Abstract: The present invention includes methods of preprocessing soundtracks adapted to hearing impairment, environmental noise or other factors and making the preprocessed soundtracks available as alternate soundtracks. Particular aspects of the present invention are described in the claims, specification and drawings.

Abstract: A method of testing the hearing of a user utilizing a computer system that includes a computer and a speaker. The computer can output an electrical signal to the speaker and the speaker can convert the electrical signal into a stimulus. The method includes: downloading a computer program from a server to the computer; executing the computer program on the computer; generating a digital stimulus, the stimulus having a first sub-stimulus and a second sub-stimulus, the first sub-stimulus being within the audible range of humans, the second sub-stimulus being outside of the audible range of humans and/or outside of the range of the hearing test; and receiving an input from the user that indicates that the user heard the stimulus. The purpose of the sub-stimuli is to dither the stimuli so as to minimize distortions due to quantization of the stimuli and thus improve hearing test accuracy.

Abstract: A technique allows a web site visitor, or other user of a consumer electronics device that is remote from a hearing test server, to measure their hearing loss in an efficient and consistent way which is self-administered, and to store the measurements as a hearing profile which can be used for customizing audio products. The technique includes a method for conducting a hearing test using a computer program. The method includes establishing a communication channel between a remote device and server in a communication network. A first component of the computer program is executed on the server, and a second component of the computer program is executed at the remote device. The computer program according to the invention comprises a routine to manage interaction via an interface on the remote device, and adaptively select stimuli based upon said interaction to be produced at the remote device according to a convergent process to determine a hearing characteristic.

Abstract: This relates to flextensional microphones which are made up of a piezoelectric substrate having opposing surfaces, typically parallel surfaces when the substrate is crystalline or ceramic, and at least one sound receiving surface physically tied to the piezoelectric substrate. The microphones are at least partially isolated via a biocompatible material, e.g., by a covering or a coating. The inventive microphones may be subcutaneously implanted. The microphones may be used as components of surgically implanted hearing aid systems or as components of hearing devices known as cochlear implants. Preferably the microphones are used in arrays and when used as a component of a hearing assistance or replacement device, are used in conjunction with a source of feedback information, usually another microphone. The feedback information usually relates to sound re-emitted from physical portions of the ear, e.g.

Abstract: A technique allows a web site visitor, or other user of a consumer electronic device that is remote from a hearing test server, to calibrate the device in a self-administered fashion, and to apply the calibration in measuring their hearing loss. The measurements can be applied as a hearing profile having a level of quality which can be used for customizing audio products. Audio resources on consumer electronic device such as a home computer, a hand-held computing platform, a mobile phone, or other device that includes audio resources sufficient to support self-administered hearing tests are calibrated. The method includes prompting a user of the device to make a calibration sound using an item likely to be available to the user, other than audio resources on the device. Next, a calibration test using the audio resources on the device to calibrate the device with reference to the calibration sound is run.

Abstract: A method of testing the hearing of a user utilizing a computer system that includes a computer and a speaker. The computer can output an electrical signal to the speaker and the speaker is operable to convert the electrical signal into a stimulus. The computer system has a tone control that controls the spectral components of the electrical signal. The method includes: downloading a computer program from a server to the computer; executing the computer program on the computer, the execution of the computer program setting the tone control; generating a stimulus; and receiving an input from the user that indicates whether the user heard the stimulus.

Abstract: A method of testing the hearing of a user utilizing a computer system. The computer system includes a computer and a speaker. The computer can output an electrical signal to the speaker. The speaker can convert the electrical signal into a stimulus. The method includes: downloading a computer program from a server to the computer; executing the computer program on the computer, the execution of the computer program generating an audio stream; based upon the audio stream, generating a stimulus; and receiving an input from the user that indicates that the user heard the stimulus.

Abstract: A method of testing the hearing of a user utilizing a computer system that includes a computer and a speaker. The computer can output an electrical signal to the speaker and the speaker is operable to convert the electrical signal into a stimulus. The computer system has volume controls that control the amplitude and balance between channels of the electrical signal. The method includes: downloading a computer program from a server to the computer; executing the computer program on the computer, the execution of the computer program setting a volume control; generating a stimulus; and receiving an input from the user that indicates that the user heard the stimulus.

Abstract: A method of testing the hearing of a user utilizing a computer system. The computer system includes a computer and a speaker. The computer includes a first audio source and a second audio source. In addition, the computer can output an electrical signal to the speaker from the first audio source and from the second audio source. Further, the speaker can convert the electrical signal into a stimulus. The method includes: downloading a computer program from a server to the computer; executing the computer program on the computer, the execution of the computer program muting the first audio source; generating a stimulus; and receiving an input from the user that indicates that the user heard the stimulus.

Abstract: A mobile phone or other personal communication device includes resources applying measures of an individual's hearing profile, personal choice profile, and induced hearing loss profile, separately or in combination, to build the basis of sound enhancement. A personal communication device thus comprises a transmitter/receiver coupled to a communication medium for transmitted receiving audio signals, control circuitry that controls transmission, reception and processing of call and audio signals, a speaker, and a microphone. The control circuitry includes logic applying one or more of a hearing profile of the user, a user preference related hearing, and environmental noise factors in processing the audio signals. The control circuitry may includes instruction memory and an instruction execution processor such as a digital signal processor.

Abstract: A method of processing a far-end signal and a near-end signal to produce a final signal, the far-end signal containing speech, the near-end signal containing speech and background noise. The method includes: determining an amplification gain based upon the near-end signal; removing a portion of the background noise from the near-end signal to create a noise-reduced near-end signal; combining the far-end signal with the noise-reduced near-end signal to create a combined signal; and amplifying the combined signal by the amplification gain to create the final signal.