Abstract: A method of operating a hearing device and a hearing device are disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a first microphone signal and a second microphone signal. The method comprises obtaining a first beamform signal based on the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal. The method may comprise obtaining a second beamform signal based on the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal. The method comprises determining a first parameter based on the first beamform signal. The method may comprise combining the first beamform signal and the second beamform signal based on the first parameter for provision of an output beamform signal. The method comprises providing the output beamform signal for further processing including hearing loss compensation.

Abstract: A fitting system is configured to determine a first power consumption metric for a first hearing device included in a binaural hearing system configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device during a communication session, determine a second power consumption metric for a second hearing device included in the binaural hearing system, determine that the first power consumption metric is lower than the second power consumption metric, and assign, based on the determination that the first power consumption metric is lower than the second power consumption metric, a first operating role to the first hearing device. The first operating role specifies that the first hearing device is to be wirelessly connected with the external device during the communication session.

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: The present subject matter relates to the wireless stereo reception of first and second audio information by wireless hearing communication devices. One type of device which may employ the present subject matter is a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid. Various forms and protocols of signal transmission are employed in varying embodiments. The present subject matter includes various communication modes such as eavesdropping modes and relaying modes.

Abstract: A listening device includes a reference microphone positioned outside a blocked ear canal of a user to receive environmental sounds and generate first signals based on the environmental sounds. A loudspeaker is coupled to the reference microphone and positioned inside the ear canal to generate internal sounds based on the first signals. An internal microphone is positioned inside the ear canal to receive the internal sounds from the loudspeaker and generate second signals based on the internal sounds. A controller is coupled to the internal microphone and the reference microphone to compute a transfer function based on the first signals and the second signals. The transfer function describes a variation between the environmental sounds and the internal sounds caused by the listening device blocking the ear canal. The controller adjusts, based on the transfer function, the internal sounds to mitigate the variation.

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: An audio electronic device including a front structure and a rear structure is provided. The front structure includes an embedded body and a speaker, wherein the speaker is connected to the embedded body, and the embedded body is inserted in an ear. The rear structure is connected to the front structure and includes a processor, a receiver, and a power supply, wherein the processor is electrically connected to the speaker and processes an audio signal according to the judgment signal, and the receiver is used for receiving a judgment signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for programming and modifying hearing assistance devices via low energy digital communications. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of using a hearing assistance device. The method includes providing characteristics and descriptors of the hearing assistance device compatible with a low energy digital communication protocol, the characteristics and descriptors accessible to an external communication device. According to various embodiments, the method also includes accepting individual read/write cycles from an external communication device configured to use the low energy digital communication protocol to read and update the characteristics and descriptors using an abstraction layer. The hearing assistance device is configured to compensate for a wearer's hearing loss based on the updated characteristics and descriptors, in various embodiments.

Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a receiver assembly is disclosed. The receiver assembly includes a housing adapted to accommodate receivers of different geometry and/or size and/or mechanical dimensions and suspension member arranged in the housing. The suspension member comprises vibration dampers protruding from an outer periphery of the suspension member and a plurality of spacers provided at an inner periphery of the suspension member. The plurality of spacers is positioned to arrange and fix one or more cushions or enclosed structures in predefined grooves formed by adjacent spacers in the space between the receiver and the suspension member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are examples of methods and systems for performing remote verification of a hearing device, particularly for use by a non-expert user outside the clinical environment. A status and/or functionality of the hearing device may be verified using verification criteria. Upon verifying the status and/or the functionality of the hearing device, a user may be permitted to conduct an e-commerce transaction. The status of the hearing device may include identification information associated with the hearing device and/or the user. The functionality of the hearing device may include a calibration and/or a system performance.

Abstract: A method for determining a current usage state of an earphone that includes a speaker and an air pressure sensor. The method obtains a pressure signal from the air pressure sensor that indicates air pressure proximate to the earphone, the air pressure sensor produces the pressure signal in response to the earphone being inserted into an ear of a user. The method processes the obtained pressure signal to determine that the earphone is in a state of use, and in response, performs at least one of (1) outputting an audio signal through the speaker signifying that the earphone is in use (2) establishing a wireless connection with a media playback device to exchange data between the earphone and the media playback device, or combination thereof.

Abstract: The application relates to a hearing aid comprising a forward path comprising a) a multitude of input units for providing a multitude of electric input signals INi, i=1, . . . , M, representative of sound, b) a multi input beam former filtering unit for providing a beam formed signal YBF from said multitude of electric input signals, c) a gain unit for applying a hearing aid gain GHA to said beam formed signal YBF, and providing a processed signal, and d) an output unit for providing stimuli perceivable by a user as sound based on said processed signal or a signal derived therefrom. The hearing aid further comprises e) a gain control unit for limiting said hearing aid gain GHA to a modified full-on gain value G?FOG.

Abstract: Examples relate to systems and methods for providing settings adjustments to auditory prostheses. One or more settings adjustments can be provided to an auditory device in response to a request for the adjustments or a notification that the recipient is experiencing poor quality. The technologies disclosed herein can dynamically adapt based upon information received from a set of auditory prostheses. The information received from the set of auditory prostheses can be used to update the settings adjustments.

Abstract: Active acoustic filter systems and methods are disclosed. An active acoustic filter system includes a memory storing one or more stored sound profiles and a respective set of processing parameters associated with each of the one or more stored sound profiles. A processor coupled to the memory generates processed sound by processing ambient sound in accordance with a set of processing parameters retrieved from the memory based on results from comparing an ambient sound profile to at least one of the one or more stored sound profiles.

Abstract: A method of operating a hearing aid system (100, 200, 400, 500) having an adaptive filter (103, 213, 404, 503). The invention also provides a hearing aid system (100, 200, 400, 500) adapted for carrying out such a method and a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions, which when executed carries out the method.

Abstract: Described is a solid wax mitigation barrier for a hearing aid that is cleanable via a simple wiping motion, is not a cause of irritation within the ear canal, and is acoustically transparent. In one embodiment, a wax barrier function is provided by a tube cap for fitting over the acoustic port tube of a hearing aid receiver. The tube cap may be constructed of an elastomeric high tear strength material so as create a small flexible acoustic tube cap that prevents direct ingress of wax into the hearing aid receiver. The design of the cap may also include a bridge that spans an acoustic port inlet so as to block direct material ingress.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a casing configured to fit behind an ear of a user's head and against a side of the user's head. The hearing aid further includes a first proximity sensor associated with the casing and configured to generate a first signal that is proportional to a proximity of the casing to the ear and includes a processor coupled to the first proximity sensor and configured to select an operating mode from a plurality of operating modes in response to the first signal.

Abstract: A system for improving synchronization of an acoustic signal to a video display includes a hearing aid comprising a hearing loss processor configured for signal processing in accordance with a hearing loss of a user of the hearing aid, the hearing aid being configured for receiving a first audio signal for synchronous presentation to the user viewing the video display, the hearing aid being configured for generating a first acoustic signal to be presented to the user of the hearing aid, the first acoustic signal comprising at least a first part being generated in response to the first audio signal. The system also includes a delay unit configured for applying a delay, such that synchronization of the at least first part of the first acoustic signal to the video display is improved.

Abstract: A power dongle for a hearing aid includes conductive wires, each wire having a computing device end and a hearing aid end. A first connector is connected to the computing device end of each of the plurality of conductive wires to releasably couple to an input/output port of the computing device and a second connector is connected to the hearing aid end of each of the plurality of conductive wires to releasably couple to an interface of the hearing aid, the second connector configured to deliver at least one of a first power supply and an audio signal from the computing device to the interface of the hearing aid.

Abstract: A hearing prosthesis circuit includes a power source, a first amplifier coupled to the power source, and a second amplifier coupled to the power source. The circuit also includes a stimulation component coupled to the first amplifier and the second amplifier. The stimulation component is configured to provide an output in accordance with an electrical signal that includes audio data. Further, the circuit includes a controller coupled to the first amplifier and the second amplifier. The controller is operable in accordance with a first operational setting to use the first amplifier to provide the electrical signal to the stimulation component and the controller is also operable in accordance with a second operational setting to use the second amplifier to provide the electrical signal to the stimulation component. Generally, the first amplifier provides greater signal amplification of the audio data than the second amplifier.

Abstract: An earpiece includes an earpiece housing, an intelligent control disposed within the ear piece housing, at least one audio input sensor operatively connected to the intelligent control, a transceiver operatively connected to the intelligent control, and a user interface operatively connected to the intelligent control and configured for receiving user input. The intelligent control is configured to receive voice input through the at least one audio input sensor and interpret the voice input to determine a voice command from a set of voice commands.

Abstract: Disclosed are a smart headphone device personalization system with directional conversation function and a method for using the system. A user downloads a headphone personalization application program unit from the server device for installation in a mobile device that is then paired with the smart headphone device. The user enters corresponding data through a register module. The user wears the smart headphone device to allow a hearing inspection module to inspect hearing capabilities of ears and generate an inspection result. An automatic compensation unit and a manual compensation module make compensation according to the inspection result. Finally, the user adjusts the sound effect mode through a preference setting module to complete personalization of the smart headphone device. A directional conversation function is provided with the smart headphone device to receive and magnify a sound from a front side and the user can clearly hear the sound from the front side.

Abstract: A sound enrichment system for provision of tinnitus relief, the sound enrichment system includes a noise generator, at least one signal modulator for random or pseudo-random modulation of a noise signal that is obtained using the noise generator, and an output transducer for conversion of the modulated noise signal to an acoustic signal for presentation to a user. A method of providing a noise enriched sound signal for provision of relief of tinnitus includes generating a randomly or pseudo-randomly modulated noise signal, generating an acoustic noise signal using the modulated noise signal, and presenting the acoustic noise signal to a tinnitus suffering person.

Abstract: A hearing device comprising a first shell member and a second shell member constituting a housing when assembled is disclosed. The hearing device comprises a chassis provided with attachment structures for attachment of the first shell member and the second shell member to the chassis.

Abstract: A binaural hearing aid system includes: a first hearing aid having a first microphone, a first processing unit, a first receiver, and a first communication unit; and a second hearing aid having a second microphone, a second processing unit, a second receiver, and a second communication unit; wherein the first communication unit of the first hearing aid is configured to transmit a filtered signal for reception by the second communication unit of the second hearing aid in response to a signal associated with a phone.

Abstract: A first device receives a bit sequence from a second device via a serial communication cable having one or more wires that connect the first device to a first set of one or more pins of a first chip of the second device. The first chip has a second set of pins. For each respective pin of the second set of pins, the bit sequence includes a set of one or more bits for the respective pin that are based at least in part on whether a first voltage or a second voltage is applied to the respective pin. The first device determines, based on the bit sequence, a type of the second device.

Abstract: A hearing device includes: a microphone for providing an audio signal; a signal processor for generating a processed audio signal; a first subtractor having a first input for receiving the processed audio signal, a second input, and an output for providing a first combined audio signal; a receiver for converting the first combined audio signal into an output sound signal; an ear canal microphone configured to provide an ear canal audio signal; a second subtractor having a first input for receiving the ear canal audio signal, a second input, and an output for providing a second combined audio signal; a first filter for receiving the second combined audio signal and for providing a filtered second combined audio signal to the second input of the first subtractor; and a second filter for providing a filtered processed audio signal to the second input of the second subtractor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the computer field, and specifically, to a method and an apparatus for coordinating body devices for communication. The method includes: obtaining, by a mobile personal station, an identifier of a body device, and a location parameter and an ambient parameter that are of a user that carries the body device; obtaining, according to the identifier of the body device, a communication mode supported by the body device; obtaining, according to the identifier of the body device, a communication mode supported by the body device; determining, a networking mode of the body device according to the scenario and the communication mode supported by the body device; and establishing, a connection to the body device according to the networking mode.

Abstract: An earpiece includes an earpiece housing, a processor disposed within the housing and a sensor system associated with the earpiece housing, the sensor system operatively connected to the processor. The sensor system is configured to detect skin touches proximate the earpiece housing. The sensor system may include an emitter and a detector which may be a light emitters/light detectors or other types of emitters and detectors. The skin touches may be skin touches on an ear of the housing while the earpiece is positioned within the ear. The earpiece may further include a speaker and wherein the earpiece provides audio feedback through the speaker in response to the skin touches.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes: a hearing aid assembly having an antenna for emission of an electromagnetic field, a transceiver for wireless data communication, the transceiver interconnected with the antenna, and a housing for accommodation of the antenna; wherein the antenna comprises a first section having a length between at least one sixteenth wavelength and a full wavelength of the electromagnetic field, the antenna being positioned so that current flows in the first section in a direction that corresponds with an ear-to-ear axis of a user when the housing is worn in its operational position by the user, whereby the electromagnetic field emitted by the antenna propagates along a surface of a head of the user with its electrical field substantially orthogonal to the surface of the head of the user.

Abstract: A method of limiting noise damage to an individual includes receiving, by an ototoxicity application stored in a non-transitory memory and executed on a processor, a first individual exposure level to a first ototoxic condition in an area, correlating the first individual exposure level to an ototoxic effect, determining a noise level threshold based on the correlating, receiving a noise level exposure in the area, comparing the noise level threshold with the noise level exposure, and sending an alert when the noise level exposure exceeds the noise level threshold. The noise level threshold is below a standard noise level threshold.

Abstract: An earpiece includes an earpiece housing, a processor disposed within the earpiece housing, and a gesture based interface operatively connected to the processor and configured to detect changes in an energy field associated with user gestures. The processor is configured to interpret the changes in the energy field to determine the user gestures.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a hearing device with selective adjustment of processor settings based on various characteristics of an input sound, in response to adjustment of output sound volume by a user. This addresses problems of undesirable sound effects resulting from applying same changes to processor settings to input sounds of all levels, frequencies, and classes.

Abstract: A binaural hearing system comprises A) left and right hearing devices, each comprising a1) an input unit providing an electric input signal representing sound; and a2) an output unit, B) a binaural level and/or gain estimator comprising b1) left and right level estimators, each comprising respective fast and slow level estimators configured to provide respective fast and slow level estimates of respective electric input signals, b2) a fast binaural level comparison unit receiving the fast level estimates of the respective left and right fast level estimators and providing a fast binaural level comparison estimate; and b3) a fast binaural level and/or gain enhancer providing respective left and right binaural level and/or gain modification estimates, in dependence of said fast binaural level comparison estimate at said left and right ears, respectively, of the user. The binaural hearing system provides that the interaural level cues are either compressed, maintained or enhanced independent of each other.

Abstract: A hearing aid having a hearing aid housing, includes: a microphone; a processing unit configured to process an audio signal for compensating a hearing loss of a user; a battery provided closer to a second end of the hearing aid housing than to a first end of the hearing aid housing; one or more wireless communication units for wireless communication; at least a part of a first antenna for electromagnetic field emission and/or electromagnetic field reception, the at least a part of the first antenna being interconnected with one of the one or more wireless communication units; and a second antenna for electromagnetic field emission and/or electromagnetic field reception, the second antenna being interconnected with one of the one or more wireless communication units; wherein the second antenna is between a center axis of the battery and the second end of the hearing aid.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a dynamic compressor of a hearing aid includes a combination signal analyzer for determining the binaural similarity of a left and right audio signal and an amplification adjuster for providing an amplification value for a band of the left or right audio signal in dependence on the binaural similarity and a level of the left or right audio signal in the band.

Abstract: A hearing device, e.g. a hearing aid, adapted for being arranged at least partly on a user's head or at least partly implanted in a user's head is provided. The hearing device comprises an own voice detector comprising first and second signal strength detectors for providing signal strength estimates of first and second electric input signals. The own voice detector comprises a comparison unit operationally coupled to the first and second signal strength detectors and configured to compare the signal strength estimates of the first and second electric input signals and to provide an indication of the difference between said signal strength estimates; and a control unit for providing an own voice detection signal indicative of a user's own voice being present or not present in the current sound in the environment of the user, the own voice detection signal being dependent on said signal strength comparison measure.

Abstract: Attenuation of a wireless signal, particularly a short range wireless pairing signal, is accommodated immediately and automatically by a device in response to detection of presence of an object. When a user provides input to the device, such as by touching the device with a finger, presence of the finger may interfere with a signal emitted from the device. To accommodate for such interference, the device may immediately increase its transmission power upon detection of the finger, without waiting for link quality measurements.

Abstract: Real time, remote access to and adjustment of the hearing aid of a patient while the patient is located in a normal life environment that is remote from a hearing professional. A session request initiates a programming session. Adjustable settings from the patient's hearing aid are wirelessly streamed to the patient's mobile device and from the mobile device to a streaming cloud server. The settings are stored on the cloud, streamed from the cloud to a hearing professional's computer or mobile device and displayed. The hearing professional then changes at least one of the adjustable hearing aid settings and the changed settings are streamed to the cloud, stored on the cloud, streamed from the cloud to the patient's mobile device, wirelessly transmitted to the hearing aid and stored there. A telephonic voice connection between the hearing professional and the patient's mobile device is used to transmit the patient's evaluation of changed settings to the hearing professional.

Abstract: A hearing assistance device such as a hearing aid includes an antenna for wireless communication with another device. The antenna includes two antenna elements and a cross-feed that provides for electrical connection between the two antenna elements. The cross-feed having a flared structure configured to reduce an effect of head loading on the performance of the wireless communication by approximately minimizing capacitive coupling between the cross-feed and a wearer when the hearing assistance device is worn by the wearer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for processing an auditory signal to generate auditory prosthesis electrode stimuli in response to an incoming acoustic signal are disclosed. An example method includes dividing the incoming acoustic signal into one or more frequency envelopes. The example method also includes determining which auditory prosthesis electrodes to stimulate. The example method additionally includes determining a temporal reference point to which auditory prosthesis electrode stimuli are referenced. The example method further includes determining a delay for each of the auditory prosthesis electrode stimuli from the temporal reference point. The example method yet further includes determining amplitudes of the auditory prosthesis electrode stimuli. The example method also includes determining a wait period length before each successive temporal reference point.

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: The present disclosures relates to a head-wearable hearing device comprising an ambient microphone arrangement configured to receive and convert environmental sound into a microphone input signal and an ear canal microphone configured to receive and convert ear canal sound pressure into an electronic ear canal signal. The head-wearable hearing device further comprises a mixer combining a compensated ear canal signal and the microphone input signal to produce a hybrid microphone signal. The hybrid microphone signal may be transmitted to a far end recipient through a wireless or wired data communication link.

Abstract: A hearing aid comprises a BTE-part adapted for being located behind an ear (ear) of a user, and comprising a) a multitude M of microphones, which—when located behind the ear of the user—are characterized by respective transfer functions, HBTEi(?, ?, r, k), representative of propagation of sound from sound sources S to the respective microphones b) a memory unit comprising complex, frequency dependent constants Wi(k)?, i=1, . . . , M, c) a beamformer filtering unit for providing a beamformed signal Y as a weighted combination of the microphone signals using said complex, frequency dependent constants The frequency dependent constants are determined to provide a resulting transfer function Hpinna(?,?,r,k)=?i=1MWi(k)·HBTEi(?,?,r,k), so that a difference between the resulting transfer function Hpinna(?, ?, r, k) and a transfer function HITE(?, ?, r, k) of a microphone located close to or in the ear canal fulfills a predefined criterion.

Abstract: A hearing aid system is provided that facilitates adjustment of signal processing parameters ? of the hearing aid system with minimum user intervention, wherein the hearing aid system is capable of calculating signal processing parameters ? for evaluation of the user when the user has entered an input, e.g. using a smartwatch, to this effect. The evaluation takes place for a certain time period and in the event that the user has entered a consent input indicating that he or she is pleased with the set ? of signal processing parameters under evaluation, the hearing aid system continues processing with those signal processing parameters; and if the user is not pleased with the signal processing parameters ? under evaluation, the hearing aid system calculates another set {circumflex over (?)} of signal processing parameters for evaluation of the user.

Abstract: A shell for a hearing device, includes: a shell body having an inner surface, the shell body extending from a first end to a second end, the shell body comprising a rim defining an opening at the second end, the rim defining a rim plane, the shell comprising a guide structure at the inner surface for guiding an antenna, wherein the guide structure comprises a first guide member at the inner surface, wherein at least a part of the first guide member extends along the inner surface at an angle that is anywhere from 45 degrees to 135 degrees with respect to a normal of the rim plane.

Abstract: A method of securing communication for a user application on a user accessory device of a hearing system comprising a hearing device is disclosed. Securing communication for the user application comprises obtaining challenge data in a server device; transmitting the challenge data from the server device to the user application; transmitting a challenge request comprising the challenge data from the user application to the hearing device; receiving a challenge response comprising response data from the hearing device; forwarding the response data from the user application to the server device; verifying the response data in the server device based on the challenge data; and approving the user application in the server device if verifying the response data is successful.

Abstract: An assistive listening device that comprises a receiver for a digital signal that is tuned to receive a particular digital signal and a connector that includes a permanently mounted Apple Lightning or a mini/micro type-B or type-C USB connector or a standard type-A USB connector that serves as a conduit for a digital signal to a recoding or retransmittal device and as a conduit for transferring power to the mobile assistive listening device.

Abstract: A device or a method using the device includes a balloon configured to seal a user's orifice, where the balloon is configured to produce an acoustic seal between a first side and a second side of the balloon in an ear canal. At least a second side of the balloon is fitted into the ear canal. Audio processing circuitry produces an audio signal for driving a speaker in the device and to measure sound level using output from the microphone in the device while the speaker is being driven by the audio signal. The device or method further includes control circuitry to evaluate a seal quality of the device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The hearing aid includes a signal processor having a level-dependent filter section and a level-independent filter section. The level-dependent filter section provides level-dependent gain wherein sound is attenuated or amplified depending on the level of the incoming sound. The level-independent filter section provides substantially constant gain wherein sound that passes through the filter section is not changed in level, and provides transparency in that it corrects for insertion loss caused by the earpiece of the hearing aid when worn by the user. The level dependent and level independent filter sections, when fitted to the user, greatly improve the user's perception of sound.