Abstract: A receiver includes a housing and a sleeve. The housing forms a chamber, and the coil is disposed in the chamber and radiates a flux. The sleeve at least partially surrounds the coil such that a majority of flux radiated from the coil is blocked by the sleeve. The sleeve is constructed of a highly conductive material and is insulated from the housing.

Abstract: A unidirectional microphone is provided that has an excellent directional frequency response and a high sensitivity. Sound waves are guided to a rear acoustic terminal 10b of an acoustic resistance tube 30 through an acoustic resistance member 31. A rear end opening 30b of the acoustic resistance tube 30 is blocked so as to prevent the sound waves from entering the rear acoustic terminal 10b from the rear end opening 30b of the acoustic resistance tube 30 on the side of the rear acoustic terminal 10b. A gap G which allows low-frequency sound waves to pass and through which a front acoustic chamber A1 and a rear acoustic chamber A2 in the acoustic resistance tube 30 communicate with each other is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the acoustic resistance tube 30 and the outer peripheral surface of the microphone unit 10.

Abstract: A hearing device comprising a locking mechanism for connecting an external component to the hearing device, the locking mechanism comprising a part (2) arranged at or in the housing wall (1) of the hearing device, moveable from or out of the housing wall such that by moving the part back towards the housing wall a section of the part is fixing a connecting element of the external component to the hearing device or housing of the hearing device respectively.

Abstract: The invention regards a communication device which is adapted for placement in a users ear. The communication device comprises a shell part enclosing an input transducer for receiving an input signal, a signal processing device and an output N transducer for providing a signal perceivable as sound, a battery located at a surface part of the shell which is facing away from the head of the user, a transmission and reception circuit for transmission and/or reception of electromagnetic energy. According to the invention an antenna for radiating and/or receiving electromagnetic energy is provided such that it has a first surface turned towards the surroundings and a second surface located in close proximity of the battery.

Abstract: An implantable microphone, comprising a source of incoherent light, a light detector for outputting a signal corresponding to the total light intensity impinging onto a detector surface, a housing for housing the light source and the detector, and a sensor membrane for being exposed to surrounding soft tissue, the membrane being arranged to seal an opening of the housing and comprising reflector means provided at the inner side of the sensor membrane for reflecting light from the light source onto the detector in manner that the total light intensity reflected onto the detector varies as a function of the position of the reflector means relative to the detector.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide an enclosure for a metal-air battery assembly for an extended wear hearing aid. The enclosure includes a diffusion control element having a dimensional property configured for controlling oxygen and moisture diffusion into the metal-air battery assembly to maintain a minimum battery voltage when the hearing aid is operating and worn in an ear canal of a user over an extended period. In an embodiment, the enclosure can comprise a shell with a base end having an opening therein forming a cavity within the shell and a base cap for covering the opening of the base end. A diffusion element is disposed on the base cap. In an embodiment, the diffusion element comprises a laser drilled precision micro hole having an aspect ratio of least about four and a diameter in the range of about 10 to 15 microns.

Abstract: A hearing aid is provided having a behind the ear component comprising a casing adapted to cover, accommodate or protect electronics components of the hearing aid. Further the hearing aid has at least one through going opening in the casing element and electronic switching elements placed at the through going opening. According to the invention a plate element is provided, which is mountable in the through going opening and adapted to form, when mounted herein, a surface flush with the casing. This plate element which covers the switches is used when the switches has been disabled such as is often the case with hearing aids for small children.

Abstract: A special accessory adapter for use with a BTE device of a cochlear implant (CI) system provides two inputs: a T-Mic input and an auxiliary audio input. Both inputs (the T-Mic input and the auxiliary audio input) are connected to a special mixer circuit integrated into a body of the accessory adapter. The body of the accessory adapter connects to the BTE using the same earhook attachment mechanism used by other accessories used by the CI system. The special mixer circuit prevents signals from either the T-Mic input or the auxiliary audio input from interfering with each other. Both signals, however, can still be processed by the processing circuits of the BTE and combined in such a way that user is able to perceive both signals at the same time.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for converting one type of speech processor unit into another type of speech processor unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for providing an environmentally sealed hearing assistance device that is easy to manufacture. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of manufacturing a hearing assistance device. A hearing assistance device electrical component is placed into a mold and a liquid polymer resin is inserted into the mold. The polymer resin is cured into a solid state to encase the electrical component. In various embodiments, the hearing assistance device is assembled using the encased electrical component. The polymer resin is adapted to resist moisture ingress and to protect the electrical component from corrosion, shock and vibration, in various embodiments.

Abstract: A method for processing the signals from two or more microphones in a listening device, and a listening device for conducting the method which has a casing holding the microphones, a signal processing unit which provides an output signal corresponding to the microphone signals and suited to the user's hearing, and a receiver unit for delivering the output signal to the user whereby the signals from the microphones are analyzed in order to detect when the casing of the listening device is being touched, whereby further the signal processing of the signal processing unit changes whenever touching of the casing is detected.

Abstract: It should be possible to produce hearing aids in a simpler and more compact fashion. It is for this reason that a hearing aid is proposed, the loudspeaker device of which is shielded by a shielding device, more particularly a housing, which can shield both high-frequency and low-frequency electromagnetic fields. The shielding device is at least in part made of an amorphous, soft-magnetic metal with a preferred direction of the nanocrystalline structures. Using this, a plurality of separate shielding elements can be dispensed with and a hearing aid can have a smaller embodiment.

Abstract: A wireless headset system including a switching unit having a detection circuit coupled to a wireless adapter. The detection circuit provides a first output signal to the wireless adapter upon detection of a triggering event, such as activation of a manual switch or detection of voltage of an audio output signal from a mobile communications device. The first output signal causes the wireless adapter to enter into an active audio channel mode. The detection circuit also provides a second output signal to the wireless adapter when no triggering event is detected, and the second output signal causes the wireless adapter to enter into a standby mode. Placing at least the wireless adapter in a standby mode saves battery life of the system.

Abstract: With a hearing aid device in a frame configuration, acoustic feedback is avoided with an opened battery charger. To this end, a seal surrounds the frame component in an annular manner, the seal sealing a gap between the frame component and the housing thus providing a more user friendly hearing aid.

Abstract: A hearing apparatus and in particular a hearing aid are to be optimized as regards the risk of feedback. The hearing apparatus contains a housing, having a first opening and a second opening, and with a frame, in or on which a signal processing component is attached, and which can be inserted into the first opening of the housing as far as an end position. A ramp is disposed in the housing which interacts with the frame such that the frame is also moved perpendicular to the direction of insertion toward the second opening during insertion into the housing along a direction of insertion only in one section as far as the end position, which is less than 30% of the insertion path from the first opening to the end position.

Abstract: A hearing protection system with talk-through having a pair of rigid earcups enclosing a microphone, amplifier and speaker. A concha simulator, having a volume simulating that of the concha of a human ear, is acoustically coupled to the microphone, and also to the outside through an opening in the earcup. By coupling the microphone to the concha simulator, instead of directly to the outside, the acoustic response of the talk-through more accurately represents the hearing of a user.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hearing aid component adapted for fitting in the auditory canal of a hearing aid user, the hearing aid component having a covering of resilient material on at least part of its outside surface and having an inner sound conveying part, the method including the steps of acquiring data representing the shape of the auditory canal of the user; forming a three-dimensional computer model of the shape of the hearing aid component based on the acquired data; forming a three-dimensional computer model of a mould for casting the covering; manufacturing the mould in a rapid prototyping process based on the three-dimensional model; casting the covering in the mould; removing the mould from the covering; and forming the hearing aid component by joining the covering with the inner sound conveying part.

Abstract: A multiband dynamics compressor implements a solution for minimizing unwanted changes to the long-term frequency response. The solution essentially proposes undoing the multiband compression in a controlled manner using much slower smoothing times. In this regard, the compensation provided acts more like an equalizer than a compressor. What is applied is a very slowly time-varying, frequency-dependent post-gain (make-up gain) that attempts to restore the smoothed long-term level of each compressor band.

Abstract: A partially implantable hearing aid is provided, comprising an external audio signal unit to be worn at least in part in a user's ear canal, an implantable unit and external means for transmitting power transcutaneously to the implantable unit via an inductive link, the external audio signal unit comprising audio signal processing means for producing processed audio signals from input audio signals and means for transmitting the processed audio signals via an optical link through an ear drum to an optical receiver of the implantable unit, the implantable unit comprising an actuator for stimulating the user's hearing, a power receiving means and a driver unit for transforming the received audio signals into an input signal to the actuator.

Abstract: A hearing-aid device comprising a housing and circuitry module, wherein the circuitry module comprises a battery, a microphone, and a receiver, and the circuit module is inserted in the hearing aid housing. The hearing aid device further comprises a retractable battery sleeve, wherein a battery slot is exposed when the battery sleeve is retracted, and a battery can be inserted into the battery slot from either side of the battery slot with either polarity. The hearing aid housing may comprise an ear-tip, wherein a microphone is mounted in the hearing aid housing near the ear-tip and the microphone receives sounds through at least one sound inlet located on a side surface of the hearing aid housing. The ear-tip additionally comprises three flanges decreasing in size toward the flange closest to the ear canal, and the hearing aid can be inserted into the ear canal in any orientation.

Abstract: The hearing device comprises an outer part to be worn behind a hearing device user's ear, an inner part to be worn within the hearing device user's ear, and a connecting portion operationally interconnecting said outer part and said inner part. An output transducer is comprised in said outer part or in said connecting portion. Said inner part comprises an input transducer and, operationally interconnected between said input transducer and said output transducer, a signal processing unit .

Abstract: Within a casing of a hearing device to be worn in an area of an auricle such as behind an ear, comprises bendable portions such that the hearing device can be at least partially deformed.

Abstract: A hearing aid has an audio-shoe interface, and a hearing-aid system includes a hearing aid and an audio shoe. The hearing aid has a housing, in which an undercut and an abutment are provided. The abutment is arranged opposite to the undercut. Undercut and abutment are embodied such that a retaining lug of an audio shoe can be inserted into the undercut by a rotational movement. The abutment is embodied such that a retaining lug inserted into the undercut can only be removed from the undercut again by a rotational movement in the opposite direction. A lock prevents a rotational movement of an inserted audio shoe in the opposite direction. When the electrical contacts between audio shoe and hearing aid are disposed in the undercut, these too are hidden from view and well protected against external influences.

Abstract: A hook (4) for a hearing aid (1) provides a sound passage for transmitting the sound emanating from an output transducer of the hearing aid. The hook is composed of different parts (4a, 4b, 4c) made from materials with different mechanical properties. This provides a damping means for damping mechanical vibrations. The invention further provides a hearing aid with a hook.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a relatively rigid shell which holds hearing aid electronics and one or more flexible, shape-retaining filaments attached to the hearing aid shell. The filament(s) extend(s) out a proximal side of the hearing aid shell having a shape which interacts with the user's ear anatomy such as the conchae bowl. The shape determines an insertion depth of the hearing aid shell into the user's ear canal, and a spring action biases the hearing aid toward the desired insertion depth. The hearing aid supported by the filament(s) provides an open, unoccluding position in the ear canal.

Abstract: A hearing aid may include a hearing aid housing. The hearing aid housing may include a first housing wall portion and a second housing wall portion. The first housing wall portion has a first flexibility, the second housing wall portion has a second flexibility and the first flexibility is different than the second flexibility.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing aid device for humans with impaired hearing, who have an at least partially functional cochlea and a functional nervous signalling pathway from the cochlea via the auditory nerve to the brain. The hearing aid device contains a receiver, a transducer of the sound or other acoustic signals into electrical current serving as a signal representing a sound, a pulsed irradiation source connected to the transducer for receiving the electrical current and for generating modulated pulsed irradiation in dependence from the electrical current, and preferably one or more optical fibers optically coupled to the exit of the pulsed irradiation source, wherein the optical path for conduction of irradiation within the device ends directly opposite a functional element of the natural vibration transduction pathway, e.g.

Abstract: Provided is a method and shield for shielding a behind-the-ear hearing aid. A Mu metal shielding material is bonded to the external or internal surface of the behind-the-ear hearing aid, the shielding providing effective shielding of electromagnetic radiation in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 1,600 MHz and effective sound shielding in the audio frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. A hearing canal mold comprised of a rubber-like compound, shaped to encompass and seal an outer portion of a hearing tube of a hearing aid and a user's hearing canal entrance is also provided.

Abstract: A frame assembly worn to maintain at least one transparent eye panel in front of a wearer's eyes. A processor receives an incoming audio signal and wirelessly transmits it to an earpiece which audibly communicates the incoming signal to the wearer. An outbound microphone assembly picks up an outbound audio signal from the wearer and transmits it to the processor which transmits it to a remote recipient. An ambient microphone assembly picks up an ambient audio signal and transmits it to the processor. The processor is structured to enhance the incoming and/or the outbound audio signal based on the ambient audio signal. The processor transmits a voice component of the ambient audio signal to the earpiece. A camera assembly picks up an outbound visual signal and transmits it to the processor which further transmits it to a remote recipient. A display assembly displays an incoming visual signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved receiver connectors for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a hearing assistance system including a flex connector. A hearing assistance device housing includes hearing assistance electronics for a hearing assistance device. The system also includes a receiver configured to convert an electrical signal from the hearing assistance electronics to an acoustic signal. The receiver is configured to enable a quick connect and disconnect at various degrees on and off vertical axial alignment with repeatable reliability, according to various embodiments.

Abstract: A hearing aid retainer accessory is provided for use with a hearing aid having a housing with a longitudinal end face portion comprising a mechanical connection terminal and an electrical connection point. The hearing aid retainer accessory comprises a retainer element with a first end face portion having a first mechanical connection means configured to be engageable to a mechanical connection terminal of a longitudinal end face portion of a housing of a hearing aid.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for providing hearing aid. An open ear canal hearing aid may be provided in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The hearing aid may include a part that contains electronic components, a passive amplifier, and a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism may include bristles or balloons. The securing mechanism may have various configurations and be adjustable.

Abstract: An embodiment of a hearing assistance device comprises a housing, a power source, a radio circuit, an antenna and a transmission line. The radio circuit is within the housing and electrically connected to the power source. The antenna has an aperture, and the radio circuit is at least substantially within the aperture. The transmission line electrically connects to the antenna to the radio circuit. Various antenna embodiments include a flex circuit antenna.

Abstract: There is provided an auditory canal earphone comprising a housing (120) for receiving an electroacoustic transducer and a sound guide unit (130) on the housing (120) for feeding audio signals produced by the sound transducer into an auditory canal of a user of the auditory canal earphone. The sound guide unit (130) has an outside (136). The auditory canal further has at least one ear adaptor (200) with an inside wall (220) for at least partial placement over the sound guide unit (130) and an outside wall (210) for sealing off the auditory canal. The auditory canal earphone further has a tube (400) between the outside (136) of the sound guide unit (130) and the inside wall (220) of the ear adaptor (200).

Abstract: In a process for producing a hearing aid, comprising a housing made out, at least partially, of a metallic or ceramic part using powder injection molding technique (PIM) within the housing (1) at least one additional element (3) made out of a polymeric material is arranged for placing functional parts (5, 7, 13) within or at the housing (1) to reduce complexity of P parts and/or to compensate any tolerances due to the PIM process.

Abstract: A hearing instrument to be worn behind or in the auricle, has an external earpiece, worn in the auditory canal and is connected by an earpiece tube to the hearing instrument housing. The hearing instrument has a flexible adjustability of the earpiece tube connection both in length and in rotational position. The hearing system has a housing, an earpiece, and an earpiece tube connected to the housing and the earpiece, with an earpiece tube connector connecting a housing-side segment of the earpiece tube to an earpiece-side segment of the earpiece tube. The earpiece tube connector forms an electrically conducting connection that is mechanically stable in respect of release and allows variable and reversible longitudinal displacement and rotation of the two segments in relation to one another. The earpiece tube connector, by the housing and earpiece being connected is therefore disposed in-line in the earpiece tube. It establishes both the electrical and the mechanical connection between housing and earpiece.

Abstract: The equipment size of a hearing device is intended to be reduced. Therefore, a hearing device, in particular an ITE hearing aid, is proposed with a shell having a user-specific shape, a faceplate for closing-off the shell and an electronic component which is attached to the faceplate using a support. The support is individually formed taking into account the shape of the shell, and/or a position of the support on the faceplate is individually determined taking into account the shape of the shell. As a result of the individual support, it is possible to cut down on installation space and therefore the shell can be shortened. In particular, the support can be formed integrally with the faceplate in order to simplify the production method.

Abstract: This auxiliary member for a hearing aid comprises a main body case (1) having an insertion hole (3) of a hearing aid (2) on a top face, a hearing aid accommodating space (1A) provided to the portion corresponding to the insertion hole (3) inside this main body case (1), a holding member (15) that holds the hearing aid (2) accommodated in this hearing aid accommodating space (1A), a manipulation component (11) for manipulating this holding member (15), and an opening component (16) for opening a battery case (5) of the hearing aid (2) accommodated in the hearing aid accommodating space (1A).

Abstract: A wireless headset system including a switching unit having a detection circuit coupled to a wireless adapter. The detection circuit provides a first output signal to the wireless adapter upon detection of a triggering event, such as activation of a manual switch or detection of voltage of an audio output signal from a mobile communications device. The first output signal causes the wireless adapter to enter into an active audio channel mode. The detection circuit also provides a second output signal to the wireless adapter when no triggering event is detected, and the second output signal causes the wireless adapter to enter into a standby mode. Placing at least the wireless adapter in a standby mode saves battery life of the system.

Abstract: An inflatable ear piece is formed for insertion and placement in an external auditory canal. The ear piece has an inflatable balloon that may be selectively inflated and deflated. When the balloon is inflated, it expands and braces against the walls of the auditory canal. The ear piece has a receiver module with a sound generator and a connection to an exterior device. The sound waves generated in the receiver module are guided to the ear drum via a carrier which also holds the balloon. A pump and valve is provided for inflating, or selectively deflating, the balloon. The pump is connected by way of a micro tube that projects centrally inside the sound channel of the balloon carrier and its tip projects into a radial projection or a bridge across the sound channel. The receiver and balloon modules may be connected in any rotational orientation.

Abstract: An exemplary positioning structure for a portable electronic device includes a support element, a metal element, and a ring seal. The support element defines an opening. The metal element is attached to the support element. The metal element includes a projection and a depression. The opening and the depression receives the speaker. The ring seal is placed around the projection.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device is for a user wearing an electronic hearing aid adjacent an ear of the user and may include an upper housing and a lower housing being slidably connected together for sliding between a retracted position and an extended use position. An audio output transducer may be carried by the upper housing and accessible to the hearing aid of the user adjacent a top end of the upper housing, and an audio input transducer may be carried by the lower housing and accessible to a mouth of the user adjacent a bottom end of the lower housing. An antenna may be carried by the lower housing adjacent the bottom end thereof so that the hearing aid is further separated from the antenna when the upper and lower housings are in the extended use position to reduce undesired coupling from the antenna to the hearing aid.

Abstract: In a method and system for fitting the gain of a hearing aid (300) for a hearing impaired person, a loop gain of the hearing aid in the ear canal (350) of the hearing impaired person is measured for at least one frequency band. An effective vent parameter such as a corresponding vent diameter for the hearing aid by determining a vent parameter that generates the best fit between a modelled and the measured loop gain is estimated, a vent effect value based on the estimated effective vent parameter is determined, and a corrected hearing aid gain is provided by means of the determined vent effect value. The invention provides a method, a computer program, a system for fitting a hearing aid, a hearing aid and a computer system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hearing device comprising a microphone (1) wherein the microphone (1) comprises a first opening (8), a second opening (9) and at least three compartments (2, 3, 4), a first membrane (6) being arranged between the first and the second compartment (2; 3) and a second membrane (7;) at least partly covering the third compartment (4), wherein the second and the third compartments (3, 4) are connected in communicative manner via a canal (11).

Abstract: A diaphonic valve utilizing the principle of the Synthetic Jet is disclosed herein. A diaphonic valve pump is provided for the inflation of an in-ear balloon. More complex embodiments of the present invention include stacks of multiple synthetic jets generating orifices as well as an oscillating, thin polymer membrane. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a novel application is provided for the creation of static pressure to inflate or to deflate an inflatable member (balloon). In addition, sound can be utilized to inflate or deflate an inflatable member in a person's ear for the purpose of listening to sound.

Abstract: Methods and devices for sound isolation are provided. A sound isolation device includes an expandable element and an insertion element. The expandable element is operatively attached to the insertion element. The expandable element includes an expanding medium, where the pressure of the expanding medium is varied to vary a sound isolation across the expandable element.

Abstract: A receiver module configured to be seated within an ear canal and optimized for simultaneously inflating an inflatable membrane while generating acoustic waves transmitted to a user. The inflatable membrane can be used to secure the receiver module within the bony portion of the ear canal of the user. A multi-layer valve system and method of assembly are disclosed for a valve system to harvest static pressure from acoustic waves generated within the receiver and direct the increased pressure toward the inflatable membrane to inflate the membrane. The multi-layer valve system can be used to prevent a back flow of air and thereby maintain a static pressure differential between ambient air drawn in through an air ingress port and air forced into the inflatable membrane through an air egress port.

Abstract: A hearing aid device includes ear engagement structure, including a speaker, which actuates the hearing device when pressed against the ear of a user. Withdrawing the ear engagement structure from the ear deactuates the hearing aid device.

Abstract: An acoustic coupler for a hearing device. The hearing device including a microphone. The acoustic coupler includes an earphone receptacle formed to releasably engage an earphone therein and a securing feature formed to detachably engage the coupler to the hearing device in proximity to the microphone.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a seal for retaining a hearing device within the ear canal comprising a curved shell having an opening at a shell apex portion. The shell defines a cavity for retention of a device component. An interior surface of a shell wall has a scalloped shape configured to distribute compressive forces applied to the shell perimeter such that when the shell is positioned in the canal, the shell wall conforms to the shape of the canal to maintain an acoustical seal between a shell exterior surface and the canal walls. The scalloped shape can be configured to produce a substantially constant amount of inward deformation of a shell wall independent of a force application point on a shell perimeter. The shell can include a coating to retain the seal in the canal and/or to promote asparagine growth into the coating to fastenly retain the seal in the canal.