Abstract: A communication system for hearing device users is disclosed. The communication system includes a communication device configured to convert sound to an electrical audio signal combined with other electrical audio signals from other communication devices; a communication module to receive the electrical audio signal to generate a communication signal and transmit the communication signal using a communication protocol; and one or more hearing devices configured to receive the communication signal using the communication protocol. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for rapidly determining and displaying the depth of ear tip placement to improve the reliability of hearing tests may comprise in a hearing assessment system comprising a control system and a probe with a sealing ear tip, a microphone, and a sound source: measuring a pressure versus frequency of an ear canal, determining a first half-wavelength frequency of the ear canal using the measured pressure versus frequency and/or or from the phase of the ear canal reflectance, and calculating a distance between the hearing probe and an eardrum in the ear canal based on the determined first half-wavelength frequency. Subsequent measurements of the ear canal may be performed using the calculated distance. The calculated distance may be stored in a memory in the control system for the subsequent measurements of the ear canal. The calculated distance may be displayed on a gauge on the control system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for rapidly determining and displaying the depth of ear tip placement to improve the reliability of hearing tests may comprise in a hearing assessment system comprising a control system and a probe with a sealing ear tip, a microphone, and a sound source: measuring a pressure versus frequency of an ear canal, determining a first half-wavelength frequency of the ear canal using the measured pressure versus frequency and/or or from the phase of the ear canal reflectance, and calculating a distance between the hearing probe and an eardrum in the ear canal based on the determined first half-wavelength frequency. Subsequent measurements of the ear canal may be performed using the calculated distance. The calculated distance may be stored in a memory in the control system for the subsequent measurements of the ear canal. The calculated distance may be displayed on a gauge on the control system.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present technology provide a sound attenuator for reducing high level sounds within the ear canal while maintaining high audibility for lower level sounds. The sound attenuator comprises a housing with a passageway for passing external sound, a damping member to restore resonance within a plugged ear, and a disc interposed across the passageway. The disc comprises a cavity, at least one hole through said disc and a flexible diaphragm positioned across the cavity. At a sound pressure level less than that of a predetermined value the flexible diaphragm expands upon an increase in the external sound pressure level maintaining a near constant level of attenuation. For sound pressure levels at or greater than that of the predetermined value the diaphragm contacts the interior surface of the cavity, thereby limiting the flexibility of the diaphragm and increasing the level of attenuation provided by the attenuator.

Abstract: A kit for conducting a self-administered hearing test allows a test subject to generate calibrated pure tone stimuli during a hearing test without calibrating the testing system beforehand. Some hearing kits include a sound module and headphones configured to couple together and further couple with a processor-driven device, such as a computer. Some kits also include a computer-readable storage medium with executable instructions for programming a computer to perform the hearing test, including generating calibrated pure tone stimuli without calibration by the user. Methods and systems for conducting calibrated, self-administered hearing tests are also provided.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present technology provide a sound attenuator for reducing high level sounds within the ear canal while maintaining high audibility for lower level sounds. The sound attenuator comprises a housing with a passageway for passing external sound, a damping member to restore resonance within a plugged ear, and a disc interposed across the passageway. The disc comprises a cavity, at least one hole through said disc and a flexible diaphragm positioned across the cavity. At a sound pressure level less than that of a predetermined value the flexible diaphragm expands upon an increase in the external sound pressure level maintaining a near constant level of attenuation. For sound pressure levels at or greater than that of the predetermined value the diaphragm contacts the interior surface of the cavity, thereby limiting the flexibility of the diaphragm and increasing the level of attenuation provided by the attenuator.

Abstract: Wireless earphone systems provide earphones configured to be supported entirely by the ear canals of the wearer and to provide stereophonic reproduction of sound to the wearer based on a two-channel stereophonic signal from a transceiver that is attachable to a device. Certain systems include earphones configured such that channel reception can be switched between the earphones. Certain systems include an earphone that includes: a housing; a ground plane comprising circuitry; and a multi-segmented antenna configured to receive a signal from a transceiver, wherein the antenna and the ground plane are disposed within the housing, wherein the antenna is substantially parallel to the ground plane, and wherein the antenna and the ground plane are separated by a distance.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present technology provide wireless earphone systems that include earphones configured to be supported entirely by the ear canals of the wearer and to provide stereophonic reproduction of sound to the wearer based on a two-channel stereophonic signal from a transceiver that is attachable to a device. Certain embodiments of the present technology provide wireless earphone systems that include earphones configured such that channel reception can be switched between the earphones. Certain embodiments of the present technology provide wireless earphone systems that include an earphone that includes: a housing; a ground plane comprising circuitry; and a multi-segmented antenna configured to receive a signal from a transceiver, wherein the antenna and the ground plane are disposed within the housing, wherein the antenna is substantially parallel to the ground plane, and wherein the antenna and the ground plane are separated by a distance.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in an insert earphone assembly. The insert earphone assembly may comprise a housing and a transducer located in the housing. The transducer may be for converting electrical signals received into sound energy. The insert earphone apparatus may further comprise an insert element. The insert element may be at, least partially integrated within the housing. The insert element may also comprise a main sound channel for communicating the sound energy from the transducer to a user. In certain embodiments, one or more of the body and the insert element may comprise one or more auxiliary ducts and one or more auxiliary volume spaces. The one or more auxiliary ducts and one or more auxiliary volume spaces may be separated by one or more auxiliary dampers.

Abstract: A noise dosimeter with capability to rapidly predict noise exposure over an extended time period based on a measurement of short duration. Either an acoustic or an electrical earphone adapter provides a convenient means to connect the noise dosimeter to an external sound source. A direct input jack operable to receive at least one audio signal provides a signal to an RMS detector, which provides a DC signal to a two-stage amplifier circuit. The outputs of the amplifiers are provided to a processor having multiple A/D channels. The processor calculates accumulated noise doses and drives a display, which in one embodiment includes a panel of light-emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the dosimeter includes functionality for control of external devices such as sound boards.

Abstract: A personal noise dosimeter having functionality for increasing the dynamic range of the device. A microphone provides a signal to an RMS detector, which provides a DC signal to a two-stage amplifier circuit. The outputs of the amplifiers are provided to a processor having multiple A/D channels. The processor calculates accumulated noise doses and drives a display, which in one embodiment includes a panel of light-emitting diodes. A current source injects current into the output of the RMS detector to reduce performance degradation. Functionality detects and accounts for voltage offsets in the dosimeter. The microphone is turned off during offset determination. In one embodiment, the dosimeter includes functionality for control of external devices such as sound boards.

Abstract: A hearing screening system for testing hearing abilities of a patient includes an otoacoustic emission (OAE) module operable to perform OAE tests, a tympanometry (tymp) module operable to perform tymp tests, and at least one probe in communication with at least one of the OAE and tymp modules. The probe includes a probe tip that is configured to be positioned within an ear canal of a patient.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an earphone that allows for individual adjustment of different audio levels produced out of a first and second speaker to compensate for hearing impairment in one or both ears. The earphone may include a jack plug that is configured for insertion into an audio source that has a first volume control for setting the audio volume level produced by the first speaker. The earphone may also include a second volume control having an inlet and an outlet the inlet being operably connected to the jack plug. The second volume control may be configured to adjust the audio volume level produced by the second speaker. The maximum audio volume level of the second volume control may be approximately the same as the audio volume level set by the first volume control. The minimum audio volume of the second volume control may be inaudible.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hearing improvement device using a multi-coil coupling system and methods for operating such a device. In an embodiment according to the present invention an array microphone may be used to provide highly directional reception. The received audio signal may be filtered, amplified, and converted into a magnetic field for coupling to a telecoil in a conventional hearing aid. Multiple transmit inductors may be used to effectively couple to both in-the-ear and behind-the-ear type hearing aids, and an additional embodiment is disclosed which may be used with an earphone, for users not requiring a hearing aid.

Abstract: A hearing aid apparatus is disclosed that employs both an omnidirectional microphone and at least one directional microphone of at least the first order. The electrical signals output from the directional microphone are supplied to an equalization amplifier which at least partially equalizes the amplitude of the low frequency electrical signal components of the electrical signal with the amplitude of the mid and high frequency electrical signal components of the electrical signals of the directional microphone. A switching circuit accepts the signals output from both the omnidirectional microphone and the directional microphone. The switching circuit connects the signal from the omnidirectional microphone to an input of a hearing aid amplifier when the switching circuit is in a first switching state, and connects the output of the equalization circuit to the hearing aid amplifier input when the switching circuit is in a second switching state.

Abstract: An insert high fidelity earphone is provided in which a hollow housing is connected to two tubes. A first tube is connected to the hollow housing on one side, and on the other side is inserted into an ear tip that ensures substantial sealing of the ear canal. A second tube is connected to hollow housing on one side and houses a cable that connects circuitry in the hollow housing to an audio source. The first tube comprises a damping assembly. The first tube comprises grooves on the inside wall that ensure that the damping assembly only fits in one orientation, which is the correct orientation. The damping assembly may be easily replaceable, without having to replace the entire earphone. The earphone may have a curved shape providing a comfortable and nearly invisible fit into the ear canal.

Abstract: A hearing test device and method are disclosed which involve the placement of a testing probe in the ear canal of a test subject. The device analyzes responses to stimuli applied to the ear canal to determine whether the testing probe has been properly placed in the ear canal. The device may determine, for example, whether the probe is stable, whether it is sealed in the ear canal, whether the resulting volume of the ear canal is acceptable, and/or whether the stimuli delivery system is blocked in any way. If the device determines that the testing probe has been properly placed in the ear canal, the device automatically starts a hearing test without requiring any operator input.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing speech intelligibility using wireless communication in portable, battery-powered and entirely user-supportable devices. The devices may be talker devices and receiver devices, where the audio signals input into the talker devices may be transmitted to the receiver devices to provide better quality audio to person using the receiver devices. The receiver devices may initiate and terminate communications with the talker devices. Additionally, the receiver devices may indicate to the talker devices the gain level the talker devices need to apply to the audio signals before sending them to the receiver devices.

Abstract: A microphone assembly generally for hearing aid and communications applications is disclosed. The microphone assembly operates in both directional and non-directional or omni-directional modes. The microphone assembly has front and rear sound inlet tubes, and an actuator switch that may be moved between a first position in which the rear tube is plugged, defining the omni-directional mode, and a second position in which the rear tube is unplugged, defining the directional mode. Circuitry senses the position of the actuator switch and selects a microphone output based on the position sensed.

Abstract: A hearing-aid device comprising a housing and circuitry module, wherein the circuitry module comprises a battery, a microphone, and a receiver, and the circuit module is inserted in the hearing aid housing. The hearing aid device further comprises a retractable battery sleeve, wherein a battery slot is exposed when the battery sleeve is retracted, and a battery can be inserted into the battery slot from either side of the battery slot with either polarity. The hearing aid housing may comprise an ear-tip, wherein a microphone is mounted in the hearing aid housing near the ear-tip and the microphone receives sounds through at least one sound inlet located on a side surface of the hearing aid housing. The ear-tip additionally comprises three flanges decreasing in size toward the flange closest to the ear canal, and the hearing aid can be inserted into the ear canal in any orientation.