Abstract: An earphone includes a housing having a sound output hole, wherein a center axis line of the sound output hole is deviated from a center axis line of the housing by an angle; a drive unit received inside the housing; and a resilient element disposed on the housing, wherein the resilient element can be squeezed and deformed, the resilient element or the housing abuts a cavum conchae of a user.

Abstract: A case for an earbud includes a receiving cavity sized and shaped to accept the earbud within the receiving cavity. The case includes one or more housing magnetic components configured to magnetically attract and secure the earbud within the receiving cavity.

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: Audio ear buds preferably include a housing, an ear tip, an audio speaker, a chamber divider and a power line. The housing preferably includes a driver cup and a chamber cup. The ear tip is attached to the driver cup. A speaker cavity is formed in the driver cup. The speaker cavity is sized to receive the audio speaker. The driver cup is inserted into the chamber cup. The chamber cup includes a divider bore and an acoustic cavity bore, which are sized to receive the chamber divider. A sound hole is formed through a wall of the chamber cup into the acoustic cavity bore. The chamber divider includes at least one air passage hole. The chamber divider creates a ported speaker chamber and an acoustic chamber. The chamber divider acts as a passive resonator. The power line supplies power to the audio speaker.

Abstract: An earphone includes a first driver units reproducing sound waves in a high-frequency range, a second driver units reproducing sound waves other than the high-frequency range of the first driver units, and a unit case for housing the respective driver units and a sound delivery tube for leading sound waves from the driver units to a user's ear canal, the sound delivery tube being formed to communicate with the unit case. A sound emission axis of the first driver units and a sound emission axis of the second driver units are disposed in parallel to each other, and the sound emission axis of the first driver unit passes through in an opening of the sound delivery tube. This construction, including multiple driver units for producing different frequency ranges, allows to provide an earphone in which attenuation of high-frequency components in particular is reduced.

Abstract: Ear buds are provided that communicate wirelessly with an electronic device. To determine the current status of the ear buds and thereby take suitable action in controlling the operation of the electronic device and ear buds, the ear buds may be provided with sensor circuitry. The sensor circuitry may include proximity sensors. The ear buds may each have a housing with a main body portion that is configured to be inserted into the ear of the user and an elongated stem portion that extends from the main body portion. The proximity sensors may include sensors on the main body and sensors on the stem. The proximity sensors may be light-based sensors that emit light that passes through the housing.

Abstract: A system capable of directing audio output to a portion of a shared acoustic environment. For example, the system may divide the environment into two or more sound zones and may generate audio output directed to one or more sound zones. The system may distinguish between target sound zones and quiet sound zones and may determine a set of global filter coefficients with which to direct the audio output. The system may generate a first set of filter coefficients that increase audio volume in the target sound zones and a second set of filter coefficients that increase a ratio of audio volume between the target sound zones and the quiet sound zones. The system may generate the set of global filter coefficients using a combination of the first set and the second set. The system may also direct audio from multiple audio sources in different directions.

Abstract: An earpiece includes an earpiece housing sized and shaped to block an external auditory canal of a user, at least one microphone positioned to sense ambient sound, a speaker, and a processor disposed within the earpiece housing and operatively connected to each of the at least one microphone and the speaker, wherein the processor is configured to modify the ambient sound based on user preferences to produce modified ambient sound in a first mode of operation and to produce a second sound in response to a trigger condition. The second sound may be an unmodified version of the ambient sound. The second sound may be a modified version of the ambient sound which suppresses at least a portion of the ambient sound. The second sound may be a warning sound.

Abstract: A method and device for automatically increasing the spectral bandwidth of an audio signal including generating a “mapping” (or “prediction”) matrix based on the analysis of a reference wideband signal and a reference narrowband signal, the mapping matrix being a transformation matrix to predict high frequency energy from a low frequency energy envelope, generating an energy envelope analysis of an input narrowband audio signal, generating a resynthesized noise signal by processing a random noise signal with the mapping matrix and the envelope analysis, high-pass filtering the resynthesized noise signal, and summing the high-pass filtered resynthesized noise signal with the input narrowband audio signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An earpiece includes an earpiece housing, wherein the earpiece housing is configured to substantially encompass an opening of an ear canal to physically block ambient sound from entering the ear canal. The earpiece further includes a processor disposed within the earpiece housing, at least one microphone operatively connected to the processor and configured to sense ambient sound, and a speaker operatively connected to the processor. The processor is configured to process the ambient sound from the microphone and add additional ambient sound to produce a modified ambient sound at the speaker.

Abstract: A system includes an earphone having an earplug, a processor, a wireless interface, a battery, a memory, and a speaker, and an electronic device separate from the earphone and in communication with the earphone via the wireless interface. The electronic device transmits audio to the earphone for storage in the memory. The processor of the earphone causes the speakers to play the audio stored in the memory in a loop. The electronic device and the processor of the earphone do not operate the wireless interface continuously after the audio is stored in the memory.

Abstract: An ear bud set comprises: a body part; a leg part foldably connected to the body part; and an elastic body connected to the body part and a foldable portion of the leg part. The earbud set is stably provided in the ears when being used for the hearing aid or the earphone, the Bluetooth and the like, and thus is not easily separated from the ears despite vigorous motion, and since earholes are ventilated and external sound can be heard after being worn in the ears, sound transmission efficiency capable of preventing a safety accident is effective. The earbud set can be stably worn in the ears irrespective of the different shapes and sizes of ears of people, does not cause earaches by dispersing the force applied to the ears, and can be stably provided to the ears with low pressure.

Abstract: A system includes an earphone having an earplug, a processor, a wireless interface, a battery, a memory, and a speaker, and an electronic device separate from the earphone and in communication with the earphone via the wireless interface. The electronic device transmits audio to the earphone for storage in the memory. The processor of the earphone cause the speakers to play the audio stored in the memory in a loop. The electronic device and the processor of the earphone do not operate the wireless interface continuously after the audio is stored in the memory.

Abstract: A speaker system is provided with a docking station and a removable housing that is mounted to the docking station. The speaker system also includes a receiver, a transducer and a processor that are supported by the removable housing. The receiver receives an audio signal from a mobile media device. The processor communicates with the receiver and is programmed to determine a location of the removable housing relative to the docking station, separate the audio signal into channels and provide at least one channel to the transducer based on the location.

Abstract: Features of the present application provide an audio earphone having an adjustable cable system interconnecting a first speaker unit (e.g., left speaker) and a second speaker unit (e.g., right speaker). The adjustable cable system may include a plurality of pods connected to different parts of the adjustable cable system such that the relative movement of the pods may adjust an effective length of the adjustable cable system. The audio earphone of the present disclosure may also include a plurality of operating modes for operating the audio earphone where each of the plurality of operating modes may correspond to one of a plurality of relative distances between a first pod and a second pod.

Abstract: The present teachings disclose methods and apparatuses for an intelligent, wireless earplug system comprising a speaker, an earplug, an electronics base, and a cable. The earplug fits into a user's ear canal and is operatively connected to a smart device, such as a smart phone, to intelligently transmit sounds from the smart device to the earplugs in a manner selected by the user, such as for example transmitting binaural beats to the earplugs to facilitate sleep.

Abstract: A combination necklace and earphone set is disclosed which is changeable between the two configurations by magnetically attaching ear buds at each end of a chain to each other. When attached, the chain is closed, forming a loop and necklace, such that controls for the earphones act as beads on each side and a pendant is situated opposite the ear buds. The pendant, in embodiments, houses a battery which powers the earphones. When detached, the chain is an open loop, with an earphone at each end. A joint between the earphones and wire/chain allows the earphones to swivel with respect to the wire/chain.

Abstract: An elastomeric component for use with an earbud headphone and for positioning within an auditory canal of an ear includes a distal end configured for insertion within an external portion of the auditory canal and an at least substantially hollow stem region extending proximally from the distal end. The hollow stem may include at least one connection feature configured to interface with another component of an earbud headphone to removably retain the elastomeric component thereon. The elastomeric component may also include an outer portion extending proximally from the distal end and at least substantially surrounding at least a portion of the stem region. The outer portion may include an outer surface having an at least substantially circular cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the elastomeric component. Earbud headphones may include such elastomeric components.

Abstract: An in-ear headphone comprises an earbud body constructed and arranged for positioning in an ear canal of a wearer, and configured to have a distal end farther into the ear canal than a proximal end. The earbud body includes a cavity and an opening to the cavity. The in-ear headphone further comprises a transducer in the opening to the cavity, a portion of the transducer facing outward from the opening; a microphone at the distal end of the earbud body; an earbud tip on the earbud body and complying with a surface of the earbud body; and an acoustically resistive mesh structure at a distal end of the earbud tip. The mesh structure covers the microphone and the portion of the transducer facing outward from the opening.

Abstract: An earphone with at least one air orifice contains a body. The body includes at least one slot defined on a rear cap thereof, and each of the at least one slot has at least one air orifice formed therein. Thereby, the air discharges or draws to vibrate the speaker via the at least one air orifice to reduce resistance of the air against the speaker and to enhance tone quality, when the speaker vibrates in a closed space.

Abstract: An earpiece auditory device is described which includes a behind-the-ear component shaped to fit behind the ear of a user. The behind-the-ear component can also have at least one microphone and processing circuitry, where the processing circuitry is used to processes audio signal from the microphone. The device also includes a speaker sized to fit in the ear canal of a user, and an ear mold holding the speaker in place. The ear mold can also be position to touch the bony portion of the ear canal and provide sound attenuation in the ear canal. A connector physically and electrically connects the behind-the-ear component to the speaker. The connector is capable of being used to insert and remove the speaker and ear mold from the ear canal of the user.

Abstract: A pair of in-ear headphones is disclosed that are operable to reproduce incoming audio signals. The in-ear headphones include a housing defining an internal chamber. A front portion of the housing defines a nozzle extending away from the housing. A driver is positioned in the internal chamber such that a sound reproduction portion of the driver is aligned with an internal audio channel running through the nozzle. A damper is positioned in an end of the nozzle having a damper aperture having a predetermined size. The nozzle extends from a base portion of the housing at a predetermined upward angle and a predetermined bend angle that provides improved audio frequency responses in desirable frequency ranges.

Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a device, the device comprising a plurality of audio sensors and being configured such that when a first audio sensor of the plurality of audio sensors is in contact with a user of the device, a second audio sensor of the plurality of audio sensors is in contact with the air, the method comprising obtaining respective audio signals representing the speech of a user from the plurality of audio sensors; and analyzing the respective audio signals to determine which, if any of the plurality of audio sensors is in contact with the user of the device.

Abstract: Problem is to provide a bone conduction speaker unit which is compact as a whole, and can be used, being simply and neatly mounted to a great variety of pieces of existing communication equipment, such as mobile phones. A unit case 1 is provided which incorporates a bone conduction speaker 2 such that a diaphragm 3 is exposed, with an earphone-jack mating plug 4, which is connected to the bone conduction speaker 2, being disposed on the unit case 1, and by connecting the plug 4 to an earphone jack 22 on a cabinet 21 of a piece of communication equipment, such as a mobile phone, the piece of communication equipment is allowed to be used as a speaker.

Abstract: An earphone comprising an earphone housing having a body portion, the body portion having an acoustic output opening to output sound from a driver positioned therein into an ear of a user. An acoustic tuning member is positioned within the body portion. The acoustic tuning member defines a back volume chamber of the driver and includes an acoustic output port for outputting sound from the back volume chamber of the driver to improve an acoustic performance of the earphone.

Abstract: An earphone includes a housing and a thermoacoustic device array. The housing has a hollow structure. The thermoacoustic device array is disposed in the housing. The thermoacoustic device array includes a number of thermoacoustic device units. The thermoacoustic device unit includes a substrate, a sound wave generator, a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are spaced from each other and electrically connected to the sound wave generator. The first surface defines a number of recesses parallel with and spaced from each other. At least one of the recesses is located between the first electrode and the second electrode. A depth of each recess ranges from about 100 micrometers to about 200 micrometers. The sound wave generator is located on and insulated with the substrate. The sound wave generator includes a carbon nanotube structure suspended over the at least one recess.

Abstract: Intra-canal earphones and methods of manufacturing intra-canal earphones are disclosed. In an embodiment, an intra-canal earphone includes a rigid housing in which a driver is located, a rigid nozzle, and a resilient joint that physically couples the housing with the nozzle and acoustically couples the driver with the nozzle. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to audio headphones. In certain embodiments, an earbud headphone assembly is provided. The assembly includes a sound chamber and chassis configured to enclose the sound chamber.

Abstract: An earphone includes a shell and a thermoacoustic chip. The shell defines a first space. The thermoacoustic chip is disposed in the space of the shell. The thermoacoustic chip includes a speaker and a capsule defining a second space to accommodate the speaker. The speaker includes a substrate, a sound wave generator, a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are spaced from each other and electrically connected to the sound wave generator. The substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The capsule has at least one through hole and at least two connectors. The sound wave generator is opposite to the at least one through hole. Two of the at least two connectors are electrically connected with the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: To avoid undesirable electrostatic discharge events while maintaining low leakage currents, earbuds may be provided with controlled electrostatic discharge paths. The discharge paths may include discrete components such as resistors or more distributed resistive components such as resistive elastomers. A resistive elastomer may be incorporated into an interior portion of an earbud between an earbud housing structure and a ground path. A resistive elastomer may also be used in forming an ear bud tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an earphone, which comprises a shell, a speaker arranged in said shell, an sound chamber corresponding to said speaker and an E&M, in which the sound emission hole is arranged in said E&M, and connected with said sound chamber; the earphone also comprises a normally closed pressure relief channel used for connecting the said sound chamber and the outside, and connected when a user puts said E&M in the ear canal.

Abstract: A passive semi-insert noise reducing device configured for insertion into the ear of a subject includes at least one muffler tube having a closed end and an opposing open end, the muffler tube being configured to be secured to the head of a subject. The at least one muffler tube is defined by an elongate hollow tubular section, including the closed end, and a transverse hollow tube at the open end that is configured for placement in the outer ear of the subject. The at least one muffler tube is defined by a length that produces quarter wave resonance in low audible sound frequencies. A soft sealing member disposed onto an exterior surface of the hollow connecting tube has a distal end surface that is substantially flush with the open end of the muffler tube.

Abstract: A canalphone system may include a high audio driver carried by a canalphone housing, and a low audio driver carried by the canalphone housing adjacent to the high audio driver. The system may also include an amplifier that amplifies an audio signal and delivers that amplified audio signal to the high audio driver and/or the low audio driver. The system may further include a passive audio crossover carried by the canalphone housing, the passive audio crossover receives the amplified audio signal from the amplifier and then delivers the amplified audio signal in a suitable frequency range to the high audio driver and/or the low audio driver.

Abstract: A mass port configured to tune a frequency response of an audio reproduction device is disclosed. The mass port includes a head portion and an insertion portion coupled to the head portion. The head portion includes a sealing structure on a rear side. The head portion is configured to attach to a rear plate of a driver at the sealing structure. The insertion portion is configured to be inserted into a speaker port on the rear plate of the driver. The head portion and the insertion portion include an air slot that runs through the head portion and the insertion portion.

Abstract: A headphone includes an acoustic transducer having a sound-radiating surface that moves along a first axis, a housing enclosing the acoustic transducer, a first acoustic chamber defined by a first side of the acoustic transducer and a first portion of the housing, the first acoustic chamber including a first reactive port in a serial configuration with an acoustic resistance to couple the first acoustic chamber with space outside the headphone, a second acoustic chamber defined by a second side of the acoustic transducer and a second portion of the housing, the second acoustic chamber separated from the first acoustic chamber by the acoustic transducer, and an opening coupling the second acoustic chamber to the wearer's ear canal along a second axis that is not parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: A pump facility for an earmold of a hearing device communicates by way of a channel facility with a variable-volume element of the earmold. A medium can flow through the channel facility to the variable-volume element and away from the variable-volume element. A filling mechanism is embodied for pumping the medium through the channel facility to the variable-volume element. In addition a drainage mechanism is embodied for actively pumping and conveys the medium away from the variable-volume element through the channel facility.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to bone conduction. One disclosed apparatus includes a support structure and a bone-conduction transducer (BCT). The support structure includes a front section and a side section. The side section includes a recessed structure and at least one member that extends from the recessed structure. The BCT includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is in contact with the at least one member such that at least one gap is defined between the BCT and the recessed structure. When the support structure is worn, the second portion is in contact with a wearer so as to transmit a target vibration of the second portion to a bone structure of the wearer. The at least one member is configured to transmit a vibration of the first portion of the BCT to the recessed structure.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a headphone device that is equipped with an ear pad to be inserted into an ear, is electrically connected to a player device via a cable and outputs an audio signal which is output from the player device, with which it is possible to improve in-ear wearability and prevent a pain from being caused inside the ear. [Solution] The headphone device is equipped with: a driver unit that is fixed to a housing and has a diaphragm for emitting a sound of an audio signal; and a nozzle section that is fixed to the housing at one end, holds an ear pad at the other end, has a hollow interior, and is formed so as to slope from the part where the nozzle is fixed to the housing toward the tip of the nozzle section at a predetermined angle with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A canalphone system may include a canalphone coupler, and four connectors carried by the canalphone coupler of which at least two of the four connectors carry an acoustical signal. The system may also include a mechanical joint that joins the canalphone coupler to a cable where the mechanical joint is assembled and disassembled by a user.

Abstract: An earphone comprising an earphone housing having a body portion, the body portion having an acoustic output opening to output sound from a driver positioned therein into an ear of a user. An acoustic tuning member is positioned within the body portion. The acoustic tuning member defines a back volume chamber of the driver and includes an acoustic output port for outputting sound from the back volume chamber of the driver to improve an acoustic performance of the earphone.

Abstract: Various aspects of this disclosure are directed to an earphone device comprising a speaker unit including at least one balanced armature transducer to convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal. The electrical signal may define a frequency range comprising a first frequency and a second frequency. The earphone device may further comprise an impedance correction unit configured to receive the electrical signal and compliment an impedance of the speaker unit such that a sum of an impedance of the impedance correction unit and the impedance of the speaker unit at the first frequency is substantially similar to a sum of an impedance of the impedance correction unit and the impedance of the speaker unit at the second frequency.

Abstract: An earbud (100) includes an acoustic duct (201) and a driver sub-housing (202). The acoustic duct and driver sub-housing can be integrally manufactured via a two-shot injection molding process. The acoustic duct can be rigid while the driver sub-housing is flexible and/or pliant to flex when the acoustic duct pivots relative to the driver sub-housing.

Abstract: An exemplary electro-acoustic stimulation (“EAS”) system (100) includes 1) an off-the-ear sound processor module (102), 2) a headpiece module (104) communicatively coupled directly to the off-the-ear sound processor module (102) and configured to be affixed to a head of a patient, the headpiece module (104) comprising a housing with communication circuitry disposed therein that is configured to facilitate communication by the off-the-ear sound processor module (102) with a cochlear implant (106) implanted within the patient, and 3) a loudspeaker (110) communicatively coupled directly to the headpiece module (104). The off-the-ear sound processor module (102) is configured to direct the cochlear implant (106) to apply electrical stimulation to the patient and direct the loudspeaker (110) to apply acoustic stimulation to the patient. Corresponding systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

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 a portion of which extends outwardly to releasably couple to an earplug adjacent the earpiece, 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 positioning and retaining structure for an in-ear earpiece. An outer leg and an inner leg are attached to each other at an attachment end and attached to a body of the earpiece at the other end. The outer leg lies in a plane. The positioning and retaining structure have a stiffness that is greater when force is applied to the attachment end in a counterclockwise direction in the plane of the outer leg than when force is applied to the attachment end in a clockwise direction in the plane of the outer leg. The positioning and retaining structure position an earpiece associated with the earpiece in a user's ear and retains the earpiece in its position.

Abstract: Pressure sensing earbuds and systems are disclosed. The earbuds can include one or more pressure sensors to determine the size and shape of a user's ear. The pressure signals can be relayed back to a processor, which may use them to dynamically optimize the volume levels delivered for frequencies over the audible range for a particular user.

Abstract: A custom-fit in-ear-monitor (IEM) is provided that utilizes a plurality of drivers and a single piece driver module that significantly simplifies fabrication while insuring that the completed IEM achieves the desired acoustic performance. The driver module, which is fit within a custom-fit ear mold shell, includes a plurality of driver ports to which the drivers are coupled. The driver module also includes an acoustic output member that includes one or more sound bores that acoustically couple the acoustic output surface of the custom-fit ear mold shell to the plurality of driver ports via a plurality of sound ducts within the driver module.

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: Corded devices, such as headphones and power suppliers, can be stored in a case that reduces the tendency of their cords to tangle without the need for wrapping or winding.

Abstract: A concha-fit electronic hearing protection device including an eartip and an earpiece body. When the device is fitted in the ear of a user, the eartip externally occludes the ear canal and the earpiece body internally occludes the eartip.