Abstract: An earpiece including an external surface having a first fixed configuration disposable within the outer ear and having a passage adapted for retention of an in ear device, the earpiece heatable to achieve a moldable condition which allows reconfiguration of the external surface by engagement with the outer ear to dispose the external surface in a second fixed configuration in greater conformity to the outer ear.

Abstract: A hidden cochlear implant system comprises a canal unit and an implanted unit. The canal unit comprises at least one canal microphone; a canal modulator; a canal transmitting antenna: and a canal electrical power source, wherein the at least one canal microphone is electrically connected to the canal modulator, the canal modulator is electrically connected to the canal transmitting antenna, and the canal electrical power source is electrically connected to any component of the canal unit that requires supply of electrical power. The implanted unit comprises a cochlear receiving antenna; a processor; and an electrode array, wherein the cochlear receiving antenna is electrically connected to the processor, and the processor is electrically connected to the electrode array. Additional embodiments of the hidden cochlear implant are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Sound-producing acoustic receivers are disclosed. The acoustic receiver includes a receiver housing with a first internal volume and a second internal volume, a first diaphragm separating the first internal volume into a first front volume and a first back volume such that the first front volume has a first sound outlet port, a second diaphragm separating the second internal volume into a second front volume and a second back volume such that the second front volume has a second sound outlet port, a motor disposed at least partially inside the housing such that the motor including an armature mechanically coupled to both the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm, an acoustic seal between the first front volume and the second back volume such that the acoustic seal accommodates the mechanical coupling of the armature to one of the first diaphragm or the second diaphragm.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes examples of systems and methods of wireless remote control of appliances and medical devices using a canal hearing device upon manual activation of a switch placed in the concha cavity behind the tragus. The manual activation of the switch may be by applying a force to the tragus by a finger of a user of the canal hearing device. In one embodiment the lateral end comprises one or more manually activated switches, a wireless antenna, and a battery cell. In some examples, the wireless electronics include low energy Bluetooth. The appliance may be any device with wireless capabilities, for example an electronic lock, a thermostat, an electronic lighting, a telephone, a kitchen appliance, a medical alert system, a television, a medical device, and a smart glass. The inconspicuous and secure wear of the hearing device allows for active lifestyle, including exercise, and more discrete communications.

Abstract: A retaining member for an earphone includes an outer layer of a first material surrounding an inner core of a second material. The retaining member extends from the earphone, and is curved to generally match the shape the antihelix of a human ear. The second material is harder than the first material, providing a stiffness to the retaining member that causes it to apply an upward and backward force against the antihelix when the retaining member is bent to fit under the antihelix of a particular user's ear.

Abstract: A hearing aid for placement in an ear canal of a user, includes: a shell; a faceplate comprising an upper face, and a lower face, and a circumference, the upper face being exposed when the shell is placed in an ear of the user; a coil arranged at the faceplate; and a button arrangement comprising a plunger configured to control an integrated circuit arranged below the coil, the coil comprising one or more windings, the one or more windings being circumferential of an inner cavity of the coil with respect to a center or longitudinal axis of the coil, the button arrangement being configured such that the plunger in at least one position extends through the inner cavity of the coil for engaging the integrated circuit.

Abstract: Devices and methods to reduce ear wax clogging of acoustic ports, hearing aid systems, and feedback reduction systems are provided. A conformal hearing aid includes a hearing aid body, where the hearing aid body houses a microphone and a receiver, where the microphone is positioned within the hearing aid body to measure acoustic signals from an ambient environment, and where the receiver is positioned within the hearing aid body to emit acoustic signals toward a tympanic membrane of a user; an expandable element, where the expandable element is operatively connected to the hearing aid body, and where the expandable element is configured to encompass a circumferential portion of the hearing aid body when expanded; and an inflation management system, where the inflation management system is configured to expand the expandable element when actuated.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of hearing aids and earphones. More specifically, the invention relates to a universal adapter for earphones and hearing aids worn in the ear. The universal adapter serves for the introduction of amplified sound of a hearing aid or earphone into the auditory canal, wherein the adapter has trapezoidal hollow segments (5) which are arranged separate from one another, with their side walls (15) that radially decrease from the dorsal to the proximal side, along a centrally arranged locking nipple (2) which serves to receive a sound outlet connector of the hearing aid. The hollow segments (5) are connected with the proximal ends (14) of the contact surfaces (1) to a proximal end (6) of the locking nipple (2). The adapter has the shape of a shortened ellipsoidal body. It can automatically adapt to the shape of the auditory canal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an acoustic output apparatus. The acoustic output apparatus may include an acoustic output component and a supporting structure forming an acoustically open structure that allows the acoustic output component to acoustically communicate with the surroundings. The acoustic output component may include a plurality of acoustic drivers, each of which may be configured to output a sound with a frequency range. At least one of the acoustic drivers may include a magnetic system for generating a first magnetic field. The magnetic system may include a first magnetic component for generating a second magnetic field and at least one second magnetic component. A magnetic gap may be formed between the first magnetic component and the at least one second magnetic component. A magnetic field intensity of the first magnetic field in the magnetic gap may be greater than that of the second magnetic field in the magnetic gap.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for enabling user friendly interaction with a camera system. Specifically, the inventive system and method has several aspects to improve the interaction with a camera system, including voice recognition, gaze tracking, touch sensitive inputs and others. The voice recognition unit is operable for, among other things, receiving multiple different voice commands, recognizing the vocal commands, associating the different voice commands to one camera command and controlling at least some aspect of the digital camera operation in response to these voice commands. The gaze tracking unit is operable for, among other things, determining the location on the viewfinder image that the user is gazing upon. One aspect of the touch sensitive inputs provides that the touch sensitive pad is mouse-like and is operable for, among other things, receiving user touch inputs to control at least some aspect of the camera operation.

Abstract: A set of headphones include a zone that is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation, a first earpiece including a first directional antenna operable at a first frequency and having a first radiation pattern radiating away from the zone, and a second earpiece including a second directional antenna operable at the first frequency and having a second radiation pattern radiating away from the zone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved connections for components of hearing assistance devices. Various embodiments include an apparatus including a receiver case configured to house a hearing assistance device receiver, the receiver case including a spherical receiver spout having an opening. The apparatus also includes a receptacle housing having a spherical socket adapted to mate with the spherical receiver spout to form a ball and socket connection. An insert within the spherical socket is configured to establish a retained interference fit with the opening of the receiver spout when the connection is formed so as to create an acoustic seal therebetween.

Abstract: In a method for determining a response function of a noise cancellation enabled audio device, the audio device is placed onto a measurement fixture, wherein a loudspeaker of the audio device faces an ear canal representation of the measurement fixture. A first and a second response function between an ambient sound source and a test microphone located within the ear canal representation are measured while parameters of a noise processor of the audio device are set to a proportional transfer function with respective first and second gain factors being different from each other. A model response function is determined based on the first and the second response function and on the first and the second gain factor.

Abstract: A wireless earphone includes an earphone body with a concha contact surface. A sound outlet tube protrudes out from the concha contact surface. A convex positioning portion protrudes out from the concha contact surface. A laid slot is located on the concha contact surface and adjacent to the convex positioning portion. When the earphone body is mounted on a human ear, the concha contact surface is configured to face a concha of the human ear, the sound outlet tube is configured to insert into an auditory canal of the human ear, the convex positioning portion is configured to fit within a cavum of the human ear, and the laid slot is configured to fit within a crux helix of the human ear.

Abstract: An earpiece for a hearing device, includes: an earpiece housing comprising an ear canal part and an intermediate part, wherein the ear canal part extends along an ear canal axis of the earpiece, with an ear canal plane of the earpiece being perpendicular to the ear canal axis, the ear canal part having a first end, the intermediate part having a first end and a second end and extending along an intermediate axis; and a cable with a first end connected to the intermediate part, the cable exiting the intermediate part along a cable exit axis, the cable exit axis forming a first exit angle with respect to the ear canal plane, wherein the first exit angle is in a range from 5 to 45 degrees.

Abstract: An ear-plug device is an in-ear device that presents audio content to an ear canal of a user. The in-ear device includes a body configured to at least partially fit inside the ear canal of the user, and a transducer assembly coupled to the body. The transducer assembly comprises at least one transducer located within the ear canal. The at least one transducer is configured to vibrate a portion of the ear canal to cause the ear canal to create an airborne acoustic pressure wave in the ear canal in accordance with vibration instructions. The airborne acoustic pressure wave corresponds to and is for presentation of the audio content to the user.

Abstract: A personalized sound management system for an acoustic space includes at least one transducer, a data communication system, one or more processors operatively coupled to the data communication system and the at least one transducer, and a medium coupled to the one or more processors. The processors access a database of sonic signatures and display a plurality of personalized sound management applications that perform at least one or more tasks among identifying a sonic signature, calculating a sound pressure level, storing metadata related to a sonic signature, monitoring sound pressure level dosage levels, switching to an ear canal microphone in a noisy environment, recording a user's voice, storing the user's voice in a memory of an earpiece device, or storing the user's voice in a memory of a server system, or converting received text received in texts or emails to voice using text to speech conversion. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for selecting audio input from a microphone of a hearing device or a microphone of a mobile device comprising: detecting proximity between the hearing device and the mobile device. If proximity between the hearing device and the mobile device is detected, receiving an audio input with the microphone of the mobile device and generating a mobile device audio signal from the audio input; transmitting the mobile device audio signal from the mobile device into a communication network. If proximity between the hearing device and the mobile device is not detected, the method comprises: receiving an audio input with the microphone of the hearing device and generating the hearing device audio signal from the audio input with the hearing device; transmitting the hearing device audio signal from the hearing device to the mobile device; transmitting the hearing device audio signal from the mobile device into a communication network.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging a portable wireless listening device including a housing having a socket to receive the portable wireless listening device; a battery; wireless circuitry that enables the apparatus to communicate wirelessly with a host device; power transmitting circuitry configured to provide power to the portable wireless listening device when the device is received in the socket to charge a battery within the portable wireless listening device; and a processor configured to configured to establish a wireless communication protocol between the portable wireless listening device and the host device.

Abstract: A portable sound equipment including a housing having an audio hole; an inner microphone collecting a sound through the audio hole; an audio output unit having a frame securing a speaker in which a ventilation hole is formed in the frame allowing outside air to pass through the audio output unit, and a mesh covering the ventilation hole and having a density sufficient to reduce an amount of the outside air passing through the audio output unit; and a controller processing the sound collected by the inner microphone.

Abstract: A wireless earbud (100) for in-ear use has an earbud housing (110), a loudspeaker (130), a rechargeable battery (140), a first microphone (132) and a second microphone (134). The first microphone (132) is adapted to pick up sound internally from an ear canal of a user wearing the wireless earbud. The second microphone (134) is adapted to pick up sound externally from outside of the ear canal of the user wearing the wireless earbud. Disclosed is also a storage and charging capsule (200) for at least one wireless earbud (100a, 100b). The capsule has an elongate insert part (240) having an earbud chamber (246) adapted to receive the or each wireless earbud (100a, 100b). A cover part (260) slidably receives the elongate insert part (240) and is placeable in an open position in which the cover part is retracted from the elongate insert part to allow insertion/removal of the or each wireless earbud (100a, 100b) into/from the earbud chamber (246) of the elongate insert part (240).

Abstract: An earpiece in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present technology includes a housing and a speaker within the housing. The earpiece also includes an antenna at least partially embedded within a wall of the housing. The wall includes a window portion and an opaque portion extending around the window portion. The antenna is visible from outside the housing via the window portion. The window portion includes a transparent filler within an elongate groove in the wall. The antenna includes a radiating element within the groove, and feeding and shorting pins extending through respective openings between the groove to an interior of the housing. Making the earpiece can include disposing filler material over the radiating element, increasing a hardness of the filler material, and abrading an outer surface of the wall at the filler material to form a smooth surface.

Abstract: The portable communication terminal for communicating on at least two independent radio networks, comprises, in a single housing: Communication means (47, 49) by time multiplexing on a single radio channel, TDMA type full-duplex, for audio communication in “conference” and “hands-free” mode on a first autonomous network without infrastructure, Access means (43, 50) for half-duplex audio communication on a second autonomous network, independent from the first full-duplex network, A connection to a microphone (41) and a speaker (52), A wireless connection for a cellular telephone network, At least one pushbutton (45) for switching the communication of the microphone and the loudspeaker to and from the communication on the first network, the second network or the cellular telephone network by means of electronic switching circuits and An electronic codec type audio signal mixer (42, 51) having a plurality of inputs and outputs, configured to mix half-duplex communications on the full-duplex local area network

Abstract: In some implementations, a headphone device includes an earpiece housing, a speaker in the earpiece housing configured to produce audio, and a wireless charging coil having a first portion that extends outside the earpiece housing and a second portion that extends within the earpiece housing. A battery charging circuit is coupled to the wireless charging coil, and the battery charging circuit is configured to charge a battery of the headphone device based on electrical current induced in the wireless charging coil.

Abstract: Embodiments can include Tri-comfort Tips comprising a set of leakage slits for in-ear breathability for infection prevention and maintaining dryness of an inner portion of a user's ear canal, wherein the Tri-comfort Tips are configured to reside in the user's ear canal within a first bend of the user's ear canal, wherein the Tri-comfort Tips comprise an end configured to reside in the user's ear canal at a distance less than 16 millimeters from the entrance of the user's ear canal.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of earphone manufacturing with an ear canal microphone, ambient sound microphone and a speaker.

Abstract: A method operates a hearing aid device, in particular a tinnitus treatment device. The hearing device has a microphone and a receiver, which can be inserted into an auditory canal of a user or is arranged at least in part in the auditory canal. Wherein active noise control of an acoustic environmental signal, which can be received by the microphone, is achieved at one or more tinnitus frequencies of a user by generating an acoustic cancellation signal from the receiver in the auditory canal of the user.

Abstract: A headphone may include two transducers, two cushions, one or more sensors, and an external microphone to measure an amount of noise in the external environment. The headphone may include a voice microphone to enable a user to participate in a call. Each cushion may have an associated motor to adjust a size of each cushion. A circuit located in the headphone may include a processor to receive sensor data from the sensors. The sensor data may be analyzed using machine learning to determine an activity in which the user is engaged and a location in which the headphones are located. The processor automatically adjusts aural characteristics of the headphone, including a size of each cushion, based at least in part on the activity, the location, the amount of noise present, a type of signal being sent to the transducers, and whether the user is participating in a call.

Abstract: A hearing aid is described which incorporates an antenna integrated into the housing that is configured to radiate with linear polarization such that the electric field is perpendicular to the head of a wearer. The described technique results in lower propagation losses from ear to ear and an improvement in ear-to-ear communications using a far-field link (e.g., in the 2.4 GHz band).

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for improved microphone protection for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device, such as a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) type hearing aid, that includes a battery door with a microphone slit and a battery contact including a microphone port. In various embodiments, the microphone slit and the microphone port are configured to create a nonlinear acoustic path to a microphone of the hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the acoustic path is configured to prevent earwax from blocking and/or damaging the microphone, such as during insertion, removal or cleaning of the hearing assistance device.

Abstract: An earplug apparatus and an electronic apparatus are provided. The earplug apparatus includes: a biological feature detection module, the biological feature detection module being arranged in the earplug apparatus and being configured to be fit in a region enclosed by an outer ear canal and an ear canal entrance; wherein the biological feature detection module comprises a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, wherein the light emitting unit is configured to emit light to the enclosed region, the light emitted by the light emitting unit is processed by an ear tissue in the enclosed region and transmitted to the light receiving unit, and the light receiving unit is configured to convert the received light photoelectrically to generate an original electrical signal for biological feature detection. In this way, the entire size of the final product is small, and wearing comfort is enhanced.

Abstract: Provided is a wearable device that is worn on a human ear and mainly outputs or inputs sound. The outer casing 110 is formed into an elongated shape so as to fit the cymba conchae 306 formed between the antihelix inferior crus 302b and the crus helicis 309. The sound generating unit 120 includes a vibration element 121 and a weight 122. The vibration element 121 has an elongated shape along the longitudinal direction of the outer casing 110, and has one end fixed to the inner wall of the outer casing 110, and the other end to which a weight 122 is attached, the other hand being an open end. By applying an alternating electric field to the vibration element 121, vibration corresponding to audio is generated.

Abstract: An earpiece in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present technology includes a housing and a speaker within the housing. The earpiece can also include an earbud and a protrusion carried by the housing. The earbud can extend from the housing toward a canal of a user's ear when the earpiece is mounted to the user's ear. The protrusion can be at least partially received within a recess at least partially defined by a cymba concha of the user's ear and by an anterior ridge of an antihelix of the user's ear when the earpiece is mounted to the user's ear. The protrusion can include resilient members and intervening slots. The individual resilient members can be configured to preferentially bend relative to the housing in a direction parallel to an adjacent length of the anterior ridge when the earpiece is mounted to the user's ear.

Abstract: An earbud tip for an in-ear headphone can include an outer body; an inner tube extending at least partially within the outer body, the tube having opposing first and second ends and first and second openings at the opposing first and second ends, respectively, the first opening configured to emit audio signals provided by a speaker of an in-ear headphone into a user's ear canal during operation of the in-ear headphone and when the earbud tip seals the user's ear canal and the second opening configured to be removably coupled to a portion of the in-ear headphone; and one or more channels extending from an outer periphery of the earbud tip to the inner tube.

Abstract: A method for controlling the output volume of at least one acoustic output device includes recording an acoustic voice signal using a speech recording device, and outputting the acoustic voice signal using the at least one output device. The location of the speech recording device relative to the at least one output device is determined and the output volume of the at least one output device is controlled as a function of the location. An arrangement for controlling the output volume of at least one acoustic output device is also provided.

Abstract: A sequentially switched bulk acoustic wave (BAW) delay line circulator is disclosed herein. A circulator circuit is implemented with semiconductor components in order to provide a compact, low cost solution for simultaneous signal transmission and reception over a single antenna. For example, the circulator circuit can include a transmit (TX) port, a receive (RX) port, and an antenna port. Antenna switching circuitry selectively couples the antenna port to two or more BAW delay lines, and TX/RX switching circuitry selectively couples the BAW delay lines to the TX port or the RX port. The BAW delay lines function as memory to store TX and RX signals long enough for the antenna switching circuitry, a TX switch, and a RX switch to be switched in sequence and route the TX signals from the TX port to the antenna port and route the RX signals from the antenna port to the RX port.

Abstract: A hearing device in accordance with at least one of the present inventions includes a receiver assembly and a retainer assembly, including an anchor and a flexible retainer strip extending from the anchor, configured to be mounted onto the receiver assembly in a predetermined orientation relative to the receiver assembly. The receiver assembly and the retainer assembly include respective elements that cooperate with one another to provide a visible and/or tactile indication that the anchor is in the predetermined orientation when the anchor is in the predetermined orientation and that the anchor is not in predetermined orientation when the anchor is in an orientation other than the predetermined orientation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods and apparatus suitable for use with hearing devices. A vapor deposition process can be used to make a retention structure having a shape profile corresponding to a tissue surface, such as a retention structure having a shape profile corresponding to one or more of an eardrum, the eardrum annulus, or a skin of the ear canal. The retention structure can be resilient and may comprise an anatomically accurate shape profile corresponding to a portion of the ear, such that the resilient retention structure provides mechanical stability for an output transducer assembly placed in the ear for an extended time. The output transducer may couple to the eardrum with direct mechanical coupling or acoustic coupling when retained in the ear canal with the retention structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for delivering sound to a user ear are disclosed. In one example, an apparatus for delivering sound to an ear canal includes a body attachable to an electro-acoustic transducer and an ear canal port attached to the body arranged to insert into an entrance of the user ear canal. The apparatus includes a suspension member attached to the body arranged to contact the cavum concha behind the antitragus and flexibly suspend an electro-acoustic transducer attached to the body above a floor area of the cavum concha. The suspension member is further arranged to flexibly suspend the electro-acoustic transducer attached to body adjacent a sidewall area of the cavum concha.

Abstract: An information transmitter includes a transmitting coil configured to receive a coil voltage to generate a magnetic field; and a signal generator configured to receive a direct current (DC) voltage and operating switches to apply the coil voltage to the transmitting coil, for a first time constant in a first current path, wherein the coil voltage includes a first value, and for a second time constant in a second current path, wherein the coil voltage includes a second value smaller than the first value, and wherein the first time constant and second time constant are different from each other.

Abstract: An input transducer (11, 12) of a hearing aid (10) converts audio from the environment into an electric input signal. A signal processor (13) amplifies and conditions the electric input signal according to a preset set of audio processing parameters, and an output transducer (14) reproduces output audio. The hearing aid (10) is connected with a personal communication device (20) via a short range radio communication link (15, 29). The personal communication device (20) identifies music included in the background noise. The personal communication device (20) retrieves a music stream based on the identified music, and streams the music stream to the hearing aid (10). The signal processor (13) of the hearing aid (10) combines the input signal from the input transducer (11, 12) and music signal in order to reduce the presence of the music included in the background noise from the audio signal delivered by the output transducer (14).

Abstract: A method of customizing the fit of a portion of an in-ear audio device within a portion of an ear includes determining a degree of sealing between the in-ear audio device and the portion of the ear and applying a voltage to at least a portion of an ear tip coupled to the in-ear audio device to selectively expand or contract the portion of the ear tip based on the determination until the degree of sealing between the in-ear audio device and the portion of the ear achieves a desired degree of sealing.

Abstract: A hearing aid device comprising a microphone, a processing unit and a receiver for compensating for a hearing loss in the auditory system of a human is disclosed. The hearing aid device is configured with a microphone inlet assembly which is optimized with regards to maintenance of the hearing aid and improved sound performance. That is, the microphone inlet assembly comprises an inlet element attached to a PCB and further configured to connect with a sound inlet structure.

Abstract: A method for correct placement of an in-ear communication device, e.g. a hearing aid, in an ear canal of a user, the in-ear communication device comprising an acoustic seal towards inner surfaces of the ear canal and being configured to be located in a bony part of the ear canal during normal operation, comprises: placing the in-ear communication device in the ear canal thereby forming a substantial acoustic seal in the soft part of the ear canal; generating body-conducted sound to inner surface portions of the user's ear canal; gradually inserting the device deeper into the ear canal in the direction towards the ear drum, until a position where the sound level perceived by the user decreases; maintaining the device in this position in the ear canal, this position being the correct position of the device in the bony part of the ear canal. An in-ear device is furthermore provided.

Abstract: A system of wearable or personal area devices includes a first earpiece and a second ear piece each of the first ear piece and the second ear piece comprising an ear piece housing, an induction circuit disposed within the ear piece housing for short range communications, and a radio transceiver disposed within the ear piece housing for radio communications. The induction circuit of the first ear piece and the induction circuit of the second ear piece are adapted for communication there between using high bandwidth audio.

Abstract: An in-ear hearing device having an ear interfacing portion integrally formed with an elongated stem portion, wherein the ear interfacing portion extends away from the elongated stem portion; a first acoustic port formed in the ear interfacing portion; a speaker disposed in the ear interfacing portion and aligned to emit sound from the acoustic port; a plurality of electrical contacts disposed at an end of the stem portion, the plurality of electrical contacts including first and second contacts; a second acoustic port formed at the end of the elongated stem portion between the first and second contacts; a microphone disposed in the stem portion; and a channel that fluidically couples the microphone to the second acoustic port.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed herein to increase the quality of the sound delivered to a user and allow personalization to optimize listening performance and comfort under atypical listening conditions, environment specific adjustment, and data capture to assist in the personalization of the system to the user's needs and preferences. Features disclosed include sound level rating systems that aggregate noise data detected by user's mobile phones or hearing devices to provide a database of real-time noise levels. Additionally, a user's sound settings may be saved in the system by location so that they may be recalled when re-entering a specific location. A remote clinician may tune a hearing device, or a user can tune the device using a pre-recorded audio sample. Also, a user may replay the last X seconds of audio recorded by their hearing device.

Abstract: Occlusion devices, earpiece devices and methods of forming occlusion devices are provided. An occlusion device is configured to occlude an ear canal, but other biological and non-biological conduits or chambers can be occluded using the devices and methods herein. The occlusion device includes an insertion element and at least one occluding member or element (which can be expandable) disposed on the insertion element. The occluding member is configured to receive a medium via the insertion element and is configured to expand, responsive to the medium, to contact the ear canal. Alternatively, the occluding member is made of a non-Newtonian fluid and can be enclosed by a balloon or not. Physical parameters of the occlusion device are selected to produce a predetermined sound attenuation characteristic over a frequency band. Use of a non-Newtonian fluid provides additional options or variables in customizing or designing a predetermined sound attenuation characteristic.

Abstract: A headphone apparatus includes a neckband having a first arm and a second arm joined by a central portion therebetween. The first and second arms each have a flexible section proximal to the central portion, the flexible sections including a memory material for dynamically creating and maintaining a desired shape of the neckband. The headphone apparatus further includes first and second earbuds connected to the neckband.

Abstract: An ear piece for use by an individual having an external auditory canal includes an earpiece housing configured for placement within the external auditory canal of the individual, a processor disposed within the ear piece housing, at least one microphone disposed within the earpiece housing wherein the at least one earpiece is positioned to detect ambient environmental sound, and at least one speaker disposed within the earpiece housing. The ear piece is configured to detect ambient environmental sound proximate the external auditory canal of the individual using the at least one microphone and reproduce the ambient environmental sound at the at least one speaker within the earpiece housing. The processor is further configured to modify the ambient environmental sound based on shape of the external auditory canal such that audio perception of the ambient environmental sound is as if the ear piece was not present.