Abstract: An external portion of an auditory prosthesis includes magnets, electronics, and other components. In bone conduction auditory prostheses, reducing the amount of mass subject to vibrations in an auditory prosthesis has a positive effect on tuning of the device. One way of reducing such mass is to resiliently more massive components within the auditory prosthesis housing. Such resilient mounting reduces the dampening effect that these massive components have on vibrations generated by the prosthesis. When electronic components are suspended, feedback to said components is also reduced, resulting improved performance.

Abstract: An actuator provides vibrational stimulation to a recipient of a bone conduction device. To ensure proper operation of the actuator, a known signal is delivered to a coil associated therewith. An output signal from the coil is analyzed for distortion, the presence of which indicates that the actuator is out of balance. If distortion is present, adjustments are made to the position of certain embodiments within the actuator to obtain a properly balanced device. Methods also include testing for distortion, after manufacture of the device.

Abstract: A device includes a magnetic field source that generates a rotationally asymmetric magnetic field, a magnetic field sensor that generates a signal that is indicative of a position of the magnetic field sensor in the rotationally asymmetric magnetic field, and a processor coupled to the magnetic field sensor. The processor is configured to process the signal from the magnetic field sensor to control one or more operational settings of the medical device.

Abstract: An external component of a medical device, including an actuator including a static magnetic flux path that reacts with a dynamic magnetic flux path to actuate the actuator, and a magnetic retention system configured to retain the external component to a recipient via interaction with a ferromagnetic component attached to a recipient, the magnetic retention system including a magnetic flux path that encircles the static magnetic flux path of the actuator.

Abstract: A computer implemented technique can include receiving a level of granularity for displaying non-chat activity indicators and initiating a real-time communication session between first and second computing devices. The technique can also include during the real-time communication session, automatically: (i) detecting non-chat activity by a first user at the first computing device, the non-chat activity being activity by the first user at the first computing device that is outside of a primary function of the real-time communication session, (ii) determining a type of the detected non-chat activity, (iii) determining an indicator of the type of the detected non-chat activity based on a level of granularity, and (iv) outputting the indicator to the second computing device, which is associated with the second user, wherein receipt of the indicator causes the second computing device to display the indicator via the real-time communication session.

Abstract: A skin interface apparatus configured as an interface of a prosthesis with skin of a recipient, including a first portion configured for direct contact with skin of the recipient, and a second portion configured for direct contact with skin of the recipient, wherein the portions have different material properties. In an exemplary embodiment, the first portion is a part of a holding plate pad of a hearing prosthesis and the second portion is part of a driving plate pad of the hearing prosthesis.

Abstract: A percutaneous bone conduction auditory prosthesis utilizes a multipole magnetic coupling system to secure the external device to an abutment that is secured to the skull of a recipient. With the multipole magnetic coupling system, a very strong retention force is formed between the device and the abutment. The multipole magnetic coupling system can include a complex array of exposed poles, such that the retention forces are coordinated with a mating abutment.

Abstract: A device including a prosthesis including an external component configured to output a signal in response to an external stimulus and a skin penetrating component configured to communicatively transfer the signal at least partially beneath skin of the recipient, wherein the device is configured such that the skin penetrating component can move in a plurality of degrees of freedom relative to the external component while retained to the external component.

Abstract: Presented herein are transcutaneous bone conduction devices having seismic mass actuators that impart vibration to a recipient's skull via relative movement of an associated seismic mass and a coupling mass. The vibration may be generated based on sound signals received at one or more microphones that are suspended from the seismic mass.

Abstract: A transcutaneous bone conduction device includes magnets secured to housing of an external portion of the device. The magnets can be disposed within the housing, or secured to an external surface thereof. The magnets are disposed about a shaft that delivers vibrational stimuli to a recipient so as to evenly deliver the stimuli.

Abstract: An external portion of an auditory prosthesis includes an external magnet that interacts with an implanted magnet to hold the external portion against the skin of a recipient. A magnetic component can be disposed proximate either or both of the external magnet or implanted magnet to channel the magnetic field associated therewith. The magnetic component can be moved relative to its associated magnet so as to adjust the magnetic field, and thus, the retention force between the magnets.

Abstract: An external component of a medical device, including an actuator including a static magnetic flux path that reacts with a dynamic magnetic flux path to actuate the actuator, and a magnetic retention system configured to retain the external component to a recipient via interaction with a ferromagnetic component attached to a recipient, the magnetic retention system including a magnetic flux path that encircles the static magnetic flux path of the actuator.

Abstract: A device includes a magnetic field source that generates a rotationally asymmetric magnetic field, a magnetic field sensor that generates a signal that is indicative of a position of the magnetic field sensor in the rotationally asymmetric magnetic field, and a processor coupled to the magnetic field sensor. The processor is configured to process the signal from the magnetic field sensor to control one or more operational settings of the medical device.

Abstract: A method, including determining a change in an actuator impedance based on a change in an electrical property of a system of which the actuator is apart, and determining one or more system characteristics based on the change in the actuator impedance.

Abstract: A transcutaneous bone conduction device includes magnets secured to housing of an external portion of the device. The magnets can be disposed within the housing, or secured to an external surface thereof. The magnets are disposed about a shaft that delivers vibrational stimuli to a recipient so as to evenly deliver the stimuli.

Abstract: An external component of a prosthesis, including a first module including a functional component and first structure including magnetic material. The first module is configured to be retained against skin via a magnetic field at least partially generated by a magnet implanted in a recipient that interacts with the magnetic material of the first structure, the first module including a skin interfacing surface configured to interact with skin of the recipient when the first module is retained against the skin of the recipient, a second module including a second structure including magnetic material configured to enhance magnetic retention of the external component to skin of a recipient, wherein the second module is removably attached to the first module and visible from an outside of the external component when the second module is attached to the first module and when viewed from a side opposite the skin interfacing side.

Abstract: A device includes a magnetic field source that generates a rotationally asymmetric magnetic field, a magnetic field sensor that generates a signal that is indicative of a position of the magnetic field sensor in the rotationally asymmetric magnetic field, and a processor coupled to the magnetic field sensor. The processor is configured to process the signal from the magnetic field sensor to control one or more operational settings of the medical device.

Abstract: A skin interface apparatus configured as an interface of a prosthesis with skin of a recipient, including a first portion configured for direct contact with skin of the recipient, and a second portion configured for direct contact with skin of the recipient, wherein the portions have different material properties. In an exemplary embodiment, the first portion is a part of a holding plate pad of a hearing prosthesis and the second portion is part of a driving plate pad of the hearing prosthesis.

Abstract: In bone conduction auditory prostheses, a suspension of the electronic components relative to the vibrating mass is beneficial for a number of reasons. The suspension systems depicted also function as a seal, so as to prevent infiltration of direct, water, or other contaminants into the housing. The present technology utilizes a combination suspension and sealing system that seals the housing of an auditory prosthesis while still providing sufficient suspension functionality.

Abstract: A system, including a first prosthetic device configured to evoke a hearing percept based on a first ambient sound and a second non-invasive device configured to stimulate skin based on a second ambient sound generated by a voice.