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: A system for capturing an individual's hearing characteristics, including loudness tolerance levels at different sound frequencies, as an individualized shaped auditory profile for automatically enhancing audio to complement and address an individual's hearing deficits experienced via a particular signal pathway including the audio device, the sound environment, and the individual's hearing capabilities. The auditory profile is used to produce enhanced sound subsequently transmitted to the individual via the same signal pathway. The enhanced sound may be produced with consideration of both ears' auditory profile shapes together to increase the dynamic range of the enhanced sound. The sound enhancement can be introduced gradually over a sound reproduction session or a period of time of use.

Abstract: A headphone includes a housing defining an enclosed volume, an electro-acoustic transducer dividing the enclosed volume into a front volume and a rear volume, a first port in the housing coupling the front volume to an ear canal of a user, a second port in the housing coupling the front volume to space outside the ear, a third port in the housing coupling the rear volume to space outside the ear, and an ear tip configured to surround the first port and seal the ear canal from space outside the ear. The second port has a diameter and a length that provide an acoustic mass with an acoustic impedance with a high reactive component and a low resistive component.

Abstract: A hearing aid device having an antenna unit is disclosed. The hearing aid device comprises a transmission line connecting a communication unit and the antenna unit, or at least being part of a connection between them. The antenna unit is at least partly embedded in a battery drawer of the hearing aid device.

Abstract: A micro-speaker assembly including an enclosure having an enclosure wall separating a surrounding environment from an encased space, wherein the enclosure wall defines an acoustic port from the encased space to the surrounding environment; a sound radiating surface positioned within the encased space and dividing the encased space into a front volume chamber and a back volume chamber, wherein the front volume chamber is acoustically coupled to a first surface of the sound radiating surface and the acoustic port, and the back volume chamber acoustically coupled to a second surface of the sound radiating surface; and a resonator acoustically coupled to the front volume chamber, wherein the resonator comprises a neck acoustically coupled to an acoustic cavity, and an opening to the neck is positioned at a distance from the acoustic port that corresponds to a quarter wavelength resonance of the front volume chamber.

Abstract: A device for use by a dental patient fits in the patient's ear and has at least one curved resonator tube to reduce the perceived volume of a dental drill. The device can have multiple layers of resonator tubes and a port into which recorded music can be played to calm the patient further.

Abstract: Hearing devices, configured to fit within the ear canal, that include a hearing device core, a seal, including a shell wall and a cavity that has an opening located at the end of the shell wall, and a volume of viscous medium located within the cavity between the hearing device core exterior surface and the shell wall interior surface.

Abstract: An earphone with a physiologic sensor includes a housing; a speaker in the housing; an enhancer comprising a body mounted on the housing and adapted to be secured in the ear to acoustically couple the speaker to the user's ear; and an optical physiologic sensor disposed inside the enhancer, the enhancer having an aperture or window aligned with the optical physiologic sensor, so that the sensor can optically couple with the user's ear when the enhancer is secured in the user's ear.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an acoustical assembly extending in the x, y, and z directions, the acoustical assembly comprising first and second receiver units being spatially shifted relative to each other in the x direction thereby creating regions with free and available space, and one or more microphone units being positioned in the regions with free and available space. The present invention further relates to a hearing device comprising such an acoustical assembly.

Abstract: An earphone audio device includes a housing, a speaker component, and a step-styled tip wherein the tip comprises a mid-section and a leading-section, the leading section having a smaller radial profile than the mid-section, and the speaker component is at least partially disposed within the aperture formed by the interior wall of the mid-section. In some embodiments, the speaker component may be entirely disposed within the mid-section such that no part of the speaker component extends toward the housing of the earphone beyond the aperture formed by the mid-section.

Abstract: An earphone capable of reducing pressure in the ear canal and providing enhanced sound quality is provided along with a method for making the same. The earphone includes an earphone body penetrated by an air channel and having a receiving space receiving a vibrating membrane. A loudspeaker is provided in the receiving space and corresponds to the vibrating membrane. When the earphone is worn in the ear, the ear canal is in communication with the outside through the air channel so that acoustic waves generated by the vibrating membrane and reflected by the eardrum can propagate out of, rather than back and forth within, the ear canal. Thus, the eardrum is safe from an abnormal pressure otherwise attributable to repeatedly reflected acoustic waves, and the vibrating membrane is protected from a compressive force that may otherwise result from reflected acoustic waves and cause sound distortion.

Abstract: A system for updating a hearing aid by providing an update to a hearing aid to configure the hearing aid for an acoustic environment with a sound profile different than a physical environment a user is currently located in with an acoustic sample representative of the acoustic environment.

Abstract: This invention relates to an impression-taking pad (10) for taking an impression (20) of an ear canal (30) by an impression-taking material, having a lateral end (el) to be arranged away from a tympanic membrane (35) in said ear canal (30); and a medial end (em) to be arranged proximate to said tympanic membrane (35). The impression-taking pad (10) comprises an outer body (2) tapering from said lateral end (el) to said medial end (em). The impression-taking pad (10) further comprises an inner body (3) for releasable engagement with a tool (11, 12) for visual inspection of the ear canal (30), the inner body (3) being configured to support insertion of the impression-taking pad (10) in the ear canal (30) by the tool (11, 12).

Abstract: An output transducer is coupled to a support structure, and the support structure configured to contact one or more of the tympanic membrane, an ossicle, the oval window or the round window. An input transducer is configured for placement near an ear canal opening to receive high frequency localization cues. A sound inhibiting structure, such as an acoustic resistor or a screen, may be positioned at a location along the ear canal between the tympanic membrane and the input transducer to inhibit feedback. A channel can be coupled to the sound or feedback inhibiting structure to provide a desired frequency response profile of the sound or feedback inhibiting structure.

Abstract: A device includes a balloon inflation module having an involuted balloon housed within a lumen, an integrated reservoir in fluid communication with the involuted balloon where the balloon inflation module is configured to selectively displace a volume of fluid from the integrated reservoir into the involuted balloon and from the involuted balloon into the integrated reservoir. The device also includes a port configured to receive an accessory module. In one embodiment, the accessory module is a communication module having a logic circuit coupled to an ambient microphone configured to pick up ambient audio content, an ear canal microphone configured to pick up audio in the proximity of an ear canal, and an ear canal receiver configured to provide audio content in the proximity of the ear canal. In some embodiments, the integrated reservoir is formed within portions of a push button spring-loaded pump assembly. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An earbud includes a housing that includes a driver assembly positioned within the housing forming a front volume in front of the driver and a back volume behind the driver. An acoustic insert is positioned behind the driver assembly and attached to an interior surface of the housing such that it forms a bass channel that is routed from the back volume to a vent in the housing.

Abstract: A piezoelectric speaker has a piezoelectric element and vibration plate. The piezoelectric element has a base body with a mounting surface, as well as first and second terminals that are formed on the mounting surface with a distance between them. The vibration plate has a conductive body joined to the piezoelectric element and having a principle surface facing the mounting surface, as well as a first hole with or without a bottom which is formed on the principle surface in a region facing the first terminal to form a space between the body and first terminal. The piezoelectric speaker is capable of preventing the external electrodes of the piezoelectric element from shorting to each other.

Abstract: A hearing aid device having an antenna unit is disclosed. The hearing aid device comprises a transmission line connecting a communication unit and the antenna unit, or at least being part of a connection between them. The antenna unit is at least partly embedded in a battery drawer of the hearing aid device.

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: An earphone (1) includes a cylindrical barrel (2) having one end thereof inserted in an ear canal, a transmission element (4) that is provided on a part of the side of the barrel (2), has a part thereof being in contact with a tragus of a human body while the barrel (2) is inserted in the ear canal and has a built-in electroacoustic conversion element (3) configured to generate an acoustic vibration in response to an electrical signal, a vibration element (5) that is provided on an inner wall of the barrel (2) and vibrates in reaction to the acoustic vibration from the electroacoustic conversion element (3), and a biosensor (30).

Abstract: A noise-cancelling earphone including a housing, an eartip, a speaker, a first microphone and a second microphone is provided. The housing includes a tube and a chamber. The tube has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end of the tube has an audio outlet, and the chamber is connected to the second end of the tube. The eartip is sleeved on the tube, and the eartip has an accommodating space which accommodates the tube. The speaker and the first microphone are disposed inside the tube and located in the accommodating space of the eartip. The second microphone is disposed inside the chamber.

Abstract: An earbud includes a housing that includes a driver assembly positioned within the housing forming a front volume in front of the driver and a back volume behind the driver. An acoustic insert is positioned behind the driver assembly and attached to an interior surface of the housing such that it forms a bass channel that is routed from the back volume to a vent in the housing.

Abstract: An earphone device includes a housing having a driver unit, and a sound guide tube mounted on a front surface of the housing to protrude from the front surface, in which the sound guide tube is disposed at a position deviated from a center position of the housing.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for forming a decorative faceplate for attachment to an ear insert. An impression medium is first inserted into an ear for forming an impression of at least a portion of the ear concha and ear canal. An initial ear insert is formed based on the impression, which insert has an inner portion configured for insertion into the ear canal and an outer portion configured to be disposed in the ear concha and to face outward away from the ear. The outer portion further includes a faceplate attachment area having a perimeter edge that is configured to receive a faceplate. A model of the perimeter edge is generated, and a faceplate is formed from a faceplate material using the model as a guide. A final ear insert is formed, and the faceplate is attached to the faceplate attachment area of the final ear insert.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes examples of systems and methods of wireless remote control of appliances using a canal hearing device upon manual activation of a switch placed in the concha cavity behind the tragus. In some examples, 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 capability. The appliance may be any device with wireless control capability, 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 canal hearing device may allow a hearing device user to enjoy a normal lifestyle, including exercise, and to discretely interact with wirelessly controlled devices.

Abstract: A narrow directional microphone includes a unit case having a front end portion to which a microphone unit is mounted, and a side surface functioning as a grip, an acoustic tube formed of resin material in a tubular shape, covering the microphone unit, and attached to the front end portion of the unit case such that the microphone unit is positioned to an inner bottom portion of the acoustic tube, a piezoelectric film that is arranged in at least one part of the acoustic tube, and that generates a detection output based on a mechanical deformation of the acoustic tube, and an output signal processing unit including an attenuation circuit that attenuates an audio signal from the microphone unit with the detection output from the piezoelectric film and sends the attenuated audio signal to a signal output unit.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for capturing hearing characteristics from self-administered hearing tests, including loudness tolerance levels at different sound frequencies, as an individualized shaped auditory profile for automatically enhancing audio to complement and address an individual's hearing deficits experienced via a particular signal pathway including the audio device used to administer the test, the sound environment, and the user's hearing capabilities. The user may self-administer a hearing test on a smartphone or other device. The shaped auditory profile may be used to produce enhanced sound subsequently transmitted to the individual via the same signal pathway. In some aspects, the invention is useful for any individual seeking an enhanced hearing experience, whether having hearing within normal range or hearing that is impaired.

Abstract: An earphone device includes a housing having a driver unit, and a sound guide tube mounted on a front surface of the housing to protrude from the front surface, in which the sound guide tube is disposed at a position deviated from a center position of the housing.

Abstract: An example method includes controlling an audio source to generate a test tone, controlling a plurality of audio sensors to sense the test tone simultaneously, receiving an output signal from each audio sensor, and determining an acoustic characteristic of each audio sensor based at least in part on the received output signals. The method also includes determining a difference between the acoustic characteristic and a corresponding reference value, identifying at least one audio sensor for which a difference corresponding to the at least one audio sensor is within a predetermined range of the reference value, and generating a compensation factor of the at least one audio sensor based at least in part on the respective output signal of the at least one audio sensor.

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: The present disclosure relates to tracking of acoustic feedback events of a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid. Information about the acoustic feedback events is stored for analysis. Such information is useful for programming acoustic feedback cancellers and other parameters of a hearing assistance device.

Abstract: An earbud audio device includes a housing, a speaker component and a cushion, wherein the speaker component forms the tip of the earbud upon which the cushion may be situated. The speaker component is mechanically coupled to the earbud housing in a manner that allows the cushion to be coupled thereto, the speaker component and tip able to be partially inserted into a user's ear canal during use. The speaker component may be formed with a flange extending outward to provide a support for mechanically coupling the speaker component to the housing. The speaker component and housing may in some instances be mechanically coupled together as two threaded components.

Abstract: A speech recognition system comprises: an input, for receiving an input signal from at least one microphone; a first buffer, for storing the input signal; a noise reduction block, for receiving the input signal and generating a noise reduced input signal; a speech recognition engine, for receiving either the input signal output from the first buffer or the noise reduced input signal from the noise reduction block; and a selection circuit for directing either the input signal output from the first buffer or the noise reduced input signal from the noise reduction block to the speech recognition engine.

Abstract: An in-ear device incorporating active noise reduction has a housing adapted for location in or adjacent to an auditory canal. The housing contains a driver and an acoustic path is provided from the driver to an outlet of the device. A microphone and an acoustic impedance are provided in the acoustic path. The impedance increases the stability of the device.

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 hearing aid device configured to be inserted into the ear canal of a hearing aid user. The hearing aid includes a receiver, a hearing instrument body, and a connection member extending between the hearing instrument body and the receiver. The connection member is a permanent part of the hearing aid device and the connection member has a stiffness that allows the receiver to be inserted into the ear canal by moving the hearing instrument body towards the eardrum. The connection member achieves a first stiffness sufficiently large to insert the hearing aid device into the ear canal and achieves a second significantly reduced stiffness which makes the hearing aid device comfortable to wear for the user.

Abstract: The present application discloses systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for controlling one or more functions of a device utilizing one or more tags. In one example, a method for controlling one or more functions of a medical device includes scanning a data interface of the medical device for signals induced wirelessly by one or more gestures made with one or more tags associated with a recipient of the medical device and controlling one or more functions of the medical device based on the wirelessly induced signals.

Abstract: An ear tip is disclosed that comprises an annular flange having a first end tapering downwardly to a second end and having a teardrop curve lateral cross section running from approximately the upper end to the lower end. An inner body extends internally from the upper end within a hollow interior defined by the flange toward the lower end. An acoustic channel extends through the inner body. The flange at least partially occludes an ear canal from ambient noise and creates at least a partial air seal in the ear canal and the acoustic channel is configured to allow the passage of sound into the ear canal when the inner body is connected with a sound source.

Abstract: A multiple receiver assembly comprising at least a first spout-less receiver comprising a sound output opening; and a joiner. The joiner comprises a mounting plate portion having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the mounting plate further defining a mounting plane; first engagement means for engaging the first spout-less receiver at the first surface; and a spout portion comprising at least one sound channel extending through the spout portion. The sound output opening is aligned with one of the at least one sound channels when the spout-less receiver engages the first engagement means.

Abstract: For the cushioned support of electronic components in a mounting enclosure of a miniaturized electronic device, an elastic and/or flexible retaining element (15) with inward-protruding support sections (17) extends along at least parts of the inner wall of the mounting enclosure (3), serving to position, support and retain the component (1).

Abstract: A hearing aid includes: a receiver having a side face with a sound outlet, and wherein a primary direction of the sound outlet is perpendicular to the side face; a hearing aid housing having an outer surface and an internal cavity configured for containing the receiver; a filter socket coupled to the hearing aid housing; and a filter releasably attached to the filter socket; wherein the filter socket defines a direction of detachment of the filter from the filter socket, and wherein the direction of detachment is arranged obliquely with respect to the primary direction of the sound outlet.

Abstract: A hearing aid according to an embodiment includes a hardware module, a case, and a receiver module. The hardware module is configured to control the hearing aid. The case has an open side and an internal space for accommodating the hardware module. The receiver module is united with the case to form an integrated structure. The receiver module includes a receiver connector fixedly connected at one side thereof with the case, and a receiver formed at the other side of the receiver connector. The hearing aid may further include a case interface unit fixedly formed at a closed side of the case. The hearing aids according to other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An in-ear headphone may be constructed and operated with at least a housing sized to fit in an external auditory meatus of a user and have at least one audio driver. A fitment feature may extend from the housing and incorporate a plurality of flexible flanges cantilevered from a unitary base. The fitment feature may be configured to engage a tragus of the user to secure the housing within the external auditory meatus.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a system configured to occlude an ear canal. The system comprises a support structure, an expandable device, a housing, a resilient reservoir, and a threaded device. Resilient reservoir resides within housing and is filled with a medium. The threaded device couples to a threaded region of support structure. Threaded device fits in an opening of housing. Rotating threaded device reduces an interior volume of housing thereby transferring the medium from resilient reservoir to expandable device. Threaded device is rotated to displace sufficient medium within resilient reservoir to expand expandable device to occlude the ear canal. Resilient reservoir is passively filled when expandable device is in an un-expanded state.

Abstract: A dual-frequency coaxial earphone includes a dynamic transducer, a cover and a second transducer. The dynamic transducer includes a supporting structure and a vibrating diaphragm mounted to the supporting structure. The cover covers on the supporting structure, so that the cover and the supporting structure define a sound adjusting chamber therein. The cover includes an adjusting orifice communicating with the sound adjusting chamber. The second transducer is adapted to the cover and the second transducer has a first side facing toward the sound adjusting chamber. The sound adjusting chamber is located between the vibrating diaphragm and the second transducer.

Abstract: A binaural hearing instrument and an earpiece for the binaural hearing instrument are enabled for broadband wireless data transmission to a further binaural hearing instrument. Wireless broadband binaural data transmission with high bandwidth and low resource requirement is afforded, while the devices can be manufactured easily and inexpensively. The hearing instrument has a housing, a signal processor, a receiver and an antenna for binaural data transmission. The housing can be worn at least partly in an auditory canal. A distal section houses the signal processor and the receiver. A proximal section adjacent to the eardrum and separated spatially from the proximal section houses the antenna. The antenna is disposed between the receiver and the sound outlet as far in the auditory canal as possible. The distance between the antennas of the two binaural hearing instruments is reduced compared with conventional positioning and the bit error rate is significantly improved.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a headset with a Bluetooth device comprising an ear loud speaker (3) with connection means (4) for connection to a detachable ear unit (5, 5a, 5b). The Bluetooth device is equipped with an extra microphone (14) for receiving ambient sound, the microphone is provided with a sound attenuator (15). The invention also refers to an ear unit (5) for an ear loud speaker (3) of a Blue-tooth device. The ear unit (5) being adapted to be fixed onto the ear loud speaker (3) and to be inserted in the user's ear. According to the invention the ear unit (5) is made to be inserted in the auditory canal of the ear and to abut tightly against the auditory canal. The ear unit (5) has a through bore (6) which, when the ear unit (5) is inserted into the auditory canal, extends in the length direction of the auditory canal. The bore (6) is equipped with handle means (1 1, 13) for shape conformed fixation to the ear loud speaker (3).

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to electronics powered by thermal energy. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to wireless headphones that are powered by thermoelectric generators. One embodiment provides a wireless headphone having a wireless audio device capable of generating an acoustic output from signals received through a wireless communication link, and a thermoelectric generator assembly configured to provide electrical power to the wireless audio device.

Abstract: The invention describes a hearing device with a BTE (Behind-The-Ear) unit and an air filled tube. The BTE unit comprises a power source, a microphone, an amplifier, and a receiver and is configured to be mounted behind or on the ear of a user. The air filled tube as a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the air filled tube is connected to the receiver of the BTE unit and a flexible sealing part is provided at the distal end. The flexible sealing part comprises a core hole permeable for sound transmitted from the air filled tube through a core pathway. The air filled tube is further configured to be arranged in a user's ear canal to transmit sound generated by the BTE unit to a tympanic membrane of the user. The flexible sealing part is arranged in a bony portion of the user's ear canal when in use. The diameter of the flexible sealing part is at least as large as the diameter of the bony portion of the ear canal of a user to close the ear canal.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for capturing hearing characteristics from self-administered hearing tests, including loudness tolerance levels at different sound frequencies, as an individualized shaped auditory profile for automatically enhancing audio to complement and address as closely as possible an individual's hearing deficits experienced via a particular signal pathway, the signal pathway including the audio device used to administer the test, the sound environment, and the user's hearing capabilities. The user may self-administer a hearing test on a convenient personal apparatus, such as a smartphone. The shaped auditory profile may then be used to produce enhanced sound subsequently transmitted to the individual via the same signal pathway. In certain of its aspects, the invention is useful for any individual seeking an enhanced hearing experience, whether having hearing within normal range or hearing that is impaired.