Abstract: A skin interface apparatus configured as an interface of a prosthesis with skin of a recipient, including a first portion configured for direct contact with skin of the recipient, and a second portion configured for direct contact with skin of the recipient, wherein the portions have different material properties. In an exemplary embodiment, the first portion is a part of a holding plate pad of a hearing prosthesis and the second portion is part of a driving plate pad of the hearing prosthesis.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone includes a first dummy pad elevating a circumferential portion of an intermediate insulation layer adjacent to a second pad electrode, a second dummy pad elevating a first circumferential portion of an upper insulation layer adjacent to the second pad electrode, and a third dummy pad elevating a second circumferential portion of the upper insulation layer adjacent to the first pad electrode. Thus the first circumferential portion of the upper insulation layer is elevated relative to an upper surface of the second pad electrode, and the second circumferential portion of the upper insulation layer is elevated relative to an upper surface of the first pad electrode.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone, a manufacturing method thereof and an electronic apparatus are disclosed. The MEMS microphone comprises: a MEMS microphone device including a MEMS microphone chip and a mesh membrane monolithically integrated with the MEMS microphone chip; and a housing including an acoustic port, wherein the MEMS microphone device is mounted in the housing, and the mesh membrane is arranged between the MEMS microphone chip and the acoustic port as a particle filter for the MEMS microphone chip.

Abstract: Method for selecting and adjusting in a customised manner a hearing aid comprising the following steps: A. receiving (100) indications on one or more needs of a patient; B. receiving (200) indications from the patient concerning his/her perception of his/her own hearing with respect to listening situations by assigning a respective value on a first value scale; C. performing (300) an audiometric PTA test on the patient, wherein the patient wears a headset and hearing is not assisted by any hearing aid; D. performing (400) an audiometric ANL test on the patient; E. in the case where the resulting value of the audiometric PTA test is not larger than 80 dB, performing (500) an audiometric SPIN test on the patient; F.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless sound device comprising: a housing having a sound hole formed on one side thereof; a sound output unit provided to the housing so as to output sound via the sound hole; a substrate provided to the housing so as to be positioned on the other side of the sound output unit; a battery provided to the housing so as to be positioned on the other side of the substrate, and comprising a pair of electrodes; a wireless communication unit provided to the substrate and carrying out wireless communication by supplying an RF signal; a pair of power terminals for connecting the pair of electrodes with the substrate so as to receive power from the battery; and a feed line connected to at least one of the pair of electrodes so as to supply the RF signal from the wireless communication unit to the at least one of the pair of electrodes, wherein the electrode connected to the feed line is an antenna for radiating the RF signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a head-wearable hearing device comprising a switched capacitor DC-DC converter. Said switched capacitor DC-DC converter comprises a plurality of individually controllable semiconductor switches and a plurality of flying capacitors. A controller is connected to respective control terminals of the plurality of individually controllable semiconductor switches to configure first and second converter sections to form first and second converter topologies, respectively.

Abstract: Various implementations include control mechanisms for conversation assistance audio devices. In some cases, an interface with a representation of the conversation assistance audio device in space is used to control audio functions in the device. In other cases, directionality of the device is controlled based upon the user's visual focus direction. In additional cases, the operating mode of the device is adjustable based upon the signature of a nearby acoustic signal.

Abstract: An assembly for a hearing aid is disclosed. The hearing aid with the assembly comprises an in the ear part and a behind the ear part and a part mechanically interconnecting the two parts. In the interconnection, a flexible substrate is arranged. The flexible substrate comprises conductive paths. The conductive paths may be used for communication between the in the ear part and the behind the ear part, and/or for an antenna function.

Abstract: A tunable contact microphone is fabricated from nanometer size piezoelectric materials. The piezoelectric nanostructures are deposited on a flexible substrate or tunable resonant backplane. The backplane can be designed to vibrate at fundamental harmonic or sub-harmonic frequencies from 10 Hz to 20 KHz, corresponding to vibration frequencies of the human cranium. The backplane can be attached to a band or other material that will facilitate the attachment to the forehead, behind the ear or throat, with a preferred location being the forehead. When a person speaks, the backplane vibrates causing the nanostructures to generate electricity. The electrical signals are sent to an impedance matching preamplifier. The signal can then be sent to a communications system or fed into the microphone input of a communication system.

Abstract: A sound reproduction device of the present disclosure includes a detection device that detects an object in a detecting area, and a superdirective speaker that can output a sound. In the superdirective speaker, directivity is set for the detecting area. When the detection device detects the object in the detecting area, the superdirective speaker outputs a sound to the detecting area.

Abstract: A sound output apparatus, a display apparatus and a method for controlling the same are provided. The sound output apparatus includes a housing; and at least one speaker provided on a side of the housing, wherein the housing includes an accommodation portion provided with an insertion groove to which the at least one speaker is inserted and mounted, wherein the at least one speaker includes a sound generator configured to generate a sound; and a guide tube that has a cross sectional area that changes from a first end of the guide tube to a second end of the guide tube, and wherein the guide tube receives the generated sound via the first end, and the guide tube includes an outer surface having a plurality of radiation apertures arranged in at least one row.

Abstract: A movable embedded microstructure includes a substrate, a diaphragm, a circuit board, a permanent magnetic element, and a multi-layered coil. The substrate has a hollow chamber. The diaphragm is disposed on the substrate, and covers the hollow chamber. The circuit board is bonded to the substrate. The permanent magnetic element is disposed on the circuit board and in the hollow chamber. The multi-layered coil is embedded in the diaphragm.

Abstract: A headset system for interchangeable wearing styles is disclosed. A retention element is detachably coupled to an earpiece, allowing the headset to interchange between a headband, ear loop and neckband wearing style. The retention element comprises a security element that prevents rotation of the earpiece when coupled, providing a stable and ergonomic wearing experience.

Abstract: A wearable microphone array apparatus and system used as a directional audio system and as an assisted listening device. The present invention advances hearing aids and assisted listening devices to allow construction of a highly directional audio array that is wearable, natural sounding, and convenient to direct, as well as to provide directional cues to users who have partial or total loss of hearing in one or both ears. The advantages of the invention include simultaneously providing high gain, high directivity, high side lobe attenuation, and consistent beam width; providing significant beam forming at lower frequencies where substantial noises are present, particularly in noisy, reverberant environments; and allowing construction of a cost effective body-worn or body-carried directional audio device.

Abstract: A hearing protection device comprises a first earpiece comprising a first transducer for provision of a first ear canal input signal and a first receiver for provision of a first audio output signal based on a first ear canal output signal. The hearing protection device comprises a second earpiece comprising a second transducer for provision of a second ear canal input signal and a second receiver for provision of a second audio output signal based on a second ear canal output signal. The hearing protection device comprises a first mixer module, connected to the first earpiece and a controller module, for provision of a first output signal based on one or more first input signals. The hearing protection device comprises a second mixer module, connected to the second earpiece and the controller module, for provision of a second output signal based on one or more second input signals.

Abstract: A pre-distorted electrical excitation signal is generated for an acoustic transducer having an armature and a non-linear transfer characteristic by applying an electrical input signal (x) representative of a desired acoustic output to a computable non-linear function that is a function of the electrical input signal (x). When applied to an input of the transducer, the pre-distorted electrical excitation signal results in an improved acoustic output signal.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique for delivering audio output and generates haptic sensations on or proximate to objects in an environment via which a user can perceive haptic sensations. The device includes transducer arrays that operate in various modalities, including generating audio output, generating haptic output, and sensing objects in the environment. When generating audio output, the transducer arrays produce ultrasonic waves that demodulate to produce audio output. When generating haptic output, the transducer arrays output directional haptic output to various locations to the environment using constructive and/or destructive interference. When sensing objects in the environment, the transducer arrays generate pings and detect ping echoes reflected off of objects in the environment.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone includes a MEMS transducer, a sealing cover, and a package substrate. The MEMS transducer includes an element substrate, a plurality of cantilevered beams, and a weight. An airtight sealing structure is formed with the sealing cover and the package substrate, which is formed by mounting the MEMS transducer on the package substrate, and adhering the sealing cover to the package substrate so as to surround the MEMS transducer.

Abstract: A combinatorial inner module is installed primarily inside a wireless earphone, including a circuit loop, a lower cover and an upper cover. The circuit loop is provided with a first circuit board and a second circuit board which is extended from the first circuit board. The upper cover is disposed above the lower cover to fix the first circuit board between the upper cover and the lower cover. Moreover, the upper cover includes a first side wall which is formed with an angle with respect to the lower cover and is used to install the second circuit board, forming an included angle between the second circuit board and the first circuit board. Therefore, the inner module is formed into a modularized design to simplify the assembly procedure of the wireless earphone, which reduces the labor cost in assembling the wireless earphone significantly.

Abstract: Headphone eartips with internal support components and methods for making the same are provided. Different support components may provide specific amounts and types of additional rigidity at specific portions of an exterior surface of an outer eartip body that may be expected to interface with specific portions of an ear canal geometry when an eartip subassembly is positioned within the ear canal, such that the eartip subassembly may conform to the various shapes of the ear canal while maintaining an acoustic seal.