Abstract: A hearing device includes an enclosure comprising a shell and a faceplate and is configured for at least partial insertion within an ear of a user. An antenna structure of the hearing device is oriented such that a direction of an electric field (E-field) of a propagating electromagnetic signal generated by the antenna structure is directed non-tangentially with respect to the user at the location of the user's ear. The antenna structure includes an antenna disposed in or on the faceplate and a ground plane at least partially supported by the faceplate. A battery and electronic circuitry are disposed within the shell. The electronic circuitry is powered by the battery and is electrically coupled to send and/or receive signals via the antenna structure.

Abstract: A method of filtering includes generating a random value by a random number generator circuit, filtering a first signal by a first filter to form a filtered first signal, dithering the filtered first signal using the random value to form a dithered first signal, filtering a second signal by a second filter to form a filtered second signal, and dithering the filtered second signal using the random value to form a dithered second signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sound device and a portable terminal. The sound device includes a first vibration system including a bobbin voice coil, the bobbin voice coil being provided behind a first diaphragm and fixedly connected to the first diaphragm, the bobbin voice coil including a bobbin and a voice coil body formed by winding voice coil leads on the bobbin, one end of the bobbin away from the first diaphragm at least partially configured to protrude from the voice coil body; a second vibration system including a second diaphragm opposite to the first diaphragm; and a magnetic circuit system between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm, the magnetic circuit system being provided with an avoiding portion. One end of the bobbin away from the first diaphragm is movable to penetrate through the avoiding portion and is fixedly connected to the second diaphragm.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure a hearing instrument is provided. The hearing instrument comprises a wireless communication unit for wireless communication, a speaker interconnected with the wireless communication unit and being configured to provide an output audio signal, a battery configured to supply power to the hearing instrument, a filter circuit interconnecting the battery and a power management circuit of the hearing instrument, the wireless communication unit being interconnected with the battery, the battery being configured for emission and reception of an electromagnetic field having an RF wavelength. The filter circuit is configured to de-couple the battery and the power management circuit at frequencies above 3 MHz and configured to connect the battery to the power management circuit at frequencies below 300 kHz.

Abstract: A method for low power communication links between wireless devices is described. The method includes establishing, by a first wireless device, a first magnetic communication link to a source wireless device through a human body. The method also includes establishing, by a second wireless device, a second magnetic communication link to the source wireless device through the human body. The method also includes receiving, by the first wireless device via the first magnetic communication link and the second wireless device via the second magnetic communication link, communications from the source wireless device through the human body.

Abstract: A hearing aid comprises a) an input transducer; b) an output transducer; c) an input buffer connected to the input transducer configured to store audio data representing one or more time segments of an electric input signal; d) an own voice detector for providing an own voice control signal, and e) a combiner allowing to insert audio data from the input buffer in a forward audio signal path. The hearing aid further comprises f) an input controller configured to control storage of a time segment of the electric input signal in dependence of said own voice control signal; and g) an output controller configured to select audio data from said one or more time segments of the electric input signal currently stored in the input buffer for insertion in the forward path in dependence of an output control signal originating from the user.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hearing device configured to be worn at an ear of a user, the hearing device comprising a sensor unit configured to provide sensor data; and a communication unit configured to receive remote data from a remote device. The disclosure further relates to a communication system comprising the hearing device and the remote device and to a method of operating the hearing device and the remote device.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting data ultrasonically through biological tissue employs a network of a plurality of nodes, at least a portion of the nodes implantable within the biological tissue. At least one implanted node includes a transmitter having an orthogonal frequency division multiplex signal generator to encode an ultrasonic signal for transmission through the biological tissue to an ultrasonic receiver at another node.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hearing device comprising a housing surrounding a venting channel comprising a valve member moveable relative to the venting channel between different positions comprising a first valve position and a second valve position, an actuator configured to provide an actuation force with a direction and a magnitude acting on the valve member, and a controller a controller configured to provide a first control signal controlling the actuator to provide the actuation force in a first direction, and to provide a second control signal controlling the actuator to provide the actuation force in a second direction. The disclosure further relates to a method of operating such a hearing device.

Abstract: A method includes providing, for each respective audio channel of a plurality of audio channels provided by an operating system of a computing device, a set of successive audio processing stages to apply to the respective audio channel. The method also includes providing, by the operating system, an application programming interface (API) configured to set a plurality of parameters for adjusting the set of successive audio processing stages for each respective audio channel. The method additionally includes receiving, via the API and from an application running on the computing device, one or more values for one or more parameters of the plurality of parameters. The method further includes adjusting, by the operating system, the plurality of audio channels based on the received one or more values for the one or more parameters.

Abstract: A hearing system comprising a hearing device and at least two controllers connected to the hearing device for changing a state of the hearing device, wherein the hearing device is configured to maintain a transaction token having a present value associated with at least one present state parameter value of the hearing device. Each controller is configured to acquire, prior to changing the state of the hearing device, the present transaction token value and the present at least one state parameter value of the hearing device, to change the acquired parameter value, and to send back to the hearing device, as a state change request, the new at least one state parameter value together with the acquired transaction token value.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hearing device and in particular to hearing device and related method for configuration or operation of a hearing device. Disclosed is a hearing device comprising a processing unit configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device, a memory, and an interface. The processing unit/hearing device may be configured to receive a mode request via the interface; authenticate the mode request; and place the hearing device into the requested mode if authentication of the mode request succeeds.

Abstract: A method for self-calibrating of a hearing device (which includes an ear canal microphone, an external microphone, and a receiver) includes: obtaining an input signal with the external microphone; providing an output signal with the receiver; measuring the output signal using the ear canal microphone; predicting an output response based on a gain setting; determining a difference between the predicted output response and the measured output signal; and calibrating the hearing device by controlling a gain parameter based on the difference.

Abstract: A terminal may include: a sensor unit including a microphone configured to acquire a surrounding sound, and a position sensor configured to identify a position of the terminal; a processor configured to learn the position of the terminal and the surrounding sound to identify characteristics of a dangerous sound depending on the position of the terminal, and determine a setting value of a hearing aid depending on the identified characteristics of the dangerous sound; and a communicator configured to transmit the setting value to the hearing aid.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to communication devices. Such devices may comprise input for receiving sound signal to be processed and presented to a user, and output for outputting the processed signal to a user perceivable as sound. Such processing may be performed by use of a processor for processing the sound signal in dependence of a setting or a set of setting to compensate a hearing loss profile. Further, the communication device may comprise a bio-signal acquisition and amplifier component in communication with a user interface for providing the bio-signals as input to the user interface, the user interface controlling the setting or set of setting for operation of the communication device.

Abstract: A tool for replacing a cerumen filter in a sound conduit of a hearing aid. The tool is designed to position a cerumen filter along the sound conduit and to couple with and remove a cerumen filter that has been positioned along the sound conduit. The tool comprises an insertion tip and an removal tip, both configured to fit inside the sound conduit and to couple or engage with an engagement body extending centrally from the cerumen filter. The tool may be in the form of a stylus with the insertion tip on one and the removing tip on the other end. The tool may also be in the form of a disc dispenser with a plurality of insertion and removal tips attached to the dispenser and accessible for use by rotating plates making up the disc dispenser.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a power management circuit to receive an input voltage and to generate and provide a first output voltage to an energy storage device. The power management circuit further generates and provides a second output voltage to a load. The first output voltage is greater than the input voltage, and the second output voltage is smaller than the first output voltage. The apparatus further includes a monitor circuit to monitor the first output voltage and to provide a signal to the load to indicate when the load may perform an operation.

Abstract: A hearing device system including a hearing device, a user interface communicatively coupled to the hearing device, and a module for processing a psychoacoustic model. The psychoacoustic model is adapted to derive a modification proposal based on hearing relevant data, wherein the modification proposal is adapted to solve a hearing issue of the user of the hearing device. The hearing device system is adapted to dynamically present the modification proposal to the user via the user interface, and to adapt the user interface such to receive inputs made by the user to the dynamically presented modification proposal.

Abstract: An in-ear receiver can be used in a headset and/or hearing aid and includes a housing in which at least one ear canal section is configured to be inserted into an ear canal of a wearer when the in-ear receiver is used as intended. The housing defines at least one outer contour that is configured with at least in one section adapted to the ear canal of the wearer. The in-ear receiver includes a sound transducer arranged in the housing, and at least one resonant cavity, which is formed in the housing and is divided by the sound transducer into a front volume and a rear volume. The sound transducer is a MEMS sound transducer, and the front volume and/or the rear volume have/has an inner contour adapted to the ear canal.

Abstract: A hearing aid system according to some examples includes a hearing aid which includes a microphone, amplifier, speaker, and a telecoil. In some examples, the hearing aid may include a battery or a capacitor for storing power wirelessly received from a distance separated wireless power transfer unit. The telecoil may be configured to receive audio signals and couple the audio signals to audio processing circuitry of the hearing aid. The telecoil may be further configured to receive power signals from the base unit and couple the power signals to power supply circuitry of the hearing aid, for example for charging the battery of the hearing aid. Examples of transmitter and receiver coils, and of distance and orientation optimization are described. Examples of wireless charging systems that may be used with hearing aids or other medical assistance devices are described.

Abstract: A method includes: initializing a model comprising a parameterized objective function based on first and second assumption on the objective function; obtaining an initial test setting; assigning the initial test setting as a primary test setting; obtaining a secondary test setting based on the model; outputting a primary test signal according to the primary test setting; outputting a secondary test signal according to the secondary test setting; obtaining a user input of a preferred test setting indicative of a preference for either the primary test setting or the secondary test setting; updating the model based on the primary test setting, the secondary test setting, and the preferred test setting; and in accordance with a determination that a tuning criterion is satisfied, updating at least one of hearing device parameters of a hearing device based on hearing device parameter(s) of the preferred test setting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing audio signals. One system includes a communication device including a transceiver configured to send and receive audio data, and a microphone configured to convert sound waves to a first audio signal. A speaker is configured to convert received electrical signals to an acoustic output and is configured to convert sound waves to a second audio signal. An electronic processor connected to the microphone and the speaker is configured to receive the first audio signal from the microphone, receive the second audio signal from the speaker, determine a correlation value between the first audio signal and the second audio signal, and compare the correlation value to a correlation threshold. In response to the correlation value being below the correlation threshold, the electronic processor generates an output signal based on the first audio signal and the second audio signal, and transmits the output signal.

Abstract: A skin interface apparatus configured as an interface of a prosthesis with skin of a recipient, including a first portion configured for direct contact with skin of the recipient, and a second portion configured for direct contact with skin of the recipient, wherein the portions have different material properties. In an exemplary embodiment, the first portion is a part of a holding plate pad of a hearing prosthesis and the second portion is part of a driving plate pad of the hearing prosthesis.

Abstract: A hearing aid device and a method for operating the hearing aid device. The hearing aid device has an acousto-electrical transducer, a signal processing unit, an electro-acoustic transducer and a unit for recognizing a wearer's own voice. The hearing aid device detects and recognizes the wearer's own voice by way of the recognition unit and, when the wearer's own voice has been detected, operates the signal processing unit with a modified signal processing parameter that is modified such that the sound of the wearer's own voice is improved.

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a computer-implemented method that includes receiving, at one or more servers from a first computing device, (i) first identification information identifying the first computing device or an application executing on the first computing device, and (ii) second identification information identifying a second computing device. The second identification information is obtained by the first computing device by detecting changes to one or more parameters of a magnetic field generated by the second computing device. The method also includes determining, by the server based on the first information, identity information of a user associated with the first computing device, and transmitting, from the one or more servers to the second computing device, the identity information, such that the identity information is usable by the second computing device to verify an access attempt by the user.

Abstract: A method of operating a hearing aid system in order to provide improved sound environment classification and a hearing aid system (200) for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A hearing system comprising a hearing device and a connected device, wherein the hearing device comprises a microphone; a processor for processing a signal from the microphone; an output device for outputting the processed signal to an ear of the user; a memory for storing program code modules to be processed by the processor; and a transceiver for exchanging data with the connected device. In the memory of the hearing device a first set of program code modules and in the memory of the connected device a second set of program code modules different from the first set is stored. A program code module of the second set of program code modules is transferred from the connected device to the hearing device upon request from the hearing device or the connected device.

Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a plurality of EEG sensors configured to sense EEG signals from or proximate a wearer's ear. At least one processor is configured to detect, during a baseline period of no wearer movement, EEG signals from the EEG sensors, and detect, during each of a plurality of candidate control movements by the wearer, EEG signals from the EEG sensors. The at least one processor is also configured to compute, using the EEG signals, discriminability metrics for the candidate control movements and the baseline period, the discriminability metrics indicating how discriminable neural signals associated with the candidate control movements and the baseline period are from one another. The at least one processor is further configured to select a subset of the candidate control movements using the discriminability metrics, each of the selected control movements defining a neural command for controlling the ear-worn electronic device by the wearer.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, the embodiments disclosed herein describe replacing a current hearing aid profile stored in a hearing aid. In one embodiment, the hearing aid profile is updated by sending a hearing aid profile update request to a hearing aid profile service, receiving the updated hearing aid profile from the hearing aid profile service, and replacing the current hearing aid profile in the hearing aid with the updated hearing aid profile.

Abstract: A portable calibration system is disclosed that calibrates an audio equipment without using a dedicated sound level meter. The calibration system comprises a coupler configured to couple a transducer to an energy sensor, where an output of the transducer is provided to the energy sensor via the coupler, an analyzer module configured to receive information from the energy sensor regarding the output of the transducer, a processor, in the analyzer module, configured to process the information to provide a result of a calibration for the audio equipment with respect to expected results, and a display configured to display the result of the calibration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing wind noise in an electronic hearing protector are provided. The electronic hearing protector includes a housing and a windscreen. The housing includes a cut-out portion having at least one acoustic inlet. The windscreen covers the cut-out portion and includes an outer surface. An acoustic path within the cut-out portion from an effective center of the acoustic inlet(s) to the windscreen is at least 100 degrees. A minimum distance from the effective center of the acoustic inlet(s) to the outer surface of the windscreen is at least 2.5 millimeters. In various embodiments, the electronic hearing protector may include a high-level limiter disposed in the housing. The high-level limiter selectively attenuates a frequency below a voice range more than a frequency in the voice range of a microphone input signal to provide a signal output with noise reduction at frequencies outside of the voice range.

Abstract: A binaural hearing system includes first and second hearing devices communicatively coupled by way of a binaural communication link. The first hearing device determines that a signal quality measure of a wireless signal transmitted by the remote audio source is greater than an upper threshold level. In response, both hearing devices enter a wireless audio rendering mode in which they render a remote audio stream from the remote audio source to a user. While operating in the wireless audio rendering mode, both hearing devices determine that a signal quality measure of the remote audio stream drops below a lower threshold level. In response to this determination, both hearing devices exit the wireless audio rendering mode.

Abstract: The disclosure relates in general to on-ear transition detection, and in particular to on-ear transition detection circuitry comprising: a monitoring unit operable to monitor a speaker current flowing through a speaker and/or a speaker voltage induced across the speaker, and to generate a monitor signal indicative of the speaker current and/or the speaker voltage; and an event detector operable to detect a qualifying disturbance in a sensor signal indicative of a qualifying pressure change incident on the speaker caused by the speaker transitioning from an on-ear state to an off-ear state or vice versa, wherein the sensor signal is, or is derived from, the monitor signal.

Abstract: A hearing device including a housing, at least two microphones, and a sound receiving arrangement coupled to the housing such to span across the tragus of the user's ear in a direction from the rear of the user's head to the front of the user's head. The sound receiving arrangement includes a case formed with at least two openings adapted to allow sound entrance from the environment to the at least two microphones, respectively, wherein the openings are formed in portions of the sound receiving arrangement such that one of the at least two openings is located in front of the tragus and one is located rear the tragus.

Abstract: An optimization system for testing a patient's hearing comprising a controller, right and left ear pieces, and a memory. The controller provides a series of tones to the ear piece and receive feedback from the patient between each tone provided. The controller then generates a data point on an audiogram after receiving each feedback, wherein each data point is based on the respective feedback, and, after each data point is generated, compute a statistical distribution based on the generated data points. The controller then identifies an area of the audiogram most in need of additional data based on the statistical distribution and selects a subsequent tone to provide in the series of tones, wherein each subsequent tone provided in the series of tones is a tone represented in the area of the audiogram most in need of additional data at the time of selection.

Abstract: A receiver for a hearable, said receiver comprising a moveable membrane, and an arrangement for detecting the movements of the moveable membrane during, for example, a fitting process. The arrangement for detecting the movements of the moveable membrane may include one or more electrodes forming one or more capacitors in combination with the moveable membrane. The receiver may further include a moving armature type motor having an inductor being wounded around at least part of a moving armature. This inductor may form part of the arrangement for detecting the movements of the moveable membrane. The present invention further relates to a hearable and an associated method.

Abstract: Appropriate control corresponding to an ambient sound situation is executed for an audio processing system which receives an input of a sound via a microphone and outputs the sound via a speaker. For this purpose, a controller for the audio processing system which receives an input of a sound via the microphone and outputs the sound from the speaker includes a characteristic control unit and an analysis unit. The characteristic control unit is capable of selectively executing a plurality of control methods as an audio signal characteristic control method. The analysis unit analyzes the sound input via the microphone, and selects a control method executed by the characteristic control unit for the audio processing system in accordance with an analysis result.

Abstract: Low-cost hearing aid platforms that are customizable for specific user needs are disclosed. An exemplary hearing aid platform includes an electret microphone, an amplifier, a capacitor, a printable circuit board (PCB), an audio output, and a housing for the components. The hearing aid platform may comprise customizable gain settings and safety features such as automatic gain control. In some embodiments, the hearing aid platform may connect to headphones. In some embodiments, the hearing aid platform may connect to a bone transducer. Devices described herein also may include housings that are customizable for a user's needs and/or personality.

Abstract: The present technique relates to a processing device and a processing method for realizing sound collection at a high S/N ratio, with noise influence being reduced not by a noise reduction process. In the processing device, a microphone that collects emitted speech voice is provided in a space that is substantially sealed off from outside and connects to an ear canal of the wearer (the speaker). With the microphone being located in the space sealed off from outside, emitted speech voice that propagates through the ear canal of the wearer is collected. In a sound collection signal obtained through the ear canal, the emitted speech voice component is dominant over the noise component particularly at low frequencies Further, an equalizing process for reducing muffled sound that is generated when sound is collected through the ear canal is performed on the sound collection signal.

Abstract: A hearing device to be worn in or at the ear of a user. The hearing device includes a housing for accommodating an electronic component, wherein the housing includes an electromagnetic wave shielding material and is formed with an indentation. The indentation provides a space at the outer side of the housing, allowing an antenna to be inserted into the indentation. The proposed hearing device achieves improved shielding of the antenna against electromagnetic waves radiated from at least one of the electronic components.

Abstract: A device to transmit an audio signal to a user comprises a transducer and a support. The support is configured for placement on the eardrum to drive the eardrum. The transducer is coupled to the support at a first location to decrease occlusion and a second location to drive the eardrum. The transducer may comprise one or more of an electromagnetic balanced armature transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a magnetostrictive transducer, a photostrictive transducer, or a coil and magnet. The device may find use with open canal hearing aids.

Abstract: A hearing device including a housing, at least two microphones, and a sound receiving arrangement coupled to the housing such to span across the tragus of the user's ear in a direction from the rear of the user's head to the front of the user's head. The sound receiving arrangement includes a case formed with at least two openings adapted to allow sound entrance from the environment to the at least two microphones, respectively, wherein the openings are formed in portions of the sound receiving arrangement such that one of the at least two openings is located in front of the tragus and one is located rear the tragus.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the quality of audio communications as perceived by humans include audio signal spectrum frequency shift for enhancement of speech recognition by human customers, including mitigation of common age-related hearing loss on high audio frequencies.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a sound processor apparatus that is configured for external use by a patient and includes 1) a position sensor that detects a positioning of the sound processor apparatus and 2) a control module that is communicatively coupled to the position sensor and performs a predetermined action with respect to the system in accordance with the detected positioning of the sound processor apparatus. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for monitoring the sensory outcome of a recipient of a sensory prosthesis in an ambient environment that includes one or more controllable network connected devices. The sensory outcome of the recipient in the environment is used to make operational changes to the one or more controllable network connected devices in order to create an improved environment for recipient.

Abstract: A hearing system includes a hearing device, the hearing device comprising: an input module for providing a first input signal, the input module comprising a first microphone; a processor for processing the first input signal and providing a processor output signal based on the first input signal; and a receiver for providing an audio output signal based on the processor output signal; wherein the hearing system is configured to obtain a user input indicative of a change from a first primary setting to a first secondary setting of the hearing device, and wherein the hearing device, upon a detection of the change from the first primary setting to the first secondary setting, is configured to output a secondary audio output signal according to the first secondary setting.

Abstract: A wearable microphone array apparatus and system used as a directional audio system and as an assisted listening device. The present invention advances hearing aids and assisted listening devices to allow construction of a highly directional audio array that is wearable, natural sounding, and convenient to direct, as well as to provide directional cues to users who have partial or total loss of hearing in one or both ears. The advantages of the invention include simultaneously providing high gain, high directivity, high side lobe attenuation, and consistent beam width; providing significant beam forming at lower frequencies where substantial noises are present, particularly in noisy, reverberant environments; and allowing construction of a cost effective body-worn or body-carried directional audio device.

Abstract: An acoustic device that includes a housing, a nozzle portion, a speaker hole, a first microphone hole, a speaker, a first microphone, and a processor configured to output a first signal through the speaker, receive a second signal corresponding to the first signal through the first microphone, output a third signal through the speaker when a magnitude of a first frequency band component of the second signal is greater than a first value, receive a fourth signal corresponding to the third signal through the first microphone, and determine that the protruding end surface of the nozzle portion is blocked and the acoustic device is not worn in a user's ear when a magnitude of a second frequency band component of the fourth signal is greater than a second value.

Abstract: A method of operating a headphone configured to be removed from and placed in close proximity to a user's ear can include generating an input signal by an input signal generating device. The method can also include determining whether an insertion event has occurred based on the generated input signal and causing the headphone to operate in a low power mode responsive to an absence of an insertion event determination after a first period of time. The method can also include causing the headphone to operate in an ultra-low power mode responsive to the absence of an insertion event determination after a second period of time that occurs after the first period of time, the ultra-low power mode having a lower power consumption than the low power mode.

Abstract: A hearing aid device configured to communicate wirelessly with an external device is disclosed. The hearing aid device comprises a housing with a microphone, an amplifier, where the hearing aid device comprises an antenna and either: a) a tube configured to deliver sound acoustically from a receiver in the housing to an ear mould or a dome or electrically to a receiver in an ear mould or a dome or b) a hook configured to deliver sound acoustically from a receiver in the housing to an ear mould or a dome. The antenna extends along at least a portion of the tube or the hook.