Abstract: The invention relates to an earphone that can be worn so that the cord attached to the earphone can be worn either over the wearer's ear or under the wearer's ear because of an angled earphone tip and angled strain relief. The angled earphone tip and angled strain relief serve to provide a customizable secure fit that maximizes the sound coming through the earphones and minimizes discomfort from wearing the earphone.

Abstract: There is provided an earphone system comprising an earphone and at least two acoustic dampers (24), the earphone comprising a speaker unit (10) and an earpiece (12, 12A, 12B), the speaker unit comprising a sound driver (18), a wiring connector (14) for providing audio signals to the sound driver and a case (16) housing the sound driver, the earpiece comprising a sound outlet opening (28) and being designed for being worn in a user's ear canal and/or concha, the sound driver having a frequency response having a maximum within the range of 2000 Hz to 4000 Hz, wherein the speaker unit is for being inserted into the earpiece, wherein each of the acoustic dampers (24) is for being inserted into the earpiece or the speaker unit in an exchangeable manner and wherein each of the acoustic dampers, when used with the earphone, has a frequency response different from that of the other acoustic damper(s).

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: A bone conduction device, including a bone fixture adapted to be fixed to bone, a vibratory element adapted to be attached to the bone fixture and configured to vibrate in response to sound signals, and a vibration isolator adapted to be disposed between the vibratory element and the bone.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a canal-type receiver capable of reproducing sound fields spanning front-to-rear and/or top-to-bottom. Thus, an ear piece of the canal-type receiver has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a cylindrical portion including a sound guiding tube emitting a sound wave, radiated from a sound-emission unit in a receiver, to the inside of the external auditory canal, the sound guiding tube is configured so that a directional sound wave radiation axis of the sound wave faces a predetermined position of a wall of the external auditory canal in such a state that a cylindrical portion of the ear piece is mounted at a predetermined position in the external auditory canal, whereby the sound wave radiated from the sound guiding tube is reflected by a portion of the external auditory canal wall to arrive at the eardrum.

Abstract: A retractable ear bud module has a housing with an ear bud cable retractable mounted in the housing. The ear bud cable has at least one ear bud and a microphone, and a fixed end attached to a circuit board including a wireless receiver mounted. The wireless receiver electronically connects with the ear bud cable to transfer audio signals from the electronic device to the ear bud and from the microphone to the wireless receiver. A spool, mounts in the housing to retract and dispense the ear bud cable. In order to avoid entanglement of the microphone in the spool and housing, the microphone is integrated with the ear bud in one embodiment, is collocated with the ear bud in an alternate embodiment, and is distanced by no more than two inches from the ear bud in another embodiment.

Abstract: A headphone includes: a housing, a hanger, and a bracket accommodated in the housing. The hanger includes: a connecting portion formed in a ring-shape; and a pair of engagement portions opposite to each other in a radial direction of the connecting portion and supports the housing unit to allow the housing unit to rotate. The bracket includes: a flexible curved base; and a pair of protrusions protruding at both ends of the base portion in directions away from each other on an axis penetrating the both ends. The housing includes a pair of through holes at positions corresponding to the pair of engagement portions. The pair of protrusions is rotatably engaged with the pair of engagement portions through the pair of through holes.

Abstract: An in-ear hearing aid device that provides users with a customizable ear piece to fit the ear canal of any user. More specifically, the present invention can comprises of a hard case to hold all the electronics of the device with a hearing device jacket that envelops the device. An ear mold is connected to the jacket and allows the user to insert the device into the ear canal to enhance the user's hearing.

Abstract: A vented tip for in-the-ear headphones has a core portion to be mounted to a sound output tube of an in-the-ear earphone and a flange portion extending outward from and surrounding the core portion. The vented tip has a) an outer portion formed in the flange portion that is to be in contact with, and thereby form a seal with, a user's ear canal, and b) an inner portion spaced inwards from the outer portion to thereby not form the seal with the user's ear canal. The inner portion has a calibrated perforation or hole formed therein. Other embodiments that may help reduce bone conduction effects are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Provided is an earphone with an open-close type enclosure in which it is possible to open or close the communicating hole of the enclosure so as to reinforce the high-pitched tones or low-pitched tones of the sound being listened to. The earphone includes a sound wave generation means 150 that generates sound waves depending on electric signals, a body 100 including an enclosure which encloses the back of the sound wave generation means, and a worn portion 200 in which a sound wave path for transmitting a sound wave to the external auditory canal is formed, and which is worn in the external auditory canal.

Abstract: Method and devices for providing audio signals with increased bass sensation are provided. Headphones and cars can filter and amplify low frequency audio signals, which are then sent to a haptic device in the headphone. Customizable sound profiles based on user settings, or matched to a specific song or genre, can be sent to the headphones to improve the auditory experience.

Abstract: An earpuff is provided. The earpuff is a one-piece structure having a first end, a second end and an inner passage therebetween. The inner passage has a first segment and a second segment. The first segment has a plurality of interior contours. The interior contours are configured to align with exterior contours of a speaker component. The second segment of the inner passage includes a bell pipe portion and a bell portion.

Abstract: A wireless communications headset system for double hearing protection systems that eliminates the problems associated with typical wireless communications systems. The system employs a magnetic-field coupled wireless link from a loop transmitter to a magnetic field receiver. Current through the transmitter wire loops generates magnetic flux which passes through a communications earplug. The earplug has a receiver for converting the magnetic flux to electrical voltage, and this voltage is used to drive a speaker within the earplug. The transmitter can be easily installed into aviation headsets. The loop transmitter has an open center sized so that it fits around the pinna of the human ear enabling a close position to the communications earplug. This close position is advantageous if an efficient system is desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for blocking materials from entering the sound port of an earphone, while simultaneously allowing sound to pass through unaffected is disclosed. In an earphone having an elongated nozzle with a central opening adapted to transmit sound, a removable or replaceable a sleeve assembly having a wax guard or barrier is formed integral with the ear sleeve assembly. The barrier is mounted in a stem and is adapted to prevent materials from entering the central opening of the earphone nozzle. The stem is also adapted to receive the sleeve over its body. The sleeve can be cylindrical or tapered in shape, and the sleeve can be adapted to aid in blocking ambient noise. The barrier, the stem, and the sleeve can all be formed as an integral one-piece assembly, and the entire one-piece assembly can be adapted to be changed by the user.

Abstract: An ear mold, in cooperation with a receiving device which is placed in an ear canal. The ear mold includes a head of the ear mold and a sound transmission device which is connected with the head. The sound transmission device is used for connection with the speaker of the hearing aid. The head of the ear mold is integrated with the sound transmission device. An end of sound transmission device which is connected with the hearing aid is elastic. The part of the sound transmission device which is connected with the head of the ear mold is flexible.

Abstract: An ear tip including an inner-tube portion, an outer-flange portion and a bump portion is provided. The inner-tube portion is configured to be mounted to an audio output tube of an insert-type earphone. The outer-flange portion is extended from a side of the inner-tube portion, surrounds the inner-tube portion, and has a smooth outer surface. The bump portion is disposed on the smooth outer surface, so as to maintain an air-leaking channel at periphery of the bump portion when the ear tip is inserting into a canal of a user.

Abstract: Electroformed housings for electronic devices and methods for making the same are provided. An electronic device is provided having at least one electronic part and an electroformed housing constructed from a metal that encloses the at least one electronic part.

Abstract: A monitoring system that can be placed proximate to the head or ear of a user is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the monitoring system can be used with headphones, earbuds or headsets. The monitoring system can, for example, be used to monitor user activity, such as during exercise or sporting activities. The positioning of the monitoring system can also facilitate sensing of other user characteristics (e.g., biometric data), such as temperature, perspiration and heart rate. The monitoring system can also be used to control a an electronic device. In one embodiment, the monitoring system facilitates user control of the electronic device using head gestures.

Abstract: An earpiece designed to fit a substantial majority (over 90%) of people without customization to the outer ears, i.e., without the need to make customized measurements or a mold of the actual ear of an individual. The device is generally C-shaped and contacts the outer ear in four locations.

Abstract: An earphone has a housing, with a speaker mounted within the housing. A cable inlet contains a cable that includes a wire connected to the speaker. The cable and the cable inlet have different cross-sectional shapes, such that the cable is in contact with the inner surface of the cable inlet over a substantial portion of their length, while a rear volume of the speaker is vented through the cable inlet. This ensures that the cross-sectional area through which the rear volume is vented through the cable inlet remains relatively constant. The earphone may further comprise a microphone, positioned to detect ambient noise approaching the ear of a wearer of the earphone, and the cable may then further include a wire connected to the microphone.

Abstract: An earphone is disclosed. The earphone includes a housing forming a volume, a plurality of sound holes arranged in the housing, a sound generator received in the volume of the housing and cooperatively with the housing forming a front volume, a supporter accommodated in the volume of the housing and engaging with the sound generator forming a main back volume, and cooperatively with the housing forming a auxiliary back volume. The supporter includes bottom, a sidewall upwardly extending from the bottom and an acoustic pipe, the acoustic pipe communicating the main back volume with the auxiliary back volume for balancing an internal acoustic pressure of the earphone.

Abstract: An earphone with tension diaphragm includes a front portion, a rear portion, a silicone gel earplug, a filtering net and a sound generating unit. As a user pushes the earphone into his ear, the diaphragm of the sound generating unit has a deformation and thus an air turbulence would be generated. This air turbulence would then cause a deformation of the tension diaphragm and this deformation would in turn eliminate the strange and unpleasant noises generated as a user pushes an earphone into his ear. Therefore, better audio signals may be achieved and a better low-frequency effect may be reached. Also, because the earphone of the present invention is water-resistant, it may be used under water. In addition, other water-resistant earphones on the market do not have such tension diaphragm.

Abstract: Provided is an earphone capable of protecting a user's tympanic membrane, improving the durability thereof, and enjoying the further improved quality of sound by adjusting a medium-low pitched sound. In the earphone, a micro speaker mounted on a partition wall dividing an inner space is embedded in a housing. An earpiece is connected to the housing and is inserted into an external auditory canal, and a sound band adjustment unit is provided in the housing.

Abstract: Occlusion devices, earpiece devices and methods of forming occlusion devices are provided. An occlusion device is configured to occlude an ear canal. The occlusion device includes an insertion element and at least one expandable element disposed on the insertion element. The expandable element is configured to receive a medium via the insertion element and is configured to expand, responsive to the medium, to contact the ear canal. Physical parameters of the occlusion device are selected to produce a predetermined sound attenuation characteristic over a frequency band, such that sound is attenuated more in a first frequency range of the frequency band than in a second frequency range of the frequency band.

Abstract: A negative pressure earphone includes a main body, a cover portion, a silicone gel earplug, a filtering net and a moving coil sound unit. The silicone gel earplug is fitted to the protruding end of the main body. The filtering net is provided on the opening of the protruding end and the moving coil sound unit is disposed inside the main body. The cover portion is fitted to the other end of the main body. A sealing framework portion is disposed inside the main body and the moving coil sound unit is fitted to the sealing framework portion. A negative pressure portion is disposed on the sealing framework portion. The negative pressure earphone of the present invention is structurally simple and water resistant and does not have to have an opening in its cover portion.

Abstract: An earpiece with structure for positioning and retaining the earpiece and with structure for sealing against the entrance to the ear canal to provide passive noise attenuation. The positioning and retaining structure engages features of the lateral surface of the ear. The structure for sealing against the entrance to the ear canal includes a conical structure.

Abstract: A headset (10) for audio communications comprising a speaker housing (11) and a boom (12) for a microphone (41, 51), the headset arranged to provide a retracted state and an extended state, wherein the boom is arranged to be wrapped around the speaker housing in the retracted state and be unwrapped from the speaker housing in the extended state. The headset may be used as a hands-free unit for a telephone.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and devices incorporate a novel expandable bubble portion which provides superior fidelity to a listener while minimizing listener fatigue. The expandable bubble portion may be expanded through the transmission of low frequency audio signals or the pumping of a gas to the expandable bubble portion. In addition, embodiments of the acoustic device may be adapted to consistently and comfortably fit to any ear, providing for a variable, impedance matching acoustic seal to both the tympanic membrane and the audio transducer, respectively, while isolating the sound-vibration chamber within the driven bubble. This reduces the effect of gross audio transducer vibration excursions on the tympanic membrane and transmits the audio content in a manner which allows the ear to utilize its full inherent capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone conduction device for enhancing a recipient's hearing. The device may include an input configured to receive sound signals and generate a plurality of signals representative of the sound signals, an electronics module configured to receive the plurality of signals and having a first control setting configured to control a first characteristic of at least one of the plurality of signals and a second control setting configured to control a second characteristic of the at least one of the plurality of signals, a vibrator configured to receive the plurality of signals representative of the sound signals and transmit vibrations to the recipient's bone, and a user interface having a first interface control configured to interface with the first control setting and alter the first characteristic and a second interface control configured to interface with the second control setting and alter the second characteristic.

Abstract: An earphone includes a loudspeaker, a signal process, an audio signal input port, and a driving port. The loudspeaker includes a thermoacoustic device disposed in a housing. The signal processor is electrically connected to the loudspeaker to provide signal to the loudspeaker. The audio input port is electrically connected to the signal processor to provide audio signal. The power supply device is electrically connected to the signal processor to provide driving current. The thermoacoustic device includes a substrate, and the substrate defines a plurality of grooves, a sound wave generator is suspended on the plurality of grooves.

Abstract: An in-ear earphone includes a shell body, a first electro-acoustic transducer and a second electro-acoustic transducer. The shell is hollow and has a first acoustic chamber and a second acoustic chamber in which the first acoustic chamber is connected with the second acoustic chamber. The volume of the Second acoustic chamber is smaller than that of the first acoustic chamber. The second acoustic chamber has an acoustic output opening disposed far from the first acoustic chamber. The first electro-acoustic transducer is assembled in the first acoustic chamber and the second electro-acoustic transducer is assembled in the second acoustic chamber.

Abstract: An earphone includes a loudspeaker, a signal process, an audio signal input port, and a driving port. The loudspeaker includes a thermoacoustic device disposed in a housing. The signal processor is electrically connected to the loudspeaker to provide signal to the loudspeaker. The audio input port is electrically connected to the signal processor to provide audio signal. The driving port is electrically connected to the signal processor to provide driving signal. The thermoacoustic device includes a substrate, and the substrate defines a number of grooves, a sound wave generator is suspended on the grooves.

Abstract: Open-air earbuds and methods for making the same are disclosed. The earbud has a neck, which is open to the ambient environment in order to improve bass response. In order to prevent debris from entering the interior of the earbud, a filter is incorporated into the neck.

Abstract: An earphone has an ear cushion mounted thereon to be freely tiltable. The body includes an outer case enclosing a sound wave generating means, and a ball joint provided at an end portion of the outer case that has a sound wave path that propagates sound waves out of the body and having an opening communicating with the sound wave path. An operation holder mounted on the outer circumference of the ball joint includes a frictional ball seat whose inner surface contacts with the outer circumference of the ball joint so as to combine an internal passage communicating with the inner space of the frictional ball seat, and a periphery for the ear cushion. Thus, the earphone becomes sturdier because the body and its outer portion are not structurally weakened. Productivity improves by process simplification. The assembly of the sliding portion is done only on the outside of the body.

Abstract: An earbud adapter or in-ear monitor includes an Ear Interface that fits the human ear and further permits the wearer of these devices to adjust parameters of the fit. In additional aspects, the Ear Interface portion of these devices permits the user to adjust the transmission of ambient sound. The Ear Interface portion also allows the user to change ornamentation.

Abstract: Electroactive polymer devices are provided. A device includes a membrane and a collapsible electroactive polymer element. The element is in an expanded configuration without voltage application and is in a collapsed configuration with a voltage application. The element is covered by the membrane.

Abstract: An earphone comprises an inner shell, a stem and a pivot connection. The inner shell has a generally circular periphery shaped to at least partially fit in a user's concha. The stem is mounted to the inner shell at a position spaced from a rotational center of the inner shell and supports a wire leading to the inner shell. The inner shell and the stem are rotatable relative to each other by the pivot connection to configure the earphone to fit the user's ear with the shell member positioned at least partially in the user's concha and the stem positioned exteriorly along an intertragic notch of the ear.

Abstract: A circular in-ear headphone or earbud attachment can be attached to in-ear headphones or earbuds to provide traction and outward pressure to the ear of a user in order to secure an earbud in place and increase the quality of the fit. Additionally, the attachment can favorably increase the sound experience of the wearer.

Abstract: A wireless headset is adapted to communicate with a sound source such as a music player or a cell phone or a suitable audio or sound communicated through a one-way or two-way communication device. The headset includes a mouth wearable communicator; and a linking unit coupled to the mouth wearable communicator, the linking unit adapted to communicate with the sound source.

Abstract: The earphone includes a driver unit; a housing accommodating the driver unit, the housing having a front face serving as a sound emitting surface and a bowl shaped rear face; a hollow casing provided separately from the housing, the casing being configured to increase an internal volume adjacent to the rear side of a vibrating plate and to reduce the back pressure of the vibrating plate; and a connecting channel connecting the rear face of the housing and the casing such that the housing is in communication with the internal space of the casing, in which the housing includes a sound emitting tube protruding from the front face thereof so as to be fitted into an external auditory meatus.

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 users ear and retains the earpiece in its position.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for processing audio signals are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device which can enhance and/or optimize received audio signals for vibrational conduction to the user. Received audio signals may be processed to cancel acoustic echo such that undesired sounds received by one or more intra-buccal and/or extra-buccal microphones are eliminated or mitigated. Additionally, a multiband actuation system may be used where two or more transducers each deliver sounds within certain frequencies. Also, the assembly may also utilize the sensation of directionality via the conducted vibrations to emulate directional perception of audio signals received by the user. Another feature may include the ability to vibrationally conduct ancillary audio signals to the user along with primary audio signals.

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 users ear and retains the earpiece in its position.

Abstract: An audio system suppresses exterior noise and directs desired sound into a user's ear canal. An audio system may include an earplug to create a seal in the interior of an ear canal. The earplug may include a ribbed exterior profile and can be flexible to create the seal. A speaker driver may be inserted within the earplug. A distal opening may extend from the speaker driver toward the distal end of the earplug to direct sound into a user's ear canal. A proximal opening may extend from the speaker driver to the proximal end of the earplug, and can receive an audio wire connected to the speaker driver. The audio wire may connect to an audio device to allow audio data to pass through the wire and to the speaker, where it can be converted to audio that is passed directly into the ear canal of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an earpiece and a signal processor is disclosed. The earpiece is suitable to be applied at an auditory opening of a user's ear. The earpiece comprises a speaker enabled to be supplied with an audio signal for rendering, and a microphone arranged in vicinity of the speaker to acquire a sound signal from sounds present inside the auditory opening when the earpiece is applied at the ear. The signal processor is arranged to determine whether the earpiece is applied at the user's ear by analysis of the acquired sound signal comprising any of a sound signal component of an in-ear sound type present when the earpiece is applied or an outside-ear sound type present when the earpiece is not applied. A method and a computer program are also disclosed.

Abstract: A custom in-ear headset. The headset includes a housing having a proximate housing portion and a distant housing portion. The distant housing portion is shaped and sized to fit inside an ear canal of a user. The headset includes a miniature speaker that is acoustically coupled to a sound outlet in the distant portion of the housing for conveying sound pressure to an ear canal of the user. The headset further includes any one or more of: (a) a microphone with a sound inlet in the proximate housing portion, (b) a bone conduction microphone arranged in the distant housing portion, or (c) a microphone with a sound inlet in the distant housing portion. The headset further includes at least one ridge projecting from and circumscribing the distant housing portion.

Abstract: An ear unit for stably fitting in an ear includes a first surface facing inwardly toward the ear, a second, opposite surface facing outwardly from the ear and an outer circumferential surface formed between the first and second surfaces. The outer circumferential surface is shaped as a decremental curve. The distance between the ends of the decremental curve is approximately equal to the distance between a first cavity formed under the tragus of the ear and second cavity covered by the lower node of the antihelix of the ear. The first surface is provided with a curvature that provides a contact surface that substantially conforms to the concha, providing an improved attachment, thereby enabling the ear unit to fit closely against the concha when the ear unit is positioned into the ear.

Abstract: An earpiece that substantially lacks a lower lobe is disclosed. In one example, the earpiece can have a generally arcuate rib having upper and lower ends. A lobe can be formed at the upper end of the arcuate rib. No lobe is formed at the lower end of the arcuate rib. An extension can extend from the earpiece and can be configured to extend into the ear canal. Eliminating the lower lobe mitigates discomfort during use and also reduces the likelihood of tissue damage and infection. The extension can enhance communication of desired sound, e.g., from a two-way radio, to an eardrum while mitigating communication of undesirable ambient noise to the eardrum. Other implementations and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A communication device (1), such as a headset, comprising a housing (2) with a housing wall (3) encapsulating a housing interior (13). An electronic circuit (11) is arranged in the housing interior (13), the electronic circuit (11) comprising a first momentary switch (8) and a first actuation member (6), which can be operated by a user from the outside of the housing (2), and which is adapted to actuate the first momentary switch (8). A second actuating member (7; 22), which can be operated by a user from the outside of the housing (2), is adapted to actuate the first momentary switch (8). The second actuating member (7) is adapted to move independently from the first actuating member (6). Further embodiments have multiple conductors in the switch for multiple functions.

Abstract: A sound system, the sound system including: (a) a signal processor that is adapted to generate a first sound signal and a second sound signal, to provide the first sound signal to a loudspeaker; and to provide the second sound signal to a bone conduction speaker; and (b) the bone conduction speaker that is adapted to transduce the second signal to a bone conductible sound signal that is carried in a bone of a user.