Abstract: A microphone device includes a base and a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) transducer and an integrated circuit (IC) disposed on the base. The microphone device also includes a cover mounted on the base and covering the MEMS transducer and the IC. The MEMS transducer includes a diaphragm attached to a surface of the substrate and a back plate mounted on the substrate and in a spaced apart relationship with the diaphragm. The diaphragm is attached to the surface of the substrate along at least a portion of a periphery of the diaphragm. The diaphragm can include a silicon nitride insulating layer, and a conductive layer, that faces a conductive layer of the back plate. The MEMS transducer can include a peripheral support structure that is disposed between at least a portion of the diaphragm and the substrate. The diaphragm can include one or more pressure equalizing apertures.

Abstract: A device includes a balloon inflation module having an involuted balloon housed within a lumen, an integrated reservoir in fluid communication with the involuted balloon where the balloon inflation module is configured to selectively displace a volume of fluid from the integrated reservoir into the involuted balloon and from the involuted balloon into the integrated reservoir. The device also includes a port configured to receive an accessory module. In one embodiment, the accessory module is a communication module having a logic circuit coupled to an ambient microphone configured to pick up ambient audio content, an ear canal microphone configured to pick up audio in the proximity of an ear canal, and an ear canal receiver configured to provide audio content in the proximity of the ear canal. In some embodiments, the integrated reservoir is formed within portions of a push button spring-loaded pump assembly. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A listening device is disclosed for positioning in an ear canal of a user to process an environmental sound signal. The device can include an earpiece positionable in the ear canal of the user. A microphone can be positioned on the earpiece for receiving the environmental sound signal when the earpiece is positioned in the user's ear canal. A sound processing unit can be electrically coupled with the microphone, the sound processing unit programmed to produce a processed sound signal by identifying a target sound signature within the environmental sound signal received from the microphone, and modifying the identified target sound signature within the processed sound signal. A speaker can be electrically coupled to the sound processing unit, the speaker configured to project the processed sound signal as audible sound.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes determining, by one or more processors of a hearing aid programmer, values for one or more properties of a first hearing aid; obtaining, by the one or more processors, based on feedback cancelation configurations of a plurality of other hearing aids having the same values for the one or more properties as the first hearing aid, a predicted initial feedback cancelation configuration for the first hearing aid; and programming, by the one or more processors, the first hearing aid based on the predicted initial feedback cancelation configuration.

Abstract: An audio speaker having an adsorptive insert in a speaker back volume, is disclosed. More particularly, an embodiment includes an adsorptive insert having a rigid open-pore body formed by bonded adsorptive particles. The rigid open-pore body includes interconnected macropores that transport air from the speaker back volume to adsorptive micropores in the bonded adsorptive particles during sound generation. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The application relates to a portable electronic device comprising a) a folded substrate carrying components of the device, and b) another, separate component having a fixed outer contour, and c) a housing for enclosing said folded substrate and said separate component, said housing having an inner contour, wherein said folded substrate is folded from a planar substrate along a folding line, said folded substrate exhibiting outer edges comprising a folded edge following said folding line. The application further relates to a method of manufacturing a folded substrate. The object of the present application is to facilitate miniaturization of a portable electronic device, such as a hearing aid. The problem is solved in that the folded substrate is shaped to provide that at least one of said outer edges follow(s) the fixed outer contour of the separate component and/or the inner contour of said housing.

Abstract: An acoustic earmuff device comprising a pair of earmuff cup assemblies such that each is configured to be arranged at a location proximate to an ear of an user, wherein each earmuff cup assembly comprises means (320) for adapting a pressure applied to the location proximate to the ear so that the pressure around the ear is evenly distributed and a even seal is achieved, wherein the means for adapting a pressure comprises an adaptive layer (324) that is configured to apply the pressure around the ear evenly regardless whether that location comprises any protruding element (2).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a hearing device, comprising a receiver and an active vent. The method includes 1) upon request to switch the active vent into a different state, estimating a transfer function (H, Hrec?mic) from the receiver to obtain a first transfer function (?a), 2) subsequently switching the active vent, 3) subsequently estimating a transfer function (H, Hrec?mic) from the receiver to obtain a second transfer function (?b), 4) comparing the first transfer function (?a) to the second transfer function (?b) to obtain a divergence measure (D), 5) concluding that the active vent has actually been switched into the different state if the divergence measure (D) exceeds a threshold (Ddiff).

Abstract: A device and method that supplements sensory input, thereby providing a supplemented sensory environment, to induce plasticity within the central nervous system that effectively overcomes sensory-neural processing deficits or strengthens specific sensory-neural abilities. In one implementation, ear-level hearing devices are used to deliver therapeutic sound with specific acoustic features that serve as archetypes of stimulus features for which sensory-neural processing is compromised by a sensory-neural deficit.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for realizing hearing aid function based on Bluetooth headset chip and a Bluetooth headset: the common Bluetooth headset chip software of Bluetooth headset is upgraded to a specific Bluetooth headset chip with hearing aid function by a hearing loss correction software; a hearing aid algorithm module is embedded into the development kit of the common Bluetooth headset chip in the form of software library by the hearing loss correction software, so that the common Bluetooth headset chip has the hearing aid function only by software upgrade; after being processed by the hearing aid algorithm module, a sound signal is output to a hearing-impaired user, so that the hearing-impaired user can use the common Bluetooth headset to realize the hearing aid function.

Abstract: Hearing device including a housing worn at a user's ear; a movement detector providing movement data indicating movement of the housing; and a processor identifying, based on the movement data, movement features in a sequence. The movement features represent movement activity by the user. The processor determines a temporal characteristic of the sequence of movement features and/or an amplitude characteristic of the movement data associated with a movement feature in the sequence. A method of operating the hearing device, and a computer-readable medium storing instructions to perform the method.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to operation modes for hearing devices. In some implementations, the disclosed technology includes a hearing device entering into and operating in an airplane mode or a mode of operation that limits communication with a select frequency or select group of frequencies. To enter a mode of operation, a user may use two inputs for the hearing device. For example, one input may be a battery closing and another input may include the pushing of a button on a device (e.g., on the hearing device or a mobile device in communication with the hearing device).

Abstract: Systems and methods for interactive mobile fitting of hearing aids are provided. The method includes a mobile device receiving a reduced size fitting data set having a set of sampling points from a hearing aid. The method includes interpolating the reduced size fitting data set into a continuous fitting curve presented at a display of the mobile device with user interface objects that each correspond with one or more sampling points. The method includes receiving a user input manipulating a user interface object. The user input adjusts a value of sampling point(s) corresponding to the user interface object to generate an updated reduced size fitting data set that is communicated to the hearing aid. The method includes generating a substitute complete fitting data set based on the updated reduced size fitting data set for application to input audio to generate modified audio that is output from the hearing aid.

Abstract: An alert system detects when an auditory prosthesis recipient is wearing her sound processor. When the processor is not worn, the alert system signals a secondary device, such as an accessory, to provide some other form of tactile stimulation to allow the recipient to be made aware of certain auditory stimuli she is not receiving via the auditory prosthesis. Thus, the alert system can effectively “hear” for the recipient. Since many auditory prosthesis recipients are, for all practical purposes, completely deaf without their external sound processors attached and operational, such an alert system increases the recipient's safety, convenience, and quality of life.

Abstract: A heart rate sensor within a hearing assistance device may provide heart rate information or other sensor data, which may be used to determine how well the hearing assistance device fits the patient's ear. The heart rate sensor data provides quantitative feedback that indicates how well the hearing assistance device fits the patient's ear. The heart rate sensor data may be used to provide an indication to the patient to reseat or otherwise adjust the fitting of the hearing assistance device. The improved fitting process provides the ability for the audiologist and patient to identify a preferred or optimized hearing assistance device geometry. This improved fit provides improved performance and reliability of the hearing assistance device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, and in particular to behind the ear and receiver in canal hearing aids with distributed processing. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a hearing assistance device including hearing assistance electronics in a housing configured to be worn above or behind an ear of a wearer. The hearing assistance device includes an ear piece configured to be worn in the ear of the wearer and a processing component at the ear piece configured to perform functions in the ear piece and to communicate with the hearing assistance electronics, in various embodiments.

Abstract: A hearing aid system comprising at least a first hearing aid, wherein the first hearing aid is configured to establish a communication link over the internet with a remote entity based on a protocol stack, wherein the protocol stack includes an internet protocol, and the protocol stack is implemented in the first hearing aid.

Abstract: A method for directional signal processing for a hearing aid includes generating first and second input signals from an ambient sound signal using first and second input transducers of the hearing aid and forming first and second directional signals based on the input signals. The directional signals have relative attenuations in directions of first and second useful signal sources. First and second amplification parameters for amplification of first and second useful signals of the signal sources are ascertained. A reference directional characteristic is defined for a reference directional signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a user. The hearing device is configured to provide an audio signal to the user. The hearing device comprises a circuit assembly. The circuit assembly comprises a printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly comprises: a first circuit board; a second circuit board; and a third circuit board interconnected with the first circuit board and the second circuit board. The circuit assembly comprises a battery, and an output transducer for providing the audio signal, wherein the printed circuit board assembly is folded about the battery and the output transducer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a battery charger for one or more hearing devices, comprising: a test sound generator configured to produce testing sound; an input configured to obtain first information regarding a first microphone output of a first hearing device in response to the testing sound and obtain second information regarding a second microphone output in response to the testing sound. A processing unit is configured to detect a clogging of a filter such as a wax filter based at least in part on the first information regarding the first microphone output of the first hearing device, and based at least in part on the second information regarding the second microphone output. An output is configured to provide a signal indicating the clogging of the filter.