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: The present disclosure describes examples of systems and methods of wireless remote control of appliances using a canal hearing device upon manual activation of a switch placed in the concha cavity behind the tragus. In some examples, 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 capability. The appliance may be any device with wireless control capability, 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 canal hearing device may allow a hearing device user to enjoy a normal lifestyle, including exercise, and to discretely interact with wirelessly controlled devices.

Abstract: Examples of retaining seal assemblies for acoustically sealing and retaining a canal hearing device or an earpiece within the ear canal are disclosed. The retaining seal assembly may include one or more flanges and a clip element. The flanges may include elongate trenches along an exterior surface of one or more of the flanges. The elongate trenches may allow the flange to conform to the shape of the ear canal and distribute concentric compressive forces when the seal assembly is inserted in the ear canal. The clip element may be formed of a relatively rigid material and may include one or more locking tabs. The conforming flanges may be concentrically positioned over the clip element. The seal assembly may include a debris barrier to provide protection for a sound outlet of the canal hearing device or the earpiece.

Abstract: Examples of canal hearing devices including a lateral section having a frequency shaping sound port system are disclosed. A lateral section includes an elongate sound channel for receiving an incoming sound and producing a frequency-shaped sound output. The hearing device includes a microphone, a speaker for transmitting sound to the eardrum, and a sound port to receive the frequency-shaped sound output from the elongate sound channel and provide a pathway for the frequency-shaped sound output to reach the microphone.

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: Disclosed herein are systems and methods enabling self-fitting by a non-expert consumer. The method in some examples involves transmitting a wireless command by a computing device to a hearing device in-situ to produce a sequence of test audio signals corresponding to natural sound segments, while allowing the consumer to adjust fitting parameters based on perceptual assessment of hearing device output. The sound segments may represent a practical range of sounds within the normal human auditory range, with each sound segment selected to correspond to one or more fitting parameters of the programmable hearing device. The consumer is instructed to listen to the output of the in-situ hearing device and adjust controls on the personal computer's graphical user interface related to corresponding fitting parameters. The systems and methods disclosed herein allow dispensing or adjusting of hearing devices without requiring specialized instruments or clinical settings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods enabling hearing aid fitting by a non-expert consumer at home. The method in one embodiment involves delivering a sequence of test audio signals corresponding to natural sound segments to a non-acoustic input of a programmable hearing device in-situ, while allowing the consumer to adjust fitting parameters based perceptual assessment of hearing device output. The sound segments define a fitting soundscape representing a practical range of sounds within the normal human auditory range, with each sound segment corresponding to one or more fitting parameters of the programmable hearing device. The consumer is instructed to listen to the output of the in-situ hearing device and adjust controls related to corresponding fitting parameters. In one embodiment, the fitting system comprises a personal computer and a handheld device providing calibrated test audio signals and a programming interface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods enabling hearing aid fitting by a non-expert consumer at home. The method in one embodiment involves delivering a sequence of test audio signals corresponding to natural sound segments to a non-acoustic input of a programmable hearing device in-situ, while allowing the consumer to adjust fitting parameters based perceptual assessment of hearing device output. The sound segments define a fitting soundscape representing a practical range of sounds within the normal human auditory range, with each sound segment corresponding to one or more fitting parameters of the programmable hearing device. The consumer is instructed to listen to the output of the in-situ hearing device and adjust controls related to corresponding fitting parameters. In one embodiment, the fitting system comprises a personal computer and a handheld device providing calibrated test audio signals and a programming interface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are examples of methods and systems for performing remote verification of a hearing device, particularly for use by a non-expert user outside the clinical environment. A status and/or functionality of the hearing device may be verified using verification criteria. Upon verifying the status and/or the functionality of the hearing device, a user may be permitted to conduct an e-commerce transaction. The status of the hearing device may include identification information associated with the hearing device and/or the user. The functionality of the hearing device may include a calibration and/or a system performance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a programmable hearing device configured to deliver a sequence of outputs in-situ, each output corresponding to a sound segment, wherein the outputs are delivered according to fitting parameters programmed into the programmable hearing device, and a computing device communicatively coupled online to a remote server. The computing device may be configured to receive a consumer input indicative of a subjective assessment of the consumer of each of the sound segments, wherein the consumer input is configured to adjust one or more fitting parameters associated with the output corresponding to the sound segment being assessed, wherein the fitting application is configured to make adjustments to the fitting parameters in accordance with the consumer input.

Abstract: Methods and systems of interactive online fitting of a hearing aid by a non-expert consumer without requiring a clinical setup are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an audio generator for delivering test audio signals at predetermined levels to a non-acoustic input of a programmable hearing aid in-situ, and a programming interface for delivering programming signals to the hearing aid. The consumer is instructed to listen to the output of the hearing device in-situ and to interactively adjust fitting parameters according to a subjective assessment of audible output representative of the test audio signal. In one embodiment, the online-based fitting system comprises a personal computer, a handheld device connected to the personal computer, and a fitting application hosted by a server. In one embodiment, remote customer support personnel may communicate with a hearing aid worn by the consumer and interactively control fitting parameters.

Abstract: A hearing device test system for use by a non-expert user may include a hearing device comprising a sound processor and a speaker and a portable test unit including a test microphone acoustically coupled to an exterior of the portable test unit via an acoustic calibration cavity. The portable test unit may include a coupler at an opening to the acoustic calibration cavity configured to receive the hearing device at least partially therein and the test microphone may be configured to produce a calibration signal input responsive to acoustic calibration stimuli provided by the speaker of the hearing device. The hearing device test system may also include a processor associated therewith and configured to measure a level of the calibration signal input.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for rapidly grading the hearing of a user in accordance with WHO guidelines are disclosed. One example includes a personal computer and a test device configured to produce calibrated acoustic output at suprathreshold levels presented at an audiometric frequency range from 500 to 4000 Hz. The consumer's minimal response levels are registered, and a hearing ability score is presented to indicate a hearing grade and hearing aid candidacy. The hearing ability score may be representative of a classification of the WHO grading of hearing impairment. Systems and methods disclosed herein, with considerations for room noise present in the consumer's environment, allow for rapid hearing profiling, using a standard personal computer and minimal low-cost hardware, thus particularly suited for self-testing outside clinical environments such as at home, office, or retail store settings.

Abstract: Examples of subscription-based wireless hearing device systems and methods are described. An exemplary system includes a wireless hearing device and a personal computing device to enable or disable a wireless service of the wireless hearing device in accordance of a subscription. The subscription may be verified using subscription data or validation data received from a remote server.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods for profiling the hearing ability of a consumer are disclosed. One example includes a personal computer and a handheld device configured to produce calibrated acoustic output at suprathreshold levels above 20 db HL, and at step levels of 10-20 decibels, and presented test frequency bands across an audiometric frequency range from 400 to 8000Hz. The consumer's minimal audibility levels are registered, and a hearing profile score is presented to indicate hearing ability and hearing aid candidacy. In some embodiments, band-limited natural sounds are presented. Systems and methods disclosed herein, with considerations for noise present in the consumer's environment, allow for rapid calibrated hearing profiling, using a standard personal computer and minimal hardware, thus particularly suited for self-testing outside clinical environments such as at home or the office.

Abstract: Examples of a subscription-based rechargeable hearing device system and methods are described. An exemplary system includes a hearing device and a charging device to charge the hearing device according to a subscription status. In some examples, a charging station automatically disengages the rechargeable battery cell upon insertion of the hearing device partially into a receptacle cavity of the charging station. The subscription may be verified using a remote server in communication with a subscription database.

Abstract: Examples of canal hearing devices including a lateral section having a frequency shaping sound port system are disclosed. A lateral section includes an elongate sound channel for receiving an incoming sound and producing a frequency-shaped sound output. The hearing device includes a microphone, a speaker for transmitting sound to the eardrum, and a sound port to receive the frequency-shaped sound output from the elongate sound channel and provide a pathway for the frequency-shaped sound output to reach the microphone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are examples of methods and systems for performing a calibration check of a personal hearing test system using a built-in calibration cavity, particularly for use by a non-expert user outside the clinical environment. The hearing test system includes a one or more earpieces. The hearing test system further includes a portable test unit having an acoustic calibration cavity for accommodating the earpiece at least partially therein. The acoustic calibration cavity may include an opening along an exterior surface of the portable test unit. The acoustic calibration cavity receives an acoustic calibration stimuli and the microphone provided within the acoustic calibration cavity produces a calibration signal input for measuring and performing a calibration check, or an automatic self-calibration.

Abstract: Examples of retaining seal assemblies for acoustically sealing and retaining a canal hearing device or an earpiece within the ear canal are disclosed. The retaining seal assembly may include one or more flanges and a clip element. The flanges may include elongate trenches along an exterior surface of one or more of the flanges. The elongate trenches may allow the flange to conform to the shape of the ear canal and distribute concentric compressive forces when the seal assembly is inserted in the ear canal. The clip element may be formed of a relatively rigid material and may include one or more locking tabs. The conforming flanges may be concentrically positioned over the clip element. The seal assembly may include a debris barrier to provide protection for a sound outlet of the canal hearing device or the earpiece.

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.