Abstract: A hearing aid component with earwax filter is provided, wherein the hearing aid component has a sound inlet opening that has at least two sound inlet portions having different diameters and being displaced with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction of the sound inlet opening so that the sound inlet opening narrows towards the interior of the hearing aid component so that more proximal sound inlet portion has a relatively larger diameter and more distal sound inlet portion has a relatively smaller diameter. The earwax filter is placed in said sound inlet opening and comprises: a cap with an outward-facing and an inward-facing side, and a peripheral edge, said peripheral edge being force-fitted into the sound inlet portion with the relatively larger diameter. The cap has a plurality of sound inlets arranged along the periphery of the cap wherein the sound inlets are arranged along a perimeter of the cap.

Abstract: A hearing instrument uses an MID (Molded Interconnect Device) to replace a complexly folded and expensive flexible PCB (Printed Circuit Board) inside hearing aids and enables the use of complex MID frames in hearing instruments. An additional routing building block is provided for the very complex routing around active electronic components, e.g. chips or ASICs and small passive electronic components. It includes a small, preferably rigid mini PCB provided for the complex routing. A large Flex-PCB is therefore replaced by a combination of an MID circuit frame and a mini PCB. The mini PCB enables complex routing of conducting paths and thus helps to increase integration while the MID circuit frame provides for a mechanical structure that enables and alleviates placing and connecting components such as microphones or receivers at respective mounting positions, e.g. at openings of a hearing aid housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antenna module for a hearing device. The antenna module comprises a hollow core provided with an axial passageway and a winding around the core which is connectable with a hearing device. The antenna module is arranged to be at least partially contained within the ear canal of a user. This enables the antenna to be separated from sources of interference, since it can be positioned inside the ear canal away from hearing device electronics, thus reducing requirements for shielding and/or compensation. The invention further relates to an ear tip and a hearing device comprising such an antenna module.

Abstract: A method of assembling a transducer assembly comprising a transducer and a conductor element, where one of the transducer and the conductor element includes holes and conducting parts, each conducting part being exposed in or at a hole and the other of the transducer and the conductor element includes elevated, electrically conducting elements. The method includes aligning the conductor element and the transducer so that each of the elevated elements extends into a separate hole of the holes and fixing the transducer to the conductor element by fixing each elevated element to the conducting parts of the pertaining hole.

Abstract: An earphone with a speaker ring contains: a sound guiding tube, a speaker, and a body. The sound guiding tube is connected with the body, and the speaker is disposed in the sound guiding tube. The speaker has a first O ring fitted on a front end thereof and a second O ring fitted on a rear end thereof, and the first O ring and the second O ring are defined between the speaker and the sound guiding tube. Thereby, the first O ring, the second O ring, and the third O ring are arranged between the speaker and the sound guiding tube to reduce the resistance between the speaker and the sound guiding tube, thus increasing tone quality.

Abstract: The inventive concept provides semiconductor devices having through-vias and methods for fabricating the same. The method may include forming a via-hole opened toward a top surface of a substrate and partially penetrating the substrate, forming a via-insulating layer having a first thickness on a bottom surface of the via-hole and a second thickness smaller than the first thickness on an inner sidewall of the via-hole, forming a through-via in the via-hole which the via-insulating layer is formed in, and recessing a bottom surface of the substrate to expose the through-via. Forming the via-insulating layer may include forming a flowable layer on the substrate, and converting the flowable layer into a first flowable chemical vapor deposition layer having the first thickness on the bottom surface of the via-hole.

Abstract: A hearing aid of the present invention is convenient to repair and replace. The hearing aid includes: (i) an out-of-canal assembly comprising a power source (e.g., a battery) and a processor, and (ii) an in-canal assembly comprising a microphone and a receiver. The out-of-canal assembly is selectively, removably, electrically coupled to the in-canal assembly. Sound perceived by the in-canal assembly is processed by the out-of-canal assembly and transmitted to the user's eardrum. The in-canal assembly is conveniently, selectively decoupled from the out-of-canal assembly for convenient replacement or repair.

Abstract: An ear device having a bubble for placement approximate a user's ear canal and capable of inflation and deflation. An inflation tube for delivering inflating air to the bubble during inflation of the bubble and an inflation source, such as a diaphonic valve, cause the bubble to extend automatically into the user's ear canal during inflation and retract from the user's ear canal during deflation. The bubble is substantially cylindrical and is comprised of a plurality of adjacently adjoined inflatable chambers. The bubble may also comprise at least one non-inflatable section interspersed therein. Where the ear device is used to convey sound to the user's ear, the device includes a sound tube positioned within the cylindrical bubble. At least one resilient member attached to a portion of the bubble, which may be a non-inflatable section of the bubble, is used to retract the bubble automatically. The ear device, equipped with a cerumen removing mechanism, may be used to clean a user's ear canal as well.

Abstract: A removal handle design for a hearing aid is described in which the removal handle is attached to the battery door of the hearing aid. By locating the removal handle in the battery door, the removal handle may be added as the last step in the manufacturing process, thus ensuring no damage from cutting/beveling/buffing equipment. The design also eliminates interference with the opening and closing of the battery door.

Abstract: An earphone system comprising an ear canal portion with an interior surface having a logarithmic spiral taper shape, a base portion, and a speaker, wherein the ear canal portion and the base portion detachably engage to hold the speaker between and within the ear canal portion and the base portion. In some embodiments, the logarithmic spiral taper shape may further be a golden spiral taper shape, a Fibonacci spiral taper shape, or a cochleal taper shape.

Abstract: A soft custom ear mold (300) comprising: an inner ear mold part (100) consisting of a first bushing (101), a sound tube (102) and an ear wax guard bushing (103), and an outer ear mold part (200) that is adapted to fit an individual ear canal and comprises a sound conduit having holding means adapted to engage said inner part (100). The holding means defines the correct positioning of said inner part (100) in the sound conduit of said outer part (200) whereby a precise and stable positioning of the ear wax guard bushing (103) in the soft custom ear mold (300) is provided. The invention also relates to a hearing aid comprising such an ear mold (300, 900), a method for manufacturing such an ear mold and a tool for carrying out a part of said manufacturing method.

Abstract: A hearing aid and a method for operating a hearing aid to improve the quality of the hearing aid, in particular depending on the situation, include a hearing aid component that can be worn in a human auditory canal and a balloon, the size of which can be changed and which at least partially encloses the hearing aid component. During the operation of the hearing aid, a value specific to the current hearing situation is detected by the hearing aid. The size of the balloon is then set according to the determined value.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an in-the-ear device. The in-the-ear device includes a housing including a microphone inlet. The in-the-ear device also includes a microphone and a windscreen. The microphone is disposed within the housing adjacent to the microphone inlet. The windscreen includes a porous screen and an attachment mechanism coupled to the porous screen. The attachment mechanism is configured to detachably couple to the housing surrounding a perimeter of the microphone inlet such that an acoustic seal is formed between the windscreen and the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for data transmission through a recipient's skull bone. In one aspect of the present technology there is provided a bilateral system, comprising a first mechanical stimulator configured to transmit first data through vibrations of a skull of a recipient, and a sensor device configured to receive the first transmitted data.

Abstract: A receiver for a receiver-in-the-canal hearing instrument can be securely held by a dome comprising a receiver receptacle that selectively receives and holds the receiver. After the dome has been assembled, pulling on the electrical cable connected to the receiver will not dislodge the receiver from the dome.

Abstract: When volume-changeable elements are used in earpiece apparatus, a valve apparatus for expanding and contracting purposes is provided. A valve apparatus is provided with a discharge opening for the outlet of air from the volume-changeable element. The discharge opening can be closed directly by the volume-changeable element itself.

Abstract: A removable component for use with an earphone is disclosed. As an example, the removable component can be an ear tip. According to one aspect, an improved ear tip can be provided for use with a headphone. The ear tip is suitable for in-ear operation and can have a cosmetic deformable outer member. The deformable outer member can enable the ear tip to readily conform to a user's ear. The ear tip can also include an inner member to structurally support the outer member and to facilitate attachment to a headphone. Methods for forming such ear tips are also disclosed.

Abstract: A securing mechanism comprising a plurality of outwardly projecting members having a plurality of contact points that are configured to contact a surface of an opening when disposed on a space access device that is inserted in the opening, the securing mechanism being configured to apply a pressure to a contact surface within the opening less than approximately 10000 kPa.

Abstract: Electroformed housings for electronic devices and methods for making the same are provided. An electronic device is provided having circuitry with interface circuitry for processing a user input event, and an electroformed housing that is an enclosure for the circuitry, the electroformed housing having a user interface region positioned adjacent to the interface circuitry such that when a user initiates a user input event on the user interface region, the interface circuitry processes the user input event.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved control of hearing assistance devices and hearing assistance applications. The present apparatus and method can be deployed on a hearing aid, a device in communication with the hearing aid, or on both. In one embodiment a programmable control, including, but not limited to a button or switch or sensor or microphone is adapted to provide control of the function or settings of the hearing aid. In one embodiment, a programmable control for a device including, but not limited to a button or switch or sensor or microphone is adapted to provide wireless control of the function or settings of the hearing aid. In various embodiments, a programmable control for the hearing aid and a programmable control of the device are used to provide wireless control of the function or settings of the hearing aid.

Abstract: An in-ear monitor that can be customized for particular applications and individuals includes a housing formed from a body and a cover. A dynamic driver is mounted in a cavity in the housing on an angled mounted flange. The dynamic driver is acoustically coupled to a trumpet-shaped sound collector. The trumpet-shaped sound collector is coupled to a main sound bore that exits an opening in a nozzle portion of the body that is inserted into the ear canal of a user. An ambient sound port collects ambient sound and couples it to the sound bore. An additional bass port increases the bass response of the monitor. Ear impressions are used to customize the body of the monitor to the ear of a user and the location of the bass and ambient sound ports can be altered for different applications.

Abstract: An earphone assembly for an in-ear listening device and method for filtering a portion of an audible sound output are disclosed. An earphone comprises a housing configured to receive a nozzle, a plurality of drivers each having an acoustical output disposed within the housing, and an elongated passageway disposed within the housing configured to filter at least an audible portion of a sound wave output from at least one of the plurality of drivers. The method comprises providing an elongated passageway to provide an increased path length and connecting an output of the at least one driver to the elongated passageway to configure the sound output to be received within the elongated passageway to acoustically filter a portion of the sound output from the at least one driver.

Abstract: A hearing instrument receiver system for operation in an ear canal of a user for converting audio signals into sound, comprising a lateral receiver, a medial receiver and a flexible joint assembly connecting the medial end of the lateral receiver and the lateral end of the medial receiver in such a manner that the lateral receiver and the medial receiver are pivotable relative to each other in order to follow the shape of the ear canal.

Abstract: Examples of modular hearing devices and tools for disengaging a battery module from a main module of the canal hearing device are described. The disengagement tool may be used to switch the modular hearing device to the power OFF condition, or to completely remove the battery module therefrom. According to examples described, the disengagement tool comprises a receptacle cavity shaped to accommodate the lateral end of the modular hearing device, the cavity including features arranged to actuate a handle of the battery module for automatically disengaging the battery module upon insertion of the canal hearing device into the receptacle cavity. Other examples describe features for holding the battery module with the main module in either the ON or OFF positions.

Abstract: An ear tip is disclosed that comprises an annular flange having a first end tapering downwardly to a second end and having a non-circular lateral cross-section generally in the shape of an oval. The annular flange has a varying wall thickness from a first set of opposite sides of the annular flange to a second set of opposite sides of the annular flange. An inner body extends internally from the first end within a hollow interior defined by the annular flange toward the second end. An acoustic channel extends through the inner body, where the annular 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 hearing aid comprising a behind-the-ear unit comprising a pump arrangement which is fluidly connected to an inflatable part of an in-the-ear unit. The pump arrangement comprises one inlet valve and two outlet valves which are arranged in series. The valve leakage of the two outlet valves is not identical.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for cleaning an ear canal. The ear cleaning apparatus includes an elongated support member having an outer surface and first and second ends, and a bristle member that is attached to one end of the support member. The bristle member includes a plurality of flexible elongated members that are configured to contact a surface of an ear canal when the support member/bristle member assembly is inserted into the ear canal.

Abstract: A first driver housing and a second driver housing are positioned inside an earbud cup. The first driver housing has a rear side, a front side, a top face a bottom face, and a sound output tube extending from the front side. The second driver housing has a top side, a bottom side, a front face, a rear face, and a sound output opening formed in the front face of the second housing with essentially no tube extending therefrom. The rear face of the second housing is disposed a) adjacent to the front side of the first housing, and b) behind an exit of the sound output tube of the first housing. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for own-voice sensing in hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing assistance device adapted to process sounds, including sounds from a wearer's mouth. According to various embodiments, the device includes a hollow plastic housing adapted to be worn in the ear of the wearer and a differential sensor mounted to an interior surface of the housing in an ear canal of the wearer. The differential sensor includes inlets located within the housing and the differential sensor is configured to improve speech intelligibility of sounds from the wearer's mouth, in various embodiments.

Abstract: There is provided a method for optimizing performance of a multi-transducer earpiece, where the multi-transducer earpiece includes a perpendicular flange that partitions the cross sectional area of the acoustic delivery channel in a manner where mixing of signals from both the high frequency transducer and the mid/low frequency transducer is carried out in the ear canal of a user during reproduction of audio signals.

Abstract: Hearing aids are enhanced by application of liquids thereto, said liquids being solvents for organic matter, or wax, or ear canal wax. The liquids are volatile. Application of the liquids to both the hearing dome ends and the ear canal surfaces create a coupling thereof, which maintains a desired position of the aids within the ear canals.

Abstract: A hearing aid comprises a microphone for transforming an acoustic signal surrounding a hearing aid user into an electrical signal, a signal processing means for processing the electrical signal into an electrical output signal and to a receiver (2) driven by the electrical output signal and generating an acoustical signal into the ear canal (11) of a hearing aid user. The hearing aid comprises an ear plug part (1) prepared for being arranged in the ear canal of a hearing aid user. The hearing aid comprises sound generation means for generating an acoustic guiding signal to be provided for a limited period through said receiver during insertion of the ear plug part into the ear canal, in order to be applied by the hearing aid user to optimize the positioning of the ear plug part (1). The invention further provides a method for guiding a hearing aid user during insertion of an ear plug.

Abstract: A hearing apparatus includes a sound tube with a tube-side coupling element and an earpiece with an earpiece-side coupling element. The tube-side coupling element and the earpiece-side coupling element can be reversibly coupled. The tube-side coupling element has a tube-side pressure canal and the earpiece-side coupling element has an earpiece-side pressure canal, which form a coupled pressure canal in a coupled state of the coupling elements. The tube-side coupling element or the earpiece-side coupling element is supported by at least one pressure element which improves air-tightness of the coupled pressure canal. A coupling element and a hearing device are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus related to earmolds with venting configurations designed to relieve the occlusion effect. Various designs provide multiple vents allow residual ear canal air volume to vent to and from air outside the ear and the earmold. In various designs, the earmold includes one vent between the residual ear canal air volume and a volume of air internal to the earmold. A second vent provides passage of air internal to the earmold and air external to the ear and the inserted earmold when worn by a user.

Abstract: A device and methods are provided for a hearing device. In one embodiment, a hearing device includes a microphone to receive sound, an interactive tip and actuator. The actuator can include an actuator element and preload force element to place the interactive tip in contact with a portion of an ear. The hearing device includes circuitry coupled to the microphone and actuator, the circuitry configured to process sound received by the microphone and drive the actuator based on processed sound, wherein the actuator drives the interactive tip relative to a portion of the ear based on one or more signals received from the circuitry.

Abstract: An in-ear audio device has a casing on which is disposed one or more bags are positioned to be filled with fillable material during a customization process in which a test sound is acoustically output into an ear canal by an acoustic driver of the in-ear audio device while the one or more bags are being filled, and a microphone acoustically coupled to the ear canal is employed to detect sounds within the ear canal that are indicative of the frequency response of the acoustic output of the acoustic driver to determine when the degree of sealing of the ear canal by the one or more bags is sufficient to achieve a desired quality of frequency response.

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.

Abstract: Examples of systems and methods of wireless control of a canal hearing device by applying a magnetic field on the skin at the temporomandibular region of the head are described. An exemplary hearing device may include one or more magnetic sensors for wireless activation by the magnetic end of a remote control device applied inconspicuously to the anterior of the external ear. The activation of a reed switch magnetic sensor within the canal hearing device may be decoded by the electronics of the hearing device to implement a control command, such as volume change, program setting change, ON, or OFF. According to examples described, wireless control of the canal hearing device may be implemented with a natural, comfortable, and inconspicuous hand-arm motion. In some embodiments, multiple reed switches may be arranged to selectively respond to a magnetic field applied within distinct “hot spot” regions, for separate remote control commands.

Abstract: A hearing aid safety aid is provided. The hearing aid is configured to attach a hearing aid to an earring of the wearer. If the hearing aid comes loose and falls off, the hearing aid safety aid prevents it from falling off the user by its connection to the user's earring.

Abstract: A method is provided including: receiving a signal for regulating a valve of an ear-wearable device; and changing a state of the valve based on the signal, the changing including at least one of opening and closing the valve.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a pressure management system for an earpiece comprising: a first valve, where the first valve allows air to pass from a first side of the valve to a second side more readily than from the second side to the first side an inflation channel, where the inflation channel has an outer diameter less than 5 mm; a pressure release mechanism; a pump; a stent, where the inflation channel is embedded; and a balloon, where the first valve, the inflation channel, the pressure release mechanism, the pump, and the balloon are operatively connected, where the first valve is positioned so that air from the pump passes through the first valve to inflate the balloon and where the leak rate of the air from the balloon back to the pump is less than 1% by volume per minute and where the pressure release mechanism is configured to release pressure from the balloon to the environment upon actuation, and where the pressure management system is configured to manage the inflation pressur

Abstract: An object containing electronic circuits and a rechargeable cell, wherein the cell is arranged close to a surface of the object, a charge coil being shiftable with respect to the cell between an operating position where it is arranged around the cell and a recharge position where it is axially offset with respect to the cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an in-the-ear device sized and shaped such that the in-the-ear device universally and ergonomically fits into the human ear without slipping out and providing the user with a comfortable fit. The in-the-ear device is secured in the user's ear taking advantage of the natural curvature of the human to provide support and shift the center of gravity from outside the ear to further inside the pinna to prevent the device from slipping out while retaining a high level of comfort.

Abstract: An earphone includes a first acoustic chamber with one or more of a reactive element and a resistive element for acoustically coupling the first acoustic chamber with an environment external to the earphone. The earphone includes an acoustic transducer and a second acoustic chamber separated from the first acoustic chamber by the acoustic transducer. A housing supports the earphone from the concha of a wearer's ear and extends the second acoustic chamber at least to an entrance of an ear canal of the wearer's ear. A port acoustically couples the first and second acoustic chambers.

Abstract: A hearing aid or a transducer for use in a hearing aid, having a housing with an opening from an inner chamber thereof to surroundings thereof. A moisture transporting element is positioned in the opening. The moisture transporting element may be capillary channels or a thread made of fibres which may fan out at the outer side in order to increase evaporation. The chamber may be hydrophobic and surroundings of the opening be hydrophilic to encourage humidity to travel toward the humidity transporting element to be removed from the chamber.

Abstract: A hearing loss compensation apparatus includes a microphone configured to collect an ambient sound and generate an audio signal based on the collected ambient sound. A hearing loss compensation apparatus body inserted into an ear of a hearing impaired patient is configured to compensate for the audio signal based on auditory characteristics of the hearing impaired patient. The hearing loss compensation apparatus body is further configured to output the audio signal in a direction of an eardrum of the hearing impaired patient. A connection member is configured to connect the microphone to the hearing loss compensation apparatus body and fix a position of the microphone to be inside an ear canal of the hearing impaired patient.

Abstract: A personal audio device has a bone conduction pickup transducer, having a housing of which a rigid outer wall has an opening formed therein. A volume of yielding material fills the opening in the rigid outer wall. An electronic vibration sensing element is embedded in the volume of yielding material. The housing is shaped, and the opening is located, so that the volume of yielding material comes into contact with an ear or cheek of a user who is using the personal audio device. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An earpiece may be used to detect sounds from an ear canal of a user. The earpiece may include a microphone assembly and an acoustic pathway that is at least partially defined by a hollow elongated member having a nonlinear portion following a spiraled path. The acoustic pathway fluidly couples the microphone assembly with an ear canal of the user when the earpiece is positioned with respect to the ear of the user. Sounds produced by the user travel from the ear canal through the acoustic pathway for detection by the microphone assembly. Also, the hollow elongated member behaves as an acoustic waveguide to amplify a desired frequency and/or attenuate other, less desirable, frequencies of the sounds produced by the user.

Abstract: An earphone assembly for an in-ear listening device and method for filtering a portion of an audible sound output are disclosed. An earphone comprises a housing configured to receive a nozzle, a plurality of drivers each having an acoustical output disposed within the housing, and an elongated passageway disposed within the housing configured to filter at least an audible portion of a sound wave output from at least one of the plurality of drivers. The method comprises providing an elongated passageway to provide an increased path length and connecting an output of the at least one driver to the elongated passageway to configure the sound output to be received within the elongated passageway to acoustically filter a portion of the sound output from the at least one driver.

Abstract: The in ear headphone includes a main body, an ear pad and a speaker. The main body includes a first wall and a second wall. The first wall defines a chamber, and the first and second walls collectively define a gap. One end of the gap and one end of the chamber are both directed toward an ear canal. The other end of the gap is directed toward surrounding air. The ear pad corresponds to one end of the gap and the chamber. The ear pad conformingly contacts the ear canal. The speaker is disposed in the chamber.