Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that provide for hearing aid tuning.

Abstract: There is disclosed active acoustic filter systems and methods. A processor is disposed within a housing configured to interface with a user's ear. A memory stores data defining one or more locations and a respective set of location-based processing parameters associated with each of the one or more locations. A personal computing device external to the housing is coupled to the processor via a first wireless communications link. The personal computing device determines a current location of the active acoustic filter system. The processor generates digitized processed sound by processing digitized ambient sound in accordance with a set of location-based processing parameters retrieved from the memory, the retrieved set of location-based processing parameters associated with the current location of the active acoustic filter system as determined by the personal computing device.

Abstract: A passive acoustical filter includes a first opening to receive ambient sound, a second opening to output filtered sound, and a first low pass filter element coupled between the first opening and the second opening. The first low pass filter element includes a first expansion chamber filled with a material in which a speed of sound is lower than a speed of sound in air.

Abstract: Non-occluding active noise suppression apparatus and methods are disclosed. A housing includes an inlet to admit ambient sound and an outlet to output personal sound to the ear of a user. An acoustic path and an electronic path are provided from the inlet to the outlet within the housing. For a predetermined frequency range, a phase difference between the acoustic path and the electronic path is substantially 180 degrees.

Abstract: Non-occluding active noise suppression apparatus and methods are disclosed. A housing includes an inlet to admit ambient sound and an outlet to output personal sound to the ear of a user. An acoustic path and an electronic path are provided from the inlet to the outlet within the housing. For a predetermined frequency range, a phase difference between the acoustic path and the electronic path is substantially 180 degrees.

Abstract: There is disclosed active acoustic filter systems and methods. A processor is disposed within a housing configured to interface with a user's ear. A memory stores data defining one or more locations and a respective set of location-based processing parameters associated with each of the one or more locations. A personal computing device external to the housing is coupled to the processor via a first wireless communications link. The personal computing device determines a current location of the active acoustic filter system. The processor generates digitized processed sound by processing digitized ambient sound in accordance with a set of location-based processing parameters retrieved from the memory, the retrieved set of location-based processing parameters associated with the current location of the active acoustic filter system as determined by the personal computing device.

Abstract: There is disclosed active acoustic filter systems and methods. A processor is disposed within a housing configured to interface with a user's ear. A memory stores data defining one or more locations and a respective set of location-based processing parameters associated with each of the one or more locations. A personal computing device external to the housing is coupled to the processor via a first wireless communications link. The personal computing device determines a current location of the active acoustic filter system. The processor generates digitized processed sound by processing digitized ambient sound in accordance with a set of location-based processing parameters retrieved from the memory, the retrieved set of location-based processing parameters associated with the current location of the active acoustic filter system as determined by the personal computing device.

Abstract: A passive acoustical filter includes a first opening to receive ambient sound, a second opening to output filtered sound, and a first low pass filter element coupled between the first opening and the second opening. The first low pass filter element includes a first expansion chamber filled with a material in which a speed of sound is lower than a speed of sound in air.

Abstract: There is disclosed active acoustic filter systems and methods. A processor is disposed within a housing configured to interface with a user's ear. A memory stores data defining one or more locations and a respective set of location-based processing parameters associated with each of the one or more locations. A personal computing device external to the housing is coupled to the processor via a first wireless communications link. The personal computing device determines a current location of the active acoustic filter system. The processor generates digitized processed sound by processing digitized ambient sound in accordance with a set of location-based processing parameters retrieved from the memory, the retrieved set of location-based processing parameters associated with the current location of the active acoustic filter system as determined by the personal computing device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a passive acoustical filter including two or more filter elements coupled between an ambient and a listener's ear, each of the filter elements selected from the group consisting of a low pass filter element, a high pass filter element, a band reject filter element, and a band pass filter element.

Abstract: There is disclosed a passive acoustical filter including a first filter element coupled between an ambient and an ear of a listener, at least a portion of the first filter element filled with a material in which a speed of sound is lower than a speed of sound in air.

Abstract: There is disclosed a passive acoustical filter including two or more filter elements coupled between an ambient and a listener's ear, each of the filter elements selected from the group consisting of a low pass filter element, a high pass filter element, a band reject filter element, and a band pass filter element.

Abstract: There is disclosed a passive acoustical filter including a first filter element coupled between an ambient and an ear of a listener, at least a portion of the first filter element filled with a material in which a speed of sound is lower than a speed of sound in air.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that provide for hearing aid tuning.

Abstract: A hearing aid can be tuned while worn by a user according to a heuristic method, including select an adjustable parameter and an stimulus having audio energy characteristics related to the adjustable parameter. The stimulus is played via a calibrated audio output device and amplified by the hearing aid. After selecting a user perception query associated with the adjustable parameter, feedback is obtained from the user indicating that the stimulus was not perceived neutrally. A perceptual adjustment curve and a threshold curve are determined according to the user feedback, and an estimated perception curve that estimates the user's perception of the stimulus is determined. When at least a portion of the estimated perception curve exceeds a threshold curve, the hearing aid is programmed according to at least one adjustment value determined according to the user feedback value.

Abstract: An calibrated hearing-aid tuning appliance includes a hearing-aid interface for programming settings of a hearing aid worn by a user. The appliance also includes a calibrated audio output subsystem including an audio interface, an audio amplifier, and a calibrated speaker. The audio output subsystem can consistently propagate sound waves having frequency response, sound pressure level, and distortion characteristics within predetermined tolerances. A memory stores pre-recorded sound files and programming instructions for heuristically tuning the hearing-aid. When the programming instructions are communicated to a CPU for execution via a CPU interface, the appliance automatically selects at least one of the pre-recorded sound files; automatically reproduces the selected sound files via the calibrated audio output subsystem; collects feedback from the user based on the sound files thereby reproduced; and automatically adjusts one or more of the settings based on the user's feedback.

Abstract: A magnetized hearing-aid earpiece inductive coupling system includes a hearing-aid earpiece including a magnetized assembly with an inductive coil. The earpiece also includes an earpiece controller that is communicatively coupled with the inductive coil and that controls adjustable settings of the earpiece. A hearing-aid programming device includes a magnetized coupler with a second inductive coil. The magnetized assembly and the magnetized coupler are configured to magnetically hold the two inductive coils in proximity to one another, such that the inductive coils inductively communicatively couple the earpiece controller with the hearing-aid programming device. The hearing-aid programming device is thereby enabled to instruct the earpiece controller to adjust the earpiece's adjustable settings.

Abstract: A heuristic method of iteratively tuning a hearing aid is provided herein.

Abstract: A calibrated tuning appliance is provided herein. While listening to standardized pre-recorded sound files reproduced via a calibrated set of speakers, hearing aid users can subjectively evaluate hearing aid performance and tuning in a consistent manner. Subjective evaluation results may thus remain consistent from user to user, and for a single user, results may remain consistent over time.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that provide for magnetic earpiece coupling.