Abstract: A low power sound recognition sensor is configured to receive an analog signal that may contain a signature sound. Sparse sound parameter information is extracted from the analog signal. The extracted sparse sound parameter information is processed using a sound signature database stored in the sound recognition sensor to identify sounds or speech contained in the analog signal, wherein the sound signature database comprises a plurality of sound signatures each representing an entire word or multiword phrase.

Abstract: A method and appertaining system for implementing the method is provided for designing hearing aids having flexible parts. Three-dimensional data is provided that is related to both a soft part and a hard part of a hearing aid component into a computer-based system. Additionally, information is entered related to material characteristics for both the soft part and the hard part of the component. A component within the hearing aid shell is placed and moved in a model generated by the system. Forces, stresses, and/or amount of deformation for parts of the component based on the location of the component and at least one of another component and the shell are calculated, and the three-dimensional data model of the shell is revised based upon the calculated degree of deformation, forces, and/or stresses.

Abstract: An apparatus including an audio transducer configured to generate sound and a structure configured to physically mount the transducer to another member. The transducer includes a housing, a diaphragm and a driver configured to move the diaphragm. The structure at least partially includes the housing. The structure includes at least one portion which is electrically conductive. The at least one portion is electrically connected to the driver.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer having a reduced cost of manufacture. The ultrasonic transducer includes a first insulative retaining layer, a second insulative retaining layer, and a vibrator film layer sandwiched between the first and second retaining layers. The first retaining layer includes a first plurality of apertures formed therethrough, and the second retaining layer includes a second plurality of apertures formed therethrough, in which the second apertures are substantially in registration with the first apertures. The ultrasonic transducer further includes a first cover portion having a plurality of spring/backplate assemblies connected thereto, and a second cover portion. The combination of the first retaining layer, the vibrator film layer, and the second retaining layer is sandwiched between the first and second cover portions of the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: Systems and methods including a wireless device in communication with, controlling, and providing streaming media to a worksite audio device. The worksite audio device, such as a radio, includes a rugged structure enabling its use on construction sites. The worksite audio device is powerable via a power tool battery pack or AC source, and includes a charger circuit to charge an inserted power tool battery using power from the AC source. The worksite audio device is in communication with an external wireless device, such as a smart phone. The worksite audio device outputs to the smart phone battery status information, such as temperature and state of charge, as well as other information about the audio device. The smart phone displays the status information received from the audio device. Additionally, a user may control the audio device via a graphical user interface of the smart phone.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling reproduction of an audio signal is provided, wherein the device is operated by means of an energy storage device. The method comprises the steps of deactivating a normal mode and activating an energy saving mode. Power consumption from the energy storage device for reproduction of the audio signal is reduced in the energy saving mode when compared to the normal mode. The method comprises reducing in the energy saving mode, a bass frequency component of a frequency spectrum of the audio signal and outputting the audio signal with reduced bass frequency component. The method further comprises ascertaining a charge state of the energy storage device and controlling the reduction in the bass frequency component based on a decrease in the charge state of the energy storage device.

Abstract: An active noise control arrangement has a signal input (SI), a microphone input (MI), a signal output (SO) and a digital interface (DI). A signal processing block (SP) coupled to the microphone input (MI) by means of an amplifier (MA) has a digitally adjustable gain and comprises combining means (CM) and a filter (TP). The signal processing block (SP) is configured to generate an output signal at the signal output (SO) as a function of an input signal at the signal input (SI) and an amplified microphone signal. A control block (CB) is coupled to the digital interface (DI) and configured to adjust the gain of the amplifier (MA).

Abstract: A portable hearing assistance device comprises an input unit, an output unit, a forward path between the input unit and the output unit, and an energy source for energizing components of the hearing assistance device. The hearing assistance device further comprises a control unit to control activation (or deactivation) of a low-power mode of operation of the hearing assistance device. When the low-power mode is activated—the draw of current from said energy source is reduced compared to a normal mode of operation of the device, the activation (or deactivation) being influenced by a combination of at least two different control input signals to the control unit, each control input signal being a signal selected from 1) signals relating to current physical environment, 2) signals relating to current acoustic environment, 3) signals relating to current wearer state, and 4) signals relating to current state or operation mode.

Abstract: Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device comprising: a first channel configured to receive a signal, wherein the signal comprises (i) a target signal and (ii) a background signal; a second channel configured to receive the signal a time t after the first channel receives the signal; a delay control circuit configured to iteratively determine a fractional delay to maximize a correlation coefficient between the signal on the first channel and the signal on the second channel; and an adaptive fractional delay filter in the first channel configured to adaptively align, in the digital domain, the signal on the first channel with the signal on the second channel based, at least in part, on the fractional delay.

Abstract: A headphone includes an ear-cup housing having an internal surface defining an internal chamber, a hole extending through the ear-cup housing, and a cable anchor device within the ear-cup housing proximate the hole. The cable anchor device includes a first support member attached to the internal surface on a first side of the hole, a second support member attached to the internal surface on a second side of the hole opposite the first side, and a cross member extending between the first support member and the second support member. A method of fabricating a headphone having such a cable anchor device includes inserting a cable through a cable hole extending through the ear-cup housing and wrapping the cable around the cross member of the cable anchor device at least once.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes examples of systems and methods of wireless remote control of appliances and medical devices using a canal hearing device upon manual activation of a switch placed in the concha cavity behind the tragus. The manual activation of the switch may be by applying a force to the tragus by a finger of a user of the canal hearing device. In one embodiment the lateral end comprises one or more manually activated switches, a wireless antenna, and a battery cell. In some examples, the wireless electronics include low energy Bluetooth. The appliance may be any device with wireless capabilities, for example an electronic lock, a thermostat, an electronic lighting, a telephone, a kitchen appliance, a medical alert system, a television, a medical device, and a smart glass. The inconspicuous and secure wear of the hearing device allows for active lifestyle, including exercise, and more discrete communications.

Abstract: Personal audio systems and methods are disclosed. A personal audio system includes a processor to generate a personal audio stream by processing the digitized ambient audio in accordance with an active processing parameter set, an event detector to detect a trigger event other than manual selection by a user of the personal audio system, and a controller configured to, in response to detection of the trigger event, select a new processing parameter set and instruct the processor to begin generating the personal audio stream by processing the digitized ambient audio in accordance with the new processing parameter set.

Abstract: An earplug for blocking sound can be installed uniformly deep in a person's ear canal and can be easily withdrawn. The earplug includes a foam cylinder (12) and a string (14) extending in a loop from the rear of the cylinder, with opposite front ends (32, 34) of the string loop projecting into the body and held therein as by adhesive (38).

Abstract: A sound processing apparatus includes a sound determination portion operable to determine whether an input sound includes a first sound emitted from a particular source based on location information of the source, a sound separation portion operable to separate the input sound into the first sound and a second sound emitted from a source different from the particular source if the sound determination portion determines that the input sound includes the first sound, and a sound mixing portion operable to mix the first sound and the second sound separated by the sound separation portion at a prescribed volume ratio.

Abstract: Described herein is a technique by which a hearing may automatically switch between a directional microphone mode and an omnidirectional microphone mode base upon an estimate of the noise floor as derived from the input signal. A minimum statistics estimator may be used to estimate the noise floor.

Abstract: A headset cup having a front cavity and a rear cavity separated by a driver, with a mass port tube connected to the rear port to present a reactive acoustic impedance to the rear cavity, in parallel with a resistive port, the total acoustic response of the rear cavity remaining linear at high power levels. In some embodiments, the mass port tube is made of metal, while the headset cup is otherwise made of plastic.

Abstract: A loudspeaker having a cylindrical sound-producing membrane includes an acoustic lens which radially surrounds the membrane. The membrane is composed of wire mesh formed into a cylinder. The cylindrical membrane is positioned on the magnet structure by an inner supporting cylindrical core column. Sound from the membrane is fractionally redirected by the lens which is centered along the axis of the membrane. The lens includes a plurality of radially disposed petals that reflect a portion of the sound. The base of the lens supports and mounts the loudspeaker magnet and driver assembly.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing ambient noise distraction with an electronic personal display is disclosed. One example determines when the electronic personal display is in reader mode. In addition, ambient noise around the electronic personal display is also detected. Noise cancelling sound waves are generated at the electronic personal display for reducing ambient noise distraction. The noise cancelling sound waves are then output from at least one speaker coupled with the electronic personal display.

Abstract: To manufacture a thermoacoustic energy converting element part, a plurality of first plates and a plurality of second plates are formed. The first plate is provided with a plurality of linear penetration slits which are in parallel with each other and separated along a direction perpendicular to an extending direction of the slit. The slit penetrates the first plate in a thickness direction. The second plate is not provided with any penetration slit. A plate assembly is formed by layering some of the plurality of first plates between adjacent two of the plurality of second plates of which main surfaces face each other. The plate assembly is provided with a plurality of communicating passages formed with the penetration slits adjoining each other in a layering direction. Portions of the assembly at both ends in the extending direction of the penetration slits are cut off to open the communicating passages on both sides of the assembly.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for attracting animals. A game call speaker system having a body portion, first speaker unit configured to rotate about a first axis, a second speaker unit configured to rotate about a second axis and a memory comprising one or more stored game calls is provided. Rotation of the first speaker unit may be independent of rotation of the second speaker unit. The first axis may be substantially parallel to the second axis. In some embodiments, the game call speaker system is configured to emit the stored game calls over a relatively wide angle (e.g., 360 degrees) relative to the body portion.