Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for improving speech intelligibility for speech-in-noise in audio processing and hearing assistance devices. The present subject matter includes a method for improving speech intelligibility for speech-in-noise for audio processing and hearing assistance devices. The method includes receiving an audio signal using a microphone array and processing the received signal to improve speech intelligibility in noise. A barrier-type beamforming process is used to improve signal-to-noise ratio at the output of the microphone array. The beamforming process includes convex optimization using a logarithmic barrier function, according to various embodiments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a differential microphone unit which can improve the characteristics of a microphone unit and widen the directional range thereof. The disclosed differential microphone unit (100) is provided with: a microphone housing (20) which is provided with a pair of first sound holes (22a, 22b) on the same major surface (20a); a vibrating portion (11) which is disposed in the microphone housing and which vibrates according to differences in sound pressure transmitted via each of the pair of first sound holes; and sealing members (30, 130), which are disposed on the major surface of the microphone housing and which each contain a pair of second sound holes (31a, 31b, 131a, 131b) disposed so as to be in respective contact with the pair of first sound holes.

Abstract: A transducer assembly utilizing at least two MEMS transducers is provided, the transducer assembly preferably defining either an omnidirectional or directional microphone. In addition to at least first and second MEMS transducers, the assembly includes a signal processing circuit electrically connected to the MEMS transducers, a plurality of terminal pads electrically connected to the signal processing circuit, and a transducer enclosure housing the first and second MEMS transducers. The MEMS transducers may be electrically connected to the signal processing circuit using either wire bonds or a flip-chip design. The signal processing circuit may be comprised of either a discrete circuit or an integrated circuit. The first and second MEMS transducers may be electrically connected in series or in parallel to the signal processing circuit. The first and second MEMS transducers may be acoustically coupled in series or in parallel.

Abstract: A valve for a personal auditory system is described. The auditory system is capable of converting between an acoustic signal and an electrical signal. The auditory system has an acoustic pathway through which an acoustic signal may travel between a first point exterior to the auditory system and a second point interior to the auditory system. The valve includes a free floating electrode and a second electrode adjacent to free floating electrode. An electric signal that is generated by the second electrode moves the free floating electrode to substantially open or close the acoustic pathway.

Abstract: A microphone unit has a diaphragm vibrating in response to sound waves; a unit casing accommodating the diaphragm; and a connecting path connecting a front acoustic terminal and a rear acoustic terminal. The unit casing has a small-diameter internal periphery defining the front acoustic terminal; a large-diameter internal periphery accommodating built-in components including the diaphragm; and a shoulder provided between the small-diameter internal periphery and the large-diameter internal periphery and positioning the built-in components. The unit casing has a groove in an axial direction provided in the large-diameter internal periphery and a groove in a radial direction provided in the shoulder and being in communication with the groove in the axial direction. The groove in the axial direction and the groove in the radial direction configure the connecting path.

Abstract: An audio apparatus has a housing including a tub-shaped recessed part having an upper surface and a wall surface formed on the upper surface. Microphones are circularly arranged in the vicinity of the wall surface inside the recessed part. Each microphone face toward a center direction of the recessed part and the upper surface so that a sound pick-up directivity is toward the center of the housing. A back side, opposite to the direction having the directivity of each microphone is open acoustically and is directed toward a direction higher than the wall surface of the tub-shaped recessed part.

Abstract: A unidirectional dynamic microphone includes a grip housing, a microphone unit supported at a first end of the grip housing, a plug assembly attached to a second end of the grip housing and connected to the microphone unit through a lead line, and an air room serving as a part of an acoustic circuit of the microphone unit in the grip housing. The grip housing has a fitting part for the plug assembly and an expanded portion. The plug assembly fitted in the fitting part is fixed within the grip housing by an elastic ring and a pressure ring fitted in the expanded portion. The elastic ring seals a space between the grip housing and the plug assembly.

Abstract: There is provided a narrow directional condenser microphone having an acoustic tube, in which a condenser microphone unit having a large effective diaphragm area is arranged on the rear end portion side of the acoustic tube to achieve high sensitivity without an increase in the diameter of the acoustic tube. In a narrow directional condenser microphone in which a unidirectional condenser microphone unit configured by arranging a diaphragm and a backplate opposedly via a spacer is arranged on the rear end side of an acoustic tube 10, the narrow directional condenser microphone is provided with a unit pair assembly 20 configured by opposedly combining two of the condenser microphone units 20R and 20L with the diaphragm side thereof being parallel to each other, and the unit pair assembly 20 is arranged on the rear end side of the acoustic tube 10 in such a manner that the condenser microphone units 20R and 20L are arranged symmetrically with respect to the tube axis X of the acoustic tube 10.

Abstract: A unidirectional microphone includes a cylindrical capsule, a front plate blocking one end of the cylindrical capsule, a front plate sound hole formed in the front plate, a vibrating membrane and a first rear pole plate that are housed in the cylindrical capsule and form capacitance, a substrate blocking another open end of the capsule, and a rear plate sound hole formed in the substrate. The front plate sound hole and the rear plate sound hole are placed on mutually opposite sides of a central axis of the capsule so as to be offset relative to the central axis. The directional axis can be significantly offset relative to the central axis of the microphone using the microphone alone.

Abstract: A first diaphragm FD and a second diaphragm RD are respectively arranged across a fixed electrode BP at both sides to constitute the variable directivity condenser microphone. A microphone body 1 includes a vacuum tube Q1 for impedance converting an audio signal obtained at the fixed electrode, and a connector 2 provided with a hot side connector terminal and a cold side connector terminal through which the audio signal that is impedance converted by the vacuum tube is outputted in parallel. A means for supplying a polarization voltage applied to the second diaphragm RD from an external power supply circuit 3 is arranged such that the hot side connector terminal and the cold side connector terminal are used as a forward conductor and a ground connector terminal for the microphone body arranged at the connector is used as a return conductor.

Abstract: An electret loudspeaker device including a diaphragm, a first perforated electrode and a first spacer is provided. The diaphragm has an electret layer and an electrode layer. The first perforated electrode is stacked on a side of the diaphragm near the electret layer, and has multiple holes. The first spacer is stacked between the diaphragm and the first perforated electrode, and includes a first distribution area and plural second distribution areas. The first distribution area has first openings penetrating through the first spacer, and each first opening has a first opening space volume between the diaphragm and the first perforated electrode. Each second distribution area has second openings penetrating through the first spacer, and each second opening has a second opening space volume between the diaphragm and the first perforated electrode. A difference between the first and the second opening space volumes is greater than 10%.

Abstract: An apparatus for localizing a sound source includes at least two rotatably arranged microphones, a drive formed to set the microphones into rotation, and an evaluator. The evaluator is formed to receive microphone signals of the at least two microphones, while the at least two microphones are moving, and to obtain information on a direction from which sound arrives from the sound source or information on a position of the sound source, using the microphone signals obtained during the movement of the microphones.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an apparatus, including: a microphone to convert sound into a signal; and an electrically adjustable shutter including conductive polymer, the shutter in acoustic communication with the microphone and configured to provide an adjustable acoustic resistance to the microphone. Variations include conductive traces adapted to apply an electric signal to the conductive polymer. In some embodiments a diaphragm in acoustic communication with the shutter configured to detect acoustic energy is included. The present subject matter also provides methods including, but not limited to a method for operating a microphone in a hearing assistance device, including measuring acoustic energy detected by a diaphragm in acoustic communication with a shutter via a conduit, and controllably adjusting an acoustic resistance of the shutter with an electric signal to change directionality of the microphone.

Abstract: Disclosed are a microphone mounting structure of a mobile terminal, capable of capturing a sound generated from a subject in an optimum manner while capturing an image and reproducing the captured image, and a using method thereof. In the present invention, a first microphone and a second microphone are arranged on one side surface of a terminal body, in a spaced manner from each other on different axes, so that they can be used in a sound capturing mode. Three or more microphones are arranged on a plurality of surfaces of the terminal body, at various intervals, by interworking with various situation changes. Then, the number of microphones to be used for capturing a sound, and a microphone combination are selected according to a user's behavior scenario. Under such configuration, an optimum audio zooming function can be implemented.

Abstract: A supporting head is provided with binaural artificial ears. Each binaural artificial ear comprises an auricle-shaped structure and a microphone. In order to enhance auditory localization cues, at least an upper part of the head is provided with an acoustically dampening surface.

Abstract: A unidirectional condenser microphone includes a front acoustic terminal disposed on a forward portion of a microphone case, a rear acoustic terminal disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the microphone case, and a directionality varying member disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the microphone case. The directionality varying member switches between a first position and a second position. The directionality varying member covers the rear acoustic terminal at the first position while the rear acoustic terminal is opened at the second position. The front acoustic terminal is displaced ahead of the front surface of the microphone case, and the directionality varying member is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the microphone case.

Abstract: Diaphragms of a plurality of capacitor microphone units are arranged in the same plane and the capacitor microphone units are connected in series to make an output from an impedance converter connected to one capacitor microphone unit drives a ground side of another capacitor microphone unit connected to the impedance converter.

Abstract: A stereo capacitor microphone unit includes: two unidirectional microphone units integrally formed with respective fixed electrodes of the unidirectional microphone units facing each other; and an insulating spacer that is interposed between the fixed electrodes and provided with a gap formed at a portion of an outer periphery towards radial direction. The gap communicates fixed electrode rear spaces of the respective unidirectional microphone units with an external space to serve as a common rear acoustic terminal for the unidirectional microphone units.

Abstract: A highly directional microphone includes an acoustic tube and a microphone unit that is disposed inside the base end of the acoustic tube. The acoustic tube is composed of an elastic material. An adjustable member elongates and contracts the distance between the microphone unit and the front end of the acoustic tube. The acoustic tube is held by an acoustic-tube protector having openings on a peripheral wall thereof. The base end of the acoustic tube is integrated to the acoustic-tube protector, and the front end of the acoustic tube is connected to a sliding cylinder that is slidably fitted in the axis direction of the acoustic tube along the acoustic-tube protector.

Abstract: An acoustic apparatus without increasing noise etc. even when plural directional microphones collect sounds from a place of the same distances is provided. Sound signals output from the microphone arrays are subjected to phase shift by phase shift circuits 211A to 211H, and the sound signals are combined by an adder 212. The phase shift circuits 211A to 211H performs phase shifts according to installation positions of the microphone arrays. The phase shift circuit 211A makes the shift 0 degree, the phase shift circuit 211B makes the shift 45 degrees, the phase shift circuit 211C makes the shift 90 degrees, and sequentially to the phase shift circuit 211H, the shifts are made according to rotational angles.

Abstract: A microphone unit includes: a housing; a diaphragm which is disposed in the inside of the housing; and an electric circuit portion which processes an electric signal that is generated based on a vibration of the diaphragm. In the housing, a first sound guide space which guides a sound outside the housing to a first surface of the diaphragm via a first sound hole and a second sound guide space which guides a sound outside the housing to a second surface, that is, an opposite surface of the diaphragm via a second sound hole are formed. The electric circuit portion is disposed in either one of the first sound guide space and the second sound guide space; and an acoustic resistance portion which adjusts at least one of a frequency characteristic of the first sound guide space and a frequency characteristic of the second sound guide space is formed.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing acoustic sounds is provided having at least one directional sensor, each directional sensor including at least two compliant membranes for moving in reaction to an excitation acoustic signal and at least one compliant bridge. Each bridge is coupled to at least a respective first and second membrane of the at least two membranes for moving in response to movement of the membranes it is coupled to for causing movement of the first membrane to be related to movement of the second membrane when either of the first and second membranes moves in response to excitation by the excitation signal. The directional sensor is controllably rotated to locate a source of the excitation signal, including determining a turning angle based on a linear relationship between the directionality information and sound source position described in experimentally calibrated data.

Abstract: A microphone having an optical component for converting the sound-induced motion of the diaphragm into an electronic signal using a diffraction grating. The microphone with inter-digitated fingers is fabricated on a silicon substrate using a combination of surface and bulk micromachining techniques. A 1 mm×2 mm microphone diaphragm, made of polysilicon, has stiffeners and hinge supports to ensure that it responds like a rigid body on flexible hinges. The diaphragm is designed to respond to pressure gradients, giving it a first order directional response to incident sound. This mechanical structure is integrated with a compact optoelectronic readout system that displays results based on optical interferometry.

Abstract: A device includes a windscreen in a first surface, a gradient microphone housed in a capsule having first and second outlets coupled to openings in a second surface displaced from the first surface, a pressure microphone mounted between the first and second surfaces, and circuitry coupled to the gradient microphone and the pressure microphone and operable to combine the signals of the microphones and provide a combined microphone signal.

Abstract: A unidirectional condenser microphone unit includes a unit casing formed of a metallic cylindrical body and having a front acoustic terminal on a front surface thereof and a rear acoustic terminal on a side surface thereof, an electrostatic acousto-electric converter disposed inside the unit casing, and a shield member put on the rear acoustic terminal from an inside of the unit casing in a cylindrical shape. The shield member has a length approximately equal to an inner periphery length of the unit casing and a width covering the rear acoustic terminal. Also, the shield member is formed of a metal plate having spring elasticity, and includes a large number of holes for electromagnetic shield substantially throughout the entire surface thereof.

Abstract: An audio recorder having a plurality of microphones including at least a first microphone and a second microphone provided in a first housing and a second housing, respectively, at least one of the first housing and the second housing being rotatably supported, and having an audio recording function in a set prescribed audio recording mode, in which the first housing and the second housing are arranged vertically one above the other, and the audio recorder has means for setting a prescribed audio recording mode in accordance with a relative position of the first microphone and the second microphone. According to this audio recorder, the prescribed audio recording mode is set in accordance with the relative position of the first housing and the second housing. Thus, a desired audio recording mode can be set more intuitively by a user.

Abstract: A narrow-angle directional microphone having an acoustic tube, accommodated in a cylindrical microphone case, in a circumferential wall of which an opening is formed to be covered with an acoustic resistor and to a rear end of which a microphone unit is attached, prevents abnormal noise from occurring. The narrow-angle directional microphone includes a first acoustic resisting material provided on an outer circumferential surface of the acoustic tube and covering the opening; and a second acoustic resisting material provided between the first acoustic resisting material and an inner circumferential surface of the microphone case, having a predetermined elastic force in a thickness direction. The second acoustic resisting material covers the first acoustic resisting material, and is fixed to the acoustic tube; and presses the outer circumferential surface of the acoustic tube and the inner circumferential surface of the microphone case by the elastic force.

Abstract: A method and device for phase-sensitive processing of sound signals of at least one sound source may include arranging two microphones at a distance d from each other, capturing sound signals with both microphones, generating associated microphone signals, and processing the sound signals of the microphones. During a calibration mode, a calibration-position-specific, frequency-dependent phase difference vector ?0(f) between the associated calibration microphone signals may be calculated from their frequency spectra for the calibration position. Then, during an operating mode, a signal spectrum S of a signal to be output is calculated by multiplication of at least one of the two frequency spectra of the current microphone signals with a spectral filter function F.

Abstract: A dynamic microphone includes a vibration pickup that detects vibration of a dynamic microphone unit, and outputs a signal for cancelling vibration noise; and a microphone case that supports the microphone unit and the vibration pickup, wherein the vibration pickup includes a laminated ceramic piezoelectric element that detects vibration of a microphone unit case and outputs a signal corresponding to the detected vibration, the laminated ceramic piezoelectric element has a capacitance that defines a resonance circuit in conjunction with an inductance of an inductor, the resonance circuit producing a response signal to acceleration corresponding to that of the vibration noise, and the resonance circuit is connected such that the response signal is output in an opposite direction to the vibration noise signal.

Abstract: A base having a flat shape; a support provided on a bottom surface of the base; a microphone unit incorporated in the base and converts sound into an electric signal; and a pressure sensitive switch with which an output signal from the microphone unit is turned on and off are included. At least one such pressure sensitive switch is provided to be pressed between the base and the support.

Abstract: A video teleconferencing directional microphone has two surfaces joined with an angle of 90° relative to each other, a first omni directional microphone element arranged adjacent to the intersection between the two surfaces. The ceiling microphone assembly also includes a second omni directional microphone element arranged at a predetermined distance (d) from both surfaces. A subtractor subtracts the output of the first microphone element from the output of the second microphone element, and the output of the subtractor is equalized by an equalizer (Heq) to generate an equalized output. The surfaces and subtractor generates a quarter toroid directivity pattern for the ceiling microphone assembly. The quarter toroid sensitivity pattern increases sensitivity in the direction of a sound source of interest, but reduces sensitivity to any sound waves generated by noise sources at other locations or reverberations.

Abstract: A microphone unit is disposed in the inside of a first housing of a voice input apparatus. The microphone unit includes: a second housing; a diaphragm which is disposed in the inside of the second housing; and an electric circuit portion which processes an electric signal that is generated based on a vibration of the diaphragm. In the voice input apparatus, a first sound guide space which guides a sound outside the first housing to a first surface of the diaphragm and a second sound guide space which guides a sound outside the first housing to a second surface of the diaphragm are formed. The electric circuit portion is disposed in either one of the first sound guide space and the second sound guide space; and an acoustic resistance portion which adjusts at least one of a frequency characteristic of the first sound guide space and a frequency characteristic of the second sound guide space is formed.

Abstract: A microphone system has a base coupled with first and second microphone apparatuses. The first microphone apparatus is capable of producing a first output signal having a noise component, while the second microphone apparatus is capable of producing a second output signal. The first microphone apparatus may have a first back-side cavity and the second microphone may have a second back-side cavity. The first and second back-side cavities may be fluidly unconnected. The system also has combining logic operatively coupled with the first microphone apparatus and the second microphone apparatus. The combining logic uses the second output signal to remove at least a portion of the noise component from the first output signal.

Abstract: A microphone unit comprises a vibratory diaphragm for detecting sound input through its first and second openings. The sound input through the first opening is guided to a front surface of the vibratory diaphragm while the sound input through the second opening is guided to a rear surface of the vibratory diaphragm so as to detect the sound by the vibration of the vibratory diaphragm. The microphone unit satisfies relation 0.76?D/?r?2.0 where D is difference in time between the sound propagation time from the first opening to the front surface of the vibratory diaphragm and that from the second opening to the rear surface of the vibratory diaphragm, while ?r is distance between the first and second openings. The relation D/?r?2.0 can reduce far-field noise, while the relation 0.76?D/?r can increase the detection sensitivity to sound emitted from a null point.

Abstract: A narrow-angle directional microphone having an acoustic tube, accommodated in a cylindrical microphone case, in a circumferential wall of which an opening is formed to be covered with an acoustic resistor and to a rear end of which a microphone unit is attached, prevents abnormal noise from occurring. The narrow-angle directional microphone includes a first acoustic resisting material provided on an outer circumferential surface of the acoustic tube and covering the opening; and a second acoustic resisting material provided between the first acoustic resisting material and an inner circumferential surface of the microphone case, having a predetermined elastic force in a thickness direction. The second acoustic resisting material covers the first acoustic resisting material, and is fixed to the acoustic tube; and presses the outer circumferential surface of the acoustic tube and the inner circumferential surface of the microphone case by the elastic force.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for reproducing spatial impression of existing spaces in multichannel or binaural listening. It consists of following steps/phases: a) Recording of sound or impulse response of a room using multiple microphones, b) Time- and frequency-dependent processing of impulse responses or recorded sound, c) Processing of sound to multichannel loudspeaker setup in order to reproduce spatial properties of sound as they were in recording room, and (alternative to c), d) Processing of impulse response to multichannel loudspeaker setup, and convolution between rendered responses and an arbitrary monophonic sound signal to introduce the spatial properties of the measurement room to the multichannel reproduction of the arbitrary sound signal, and is applied in sound studio technology, audio broadcasting, and in audio reproduction.

Abstract: A unidirectional microphone is provided that has an excellent directional frequency response and a high sensitivity. Sound waves are guided to a rear acoustic terminal 10b of an acoustic resistance tube 30 through an acoustic resistance member 31. A rear end opening 30b of the acoustic resistance tube 30 is blocked so as to prevent the sound waves from entering the rear acoustic terminal 10b from the rear end opening 30b of the acoustic resistance tube 30 on the side of the rear acoustic terminal 10b. A gap G which allows low-frequency sound waves to pass and through which a front acoustic chamber A1 and a rear acoustic chamber A2 in the acoustic resistance tube 30 communicate with each other is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the acoustic resistance tube 30 and the outer peripheral surface of the microphone unit 10.

Abstract: A microphone assembly is operable to be removably attached to a surface. The microphone assembly includes a microphone and a microphone support that operably supports the microphone. The microphone assembly further includes a coupling assembly that is operable to removably connect the microphone support to the surface. The coupling assembly includes at least one magnet that magnetically and removably attaches the microphone support to the surface.

Abstract: A high directivity boundary microphone (10) is disclosed, build up of a normal unidirectional microphone element (12) with cardioid-directivity behavior. The microphone element (12) is placed on a holder plate (14), with a membrane(16) of the microphone element (12) facing a plane (18) where a holder (20), comprising the holder plate (14) and a holder feet (22), is placed upon. The holder (20) ensures that the microphone element (12) is aligned at an angle (24) of preferably 35° respective to the plane (18). In this position, the microphone element (12) can detect direct sound (26) in a defined speech area (28A, 28B) as well as delayed sound (30) that is reflected at the plane (18) beneath the microphone element (12). Outside the defined speech area (28A, 28B) the sensitivity is strongly reduced.

Abstract: In a narrow directional microphone in which a front end opening of an acoustic tube is covered with a film mainly for reducing wind noise, degradation in directional frequency response is reduced. In a narrow directional microphone where a rear end 20b of the cylindrical acoustic tube 20 is coupled to a side of a front acoustic terminal 33a of a unidirectional microphone unit 33, and the film 22 capable of being displaced by wind pressure is attached to the front end opening 20a of the acoustic tube 20, an acoustic resistor 23 is arranged at a position which is on an outward side of the film 22 and at which the resistor does not come into contact with the film 22 even when the film 22 is displaced by wind pressure.

Abstract: Electronic devices and microphone devices are described.

Abstract: A microphone pop filter for attenuating plosive artifacts utilizes a substantially acoustically transparent material configured to define multiple airfoil surfaces that are oriented non-orthogonally relative to an axis defined between an audio source and a microphone diaphragm, with the substantially acoustically transparent material disposed intermediate the audio source and the microphone diaphragm and separated from the microphone diaphragm by an airspace. Plosive artifacts from the audio source may be deflected away from the microphone diaphragm by the airfoil surfaces to reduce the impact of such artifacts on the microphone diaphragm and the resulting electronic signal output therefrom.

Abstract: A microphone comprises a housing, a first and a second diaphragm, a first chamber, and a second chamber. A first and a second diaphragm, each having a first and second side, are provided in the housing. The first chamber is delimited at least partly by the first side of the first diaphragm and an inner surface of the housing. A first opening extends from the first chamber and to surroundings of the microphone. The second chamber is delimited at least partly by the first side of the second diaphragm and an inner surface of the housing. A second opening extends from the second chamber and to the surroundings. A common chamber is delimited at least partly by the second side of the first diaphragm, the second side of the second diaphragm and an inner surface of the housing. A third opening extends from the common chamber and to the surroundings.

Abstract: A microphone adapter is attachable to a microphone including a microphone unit and a casing having a front sound terminal and a back sound terminal. The microphone adapter has a bottom having a hole through which the casing of the microphone extends and a cylindrical peripheral wall integrated with the bottom, having an open end opposite to the bottom, and covering the periphery of the back sound terminal. The cylindrical peripheral wall has an internal diameter larger than the external diameter of the casing of the microphone so as to define a space between the cylindrical peripheral wall and the external peripheral surface of the casing of the microphone extending through the hole, and extends from the bottom at least to a position of the front sound terminal in a sound collection axis direction.

Abstract: A method and device for phase-sensitive processing of sound signals of at least one sound source may include arranging two microphones at a distance d from each other, capturing sound signals with both microphones, generating associated microphone signals, and processing the sound signals of the microphones. During a calibration mode, a calibration-position-specific, frequency-dependent phase difference vector ?0(f) between the associated calibration microphone signals may be calculated from their frequency spectra for the calibration position. Then, during an operating mode, a signal spectrum S of a signal to be output is calculated by multiplication of at least one of the two frequency spectra of the current microphone signals with a spectral filter function F.

Abstract: There is provided a narrow directional microphone in which the acoustic resistance of an acoustic tube scarcely varies, and a larger-diameter condenser microphone unit can be used without increasing the external dimensions. In the narrow directional microphone in which a unidirectional condenser microphone unit 30 is housed in an acoustic tube 10 the front end of which is open as a front sound wave introduction port 11 and which has side sound wave introduction ports 13 in the tube peripheral surface thereof and is provided with rear sound wave introduction ports 14 on the rear end side, and a microphone casing 20 that is larger in dimension and longer than the acoustic tube 10 is arranged so as to cover the acoustic tube 10, as the acoustic tube 10, a cylindrical body formed by rounding a flexible sheet (preferably, a metal sheet) is used, and at least the side sound wave introduction ports 13 provided on the acoustic tube 10 are formed by a large number of pores formed in the sheet.

Abstract: Method for processing an input signal in a hearing aid, with the input signal being broken down into a discrete signal for each source relative to an acoustic signal, with the discrete signals being assigned to a spatial position of the source and with the discrete signals being output, or output attenuated, relative to the spatial position.

Abstract: A microphone assembly includes a housing including at least one first tube in communication with at least one first cavity, at least one second tube in communication with at least one second cavity, one third tube in communication with at least one third cavity, and at least one microphone element separating the first, second and third cavities, wherein sound waves are received in the first, second, and third tubes and directed into the cavities and received by the microphone element. A method for converting sound waves into an electrical signal includes receiving the sound waves through at least three tube openings and directing the received sound waves along tube pathways into at least a first, second, and third cavity to a microphone separating the first, second, and third cavity. The method further includes converting the received sound waves into an electrical signal with the microphone.

Abstract: A first microphone device according to the present invention comprises a pair of directional microphones with high directivity in a sound collecting direction, a pair of nondirectional microphones with low directivity in the sound collecting direction, and a casing accommodating the pair of directional microphones and the pair of nondirectional microphones. The pair of nondirectional microphones is arranged so that sound collecting directions thereof are outward from both side surface walls of the casing, while the pair of directional microphones is arranged so that sound collecting directions thereof are outward from a front surface wall of the casing and intersect each other in vicinity of the front surface wall. All or a part of the pair of directional microphones is accommodated in a space sandwiched by the pair of nondirectional microphones.

Abstract: There is provided a narrow directional microphone in which a microphone unit can surely be positioned coaxially in an acoustic tube, and satisfactory electrostatic shielding can be attained. In the narrow directional microphone including an acoustic tube 10 consisting of a metallic cylindrical body, and a unidirectional microphone unit 20 arranged in a rear end part 10b of the acoustic tube 10 with a predetermined gap A serving as a sound wave passage being provided therebetween, the narrow directional microphone further includes a unit positioning means 60 consisting of plate spring material that positions the microphone unit 20 coaxially with the acoustic tube 10 and makes the width of the gap A between the inside diameter of the acoustic tube 10 and the outside diameter of the microphone unit 20 uniform.