Ear Insert Patents (Class 381/328)
  • Patent number: 8213654
    Abstract: An in-the-ear audio device includes a custom made shell part which fits into the ear canal of a user and a pre-fabricated module part, the custom made part having a cavity with an opening for receiving the module. The cavity is partially bounded by two opposed, substantially parallel internal walls of the shell part which are spaced a distance which will allow two external, substantially parallel sides of the module to slide into the space between the two walls. Recesses and projections which extend in an arc on the walls and on the sides are provided such that the module may be inserted into the cavity between the two walls by a pivotal movement, with the projections at each side sliding in respective recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Bjarke D. Jørgensen, Mads G. Andersen
  • Patent number: 8208652
    Abstract: Acoustic reflective devices are provided. An acoustic reflective device is configured to be inserted into an orifice. The device includes a stressing device that can vary a volume in response to a voltage difference across a portion of the stressing device. The stressing device is at least partially surrounded by a membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Personics Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: John Keady
  • Patent number: 8208674
    Abstract: A squeeze-stretch (also called, herein push-pull) loudspeaker or driver, such as an electret, can operate in an active noise reduction (ANR) earplug application. Other embodiments of a squeeze-stretch loudspeaker, such as piezoelectric bimorph and balanced armature, operate in a similar way, although they will differ in detail. Other applications, such as earphones for communication and entertainment, will benefit from the compact arrangement of components in a squeeze-stretch design. The advantages are a greater sound output from a smaller package, a smooth frequency response, and because of the diaphragm arrangement, less sensitivity to vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: RH Lyon Corp
    Inventor: Richard H. Lyon
  • Patent number: 8204263
    Abstract: Disclosed is method of generating an audible signal in a hearing aid by estimating a weighting function of received audio signals, the hearing aid is adapted to be worn by a user; the method comprises the steps of: estimating a directional signal by estimating a weighted sum of two or more microphone signals from two or more microphones, where a first microphone of the two or more microphones is a front microphone, and where a second microphone of the two or more microphones is a rear microphone; estimating a direction-dependent time-frequency gain, and synthesizing an output signal; wherein estimating the direction-dependent time-frequency gain comprises: obtaining at least two directional signals each containing a time-frequency representation of a target signal and a noise signal; and where a first of the directional signals is defined as a front aiming signal, and where a second of the directional signals is defined as a rear aiming signal; using the time-frequency representation of the target signal an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Michael Syskind Pedersen, Ulrik Kjems, Karsten Bo Rasmussen, Thomas Bo Elmedyb, Jesper Bünsow Boldt
  • Patent number: 8204264
    Abstract: A faceplate of a hearing device housing with a component fitted in an opening of the faceplate and an associated method are provided. The faceplate is formed from a first material. When a predefinable distance between the support surface of the components in the opening and the surface facing away from the exterior of the faceplate is not reached, a second material is applied below the support surface to the surface of the faceplate such that the predefinable distance is produced. As a result, even with fitted components, for instance the volume controller or program selection switch, the mechanical stability of the faceplate is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Nikles, Erika Radick, Benjamin Schmidt, Christian Schmitt, Erwin Singer, Cornelia Wiedenbrüg
  • Patent number: 8199950
    Abstract: The present invention provides an earphone comprising an electro-active polymer that is adapted such that the outer circumference of a resilient member of the earphone is responsive to an electric voltage, enabling providing essentially sealing the ear canal when the resilient member of the earphone at least partly is inserted in an ear canal of a wearer. The electro-active polymer also enables an improved game and sound experience by providing by synchronizing the outer circumference of the resilient member with the electric signal provided to the earphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Andrej Petef, Gunnar Klinghult
  • Patent number: 8199952
    Abstract: A small hearing aid is provided which fits completely in an ear canal of a user wherein a shell as an outer housing of the hearing aid is shaped to closely surround components of the hearing aid to provide a gap between the hearing canal inner walls and the shell to allow flow of air when the hearing aid is mounted in the ear by a mounting element connected to the shell. The mounting element is provided with at least one aperture to allow the air flow. In a fabricating method, an image of the shell is shrunk to closely surround the hearing aid components while maintaining a shape of the ear canal to assure a custom fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Artem Boltyenkov, Anthony Strano, Daniel Meighan, Salman Parsi
  • Publication number: 20120140967
    Abstract: The hearing device comprises an ear-piece (1) which is designed to be worn at least partially in an ear canal of a user of the hearing device. The ear-piece (1) comprises a vent passage (3) connecting the ear canal with the atmosphere. The vent passage (3) has an inner opening (8) towards the ear-canal and an outer opening (9) towards the atmosphere. The ear-piece (1) further comprises a vent extension (4). The vent extension (4) is a protrusion extending the vent passage (3) beyond the body (2) of the ear-piece (1). The vent extension (4) is adapted for abutting on a surface of the body of the user and is thereby inconspicuous and/or contributes thereby to retention. A method for manufacturing such a hearing device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: PHONAK AG
    Inventor: Sébastien Aubert
  • Patent number: 8189836
    Abstract: A method and hearing aid mold are provided for a hearing device with a first segment for insertion into the auditory canal of the user, a second segment, which projects into the concha of the user when inserted, and a vent, which runs from the first segment into the second segment. A vent opening, which may be enclosed by a titanium ring, is directed in the second segment toward the outer ear of the user, so that an exchange of air can be achieved between the auditory canal and the rear of the outer ear through an opening in the outer ear. Ventilation of the auditory canal from the rear of the outer ear reduces the risk of feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Wai Kit David Ho, Wee Haw Koo
  • Patent number: 8189831
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hearing aid having an audio signal unit which is operatively connected to a sound generator and generates an audio signal which has at least two audio signal sections immediately succeeding one another in time. The audio signal sections each have an audio signal section duration and the audio signal has at least one frequency that is audible to the human ear. The audio signal sections succeed one another in such a way that an audio signal section succeeding a previous audio signal section in time begins before the previous audio signal section has terminated, with the result that the previous and the succeeding audio signal section overlap one another with an overlapping time period, the overlapping time period being shorter than the audio signal section duration of the previous audio signal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Sörgel
  • Patent number: 8189845
    Abstract: An earbud coupling has a rear portion forming an earbud mount (14) that easily attaches to a hemispherical earbud (12), and has a front portion forming an in-ear mount (16) that can be pressed into a person's ear canal to hold the coupling to the person while blocking environmental noise. The earbud mount includes a tapered elastomeric sleeve (50) with an internal groove (62) at its rear end. The earbud mount rear end can be expanded to fit around the periphery of the earbud front end to securely attach to the earbud. A plurality of different in-ear mounts or tips can be provided that each can be attached to the front end of the earbud mount, including an in-ear mount (100) that consists of a single integral elastomeric member with at least one flange (205). The earbud mount and in-ear mount can be connected by a shaft (130) with pair of projections (132) on one of the mounts that is inserted into a hole (136) with slots (140) of the other one and turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Sperian Hearing Protection, LLC
    Inventor: David Mulvey
  • Patent number: 8184839
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Gail Gudmundsen, Mead C. Killion, Viorel Drambarean, Jonathan K. Stewart
  • Patent number: 8184841
    Abstract: The invention regards an ear canal device and a retainer strip, whereby the ear canal device has a distal part for extending into the ear canal and facing the tympanic membrane and a proximal part extending towards the ear canal opening, wherein the proximal part of the ear canal device comprises an opening extending transversely through the ear canal device, and where a retaining strip is arranged with a first end thereof arranged to be fastened in the opening and a second end arranged to lie resiliently against the inside of the concha for exerting a retaining force on the ear canal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Claus Würfel
  • Patent number: 8184842
    Abstract: Methods, tools, and methods of manufacturing said tools are provided for inserting a hearing device deeply into the ear canal of a user and adjusting its medial-lateral position therein. The provided tools comprise a shaft. A distal end of the shaft can be coupled to the hearing device. The shaft is flexible to facilitate its insertion into the tortuous ear canal and minimize injurious contact with the ear canal. The length of the shaft can be adjusted to adjust the depth of insertion of the shaft into the ear canal, customizing the tool for an individual user. Medial advancement of the shaft into the ear canal is limited by a base, side extension, or mold coupled to a proximal portion of the shaft or other proximal part of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: InSound Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Howard, Evelyne Chaubert, Gretchen Anderson, Jonathan Paul Downing, Nicholas Hausman, Janet Karen Hwu, Ricardo Penate
  • Publication number: 20120121114
    Abstract: This invention relates to a hearing instrument, which comprises a first microphone converting ambient sound to an ambient sound signal, a signal processor generating a processed sound signal based on the ambient sound signal, a controllable output stage generating a driving signal based on the processed sound signal and in accordance with a control signal, a speaker unit generating a sound in the ear canal based on said driving signal, a second microphone located in the ear canal of the user and converting the sound in the ear canal to the monitor sound signal, and a linearization stage comparing the processed sound signal and the monitor sound signal and generating the control signal based thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Karsten Bo RASMUSSEN, Steen Michael Munk
  • Patent number: 8180094
    Abstract: An acoustically tuned earpiece is provided. Venting is performed by boring a control port, separate from the output port, into the driver. The diameter of the control port must be sufficiently small to restrict the flow of air into and out of the driver, thus isolating the acoustic performance of the driver from the volume and/or the sealing capabilities of the earpiece enclosure. The exact size of the venting port is selected to achieve the desired acoustic performance. In all cases, the control port has a cross-sectional area that is less than 25 percent of the cross-sectional area of the driver's output port. In order to optimize the size of the control port, an iterative process is preferably used in which the cross-sectional area of the control port is gradually increased while monitoring the performance of the driver compared to a target response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Logitech International, S.A.
    Inventor: Jerry J. Harvey
  • Patent number: 8180085
    Abstract: A method and appertaining assembly are provided for CIC hearing aid manufacture for the placement of floating components. A hearing aid shell fixture is formed that comprises an interior region identical in shape and size to an interior region of an actual hearing aid shell, and a replica of one or more shell components that is positioned so as to replicate a position and size of one or more real shell components in the actual hearing aid shell. The hearing aid shell fixture is placed onto a faceplate assembly that comprises a floating component, and a position of the floating component is adjusted to avoid contact with the replica of one or more shell components. The hearing aid shell fixture on the faceplate is subsequently replaced with the actual hearing aid shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Oleg Saltykov, Fred McBagonluri
  • Patent number: 8175308
    Abstract: An earplug (7) for a hearing aid (1), in particular for a BTE-type hearing aid, has a front end (8) and a rear end (9). The front end (8) is adapted to be inserted into an ear canal of a wearer. The earplug (7) comprises a main body part (10) comprising a longitudinal bore (11) extending along a centrally arranged axis (A-A) of the earplug (7), and at least one sound output passage (17) in communication with said longitudinal bore (11) and leading to a sound output opening (18). The earplug also has a collar (19), which is adapted to engage the wall of an ear canal and surrounds the main body part (10). The output opening (18) has at least one edge part (18a) located in a retracted manner with respect to said front end (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventors: Jorgen Mejner Olsen, Christian Bohl Espersen
  • Patent number: 8175306
    Abstract: A method of wireless communication between hearing aid devices of a hearing prosthesis. A first device selects a frequency channel for bidirectional wireless communication from a predefined series of frequency channels. A second device transmits a command signal repeatedly over the series of frequency channels until it transmits the command signal over the frequency channel selected by the first device. Subsequent commands send by the second device to the first device are initially transmitted over the selected frequency channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Werner Meskens, Koen Van den Heuvel
  • Patent number: 8175305
    Abstract: A hearing aid with a drop safeguard has an accelerometer, an electrical circuit, and a memory. The accelerometer generates an electrical signal in dependence on an acceleration of the hearing aid. The signal is transmitted to the electrical circuit which uses this to determine a jerky acceleration of the hearing aid. The electrical circuit saves the respectively current settings of the hearing aid to the memory in the case of a jerky acceleration of the hearing aid. After the hearing aid is dropped, the settings can be reconstructed from the memory so that as a result this prevents the settings of the hearing aid from being changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Leep Foong Chew, Meng Kiang Lim, Chow Lan Stella Yap
  • Patent number: 8175310
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adaptor for a BTE hearing aid with a housing to be worn behind the ear, an earpiece for insertion in the earcanal, and a signal transmission member for transmission of a signal from the housing at a first end of the member to the earpiece at a second end of the member, the signal transmission member having a connector at the first end, wherein the housing and the connector of the signal transmission member are not adapted for mutual mechanical interconnection, wherein the adaptor has a first end that is geometrically adapted for mechanical connection with the connector of the signal transmission member and a second end that is geometrically adapted for mechanical connection with the housing, so that the signal transmission member and the housing can be mechanically interconnected through the adaptor whereby the variety of signal transmission member units to be kept in stock by a hearing aid dispenser is substantially minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: GN Resound A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Nielsen, Nikolai Bisgaard
  • Patent number: 8170249
    Abstract: A hearing aid having two physically separate receivers, one for outputting low frequency (LF) acoustic sounds and another for outputting high frequency (HF) acoustic sounds. The LF receiver's output port is connected to a tube in which the HF receiver is inserted. The LF acoustic sounds either flow around the HF receiver, which include standoffs to space the HF receiver away from the inner tube wall, or through a channel in the HF receiver. At the output of the HF receiver, the LF and HF acoustic sounds are combined to form an acoustic signal that is transmitted to the ear canal. The LF receiver can be optimized for compliance, distortion, resonance frequency, and output. Its orientation is selected for reducing the overall size of the hearing aid. The HF receiver is smaller and placed far away from any microphone(s), reducing feedback effects, and may have a cylindrical or rectangular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland B.V.
    Inventor: Aart Zeger Van Halteren
  • Patent number: 8170250
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Gail Gudmundsen, Mead C. Killion, Viorel Drambarean
  • Patent number: 8165332
    Abstract: A receiver of a hearing apparatus, especially of a hearing device, is proposed. The receiver is sufficiently centered in an auditory canal with an earpiece. The earpiece for inserting into the auditory canal has a first hollow-cylindrical body and a second hollow-cylindrical body that is arranged coaxially with the first body and surrounds the first body, as well as one or more bars that connect the two bodies to each other. On the one hand the bars ensure sufficient stability and on the other certain pliability and in addition they allow ventilation of the space in front of the eardrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ulrich Giese, Maja Serman
  • Patent number: 8160288
    Abstract: An in-ear canal earphone includes a torus-shaped cushioning member defining an aperture therethrough. An audio housing is connected to the cushioning member such that the cushioning member is movable between a first position, in which the housing extends generally away from the cushioning member, and a second position, in which a portion of the housing extends through the aperture for insertion into an ear canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Per Emil Axelsson
  • Patent number: 8160290
    Abstract: The assembly includes a miniature electroacoustic transducer and a flexible electrical wire. The flexible electrical wire is terminated by a connecting element with an electrically conductive shoulder portion. The miniature electroacoustic transducer comprises an electrically conducting, externally accessible terminal having a slot structure formed therein. The slot structure is configured to mechanically and electrically engage the electrically conductive shoulder portion of the connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sonion A/S
    Inventors: Martin Bondo Jørgensen, Karsten Videbæk
  • Publication number: 20120087527
    Abstract: A hearing aid kit includes a standard fit, completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid and a hearing aid tool set. The CIC hearing aid is for extended use and includes a core module inserted into a sleeve. The core module and the sleeve each include various features providing for a minimum overall size, ease of insertion, removal, and cleaning, and enhanced sound transmission. The tool set is configured to be stored and carried in a single piece and provides for adjustment and cleaning of the CIC hearing aid. Open ear fits and occlusive ear fits are possible using different sleeves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, Aaron Jon Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20120087526
    Abstract: A hearing aid kit includes a standard fit, completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid and a hearing aid tool set. The CIC hearing aid is for extended use and includes a core module inserted into a sleeve. The core module and the sleeve each include various features providing for a minimum overall size, ease of insertion, removal, and cleaning, and enhanced sound transmission. The tool set is configured to be stored and carried in a single piece and provides for adjustment and cleaning of the CIC hearing aid. Open ear fits and occlusive ear fits are possible using different sleeves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, Aaron Jon Schroeder
  • Patent number: 8155361
    Abstract: The invention provides a device and method for inserting a deep-in-the-ear-canal (DIC) hearing aid into the ear canal. The method may be performed by a DIC hearing aid user self-inserting the hearing aid or by a second person assisting the user. Embodiments of a DIC hearing aid insertion device include a base configured to fit into the conchal cavity of an ear, a chimney configured to fit into the ear canal projecting distally from the base and having a channel sized for a DIC hearing aid, and a piston. The piston is supported by a support structure such that the piston's longitudinal axis is collinear with the channel and the piston is moveable into the channel. A method of using the insertion device includes seating the DIC hearing aid in the insertion device, positioning the base of the insertion conformably within the conchal bowl of the ear, and inserting the hearing aid deep into the ear canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: InSound Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Schindler
  • Publication number: 20120082331
    Abstract: A hearing aid includes a casing, an ear hook, and an ear tube. The casing includes a first connector on an upper portion of the casing and a second connector on a lower portion of the casing, wherein the first and second connectors are substantially identical. The ear hook includes a receptacle sized to fit the first and second connectors and adapted to releasably couple to one of the first connector and the second connector. The ear tube includes a receptacle sized to fit the first and second connectors and adapted to releasably couple to another of the first connector and the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: AUDIOTONIQ, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Meosky, Frederick Neumeyer
  • Patent number: 8150542
    Abstract: Digital models of the application areas of a left-ear and of a right-ear hearing device are established. The models (140r# and 140l#) are displayed on a computer display. The location of the model (SP#) of the sagittal plane of individual's head is estimated with respect to one of the two digital mold models. Then that one digital model (140r#) is digitally mirrored at the digital model of the sagittal plane (SP#) resulting in a mirrored digital model (140m#). Then the other digital model of the application area (140l#) and the mirrored digital model (140mr#) are brought into best possible covering alignment (140?l#). Units to be positioned in predetermined mutual relationship are applied to the models in best possible alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Samuel Hans Martin Roth, Stefan Haenggi, Christoph Widmer
  • Patent number: 8150043
    Abstract: Methods of acoustic dose monitoring and acoustic dose systems are provided. An acoustic dose system includes a first device configured to measure sound pressure levels directed to an ear drum and a second device configured to convert the sound pressure levels into a sound pressure level dose. The second device sends a notification signal to a third device if the sound pressure level dose is larger than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Personics Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Goldstein, John Usher, John P. Keady
  • Patent number: 8150084
    Abstract: A hearing aid (1) includes a housing (2), at least a first microphone for receiving ambient sound, processing circuitry for processing a signal from the first microphone (6, 7) and an output transducer. At least one further microphone (8) is disposed in the hearing housing at a location, which, during normal use of the hearing aid, is sheltered against wind influences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventors: Anders Holm Jessen, Preben Kidmose
  • Patent number: 8144891
    Abstract: An earphone set includes a main device having a digital signal processor, and an earplug has an external microphone and a speaker electrically connected with the digital signal processor respectively. The external microphone converts an external sound wave into an electronic signal and transmits the electronic signal to the digital signal processor for processing. The speaker converts the electronic signal processed by the digital signal processor into a sound wave for output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Merry Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hong-Ching Her, Hung-Yue Chang, Ton-Kun Ho
  • Patent number: 8144910
    Abstract: The compliance of a receiver tube for a hearing instrument may be enhanced by fabricating it as a composite assembly of a tube and a compliant insulator positioned between the tube and the receiver. The material of the insulator is selected such that it has a greater compliance than that of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Oleg Saltykov
  • Publication number: 20120070024
    Abstract: A hearing aid includes an ambient microphone configured to receive and convert environmental sound into an electronic input signal, a hearing loss processor configured to process the electronic input signal in accordance with a hearing loss of a user, and generate an electronic output signal, a receiver, an ear canal microphone configured for converting ear canal sound pressure into an ear canal signal, an occlusion suppressor for reception and processing of the ear canal signal and for transmitting an occlusion suppression signal, and a signal combiner configured for combining the occlusion suppression signal and the electronic output signal to form a combined signal, and for transmitting the combined signal to the receiver, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the combined signal, and convert the combined signal into an acoustic output signal, and wherein the receiver has a frequency response with a lower cut-off frequency that is less than 40 Hz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: GN RESOUND A/S
    Inventor: James Robert ANDERSON
  • Publication number: 20120063622
    Abstract: A hearing system includes at least one earpiece having a shell, an elongate retention element attached to the shell, and an insert unit. The shell has a sound tube portion carrying a soft tip for insertion into the user's ear canal, an outwardly oriented interface portion for detachably receiving the insert unit, and an engagement portion between the sound tube portion and the interface portion for engaging with the tragus/antitragus region of the ear, wherein the material and the dimensions of the retention element are such that the retention element can engage the user's concha by manual deformation by the user, and wherein the insert unit is a filter unit with at least one sound attenuation filter, or is an active electronic unit with at least a loudspeaker, and with an external electronic unit, which is worn on the user's body below the user's neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: PHONAK AG
    Inventors: Henning Bruckhoff, Wolfgang Huep, Juergen Brinkmann, Peter Boschung
  • Publication number: 20120057734
    Abstract: A system for linking together audio signal producing, signal processing, and ear coupling devices comprising, in an embodiment: (1) an in-ear audio coupling device; (2) hearing aid electronics; (3) an external audio signal generating device; and (4) a module for audio mixing and enhancement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Asius Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen D. Ambrose, Samuel P. Gido, Robert B. Schulein
  • Patent number: 8130992
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hearing aid, where at least part of the hearing aid is adapted to be inserted into an ear canal of a user such that one end of the hearing aid and the tympanic membrane in the ear canal define a residual space of the ear canal, the hearing aid comprising an ambient space input transducer adapted to convert ambient sound to an electric sound signal, when the ambient sound reaches the ear of a user from an ambient space, a processor connected to said ambient space input transducer and adapted to process said electric sound signal, an output transducer connected to said processor and adapted to convert said processed electric sound signal to a sound pressure in the residual space of the ear canal, and wherein the hearing aid further comprises a residual space input transducer connected to said processor and arranged to predominantly receive said sound pressure in the residual space, and wherein the residual space input transducer is adapted to convert said sound pressure to an electric residual sp
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Steen Michael Munk, Karsten Bo Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8130995
    Abstract: An earpiece device includes a housing having a sound output portion, a speaker and a microphone. The speaker disposed in the housing includes a diaphragm and a sound transmitting hole. The diaphragm is located between the sound output portion and the sound transmitting hole. The microphone is disposed in the housing and covers the sound transmitting hole. A sound wave generated within an ear canal would be received by the speaker and delivered through the sound transmitting hole to the microphone for pickup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Merry Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Ching Her, Hung-Yue Chang, Ton-Kun Ho
  • Publication number: 20120053393
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sound transducer for producing sound vibrations, which can be inserted in an ear and can be used in particular for an implantable hearing aid. The sound transducer has at least one carrier layer and at least one piezoelectric layer, as a result of which a deflection via a bimorph principle is achieved, or a deflection can be detected by picking up a voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Dominik Kaltenbacher, Armin Schäfer, Jonathan Schächtele, Hans Zenner, Erich Goll, Ernst Dalhoff, Paul Muralt, Janine Conde
  • Patent number: 8121326
    Abstract: A hearing aid includes a hearing aid shell, a microphone enclosed within the hearing aid shell, and a sealing member that surrounds the periphery of the microphone enclosed within the hearing aid shell, and a sealing member that surrounds the periphery of the microphone. The sealing member completely fills the area between the periphery of the microphone and the interior surface of the hearing aid shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: K/S Himpp
    Inventors: Walter P. Sjursen, Michael DeSalvo, Hassan Mohamed, Paul J. Mulhauser, Karl D. Kirk, III
  • Patent number: 8121325
    Abstract: An ear module, which can be selectively worn on either left or right ear, comprises an interior lobe, adapted to fit within the concha, comprising a speaker and a compressive member/cover assembly. The compressive member/cover assembly is positionable, typically rotatable, relative to the remainder of the inner lobe between left and right ear orientations to permit the ear module to be worn on either the left or the right ear. A method for improving the quality of sound emanating from an ear module includes selecting the sound bore within the ear module to help improve the frequency response of the ear module so that the ear module has a resonant peak near 2.7 kHz and a maximum 20 dB decrease in high frequency response as measured at 5 kHz from the average frequency response as measured at 500 Hz, 800 Hz, and 1600 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sound ID
    Inventors: Andy P. Atamaniuk, Rodney Perkins, Caslav V. Pavlovic, Nicholas R. Michael
  • Patent number: 8121327
    Abstract: A hearing aid includes a circuit board having a battery affixed thereon and a switch that utilizes a portion of the circuit board as a portion of the switch. The battery is permanently affixed to the circuit board in at least one location and at least a portion of the battery is spaced away from the circuit board. The circuit board further includes at least one pair of printed switch traces. The switch is integrated into the circuit board in a way that utilizes the circuit board to form a rotary switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: K/S HIMPP
    Inventors: Walter P. Sjursen, Michael DeSalvo, Hassan Mohamed, Paul J. Mulhauser, Karl D. Kirk, III
  • Patent number: 8116502
    Abstract: A multi-driver, in-ear monitor is provided that is coupleable to an external audio source, for example via a source input cable or a wireless receiver. A circuit, for example comprising a passive or active crossover circuit, receives the electrical signal from the external audio source and provides separate input signals to the drivers contained within the in-ear monitor. A plurality of sound delivery tubes acoustically couple the audio output from each of the drivers to the acoustic output surface of the in-ear monitor. The in-ear monitor may be configured as a custom fit IEM or configured to accept a removable eartip. The plurality of sound delivery tubes may be comprised of a pair of concentric tubes; a pair of concentric tubes and a discrete tube; or three concentric tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Logitech International, S.A.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Saggio, Jr., Medford Alan Dyer
  • Patent number: 8116495
    Abstract: Various earbud embodiments comprise a sleeve portion, a base portion, a bell portion, and reinforcement members. The sleeve portion defines a central void extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the earbud. The base portion encircles the sleeve portion. The bell portion connects the sleeve portion to the base portion. The bell portion defines at least one aperture, and includes at least one web portion connected to the base portion at a connection point. At least one reinforcement member at each connection point extends from the base portion to the web portion to strengthen the structure at the connection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Spaulding
  • Patent number: 8116494
    Abstract: Changing batteries in hearing apparatuses worn in the auditory canal is to be designed in a more user-friendly manner. To this end, a hearing apparatus is provided with a first component which can be worn in the auditory canal, said component comprising a receiver unit for the wireless reception of signals. The hearing apparatus also exhibits a second component which is separated from the first component in terms of design, said second component likewise being able to be worn in the auditory canal and a transmitter unit for the wireless transmission of signals and/or energy to the receiver unit of the first component. The first component can be designed to be battery-less. The second component, which is positioned further outside in the auditory canal, can be easily removed from the auditory canal in order to change the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Rass
  • Patent number: 8116496
    Abstract: An earpiece for a hearing device is provided with a high retaining force in an ear shell in a repeatedly detachable manner. The earpiece comprising a receiver including a receiver connecting piece at the sound outlet and an ear shell in which the receiver is fixed and which holds the receiver in the ear canal and possesses, when worn in the ear canal, an inner side facing the eardrum and an opposite outer side on which the receiver is detachably fixed. The receiver is attached to the ear shell via a bayonet fitting. A first part of the bayonet fitting is fixedly connected to the receiver connecting piece. A second part of the bayonet fitting is rotated from the inner side of the ear shell to the first part of the bayonet fitting. The bayonet fitting ensures sufficient retention and wear-free releasing and closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Anton Gebert, Markus Hörnig, Hartmut Ritter
  • Patent number: 8111864
    Abstract: Adapters for use with sound devices and methods for making and using the same. In some embodiments, an example adapter may include an adapter body having a first side, a port or projection extending from the first side, and a second side. The second side is generally configured to be attachable to a sound device such as an earbud or earbud-type of headphone. The projection may include a sleeve attached thereto. The projection and sleeve are generally configured to at least in part extend into the ear canal of a user during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hearing Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Oliveira, Michael T. Venem, Martin P. Babcock
  • Patent number: 8111861
    Abstract: An earphone projects sound into an ear having an acoustic meatus, a tragus, an intertragic notch, an anti-tragus and a canal. The earphone includes a base that is positioned proximate an outer surface of the tragus and anti-tragus when the earphone is mounted to the ear. A speaker housing at least partially contacts the acoustic meatus of the ear and includes a speaker cover positioned proximate the canal when the earphone is mounted to the ear. First and second tragus lobes extend from the base generally toward the speaker housing. The first and second tragus lobes are spaced from and positioned on generally opposite lateral sides of the speaker housing. The anti-tragus being held between the first tragus lobe and the base when the earphone is mounted to the ear and the tragus being held between the second tragus lobe and the base when the earphone is mounted to the ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Auria LLC
    Inventor: David Lowry