Abstract: A hearing device configured to be fitted at or in a user's ear canal including an acoustic vent configured to enable sound waves to pass through the hearing device. A directional microphone is configured to create an output signal by amplifying sound traveling in a first direction through the acoustic vent toward the ear canal and attenuating sound traveling in a second direction through the acoustic vent from the ear canal. A receiver is configured to produce sound in response to the output signal. A method of operating a hearing device is also included.

Abstract: A battery charging system comprises a battery operated device, a battery charger, and a pair of electrical contacts to electrically connect the battery charger and battery operated device to enable charging the battery, wherein the battery operated device comprises at least a rechargeable battery and short-circuit protection means to prevent discharge of the battery if the electrical contacts become electrically connected, and wherein the battery charger comprises at least monitoring and control circuit to charge the battery.

Abstract: A battery charging system comprises a battery operated device, a battery charger, and a pair of electrical contacts to electrically connect the battery charger and battery operated device to enable charging the battery, wherein the battery operated device comprises at least a rechargeable battery and short-circuit protection means to prevent discharge of the battery if the electrical contacts become electrically connected, and wherein the battery charger comprises at least monitoring and control circuit to charge the battery.

Abstract: A hearing device configured to be fitted at or in a user's ear canal including an acoustic vent configured to enable sound waves to pass through the hearing device. A directional microphone is configured to create an output signal by amplifying sound traveling in a first direction through the acoustic vent toward the ear canal and attenuating sound traveling in a second direction through the acoustic vent from the ear canal. A receiver is configured to produce sound in response to the output signal. A method of operating a hearing device is also included.

Abstract: A low distortion compression amplifier comprising an amplifier circuit having an input and an output, wherein an input signal is received at the input and amplified in accordance with a gain to form an output signal at the output. The amplifier circuit further comprises a comparator circuit operable to receive the output signal and generate a first control signal in response thereto. A digital gain control circuit is coupled to the amplifier circuit, and is operable to generate a digital gain control signal based at least in part on the first control signal. The gain control signal is then employed to modulate the gain of the amplifier circuit in a digital fashion. The invention also comprises a method of digitally controlling a gain associated with an amplifier circuit. The method comprises comparing an output signal to a threshold and modulating the gain in a digital fashion, wherein the gain is modulated up in a plurality of rates or down in a plurality of rates in response to the comparison.

Abstract: A low distortion compression amplifier comprising an amplifier circuit having an input and an output, wherein an input signal is received at the input and amplified in accordance with a gain to form an output signal at the output. The amplifier circuit further comprises a comparator circuit operable to receive the output signal and generate a first control signal in response thereto. A digital gain control circuit is coupled to the amplifier circuit, and is operable to generate a digital gain control signal based at least in part on the first control signal. The gain control signal is then employed to modulate the gain of the amplifier circuit in a digital fashion. The invention also comprises a method of digitally controlling a gain associated with an amplifier circuit. The method comprises comparing an output signal to a threshold and modulating the gain in a digital fashion, wherein the gain is modulated up in a plurality of rates or down in a plurality of rates in response to the comparison.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a microphone, signal processing circuitry, receiver and integral battery all mounted in a casing. The battery may be a metal-air device. The battery may be activated by removing a tape which blocks air holes on the battery or, if the battery is sealed into the hearing aid, air-vent holes on the hearing aid. The hearing aid may also include an air-blocking mechanism which is activated when the hearing aid is inserted in the user's ear and deactivated when the hearing aid is removed. The assembled hearing aid may also be packaged in non-permeable packaging material to extinguish battery activity. The hearing aid may also include an electronic switch which monitors the battery potential to disconnect the battery from the hearing aid electronics when the battery is deprived of oxygen and which connects the battery to the electronics when oxygen is provided to the battery.

Abstract: A microfluidic device has a layer with a capillary break formed by a capillary sluice. The capillary sluice has a lower surface and an upper surface. A first electrode is disposed on the lower surface. The first electrode is coupled to the voltage source. A second electrode spaced a predetermined distance from the first electrode is coupled to the voltage source. A controller may be used to control the voltage applied to the electrodes. The controller may alter the operation of the microfluidic chip in response to fluid sensed at the electrodes.

Abstract: A metal-air cell for powering electronic components in a hearing aid device. The metal-air cell has a flex circuit inside containing an anode mixture. The flex circuit comprises a flexible substrate having a cathode electrode area at one end of the substrate, an anode electrode area at another end of the substrate and an electronic components area in between. The flexible substrate is disposed within the housing. The cathode electrode area is near a top surface of the housing, and the anode electrode area is near a bottom surface of the housing and in contact with the anode mixture. The cathode electrode area has air flow means for permitting air into the housing. An isolation means between the cathode electrode area and the anode mixture is provided for preventing contact between the cathode electrode area and the anode mixture.

Abstract: An electronic signal processing system, including a microphone section and an integral battery, may be assembled with a receiver section to form a three section hearing-aid. The shape of the outer shell of an integral battery may approximate the shape of an ear canal when attached to the other two sections. An integral (sealed-in) battery with such an unusual shape may have a higher capacity battery than those of standard insertable/removable batteries. The integral battery (e.g. a zinc-air battery) may be tested for leakage before being assembled to the other sections of the hearing-aid. To preserve battery shelf-life a “pull” tab may be placed over vents in the integral battery. To activate the battery, the “pull” tab may be removed. Conducting strips may be formed on the “pull” tab permitting the circuits, battery and components of the hearing-aid to be tested after assembly.

Abstract: A disposable in-the-ear monitoring instrument includes a monitoring assembly for monitoring one or more vital health signs of a user, a transmitter assembly for transmitting the monitored vital health signs to a remote receiving unit, and a battery for energizing the assemblies. The assemblies and battery are mounted on a printed circuit which is disposed in a cylindrical shell. And the cylindrical shell is itself mounted in an earmold. The disposable in-the-ear monitoring instrument is of an optimum design having a minimum number of components, and thus is easy to assemble on an automated basis. The automated assembly of the in-the-ear monitoring instrument and its optimum design reduces costs and allows for the disposability of the monitoring instrument.

Abstract: A hearing instrument is adapted for positioning in the external auditory canal of a human proximal to the tympanic membrane. It includes a substantially rigid shell and a relatively flexible tip member. The tip member includes a hollow body portion defining a elongated passage for the communication of acoustic signals through the tip member. The hollow body portion of the tip member is sufficiently deformable so that an axis of the passage substantially conforms to an axis of the external auditory canal upon insertion. The hollow body is also significantly rigid to resist substantial collapse of the passage upon such insertion. The axis of the passage defined by the hollow body portion is moveable at an angle with respect to the axis of the shell so that the hearing instrument can navigate the canal during insertion. Wax guard and receiver mounting configurations as well as a method of assembly are also described.