Abstract: A hearing aid/spectacles combination includes a spectacle frame and a first reproduction unit. The spectacle frame has a microphone array in a first spectacle arm. The microphone array is able to pick up a sound signal and is able to transmit a processed signal, produced on the basis of the sound signal, to the first reproduction unit. The hearing aid/spectacles combination includes a sound registration module that includes the microphone array; a beam forming module for forming a direction-dependent processed signal; a reproduction adaptation module for controlling a reproduction characteristic of the processed sound signal produced by the first reproduction unit; a reproduction module that comprises the first reproduction unit; and a reproduction control module for controlling a reproduction characteristic of the processed sound signal produced by the first reproduction unit; the beam forming module and the reproduction adaptation module can be based on digital techniques.

Abstract: A ski goggle with a digital sound playing system, a ski theme park and a ski slope having specially designed music transmitted over each slope.

Abstract: Hearing glasses with a left temple and a right temple connected to a front portion supporting a pair of lenses, at least one temple with one single microphone and a processor connected to the single microphone. The single microphone is an omnidirectional microphone and located in the temple such that, when the hearing glasses are worn by a human's head where the at least one temple is at a predetermined side of the head, the single microphone can receive sound substantially unblocked by the head from sound sources both at a left and right frontal side of the head, as well as from one back side of the head corresponding to the predetermined side of the head.

Abstract: Techniques for providing eyewear with electrical components are disclosed. The electrical components can provide electrical technology to eyewear without having to substantially compromise aesthetic design principles of the eyewear. The electrical components can be partially or completely internal to eyewear. The electrical components can also be attached to the eyewear as an after-market enhancement. The electrical components can operate independently or together with other electrical components provided elsewhere.

Abstract: The nasal bone conduction wireless communication transmitting device of the present invention comprises a bone conduction inputting device; a wireless communication transmitting device electrically connected to the bone conduction inputting device; a bone conduction outputting device having a second oscillator; and a carrier device for supporting those abovementioned devices. The invention is characterized by that the carrier device is a carrier provided on the nose for making the bone conduction outputting device and the bone conduction inputting device supported by it closely touching the skin of the nasal bone, and making the oscillating wave of the bone conduction outputting device being sent to the ear via the nasal bone conduction after the resonance in the nasal cavity; and converting the sound provided through the nasal conduction resonance by the bone conduction inputting device into an electrical wave, and then transmitting it to the wireless communication transmitting device for signaling.

Abstract: A custom-made BTE hearing aid housing (17) comprises a first part, and a second part, wherein said first part is adapted to fit the contour of the cleft between a pinna and the skull of an individual is provided. The housing may be part of a hearing aid (30), connected with a tube (9) in a first end and an earplug (20) in a second end. The invention also provides a hearing aid and a method of preparing a hearing aid housing.

Abstract: A pair of glasses with one or more electrical components partially or fully embedded in the glasses is disclosed. In one embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a speaker and an electrical connector, both at least partially embedded in the glasses, with the speaker and the connector electrically coupled together by an electrical conductor. In another embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a storage medium and an electrical connector. In yet another embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a speaker, a coder/decoder, a processor and a storage medium. The glasses can serve as a multimedia asset player. In a further embodiment, some of the electrical components are in a base tethered to a pair of glasses. Instead of just receiving signals, in one embodiment, a pair of glasses also has a microphone and a wireless transceiver. In another embodiment, a pair of glasses includes a preference indicator that allows a user to indicate the user's preference regarding, for example, what is being output by the glasses.

Abstract: Transducer substantially comprising a hollow housing, a device located inside the hollow housing to transform the electrical signals output by a vibration pickup microphone, a generally discoid shaped element for acoustical coupling with the mastoid bone, having one face directed to the outside of the housing and one face arranged onto the inside of the housing itself, and a coupling element for connection between the vibrating unit and the acoustic coupling element. The acoustic coupling element comprises one soft material headset apt to close and seal one opening made on one face of the hollow housing, and to hold the vibrating element freely hanging into said housing, by means of the coupling element.

Abstract: A ring transducer comprising an outer metal ring and an inner ceramic ring provides a device for the conduction of ultrasonic signals directly in the ear canal, thereby providing an efficient means for the conduction of such signals. In an alternate embodiment, stacks of piezoelectric film, optionally shaped into a ring, may be used for placement in the ear or outside the ear, such as on the ends of eyeglasses.

Abstract: A hearing aid is provided with a a programmable, signal processing circuit electrically connecting an input system to an output system, a magnetic field sensor, and a selection circuit connected to the magnetic sensor. The selection circuit may be adapted to control at least one of the input system, output system, and the signal processing circuit, where the selection circuit in conjunction with the magnetic field is configured to select the system or circuit to control based a magnetic field strength received at the magnetic field sensor being one of at least three levels of magnetic field strength.

Abstract: A behind-the-ear hearing device is provided for an eyeglass wearer that is equipped with a thin hearing tube (maximum 2 mm) and is nevertheless comfortable. A hearing device suitable for this purpose has a hearing device housing having a sound outlet and an eyeglass temple adapter, fastened to the hearing device housing and attachable to an eyeglass temple. The thin hearing tube leads through the eyeglass temple adapter to the sound outlet of the hearing device housing for sound transmission in an auditory canal. This enables a voluminous ear hook to be dispensed with and a thinner hearing tube used and allows the sound to be transported directly from the hearing device housing to the sound tube.

Abstract: A wearable wireless audio device includes a support, an electronics circuit, and a speaker. The support includes a first ear stem and an orbital, and is configured to support at least one lens in a wearer's field of view. The electronics circuit is supported by the support and is configured to receive at least one digital audio file and generate an audio signal indicative of the at least one digital audio file. The speaker is supported by the support, and is directed toward at least one of the wearer's ears. The speaker is configured to convert the audio signal into sound. The speaker has a speaker face, and the speaker is configured to rotate from a first position in which the speaker face is substantially parallel to a yz-plane to a second position in which the speaker is inclined at an angle with respect to the yz-plane. The speaker is coupled to the support with a speaker pivot, and is configured to rotate about the speaker pivot while maintaining the speaker face substantially parallel to a yz-plane.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a microphone for providing an electrical signal representative of a received acoustic signal, a means for filtering the electrical signal and a means for automatic switching. Upon detecting a presence of a magnetic field, the means for automatic switching enables the means for filtering to modify a frequency response of the hearing aid to boost a low frequency gain and reduce a high frequency gain. Such filtering can be used with or without a telecoil. A hearing aid including a telecoil is configured with a preamplifier, a inductive element, and a switch control integrated onto a single common circuit board.

Abstract: The speaker head is inserted into the protective ear insert and into one of the wearer's ears so that the audio signal is audible to the wearer in a loud environment where exterior noise is muffled by the protective ear insert and the speaker head is shielded from contact with the wearer. The protective insert is removably and moveably secured to the frame and variably positionable in accordance with the location of the wearer's ears.

Abstract: For making the production of hearing-aid eyeglasses using standard eyeglasses easier, a hearing aid device has a body that can be attached to an eyeglasses bow has a channel therein for acceptance of a flexible eyeglasses bow end piece, and the body is flexible in at least a region thereof. Standard eyeglasses thus do not have to be damaged for connection with the hearing aid device and they can be placed back into their original state in a simple manner.

Abstract: An adaptive binaural beamforming system is provided which can be used, for example, in a hearing aid. The system uses more than two input signals, and preferably four input signals. The signals can be provided, for example, by two microphone pairs, one pair of microphones located in a user's left ear and the second pair of microphones located in the user's right ear. The system is preferably arranged such that each pair of microphones utilizes an end-fire configuration with the two pairs of microphones being combined in a broadside configuration. Signal processing is divided into two stages. In the first stage, the outputs from the two microphone pairs are processed utilizing an end-fire array processing scheme, this stage providing the benefits of spatial processing. In the second stage, the outputs from the two end-fire arrays are processed utilizing a broadside configuration, this stage providing further spatial processing benefits along with the benefits of binaural processing.

Abstract: An industrial hearing protection and communication assembly including a frame having a front frame member that, includes a substantially transparent shatterproof eye panel disposed to shield a wearer's eyes, and at least one protective ear insert structured to be fitted into a wearer's ear in order to substantially muffle exterior noise. A speaker head audibly communicates an audio signal received by a receiver disposed on the frame and is structured to be inserted into a bore defined in the protective ear insert, and thereby, into one of the wearer's ears. The audio signal is audible to the wearer while the exterior noise is muffled by the protective ear insert and the speaker head is shielded from perspiration or other body contaminants of the wearer. Further, the protective insert can be variably positionable in accordance with the location of the wearer's ears.

Abstract: A hearing device comprising at least two microphones, a processor and an output for further processing in a reproducer, the microphones being electrically coupled to the processor, and the output for further processing in a reproducer being connected to the processor. The processor comprises: a summer providing a sum signal of the microphone signals, and to which summer a proportional amplifier is connected, and a summer for providing a difference signal of the microphone signals, to which summer an integrator is connected, and that the proportional amplifier and the integrator are coupled on the output side to a third summer providing a sum signal of the proportional amplifier and the integrator, and that the third summer forms the output for further processing in a reproducer.

Abstract: An information display device is assembled with at least one temple of a spectacle frame. The information display device includes a circuit and a speaker located close to a user's ear. The circuit is connected to the speaker via a wire. The information display device converts the electromagnetic wave from the base station to a direct current that make the speaker sound. Since the information display device is arranged inside the temple of the spectacle frame close to the user's ear, the user is quickly alerted of an incoming telephone call.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes an image sensing device, a sound input transducer, a sound output transducer, and a processor. The image sensing device detects an image from a selected region of a user of the hearing aid while the sound input transducer receives sound and produces an audio signal representative of the sound. The sound output transducer receives the audio signal and converts the audio signal to a sound wave that is provided to the user. The processor receives the image, analyzes the image to determine an existence of human-generated sound, and provides the audio signal from the sound input transducer to the sound output transducer when human-generated sound is detected. The audio signal is provided at a first level when human-generated sound is detected and is provided at a second level in an absence of human-generated sound.

Abstract: This is a personal earphone assembly comprised of a flexible, elongate tube having open ends and a central lumen therethrough. Earphones are disposed at each open end of the tube, each earphone having a neck projecting therefrom and a wire passing from the neck, through the lumen, to a central aperture in the tube. In a stereophonic embodiment, the earphone wires run parallel from the central lateral aperture to a plug adapted to engage a stereo jack on a signal source. In a monaural embodiment, the earphone wires join a single double-strand lead to a mono jack. Lateral slits are provided adjacent the open ends of the tube for receipt of the temple ends of a pair of eyeglasses. The portions of the tube between the lateral apertures and the open ends wrap over and around the forward portions of a user's ear, and the earphones lodge in the outer ear canal. The assembly may also be worn without eyeglasses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a listening assistance device (1) comprising hearing modules (3) mounted on the ends of the arms of an eyeglass frame (2), said modules being designed to support the eyeglass frame on the ear of the user. The hearing modules also have a formed part (5) which extends into the auditive canal without closing the latter and which includes the sound outlet hole (6) of the module. The modules comprise a speech spectrum frequency response and linear dynamics in order to improve speech intelligibility. This makes it possible to provide a listening assistance device compensating for mild hearing loss that can be produced easily and economically, is more comfortable to use and is not regarded at first sight as a hearing aid by an observer.

Abstract: A communication device (300) for use behind an ear (200) comprises a housing (302), a sound delivery tube (310), and a self-retaining element (316). The sound delivery tube (310) is coupled to the housing. The self-retaining element (316) is coupled to the housing (302) or the sound delivery tube (310). The self-retaining element (316) rests beneath an inferior crus (216) of the ear (200) and provides positive retention of the communication device (300) to the ear (200) when the sound delivery tube (310) is positioned for sound delivery to the ear (200).

Abstract: A hearing aid includes an image sensing device, a sound input transducer, a sound output transducer, and a processor. The image sensing device detects an image from a selected region of a user of the hearing aid while the sound input transducer receives sound and produces an audio signal representative of the sound. The sound output transducer receives the audio signal and converts the audio signal to a sound wave that is provided to the user. The processor receives the image, analyzes the image to determine an existence of human-generated sound, and provides the audio signal from the sound input transducer to the sound output transducer when human-generated sound is detected. The audio signal is provided at a first level when human-generated sound is detected and is provided at a second level in an absence of human-generated sound.

Abstract: Eyewear comprises a microphone and a speaker. An eyewear neck strap couples the microphone and speaker to a wearer unit carried by the eyewear wearer. The wearer unit exchanges wireless signals with a base station. The base station is coupled to various devices such as surgical theater equipment, and/or to a telecommunication system, such as a telephone system. The eyewear enables the wearer to conduct hands-free communication such as telephone conversations and command and control operations, as well as to perform other hands-free tasks such as dictation. The wearer also receives data in audio form or as an image using a video display coupled with the eyewear.

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: This is a personal earphone assembly comprised of a flexible, elongate tube having open ends and a central lumen therethrough. Earphones are disposed at each open end of the tube, each earphone having a neck projecting therefrom and a wire passing from the neck, through the lumen, to a central aperture in the tube. In a stereophonic embodiment, the earphone wires run parallel from the central lateral aperture to a plug adapted to engage a stereo jack on a signal source. In a monaural embodiment, the earphone wires join a single double-strand lead to a mono jack. Lateral slits are provided adjacent the open ends of the tube for receipt of the temple ends of a pair of eyeglasses. The portions of the tube between the lateral apertures and the open ends wrap over and around the forward portions of a user's ear, and the earphones lodge in the outer ear canal. The assembly may also be worn without eyeglasses.

Abstract: For binaural hearing, a hearing aid worn at the head has two hearing apparatuses respectively allocated to the ears, with at least one of the hearing apparatuses having a transmitter and the other hearing apparatus having a receiver for an optical signal transmission from the transmitting hearing apparatus to the receiving hearing apparatus.