Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multi-function transducer assembly and system comprising a multi-function transducer assembly, a method of manufacturing the assembly and a method of controlling the system. The assembly includes a piezoelectric transducer layer and spaced first terminals electrically attached to the piezoelectric transducer layer. The spaced first terminals are arranged for supplying an audio frequency signal to the piezoelectric transducer layer so that the assembly can function as a speaker. Second terminals are arranged for receiving at least one signal from the piezoelectric transducer layer or supplying at least one signal to the piezoelectric transducer layer. The second terminals are electrically attached to a region of the piezoelectric transducer layer between the spaced first terminals.

Abstract: The disclosure presents a method and a hearing device comprising a first portion adapted for being arranged behind an ear of a user for providing a signal, an output transducer for converting the signal to an acoustic output, a coupling element coupling to the first portion, an antenna comprising an external antenna arranged at least externally to the first portion and an internal parasitic element, a feeding unit configured to supply a current to the external antenna, and the feeding unit is further configured to supply the current to the internal parasitic element via a wireless coupling, a wireless interface for receiving and/or transmitting data by means of the antenna, and wherein the coupling element comprises the external antenna.

Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device is configured to be worn by a wearer and comprises an enclosure configured to be supported by, in or on an ear of the wearer. Electronic circuitry is disposed in the enclosure and comprises a wireless transceiver. An antenna is disposed in or on the enclosure and coupled to the wireless transceiver via a feedline. The antenna comprises two antenna elements each comprising electrically conductive material and having an area greater than an area of the feedline. The two antenna elements are oriented substantially in opposition to one another and at least some of the electronic circuitry is disposed between the two antenna elements. At least one strap is connected to and between the two antenna elements. At least one slot radiating element is incorporated in at least one of the two antenna elements and the at least one strap.

Abstract: A speaker device includes: a diaphragm; a coil directly or indirectly attached to the diaphragm; a yoke having a notch on a bottom surface thereof; a frame to which the coil and the yoke are attached; and a first terminal provided on the frame and electrically connected to the coil. The first terminal is provided at a position corresponding to the notch of the yoke.

Abstract: A headband assembly that is constructed and arranged to be worn on or over a head of a user, having a curved compliant spring member, a cushion member that is configured to be in contact with or proximate the head of the user when the headband assembly is worn by the user, a spine that is coupled to both the cushion member and the spring member, and a cap that at least partially overlies the spring member and the spine.

Abstract: An ear protection device for hearing protection and for fastening to a protective helmet includes a housing with a bearing device, via which it is pivotably mounted in a forklike supporting bracket. A communications device is arranged in the housing and the bearing device has at least two electrically conductive contact elements. A communications system is joined to a protective helmet.

Abstract: An in-the-ear hearing aid device is disclosed. The device at least one electro-acoustic transducer, and at least one sensor or at least one active electronic component. The at least one electro-acoustic transducer comprises a capsule enclosing a transducer sound active part and a transducer air volume. The transducer air volume is air volume which is enclosed by said capsule and which is in fluid-connection with said transducer sound active part. At least a portion of said at least one sensor or of said at least one active electronic component is provided within said transducer air volume.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for insertion of a deep-in-the-canal hearing aid—alternatively designatable as extended wear hearing aid—into an ear canal of an individual user, at a pre-determined insertion depth (d) thereof. The insertion device comprises a customized support comprising an outer profile conforming to the shapes of at least a portion of a conchal cavity and of an ear canal of said individual user; and a guide channel, disposed internal to said outer profile, extending between a lateral entry opening thereof, for loading said hearing aid; and a medial exit opening thereof, for releasing said hearing aid into said ear canal. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an insertion device for inserting a hearing aid deep into an ear canal of an individual hearing aid user, at a pre-determined insertion depth (d) thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to audio transducers, such as loudspeaker, microphones and the like, and includes improvements in or relating to: audio transducer diaphragm structures and assemblies, audio transducer mounting systems; audio transducer diaphragm suspension systems, personal audio devices incorporating the same and any combination thereof. The embodiments of the invention include linear action and rotational action transducers. For both types of transducer, rigid and composite diaphragm constructions and unsupported diaphragm periphery designs are described. Systems and methods for mounting the transducer to a housing, such as an enclosure or baffle are also described. Furthermore, hinge systems including: rigid contact hinge systems and flexible hinge systems are also disclosed for various rotational action transducer embodiments.

Abstract: A method of forecasting subjective efficacy of a hearing prosthesis implanted in a recipient, including subjecting a recipient to a plurality of temporally spaced aural training tasks, the aural training tasks evoking hearing percepts with the hearing prosthesis, obtaining first data indicative of the recipient's ability to hear with the hearing prosthesis based on performance by the recipient of the temporally spaced aural training tasks, and forecasting second data based on the first data, wherein the second data are indicative of the recipient's ability to hear with the hearing prosthesis at one or more temporal locations in the future.

Abstract: An input transducer (11, 12) of a hearing aid (10) converts audio from the environment into an electric input signal. A signal processor (13) amplifies and conditions the electric input signal according to a preset set of audio processing parameters, and an output transducer (14) reproduces output audio. The hearing aid (10) is connected with a personal communication device (20) via a short range radio communication link (15, 29). The personal communication device (20) identifies music included in the background noise. The personal communication device (20) retrieves a music stream based on the identified music, and streams the music stream to the hearing aid (10). The signal processor (13) of the hearing aid (10) combines the input signal from the input transducer (11, 12) and music signal in order to reduce the presence of the music included in the background noise from the audio signal delivered by the output transducer (14).

Abstract: A wearable user device includes a first hearing aid configured to be disposed within a first ear of a user comprising a first MEMS accelerometer, a first magnetometer, and a first power source, wherein the first MEMS accelerometer is configured to determine a first plurality of movement data in response to a first head motion of the user, wherein the first magnetometer configured to determine a second plurality of movement data in response to the first head motion of the user; and wherein the first power source is configured to provide operating power to the first hearing aid, the first MEMS accelerometer, and to the first magnetometer, and a processor coupled to the first hearing aid, wherein the processor is configured to determine a first plurality of rotation data associated with the user in response to the first plurality of movement data and the second plurality of movement data.

Abstract: A bone conduction speaker includes a housing, a vibration board and a transducer. The transducer is located in the housing, and the vibration board is configured to contact with skin and pass vibration. At least one sound guiding hole is set on at least one portion of the housing to guide sound wave inside the housing to the outside of the housing. The guided sound wave interfaces with the leaked sound wave, and the interfacing reduces a sound pressure level of at least a portion of the leaked sound wave. A frequency of the at least a portion of the leaked sound wave is lower than 4000 Hz.

Abstract: A low-profile earbud is disclosed that sits securely within an ear of a user. The earbud includes a protruding portion that passes through a channel defined by the tragus and anti-tragus of the ear. In some embodiments, the protruding portion can take the form of a cable configured to supply power and transfer data to the earbud. In some embodiments, the protruding portion can provide additional space for electrical components and sensors supporting the earbud.

Abstract: In order to solve problems with an audio device that is difficult to machine and has an increased amount of wiring, the present invention provides an audio output device comprising: a first electrode layer including a plurality of rows of electrodes arranged in a first direction; a second electrode layer disposed on the back surface of the first electrode layer and including a plurality of rows of electrodes arranged in a second direction; a driving layer including a piezoelectric layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer and a support layer coupled to one of the front surface and the back surface of the piezoelectric layer; and a support plate coupled to the back surface of the driving layer and having a hollow portion formed in a region corresponding to each of intersections between the plurality of rows of electrodes in the first electrode layer and the plurality of rows of electrodes in the second electrode layer intersect.

Abstract: A loudspeaker diaphragm (12) comprising a woven fibre body supports damping material (25), for example PVA polymer, on a rearward-facing surface (24). The woven fibre body may be formed of lengths (14) non-metallic fibre material (for example glass fibre) coating with a thin metal coating (32). The mass of the layer of damping material (25) may be less than the mass of the woven fibre body. An attractive sparkly looking loudspeaker diaphragm (12) may thus be provided which damps undesirable vibration whilst providing a flatter frequency-response curve (50).

Abstract: An earphone includes a speaker unit, a housing that receives the speaker unit therein, and a baffle that is arranged within the housing and supports an opposite surface of the speaker unit, which is opposite to a sound emission surface of the speaker unit, to define a first space between the opposite surface and the baffle. The baffle includes a vent hole through which the first space communicates with a second space that is opposite to the first space with respect to the baffle. A fourth space through which the first space communicates with a third space on a side of the sound emission surface of the speaker unit is defined between a side surface of the speaker unit and an inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: A connector for a hearing instrument, in particular a receiver-in-canal behind-the-ear hearing aid, is small and visually inconspicuous. The connector should be as invisible as possible on the hearing instrument as it is worn, and the connector allows a microphone arrangement favorable for directionality and sound pick-up. The connector is disposed on an earpiece tube, which defines a longitudinal direction at the connector. The connector is connected by insertion into a connector receptacle of a hearing instrument transversely to the longitudinal direction. The hearing instrument has a laterally arranged connector receptacle, into which a connector is inserted transversely to the longitudinal direction. Because of the transverse insertion, the connector can be arranged laterally on the housing and because of the lateral placement, the front end face of the housing is smaller and the housing is overall flatter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to a headphone having a headphone cap and a headphone housing. The headphone cap is mechanically coupled to a printed circuit board (PCB) which has a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector. The headphone housing is configured to be mechanically coupled with the headphone cap, and comprises a battery having a third electrical connector and a fourth electrical connector. The third electrical connector is configured to form a first electrical connection with the first electrical connector as a result of the headphone housing being mechanically coupled with the headphone cap. The fourth electrical connector is configured to form a second electrical connection with the second electrical connector as a result of the headphone housing being mechanically coupled with the headphone cap. In mechanically coupling the headphone housing to the headphone cap, the battery is configured to be horizontally adjacent to the PCB.

Abstract: A device, including a behind-the-ear (BTE) device ear interface fixture, the fixture including a loop portion configured to enable a pinna of a recipient to be inserted there through and an attachment portion configured to removably attach the fixture to a BTE electronics module and/or a BTE battery, wherein the inner perimeter of the loop portion is non-circular when the loop portion is in a relaxed state.