric diaphragm has a number of diaphragm sheets fixed by the fixation beam, each diaphragm sheet having a fixed end and a free end. The fixed end is connected with the fixation beam, and the free end extends from the fixed end to two sides and is suspended above the cavity. Compared with the related art, mechanical strength of the diaphragm sheet is improved, and the output intensity of the signal is improved.

Abstract: A speaker device includes: a diaphragm that radiates sound; an edge arranged in an outer periphery of the diaphragm; an attachment part facing an outer peripheral region of the edge; and a connecting member held between the outer peripheral region of the edge and the attachment part. A width of the connecting member is greater than a width of the outer peripheral region of the edge.

Abstract: A head-gear mounted bone-conducting microphone includes a housing attachable to a helmet and a transducer housed in a flexible shroud. The shroud is attached to the housing. A resilient material is disposed within the shroud. A void is provided between the resilient material and the housing to prevent the transducer from transmitting vibrations directly from the housing to the transducer. This configuration allows the microphone to effectively mechanically isolate the minuscule vibrations associated with speech from the enormous vibrations associated with most loud environments (machinery, equipment, transportation, aircraft, tanks, construction, sporting events, etc.).

Abstract: A hearing system includes a hearing aid (10) and personal communication device (20) connected via a short range data communication link. The hearing aid has a signal processor (13) processing an audio signal according to audio processing parameters, a sub-system applying respective sets of processing parameters for at least two modes, a classifier component (51) statistically analyzing the environment by comparing specific characteristics of an electrical input signal to one or more thresholds. A program selector component (16) selects automatically an appropriate mode for the signal processing sub-system according to the classifier output. The personal communication device offers the user an interface for controlling and interacting with the program selector component of the hearing aid, and for generating and transmitting a notification to the hearing aid. Upon reception of the notification, the processor adjusts at least one of the one or more thresholds used by the classifier component.

Abstract: A speaker diaphragm and a molding method therefor are provided. The speaker diaphragm comprises: a lead wire; a lead wire enclosure portion, wherein the lead wire enclosure portion has a membrane part and support protrusions, the support protrusions are distributed on a surface of the membrane part, the thickness of the membrane part is larger than or equal to the diameter of the lead wire, the thickness of the overall lead wire enclosure portion is larger than the diameter of the lead wire, and a part of the lead wire is injection-molded in the lead wire enclosure portion; and a diaphragm layer, wherein the diaphragm layer is configured to form an overall structure of the speaker diaphragm, the thickness of the diaphragm layer is larger than or equal to the thickness of the overall lead wire enclosure portion, and the lead wire enclosure portion is injection-molded in the diaphragm layer.

Abstract: An earphone comprising an earphone housing having a wall comprising (1) a front side that joins (2) an end portion in which a primary sound output opening is formed, which joins (3) a face portion in which a secondary output opening is formed, which joins (4) a back side which joins the front side and encloses a driver, wherein the primary output opening is dimensioned to output sound generated by a diaphragm of the driver contained within the earphone housing into the ear and the secondary output opening is dimensioned to vent the ear to a surrounding environment, and wherein the primary output opening and the secondary output opening face different directions.

Abstract: A voice controlled assistant has a housing to hold one or more microphones, one or more speakers, and various computing components. The housing has an elongated cylindrical body extending along a center axis between a base end and a top end. The microphone(s) are mounted in the top end and the speaker(s) are mounted proximal to the base end. The microphone(s) and speaker(s) are coaxially aligned along the center axis. The speaker(s) are oriented to output sound directionally toward the base end and opposite to the microphone(s) in the top end. The sound may then be redirected in a radial outward direction from the center axis at the base end so that the sound is output symmetric to, and equidistance from, the microphone(s).

Abstract: A sound processing device is provided with a correction unit that corrects a sound pickup signal. The sound pickup signal is obtained by picking up a sound with a microphone array. The correction unit corrects the sound pickup signal based on directional information that indicates a direction of the microphone array in spherical coordinates, during the picking up of the sound.

Abstract: A speaker includes a frame, a vibration unit fixed to the frame, and a magnetic circuit unit fixed to the frame. The vibration unit includes a diaphragm fixed to the frame, and a coil configured to drive the diaphragm to vibrate and sound. The diaphragm includes a dome. The dome includes a first layer, a second layer and a third layer which are stacked sequentially in a direction from the coil to the diaphragm. The second layer includes a honeycomb structure. The third layer includes a body and a plurality of through holes extending through the body in a vibration direction of the diaphragm. The through holes communicate with the honey structure of the second layer form a resonance cavity.

Abstract: The invention provides a piezoelectric micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) microphone includes a base with a cavity and a piezoelectric diaphragm arranged on the base. The base has a ring base and a support column. The piezoelectric diaphragm includes a plurality of diaphragm sheets. Each diaphragm sheet has a fixing end connected with the support column and a free end suspended above the cavity. The widths of the diaphragm sheets are gradually increased from the fixing ends to the free ends. According to the piezoelectric MEMS microphone provided by the invention, under sound pressure, the free ends vibrate, wide free ends drive short fixing ends, and the diaphragm sheets close the fixing ends generate greater deformation to generate more charge. Therefore, the sensitivity can be further improved.

Abstract: A distributed mode actuator (DMA) includes a flat panel extending in a plane and a rigid, elongate member extended parallel to the plane. The member is mechanically coupled to a face of the flat panel at a point. An end of the member is free to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the plane. The DMA also includes a magnet and an electrically-conducting coil. Either the magnet or the coil is mechanically coupled to the member. When the coil is energized, an interaction between a magnetic field of the magnet and a magnetic field from the coil applies a force sufficient to displace the member in the direction perpendicular to the plane. The DMA further includes an electronic control module electrically coupled to the coil and programmed to energize the coil to vibrate the member to produce an audio response from the flat panel.