Abstract: A hearing device such as a hearing aid, ear pod, headphone, or other wearable is provided, whose components include the following: an acoustic transducer with a vent port operable to produce sound, a housing of the acoustic transducer with a sound opening, and an actuatable acoustic valve disposed in the housing, where the acoustic valve is actuatable to alter passage of sound through the acoustic vent to change the state of the hearing device between an open vent state and a closed vent state, so that actuation of the valve changes an acoustic characteristic of the hearing device.

Abstract: A hearing device such as a hearing aid, ear pod, headphone, or other wearable is provided, whose components include the following: an acoustic transducer with a vent port operable to produce sound, a housing of the acoustic transducer with a sound opening, and an actuatable acoustic valve disposed in the housing, where the acoustic valve is actuatable to alter passage of sound through the acoustic vent to change the state of the hearing device between an open vent state and a closed vent state, so that actuation of the valve changes an acoustic characteristic of the hearing device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a receiver and a sound carrier. The receiver includes a housing with an opening, and produces sound energy that is emitted through the opening. The sound carrier is hollow and is coupled to the receiver over the opening. Sound energy that is emitted by the receiver traverses through the sound carrier. The sound carrier includes a stiffener that is disposed at only a first portion of the sound carrier causing the first portion to be resistant to movement. The stiffener resists free movement of the first portion of the sound carrier. A second portion of the sound carrier is free to move and absorb shock forces.

Abstract: At least a partial seal between a housing of a hearing instrument and an ear canal is provided. First signals are received from an internal microphone disposed in the ear canal. Second signals are received from an external microphone disposed outside of the ear canal. A condition of the at least a partial seal is determined, and when the condition of the at least a partial seal indicates a leak, one or more of the level and the spectrum of the first signals is adjusted to compensate for the leak and producing first adjusted signal. A first amount of the first adjusted signals is blended with a second amount of the second signals to produce a blended signal, the first amount and the second amount selected based upon a level of noise.

Abstract: A directional microphone system includes a first microphone that is disposed so as to receive sound energy originating from a first direction, convert the sound energy into a first voltage to be presented at a output. A second microphone is disposed to receive sound energy from a second direction different from the first direction and converts the sound energy into a second voltage presented at a second output. A first amplification circuit provides a first voltage gain at a third output. A second amplification circuit provides a second voltage gain at a fourth output and a predetermined time delay compared to the first amplification circuit. A controlled switch selectively switches a coupling of the first output between the first amplification circuit and the second amplification circuit and vice versa, and the coupling of the second output between the second amplification circuit and the first amplification circuit and vice versa.

Abstract: An insert earphone comprises a housing and at least one transducer that is located in the housing. The transducer is adapted to receive electrical energy and to responsively convert the electrical energy into acoustic energy for presentation to an eardrum of a user. The transducer is positioned within the housing so as to be in close proximity to the eardrum of the user when the housing is inserted into the ear canal. At least one sealing member is coupled to the housing. The at least one sealing member is adapted to provide an acoustic seal within the ear canal of the user.