Abstract: An implant device for bone anchored hearing aids of the type that include a screw-shaped anchoring element for anchorage in the bone tissue, an abutment sleeve for skin penetration and arranged to be connected to the fixture with a screw connection and a tool for installing the implant into the bone tissue. The fixture and the abutment sleeve are made as a pre-mounted unit that unit is arranged to be installed in one step by means of the tool, which is arranged to cooperate with a tool engaging portion on the abutment sleeve. This arrangement requires fewer pieces to handle for the surgeon during the installation, which means that the surgical procedure can be carried out in a simpler and predetermined way, at the same time as the advantages inherent in a two-piece implant device are maintained.

Abstract: The vibrator system is for generating bone conduction vibrations. A magnet (8a) provides a static magnetic flux (?1) that follows a first path. A bobbin (4a) is disposed at a center a vibrator (2). A housing (10) encloses the bobbin and has a coil surrounding a center of the bobbin. The coil is powered by an alternating current for providing an alternating dynamic magnetic flux (?2) following the first path through a magnetic circuit. The housing has an upper end (116). The upper end and the bobbin have a first gap (14a) formed therebetween. The housing has a lower end (118) opposite the upper end. The lower end and the bobbin have a second gap (14b) formed therebetween. The magnet is positioned so that the static magnetic flux (?1) is passing through the first and second gaps in a direction substantially parallel with an axial direction (A) of the vibrator. Suspension means (16a, 16b) are provided for suspending the bobbin in a center of the housing.

Abstract: A device to transmit and receive data for remote control of hearing devices has a reduced size achieved by the transmitter coils of the transmitter and the receiver coil of the receiver being wound around a common, shared core. Moreover, a protective capacitor that is used to protect the receiver is at the same time used as a correction capacitor to correct the resonant frequency of a reception oscillator circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a subminiature bone conduction speaker by using a vibrating plate and a mobile phone having the subminiature bone conduction speaker.

Abstract: A vibrator for a bone conduction type hearing aid device. The vibrator includes a coil for generating a dynamic magnetic field and two permanent magnets for generating a static magnetic field. The two permanent magnets are working independently from each other in the magnetic circuit and an arranged in such a way that the static and dynamic magnetic fields are substantially separated from each other, but coinciding in the air gaps formed between the coil and magnet arrangement and the casing, whereby the vibrator provides an axial force.

Abstract: An improved communication coupling device having a coupler coil with about 125 turns of wire about a core having a hole for use with a hearing aid having a hearing aid coil to accommodate individuals with various degrees of hearing loss to use a sound generation device such as a telephone.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for processing audio signals are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device which can enhance and/or optimize received audio signals for vibrational conduction to the user. Received audio signals may be processed to cancel acoustic echo such that undesired sounds received by one or more intra-buccal and/or extra-buccal microphones are eliminated or mitigated. Additionally, a multiband actuation system may be used where two or more transducers each deliver sounds within certain frequencies. Also, the assembly may also utilize the sensation of directionality via the conducted vibrations to emulate directional perception of audio signals received by the user. Another feature may include the ability to vibrationally conduct ancillary audio signals to the user along with primary audio signals.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for processing audio signals are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device which can enhance and/or optimize received audio signals for vibrational conduction to the user. Received audio signals may be processed to cancel acoustic echo such that undesired sounds received by one or more intra-buccal and/or extra-buccal microphones are eliminated or mitigated. Additionally, a multiband actuation system may be used where two or more transducers each deliver sounds within certain frequencies. Also, the assembly may also utilize the sensation of directionality via the conducted vibrations to emulate directional perception of audio signals received by the user. Another feature may include the ability to vibrationally conduct ancillary audio signals to the user along with primary audio signals.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for processing audio signals are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device which can enhance and/or optimize received audio signals for vibrational conduction to the user. Received audio signals may be processed to cancel acoustic echo such that undesired sounds received by one or more intra-buccal and/or extra-buccal microphones are eliminated or mitigated. Additionally, a multiband actuation system may be used where two or more transducers each deliver sounds within certain frequencies. Also, the assembly may also utilize the sensation of directionality via the conducted vibrations to emulate directional perception of audio signals received by the user. Another feature may include the ability to vibrationally conduct ancillary audio signals to the user along with primary audio signals.

Abstract: The present invention proposes an implantable bone-vibrating hearing aid, including a transmitting coil for receiving an audio-converted signal and generating a corresponding magnetic field, a magnetic conducting element for sensing the corresponding magnetic filed to generate a driving force, and a vibrating module for receiving the driving force and generating a vibration, wherein the magnetic conducting element and the vibrating module are implanted beneath a skin of a user, and the vibration generated by the vibrating module knocks on the temporal bone of the ear of the user, which generates mechanical waves that propagate to the inner ear of the user, creating a sense of hearing thereto.

Abstract: A bone conduction hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) component and a behind-the-ear (BTE) component. A bone vibrator is carried by the ITE component and positioned in the concha of the ear when in use. A vibrationally conductive structural member of the ITE component conducts vibration produced by the vibrator into the ear canal. From there, the vibration is transferred to a cochlea of the user by way of the mastoid bone, enabling enhanced hearing perception in patients with hearing loss.

Abstract: A bone conductive speaker is downsized without causing any loss in efficiency, simple in construction low in cost, and comprises yoke (2), magnet (3) disposed in a central area of the yoke, and voice coil (4) wound on the magnet. The yoke has its peripheral area divided into a plurality of upright portions; of the upright portions, each of first ones (5) oppositely disposed from each other is provided with a first engaging means (9) in its upper surface; second engaging means (8) each corresponding to the first engaging means are provided in a vibrating plate (7). The vibrating plate is mounted on a lid portion of the housing in a manner such that the vibrating plate is disposed on the upright portions of the yoke and fixedly mounted by means of the second engaging means in a manner such that the vibrating plate floats in the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hearing aid system comprising a hearing implant and a method of powering a hearing implant, the system comprising an external ear canal module and an implant, wherein the signalling and/or powering of the ear implant is by way of a light signal being provided to the implant through the ear drum from, for example, the ear canal module.

Abstract: A tooth microphone apparatus worn in a human mouth that includes a sound transducer element in contact with at least one tooth in mouth, the transducer producing an electrical signal in response to speech and a means for transmitting said electrical signal from the sound transducer to an external apparatus. The sound transducer can be a MEMS accelerometer, and the MEMS accelerometer can be coupled to a signal conditioning circuit for signal conditioning. The signal conditioning circuit can be further coupled to a transmitter. The transmitter can be an RF transmitter of any type, an optical transmitter, or any other type of transmitter. In particular, it can be a bluetooth device or a device that transmits into a Wi-Fi network or any other means of communication. The transmitter is optional.

Abstract: A cochlear implant system for a patient's cochlea includes an external processor and an implanted internal unit. The internal unit includes one electrode for inserting in the patient's cochlea, and an internal coil for driving the electrode. The external processor includes a microphone for outputting electrical sound signals in response to ambient or other sounds, an oscillator for generating an electrical analog carrier signal, and a modulator for modulating the carrier signal with the sound signals to generate a modulated signal. An external coil couples magnetically the modulated signal to the internal coil. The analog carrier signal has a frequency in the ultrasonic human range, i.e. greater than 20 kHz, such as 32 kHz or 80 kHz. This sampling at higher frequency results in clearer rendering of sounds, and a higher frequency range of rendered sounds.

Abstract: The invention concerns a hearing aid comprising: an outer housing (1) containing a signal processing module (11) connected in input to at least a microphone (13) and in output to an earphone for transmitting a sound signal into the patient's external auditory canal (5); at least one first magnetic component (12) arranged in the outer housing (1); at least one second magnetic component (21) arranged in an implantable housing designed to be implanted under the patient's skin, at a site where the outer housing (1) can be maintained, the first magnetic component being arranged in the outer housing such that a magnetic attraction force is exerted with the second magnetic component when the outer housing (1) is placed at said site; and a device for delivering sound signals into the patient's external auditory canal comprising the earphone and a connection (4) between the outer housing (1) and the auditory canal.

Abstract: A variable-reluctance type vibrator for generating vibrations in a bone anchored hearing aid. The vibrator includes a vibrator plate and a bobbin base with a vibrator gap therebetween. The vibrator gap between the vibrator plate and the bobbin base, or some other spacing in the vibrator where a relative movement between two surfaces is generated during the vibratory function, is at least partially filled with a fluid or gel for providing the main part of the damping of the resonance frequency of the vibrator.

Abstract: A communication device includes an earpiece housing adapted for fitting to an ear of a user such that the earpiece does not block the canal, an inertial sensor operatively connected to the earpiece housing for sensing positional changes of the user's ears, a processor operatively connected to the inertial sensor and disposed within the earpiece determining presence of an alert condition at least partially based on positional changes, and a speaker operatively connected to the processor.

Abstract: A system and method to compensate for changes in the frequency response of a microphone caused by factors interfering with the receipt of acoustic sound in the microphone. The system includes at least a microphone and a signal processor. The signal processor is operational to process at least one feedback frequency response from the microphone to generate at least one test parameter. The signal processor uses the at least one test parameter to determine at least one operational characteristic of the microphone. The feedback frequency response is generated by the microphone in response to acoustic feedback. The acoustic feedback is generated by actuation of a transducer in response to at least one test signal that is provided to the transducer. The signal processor uses the at least one test parameter to process acoustic frequency responses from the microphone to compensate for changes in the acoustic frequency responses of the microphone.

Abstract: The invention provides an optimal structure able to reduce sound leakage and improve transmission characteristics and control a vibration transmitting path of internal and external portions in a living organism conductive actuator. Therefore, the living organism conductive actuator has a communication signal transmitting portion for transmitting a communication signal in contact with an operator's wrist, hand, hand rear portion, finger, or nail tip, and a voice input portion.

Abstract: An In The Ear (ITE) microphone improves the acoustic response of a Behind The Ear (BTE) Implantable Cochlear Stimulation (ICS) system during telephone use. An acoustic seal provided by holding a telephone earpiece against the ear provides improved coupling of low frequency (up to about 1 KHz) sound waves, sufficient to overcome losses due to the near field acoustic characteristics common to telephones. In a preferred embodiment, the ITE microphone is connected to a removable ear hook of the BTE ICS system by a short bendable stalk.

Abstract: A hearing aid system including an implant (60) configured for insertion into a recess (40) formed under the skin of the retro-auricular space (50), which implant does not occlude the ear canal (30). The implant includes electronic circuitry (72), a transducer (65, e.g., speaker), antenna (64), and power source (66). The hearing aid also includes an external module (70), which module includes a microphone (163), electronics (172), antenna (164), and power source (166). A telemetry link (76) between the external module antenna and the implant antenna allows transmissions between the microphone module and the implant.

Abstract: A hearing aid anchoring fixture (104) for anchoring a direct bone conduction hearing aid (108) to the skull bone (106), comprising a threaded portion (110) that has at least one cutting edge (118). Each cutting edge (118) has an adjacent cavity (120) having a volume Vc. The threaded portion (110) has a thread depth dt being half of the difference between the maximum outer diameter d1 of the threaded portion (120) and the inner diameter d2 of the thread, where dt is at least 10% of the maximum outer diameter d1 of the threaded portion (110) and where dt is less than 20% of the maximum outer diameter d1 of the threaded portion (110). The fixture (104) may be equipped with a flange portion (114) that has an outer diameter d3 being greater than the maximum diameter d1 of the threaded portion (110).

Abstract: An object of the invention resides in the provision of a bone conduction headset, which is inconspicuous in appearance during wearing thereof, adapted for use in avoiding absorbing nearby people's attention to the headset thus worn, easy to wear and take off in use, and comprises: a band running around a back part of the user's head; a fastening portion formed in each of opposite end portions of the band; a bone conduction speaker provided with a knob which is engaged with the fastening portion; and, an ear engagement portion, which runs over the bone conduction speaker during wearing of the headset to reach and engage with the user's ear. An extension of either the fastening portion in the band or a casing of the bone conduction speaker may be formed into the ear engagement portion.

Abstract: The hearing-aid interconnection system has a skin-penetrating hearing-aid abutment (2) and a fixture (4) anchored in a skull bone (6). A first press fit is formed between a first contact surface (8a) of the abutment and a first fixture contact surface (10a) of the fixture. The first abutment contact surface extends around the first fixture contact surface. A second press fit is formed between a second contact surface (8b) of the abutment and a second fixture contact surface (10b) of the fixture. The second fixture contact surface extends around the second abutment contact surface.

Abstract: A fixation element for an implantable microphone is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the fixation element comprises an essentially cylindrical portion adapted to be inserted into a bore which crosses a wall of the auditory canal of a user, said cylindrical portion, at least in an implanted state of the fixation element, surrounding an outer circumferential portion of a housing part of the microphone, which housing part is provided with a sound receiving member. The cylindrical portion includes at least one elastic region of increased diameter, said elastic region contacting, in the implanted state of the fixation element, a wall of said bore and providing, by elastic restoring forces, for a friction which is sufficiently high to fix said cylindrical portion in at least one of the two axial directions of said bore.

Abstract: A handsfree structure with antibackground noise function, comprising: a male plug, coupled to an output of a mobilephone; a voice receiving device, coupled to said male plug by a wire for picking up a voice signal of a user; a reaction type voice receiving device, coupled to said male plug by said wire for picking up said voice signal of said user by sensing the vibration of skin of said user; and a earphone set, coupled to said male plug by said wire for transformation a electric signal received from said mobilephone into a voice signal; while said mobilephone receiving a call, said user could switch said handsfree structure from said voice receiving device to said reaction type voice receiving device or from said reaction type voice receiving device to said voice receiving device according to a background noise of the environment for getting more clear voice signal so as to improve the communication quality of a high background noise environment.

Abstract: A hearing aid apparatus is intended for sound transmission from one side of the head to the cochlea on the other side of the head for rehabilitation of patients with unilateral hearing loss. The hearing aid apparatus is based on the bone conducting principle for bone anchored hearing aids and includes a vibratory generating part that is mechanically anchored by means of osseointegration in the skull bone at the deaf side of the patient and arranged to transmit vibrations through the skull bone from the deaf side to the inner ear on the other side of the patient. The frequency characteristics of the apparatus are preferably adapted in such a way that the amplification is higher for frequencies above 1 kHz than for lower frequencies, which is in contrast to an ordinary bone anchored hearing aid.

Abstract: A vibrator for a bone conduction-type hearing aid device by which sound information is mechanically transmitted via the skull bone directly to the inner ear of a person with impaired hearing. The vibrator includes a coil that is directly into two coil halves for generating a dynamic magnetic field and a permanent magnet for generating a static magnetic field. The permanent magnet is radially magnetized and arranged in such a way that the static and dynamic magnetic fields coincide in air gaps formed between the coil and magnet arrangement and the casing, whereby the vibrator provides an axial force.

Abstract: An apparatus for bone conduction hearing testing is provided. The apparatus comprises a planar spring having opposed first and second elements to which are coupled, respectively, a bone conduction vibrator and an engagement element. The bone conduction vibrator contacts a first head portion, preferably the forehead, and the engagement element contacts a second head portion, preferably the rear of the head. The spring preferably has a lenticular shape, and may be either biconvex or D-shaped.

Abstract: A lightweight miniature mobile communication unit allows the user to listen sufficiently and talk quietly in a noisy place so that the user can make a call without disturbing nearby people in the crowd. The mobile communication unit uses a bone conduction speaker (1) separated from the main body (2) instead of a built-in speaker or an external earphone.

Abstract: A voice communication device such as an earpiece that provides for ultra short range transmission of voice sound information using ultra wide band (UWB) radio communications is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a voice communication device includes a speaker, a bone conduction sensor for sensing voice sound vibrations, and an UWB transceiver operatively connected to the speaker and the bone conduction sensor. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a voice communication device is disclosed that includes an earpiece housing, a speaker operatively connected to the earpiece housing for transducing audio, an air conduction sensor operatively connected to the housing for sensing voice sound information, a processor electrically connected to the speaker and the bone conduction sensor and disposed within the earpiece housing, and an UWB transceiver operatively connected to the processor.

Abstract: A canal hearing device has a subminiature filament assembly which vibrates and directly drives the tympanic membrane (eardrum) and imparts audible mechanical vibrations thereto. The filament assembly is partially supported by the tympanic membrane via capillary adhesion thereto and is dynamically coupled to a stationary vibration force element position at a distance from the tympanic membrane within the ear canal. The elongated filament assembly is freely movable within an operable range and is essentially floating with respect to the vibration force element. In a preferred embodiment, the vibrational filament assembly comprises a magnetic section which is insertable into the air-core of an electromagnetic coil. The filament assembly is coupled to the tympanic membrane via an articulated tympanic contact coupler.

Abstract: A communication device includes an earpiece housing adapted for fitting to an ear of a user such that the earpiece does not block the canal, an inertial sensor operatively connected to the earpiece housing for sensing positional changes of the user's ears, a processor operatively connected to the inertial sensor and disposed within the earpiece determining presence of an alert condition at least partially based on positional changes, and a speaker operatively connected to the processor.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for inner ear implants is provided that generates signal processing stochastic independence activity across the excited neural population. A high rate pulse train can produce random spike patterns in auditory nerve fibers (hereafter “pseudospontaneous activity”) that are statistically similar to those produced by spontaneous activity in the normal auditory nerve. We call this activity “pseudospontaneous”. Varying rates of pseudospontaneous activity can be created by varying the intensity of a fixed amplitude, high rate pulse train stimulus, e.g., 5000 pps. The high rate pulse train can desynchronize the nerve fiber population and can be combined with a data signal in an inner ear implant. The pseudospontaneous activity can enhance neural representation of temporal detail and dynamic range with an inner ear implant such as a cochlear implant. The pseudospontaneous activity can further eliminate a major difference between acoustic-and electrical-derived hearing percepts.

Abstract: A vocal transmitter device includes a cable-receiving structure, an earphone, a fastener and a microphone. The cable-receiving structure has a case, a cable-winding plate, a connection cable, and a spiral spring. The spiral spring and the cable-winding plate are arranged in the case and connected to each other. The earphone is connected to a terminal of the connection cable. The fastener is connected on the case of the cable-receiving structure. The microphone is arranged either in the case of the cable-receiving structure or in the fastener. Another terminal of the connection cable is connected to the microphone. A miniature vocal transmitter device is hence accomplished.

Abstract: A communication device comprising a microphone, a conduction interface and an electromechanical force transducer mounted to the conduction interface to drive the interface to conduct sound to a user by bone conduction, characterised in that the transducer has an intended operative frequency range and comprises a resonant element having a frequency distribution of modes in the operative frequency range and coupling means for mounting the transducer to the interface.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for hands free communication using a PDA. The method includes sensing a bone conduction signal from the bone conduction sensor disposed within an external auditory cannel of the user, transmitting the sensed bone conduction signal from a transmitter to a PDA, and processing the sensed bone conduction signal at the PDA to create a processed audio signal.

Abstract: A noninvasive method and system are provided for assessing the performance of implanted actuators of semi or fully-implantable hearing aid systems. The invention utilizes an externally positioned test measurement device to obtain measurements of the electrical impedance of an implanted actuator when driven by a test signal of predetermined characteristics. In one embodiment, the test measurement device may comprise a signal generator for generating the test signal for the actuator, a signal processing unit to compute the electrical impedance from voltage and current measurements, and a user interface to provide an output that is usable to asses the performance of the actuator. The electrical impedance is computable from the voltage and current of the signal passing through the actuator. The electrical impedance is directly related to the mechanical impedance present at the interface between the actuator and middle ear of a patient.

Abstract: A bone conduction speaker, in which a sound is sufficiently improved in tone quality by suppressing an unnecessary vibration of a vibration system and preventing generation of an abnormal sound due to an abnormal resonance, comprise: a bone conduction speaker unit constructed of a yoke, a voice coil, a magnet, a vibrating plate and a vibration block integrated with the vibrating plate; and, a housing which contains the bone conduction speaker unit to function as a vibrating portion; wherein; the vibration block of the bone conduction speaker unit is fixedly mounted on an upper surface of the interior of the housing; and, the yoke is supported by the damping member which is disposed inside the housing.

Abstract: An induction-type loopset is provided that is connectable to a wireless device. The loopset contains a first coil electromagnetically coupled to a t-coil hearing aid and an impedance-matching device coupled to the first coil. The impedance-matching device is responsive to an audio signal from the wireless device. The induction-type loopset is powered from the power source of the wireless device. The power source is responsive to an activation state of the wireless device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing aid apparatus of the type which is intended for sound transmission from one side of the head to the cochlea on the other side of the head for rehabilitation of patients with unilateral hearing loss, i.e. individuals with normal or a slightly impaired hearing on one ear and a profound hearing loss in the inner ear on the other side of the head. The hearing aid apparatus is based on the hone conducting principle for bone anchored hearing aids and comprises a vihrotary generating part which is mechanically anchored by means of osscointegration in the skull bone (2) at the deaf side of the patient and arranged to transmit vibrations through the skull bone from the deaf side to the inner ear on the other side of the patient. The frequency characteristics of the apparatus is preferably adapted in such a way that the amplification is higher for frequencies above 1 kHz than for lower frequencies which is in contrast to an ordinary bone anchored hearing aid.

Abstract: A canal hearing device with a dual acoustic seal system for preventing feedback while minimizing occlusion effects. The two-part device comprises a main module and an elongated tubular insert for conducting sound to the tympanic membrane and sealing within the bony region of the ear canal. The main module is positioned in the cartilaginous portion of the ear canal. The tubular insert comprises a sound conduction tube and a cylindrically hollow primary seal medially positioned in the bony region. The device also comprises a secondary seal laterally positioned in the cartilaginous region. The secondary seal, although providing additional acoustic sealing for the prevention of feedback, is sufficiently vented to provide a path of least acoustic resistance for occlusion sounds within the ear canal.

Abstract: The invention discloses an improved bone conduction sensor capable of use within a voice sound transmitting apparatus. The bone conduction sensor is adapted for placement in the external auditory canal of the user in a nonocclusive fashion. The bone conduction sensor has a contoured surface adapted-to fit against a wall of the external auditory canal increasing the surface area contact between the bone conduction sensor and the wall of the external auditory canal. The bone conduction sensor may also be associated with one or more contact sensors adjacent the bone conduction sensor for determining contact between the bone conduction sensor and the wall of the external auditory canal. In addition, the invention provides for the bone sensing element to be separated from the circuit portion of the bone conduction sensor so that the circuitry may be removed to the behind the ear portion of the earpiece.

Abstract: A system for voice sound communicated control includes an earpiece adapted to be inserted into the external auditory canal of the user and having a bone conduction sensor being adapted to sense bone conductive vibrations in the external auditory canal and an air conduction sensor being adapted to sense air vibrations, a processor electrically connected to the bone conduction sensor and the air conduction sensor and adapted to provide a voice sound signal. A local unit can be controlled by the earpiece. The local unit includes a reciever, a speech processor, a control unit and a device, the functions of the device being controlled via voice sound information received from the earpiece.

Abstract: A middle ear hearing aid transducer is provided. The middle ear hearing aid includes: first and second permanent magnets arranged such that the same poles face each other; a coil separated a predetermined distance from the outer surfaces of the first and second permanent magnets, and surrounding the first and second permanent magnets; a case for accommodating the first and second permanent magnets and the coil; and a vibration member for supporting the first and second permanent magnets to keep a predetermined distance between the coil and the outer surfaces of the first and second permanent magnets, and for transmitting vibrations of the first and second permanent magnets to the case.

Abstract: A system and method upper auditory frequency range hearing. A speech signal is filtered, and then modulated to an upper auditory frequency range. The modulated signal is then provided to a transducer, which causes a vibration in the ear canal, the head or the neck of a user, which is received in an inner ear of the user. That vibration is translated as a signal to the brain, which interprets that signal as intelligible speech.

Abstract: A voice sound transmitting and receiving unit having an earpiece that is adapted for insertion into the external auditory canal of a user, the earpiece having an expansion module. The voice sound transmitting unit includes a sensor, which may be a bone conduction sensor or an air conduction sensor, or both. Prior to transmission, additional processing, modification, or formatting of sensor output maybe done by the expansion module. Alternatively, all local processing, modification, or formatting of sensor output may be done via the expansion module. The transmission of the voice sound signal may be through a wireless linkage.

Abstract: An improved implantable hearing aid microphone comprises a housing having an internal chamber with an aperture thereto and a first diaphragm sealably positioned across the aperture. A microphone having a second diaphragm is positioned within the chamber to define an enclosed volume between the first and second diaphragms for mechanically amplifying acoustic signals received by the first diaphragm. A peripheral rim may define the aperture of the housing, wherein the first diaphragm may be recessed between about 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm relative to the peripheral rim across the lateral extent of the first diaphragm. The internal chamber may be defined to include a first portion having a first cross-sectional area adjacent to the first diaphragm, and a second portion having a second cross-sectional area adjacent to the second diaphragm that is smaller than the first cross-sectional area. The second portion may be disposed to extend away from the first portion about an axis that is transverse to the first diaphragm.

Abstract: A beat detection system provides tactile stimulation in response to musical characteristics and in particular to repetitive musical beat information. The device processes multiple acoustic bands and separates out the beat information from each band. Each band provides beat information to respective tactile mechanisms that convey the beat information to the user. The device can be worn by a person with a hearing disability to enable them to appreciate the beat of music.