Abstract: A system and a method to determine heart and/or breathing rates. The system comprises a shell configured to occlude an ear canal, an in-ear microphone located inside the shell to capture an audio signal inside the ear canal, and a processor operatively connected to the in-ear microphone, the processor being configured to analyse the audio signal in order to determine at least one of a heart beat and/or a respiration rate measurement or attribute, even when the wearer of the system is immersed in high level of environmental noise. The system and method also comprise the use of an adaptive digital filter to remove the residual environmental noise from the audio signal captured by the in-ear microphone. The system and method also comprise the use of a predetermined audio signal association to identify attributes of the captured audio signal inside the ear canal.

Abstract: Personalised calibration methods and devices adapted to identify acoustical corrections to be applied for in-ear dosimetry. The acoustical corrections allow to convert a measured acoustic pressure within the ear-canal of a user to an equivalent acoustic pressure at the ear-drum and/or in free-field. The methods and devices also allow to distinguish noises originating from the user from noises of the environment in the ear occluded by an earplug. Such a distinction is done using two microphones to simultaneously measure the acoustic pressure within the ear-canal and outside the ear-canal. The device may be used to determine a cumulative sound pressure level dosage for which a user being exposed to surrounding sounds over a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A system, device and method to condition a wide-band calibration stimulus such as a chirp or logarithmic chirp with the purpose of reducing the dynamic range necessary for an acquisition system of an audio wearable device. The dynamic range of the stimulus is compressed using a temporal envelope and digital filters to prevent the high magnitude of the resonance peaks from clipping or saturating the response signal. Such pre-conditioning method for the calibration of the audio wearable device may allow the use of a low -depth or low-resolution acquisition system to perform the measurements.

Abstract: A system for reading bioelectrical signals from the skin of a user is provided. The system comprises a plug for inserting in an ear having an inner portion to be inserted into the ear, an outer portion and an inner floating electrode comprising a floating conductive wire, the floating conductive wire being attached to the inner portion of the plug, disposed over the outskirt of the outer portion and in communication with the signal processor. The system further comprises an outer floating electrode for reading a signal from skin around the ear, the floating electrode comprising a floating conductive portion connected to the plug and being in communication with the signal processor, a resilient portion adapted to expand and retract the floating conductive portion and a non-conductive linking portion attached to the floating conductive portion. The floating, resilient and non-conductive linking portions form an expandable loop around the ear from the plug.

Abstract: A system and method for training a classification module of nonverbal audio events and a classification module for use in a variety of nonverbal audio event monitoring, detection and command systems. The method comprises capturing an in-ear audio signal from an occluded ear and defining at least one nonverbal audio event associated to the captured in-ear audio signal. Then sampling and extracting features from the in-ear audio signal. Once the extracted features are validated, associating the extracted features to the at least one nonverbal audio event and updating the classification module with the association.

Abstract: A system to detect a man down situation using intra-aural inertial measurement units is disclosed. The system comprises an earpiece having an inertial measurement unit (IMU) adapted to capture acceleration and rotation speed of the earpiece. The method comprises a training phase to characterize statistical distribution models of extreme values of feature signals, segmented by their respective optimally-sized time windows and to merge the detection probability provided by the statistical model of the feature signals. The method further comprises a prediction phase. The prediction phase comprises applying the detection strategy on independent data, based on the critical states obtained from the characterization. The data from the said inertial measurement of the MEMS are used for the detection of full (F), immobility (I) and down on the ground (D) states.

Abstract: A system and method for training a classification module of nonverbal audio events and a classification module for use in a variety of nonverbal audio event monitoring, detection and command systems. The method comprises capturing an in-ear audio signal from an occluded ear and defining at least one nonverbal audio event associated to the captured in-ear audio signal. Then sampling and extracting features from the in-ear audio signal. Once the extracted features are validated, associating the extracted features to the at least one nonverbal audio event and updating the classification module with the association.

Abstract: A system, device and method for assessing a fit quality of an earpiece while in use in a noisy environment. The earpiece having an external microphone for capturing an outer-ear audio signal and an internal microphone for capturing an inner-ear audio signal. The fit quality being assessed by estimating a filter according to the captured inner-ear and outer-ear audio signals, and determining a fit quality according to identified coefficients of the estimated filter. A system, device and method for assessing a seal quality of an earpiece while in use in a quiet environment. The earpiece having a loudspeaker for emitting a sound stimulus towards the ear canal and an internal microphone for capturing an audio signal inside the ear canal. The seal quality being assessed by estimating a transfer function according the emitted and captured sound stimulus, and determining at least one seal-quality indicator according to a signal magnitude of the transfer function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for objectively assessing acoustical performance of an in-ear device having a passageway extending there through use a dual microphone probe that removably engages the passageway. The acoustical performance of the in-ear device is performed with the in-ear device inserted into the ear canal of the user and a reference sound source. A clip holding the probe in an acoustic near field of the sound source permits real time calibration thereof. The method and apparatus allow on-site and in-situ measurement of a predicted personal attenuation rating of the device, a subject-fit re-insertion test, an acoustic seal test, a rating test, a stability and reliability test, as well as a protection test of the device with an assessment of a filtered predicted exposure level at the ear for a specific noise exposure level. The apparatus may be simply housed along with the sound source for in-field evaluation tests.

Abstract: A system and method to measure noise reduction and evaluate the contributions of various sound sources to noise exposure dose of exposition using electro-acoustic earplugs is provided. The system may be implemented as an advanced HPD in the form of an electro-acoustical earplug. The earplug comprises an OEM 10 and an IEM. The system is configured to calculate an estimated IEM signal based on calculation of estimates of residual ambient noise, payback sounds or WID present in the ear canal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for objectively assessing acoustical performance of an in-ear device having a passageway extending there through use a dual microphone probe that removably engages the passageway. The acoustical performance of the in-ear device is performed with the in-ear device inserted into the ear canal of the user and a reference sound source. A clip holding the probe in an acoustic near field of the sound source permits real time calibration thereof. The method and apparatus allow on-site and in-situ measurement of a predicted personal attenuation rating of the device, a subject-fit re-insertion test, an acoustic seal test, a rating test, a stability and reliability test, as well as a protection test of the device with an assessment of a filtered predicted exposure level at the ear for a specific noise exposure level. The apparatus may be simply housed along with the sound source for in-field evaluation tests.

Abstract: A system, device and method for assessing a fit quality of an earpiece while in use in a noisy environment. The earpiece having an external microphone for capturing an outer-ear audio signal and an internal microphone for capturing an inner-ear audio signal. The fit quality being assessed by estimating a filter according to the captured inner-ear and outer-ear audio signals, and determining a fit quality according to identified coefficients of the estimated filter. A system, device and method for assessing a seal quality of an earpiece while in use in a quiet environment. The earpiece having a loudspeaker for emitting a sound stimulus towards the ear canal and an internal microphone for capturing an audio signal inside the ear canal. The seal quality being assessed by estimating a transfer function according the emitted and captured sound stimulus, and determining at least one seal-quality indicator according to a signal magnitude of the transfer function.

Abstract: A system, device and method for assessing a fit quality of an earpiece while in use in a noisy environment. The earpiece having an external microphone for capturing an outer-ear audio signal and an internal microphone for capturing an inner-ear audio signal. The fit quality being assessed by estimating a filter according to the captured inner-ear and outer-ear audio signals, and determining a fit quality according to identified coefficients of the estimated filter. A system, device and method for assessing a seal quality of an earpiece while in use in a quiet environment. The earpiece having a loudspeaker for emitting a sound stimulus towards the ear canal and an internal microphone for capturing an audio signal inside the ear canal. The seal quality being assessed by estimating a transfer function according the emitted and captured sound stimulus, and determining at least one seal-quality indicator according to a signal magnitude of the transfer function.

Abstract: Personalised calibration methods and devices adapted to identify acoustical corrections to be applied for in-ear dosimetry. The acoustical corrections allow to convert a measured acoustic pressure within the ear-canal of a user to an equivalent acoustic pressure at the ear-drum and/or in free-field. The methods and devices also allow to distinguish noises originating from the user from noises of the environment in the ear occluded by an earplug. Such a distinction is done using two microphones to simultaneously measure the acoustic pressure within the ear-canal and outside the ear-canal. The device may be used to determine a cumulative sound pressure level dosage for which a user being exposed to surrounding sounds over a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A system for reading bioelectrical signals from the skin of a user is provided. The system comprises a plug for inserting in an ear having an inner portion to be inserted into the ear, an outer portion and an inner floating electrode comprising a floating conductive wire, the floating conductive wire being attached to the inner portion of the plug, disposed over the outskirt of the outer portion and in communication with the signal processor. The system further comprises an outer floating electrode for reading a signal from skin around the ear, the floating electrode comprising a floating conductive portion connected to the plug and being in communication with the signal processor, a resilient portion adapted to expand and retract the floating conductive portion and a non-conductive linking portion attached to the floating conductive portion. The floating, resilient and non-conductive linking portions form an expandable loop around the ear from the plug.

Abstract: A system and method for training a classification module of nonverbal audio events and a classification module for use in a variety of nonverbal audio event monitoring, detection and command systems. The method comprises capturing an in-ear audio signal from an occluded ear and defining at least one nonverbal audio event associated to the captured in-ear audio signal. Then sampling and extracting features from the in-ear audio signal. Once the extracted features are validated, associating the extracted features to the at least one nonverbal audio event and updating the classification module with the association.

Abstract: A method, and device, for enhancing speech generated from bone and tissue conduction of a user of an In-ear device in a noisy environment, the Intra-aural device having an in-ear microphone adapted to be in fluid communication with the ear canal of the user and an outer-ear microphone adapted to be in fluid communication with the environment outside the ear. The method comprises applying an adaptive filter on the in-ear microphone signal, using the outer-ear microphone signal as a reference for the ambient noise and interrupting the application of the adaptive filter to the In-ear microphone signal upon detecting speech by the user.

Abstract: An electroencephalography (EEG) based brain-computer interface for an ear of a user, the interface having a behind-the-ear piece with a flexible base. The flexible base is shaped to fit mostly behind the ear of a user and has at least one electrode positioned 5 to contact a skin covering a portion of a temporal bone of the user's skull. The flexible base also has a wedge that is shaped to contact an antihelical fold and/or concha of the ear in order to produce and maintain an adequate pressure and contact of the at least one of the plurality of electrodes on a portion of skin covering a temporal bone of the user's skull. The interface is adapted to produce voltage fluctuations measured by 0 the electrodes for determining a brain electrical activity. A system for determining a brain activity indicator using the electroencephalography (EEG) based brain-computer interface.

Abstract: A device and method for the continuous monitoring of otoacoustic emissions (OAE) levels on an individual worker uses as a pair of earpieces each featuring an external microphone, an internal microphone and a pair of miniature receivers. An adaptive filtering noise rejection processing of the measured distortion product OAE (DPOAE) is used to further improve the Signal-to-Noise ratio in frequencies where passive isolation remains insufficient. The adaptive filtering noise rejection technique relies on a Normalized Least-Mean-Square (NLMS) algorithm that uses the ipsilateral external microphone and the contralateral internal microphone to reject the noise from the measured DPOAE signals for each in-ear OAE probe. A DPOAE signal extraction algorithm provides for an increase in results reliability on a greater dynamic range in DPOAE magnitudes than known methods of DPOAE signal extraction.

Abstract: A system and a method to determine heart and/or breathing rates. The system comprises a shell configured to occlude an ear canal, an in-ear microphone located inside the shell to capture an audio signal inside the ear canal, and a processor operatively connected to the in-ear microphone, the processor being configured to analyse the audio signal in order to determine at least one of a heart beat and/or a respiration rate measurement or attribute, even when the wearer of the system is immersed in high level of environmental noise. The system and method also comprise the use of an adaptive digital filter to remove the residual environmental noise from the audio signal captured by the in-ear microphone. The system and method also comprise the use of a predetermined audio signal association to identify attributes of the captured audio signal inside the ear canal.