Abstract: Various implementations include earphone cushions and related headsets. In some aspects, an earphone cushion includes: a body having: a compressible front surface configured to engage or surround an ear of a user, an outer side surface including a compressible component and at least one rigid component, a compressible inner side surface, and a rear surface including at least one rigid component; and a cover having an outside radiating surface for contacting the ear of the user, the cover at least partially surrounding the body and including a portion that is mechanically grounded to the at least one rigid component of the outer side surface.

Abstract: Various implementations include adaptive masking of environmental sound. Particular implementations are configured to adjust a masking sound based on one or more detected environmental sound sources. An example method includes: measuring environmental sound proximate to an audio device, outputting a masking sound at the audio device, and adjusting at least one of: a volume of the masking sound, a spectrum of the masking sound, or content of the masking sound based on the measured environmental sound.

Abstract: Various implementations include systems for providing enhanced aware mode capabilities in an ANR audio device. In particular implementations, a method includes receiving an ambient noise signal from a microphone associated with a wearable audio device; determining a gain value based on a sound pressure level (SPL) of the ambient noise signal; generating a gain adjusted ambient noise signal by applying the gain value to the ambient noise signal; generating a total external microphone signal by adding the gain adjusted ambient noise signal to a noise reducing ambient signal; generating an expanded audio signal by selectively adjusting a source audio signal based on the gain adjusted ambient noise signal; and combining and outputting the expanded audio signal with the total external microphone signal to an acoustic transducer.

Abstract: Various implementations include wearable audio devices and related methods for controlling such devices. In some particular implementations, a computer-implemented method of controlling a wearable audio device includes: receiving an initiation command to initiate a spatial audio mode; providing a plurality of audio choices corresponding with spatially delineated zones in an array defined relative to a physical position of the wearable audio device, in response to the initiation command, wherein each audio choice is associated with a prescribed action; receiving a selection command selecting one of the plurality of audio choices; and taking one of the prescribed actions in response to receiving the selection command.

Abstract: Various implementations include wearable audio devices and related methods for controlling such devices. In some particular implementations, a computer-implemented method of controlling a wearable audio device includes: receiving an initiation command to initiate a spatial audio mode; providing a plurality of audio choices corresponding with spatially delineated zones in an array defined relative to a physical position of the wearable audio device, in response to the initiation command, wherein each audio choice is associated with a prescribed action; receiving a selection command selecting one of the plurality of audio choices; and taking one of the prescribed actions in response to receiving the selection command.

Abstract: A method is provided for directing a user to a point of interest using sounds played on a wearable audio output device. A user's direction of gaze is determined using data from at least one sensor in the audio output device. First and second locations are determined of the user and the point of interest respectively, and a distance is determined between the first and second locations. A relative angle between the direction of gaze and the direction of the point of interest is determined based on the determined first and second locations. A sample sound is altered using at least one sonification technique to convey information relating to the determined distance and the relative angle. The altered sample sound is rendered and output for playing by the audio output device.

Abstract: Various implementations include wearable audio devices and related methods for controlling such devices. In some particular implementations, a computer-implemented method of controlling a wearable audio device includes: receiving inertial information indicating a current physical position of the wearable audio device; predicting a future physical position of the wearable audio device from the inertial information; and rendering at least one audio sample associated with the predicted future physical position at the wearable audio device prior to or during movement of the wearable audio device from the current physical position to the predicted future physical position.

Abstract: Various implementations include wearable audio devices and related methods for controlling such devices. In some particular implementations, a computer-implemented method of controlling a wearable audio device includes: receiving inertial information indicating a current physical position of the wearable audio device; predicting a future physical position of the wearable audio device from the inertial information; and rendering at least one audio sample associated with the predicted future physical position at the wearable audio device prior to or during movement of the wearable audio device from the current physical position to the predicted future physical position.

Abstract: Various implementations include wearable audio devices and related methods for controlling such devices. In some particular implementations, a computer-implemented method of controlling a wearable audio device includes: receiving an initiation command to initiate a spatial audio mode; providing a plurality of audio samples corresponding with spatially delineated zones in an array defined relative to a physical position of the wearable audio device, in response to the initiation command, where each audio sample is associated with a source of audio content; receiving a selection command selecting one of the plurality of audio samples; and initiating playback of the source of audio content associated with the selected audio sample.