Abstract: An embodiment of a hearing assistance device comprises a housing, a power source, a radio circuit, an antenna and a transmission line. The radio circuit is within the housing and electrically connected to the power source. The antenna has an aperture, and the radio circuit is at least substantially within the aperture. The transmission line electrically connects to the antenna to the radio circuit. Various antenna embodiments include a flex circuit antenna.

Abstract: An earphone integrated with a microphone includes a housing, a speaker, a microphone (audio-recording device), and a supporting member. The housing has an audio-output hole formed thereon a receiving space formed therein. The speaker and the microphone are arranged in the receiving space. The supporting member is arranged in the housing. One end of the microphone is mounted on the supporting member for suspending the microphone in the receiving space. A buffering space is formed around the microphone. Thus, the earphone can achieve anti-noise effect in providing improved communication quality.

Abstract: A canalphone system may include a canalphone housing, and an ambient vent opening in the canalphone housing larger than 0.04 square inches. The system may also include an acoustic damper adjacent the ambient vent opening. The system may further include a liquid diverter carried by the canalphone housing that limits liquid flow into the ambient vent opening.

Abstract: Input parameters or information for the fitting process of individually shaped or customized hearing devices and/or ear pieces of a hearing device are provided by storing fitting relevant data during the manufacturing process of an ear piece for the use with a hearing device into storage means, the data storage means being arranged at/or in the ear piece and/or a storage means kept or linked to the ear piece of the hearing device.

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: 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: The invention generally relates to audio headphones. In certain embodiments, an earbud headphone assembly is provided. The assembly includes a sound chamber and a region on the sound chamber adapted to grip an ear.

Abstract: An earphone includes a first acoustic chamber having a reactive element and a resistive element in a parallel configuration, a second acoustic chamber separated from the first acoustic chamber by an acoustic transducer and including a unitary port to provide both pressure equalization of the second chamber and equalization of the earphone to a predetermined frequency response, and a housing to support the apparatus from the concha of a wearer's ear and to extend the second acoustic chamber into the ear canal of the wearer's 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 users ear and retains the earpiece in its position.

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

Abstract: An 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: An active noise reduction (ANR) component for provision in an earphone housing is disclosed. The device includes a driver and a sensing microphone, the driver and sensing microphone being housed in a component housing. The earphone housing has an outlet passageway from the ANR component to an auditory canal. The ANR component is adapted for use with a controller to provide active noise reduction to the auditory canal over a predetermined range of physical dimensions or acoustic parameters of the housing outlet passageway. The ANR component can thus be used with different housings which simplifies the design process for producing ANR earphone products.

Abstract: A hearing system includes at least one earpiece having a shell, an elongate retention element attached to the shell, and an insert unit. The shell has a sound tube portion carrying a soft tip for insertion into the user's ear canal, an outwardly oriented interface portion for detachably receiving the insert unit, and an engagement portion between the sound tube portion and the interface portion for engaging with the tragus/antitragus region of the ear, wherein the material and the dimensions of the retention element are such that the retention element can engage the user's concha by manual deformation by the user, and wherein the insert unit is a filter unit with at least one sound attenuation filter, or is an active electronic unit with at least a loudspeaker, and with an external electronic unit, which is worn on the user's body below the user's neck.

Abstract: An earphone includes: a loudspeaker unit; a sound conductive tube which is connected to a front surface having a diaphragm included in the loudspeaker unit, and has a hole through which a sound generated from the loudspeaker unit is emitted; a housing which is connected to a back surface of the loudspeaker unit so that a space is formed between the housing and the back surface of the loudspeaker unit, and has a first air hole connecting the space to external air; a first braking part which closes a sound hole of the loudspeaker unit; and a second braking part which closes the first air hole.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods may relate to a unitary body having a hardness of between 20 and 35 according to the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) and adapted to be removably inserted into the canal 10 of an ear. In an illustrative example, the body may include a central portion between an adapter portion disposed at the proximal end of the body to couple an audio signal from an audio signal source to the central lumen. The retention portion may be disposed at a distal end of the body along a distal end axis. When inserted in the ear canal, the retention portion may be adapted to engage the canal wall between a prominence and the eardrum membrane with comfort for extended periods of time, including during physical activities, without falling out of the ear. Some embodiments by be packaged as a kit containing pairs in a range of predetermined sizes.

Abstract: An earphone housing has a sound output port to be inserted into an ear. Multiple drivers are located in the housing. Each driver has a respective motor and a respective diaphragm. The diaphragm of one of the drivers is vented but that another is not. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A digital audio player device can be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form an intraoral MP3 player. In another embodiment, the device provides an electronic and transducer device that can be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form a DAP. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device fabricated from a thermal forming process utilizing a replicate model of a dental structure obtained by conventional dental impression methods. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.

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 electronic and transducer device can be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form a two-way communication assembly. The device contains a motion sensor to detect external forces imposed on the user such as an explosion, for example. The information is stored for medical treatment, among others. In another embodiment, the device provides an electronic and transducer device that can be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a removable oral appliance or other oral device to form a medical tag containing patient identifiable information. Such an oral appliance may be a custom-made device fabricated from a thermal forming process utilizing a replicate model of a dental structure obtained by conventional dental impression methods.

Abstract: Actuator systems for oral-based appliances utilizing transducers which are attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon a dental or oral appliance to form a hearing aid assembly. Such oral appliances may be a custom-made device which receives incoming sounds and transmits the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element. The transducer element may utilize electromagnetic or piezoelectric transducer mechanisms and may be positioned directly along the dentition or along an oral appliance housing in various configurations.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an insert earphone assembly. The insert earphone assembly may include a transducer adapted to convert electrical signals into sound energy. The insert earphone assembly may also include a main sound channel adapted for communicating the sound energy to a user. The insert earphone assembly may also include a plurality of one or more damping elements, one or more auxiliary volumes, and one or more auxiliary ducts. The plurality of the one or more damping elements, the one or more auxiliary volumes, and the one or more auxiliary ducts may be adapted to absorb sound from the main sound channel to modify at least one insertion response.

Abstract: A hands-free device includes upper and lower earphones; a hands-free main body having opened top and bottom surfaces; a control unit mounted in the hands-free main body and configured to apply an operation signal; and an earphone protruding unit formed in the hands-free main body and configured to protrude the upper earphone through a rear surface of the hands-free main body in response to a protrusion operation signal of the control unit; and an earphone drawing unit formed in the hands-free main body and configured to draw one or more of the upper and lower earphones through one or more of the top and bottom surfaces of the hands-free main body in response to a draw operation signal of the control unit.

Abstract: An in-ear earphone including a housing having a first end for receiving a cable, and a second end which is placed in a concha of a user. Provided at the second end is a sealing unit which seals off an outer end of the ear canal in the region of the concha. The sealing unit has a first and a second end. The sealing unit further has a portion between the first and second ends, wherein both the inside diameter and also the outside diameter of the second end increase in the direction of the second end.

Abstract: An earphone that possesses an outer ear canal insertion member for which at least a portion can be inserted into the outer ear canal, a housing onto which the outer ear canal insertion member is installed, a driver unit which is disposed within the housing and which generates sound, a first retention member through the interior of which passes a cable connected at one end to the driver unit and which is itself directly installed to the housing, and a second retention member through the interior of which passes the cable and which is itself installed to the first retention member; and when the second retention member is installed to the first retention member, the first retention member grasps the cable.

Abstract: An adapter for attaching to an earphone includes a sleeve capable attaching the adapter to the earphone and an ear portion including a tubular sidewall having a first end attached to the sleeve and a second end opposite the first end. In one embodiment, the tubular sidewall includes an outer surface and a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the outer surface. In another embodiment, the tubular sidewall has an inner surface defining an air channel extending through the sidewall, and the inner surface has a twin cone shape including a converging cone portion extending from the first end and a diverging cone portion extending from the converging cone portion to the second end. In one embodiment, the adapter includes both a plurality of fins, and a twin cone air channel.

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: There is provided an earphone having a click unit for clicking on or to a housing of the earphone. The click unit has an ear pad and a fitment. The fitment has a first end and a second end, wherein the ear pad can be fitted on to the second end. The first end of the fitment has at least one spring element.

Abstract: Hearing losses caused by deficiencies in a person's outer or middle ear may be compensated for by converting received sounds to vibrations and transmitting the vibrations to the skull bone (2). Bone-conduction hearing devices (27) may transmit such vibrations transcutaneously or percutaneously. In both cases, a precise determination of the magnitude of the vibrations applied to the skull bone (2) is needed for determining the person's bone-conduction hearing thresholds as well as for calibrating the hearing devices (27). The present invention provides a device (1, 27, 37) and a method, which allow determination of the applied vibrational force with better precision than prior art devices and methods. This is achieved by placing an accelerometer (21) on the countermass (11) of the vibrator (1) that generates the vibration signal.

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 acoustic system includes a receiver (or microphone), a tube, or a moisture resistant screen. The receiver is capable of outputting an audio signal, while the microphone receives an audio signal. The tube is in connection with the receiver (or microphone) and the audio signal travels along a length of the tube. The moisture resistant screen is fitted at an end of the tube. The moisture resistant screen prevents moisture from passing along the tube toward the receiver, and causes an amount of damping to the audio signal. The moisture resistant screen is configured to have a submersion rating greater than or equal to 7 IP.

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: The present invention provides for the embodiments for a combined apparel and conductive extension wire assembly to bridge connectivity between a portable audio listening devices and transducers that emit audio sounds. The combined garment and extension wire assembly comprises of a garment (such as a shirt, jacket, cap, etc.) having an electrical wire with a connector on one end positioned within the interior of a garment pocket for conductive connectivity to the audio output of a portable listening device held within said pocket. The extension wire assembly shall channel through the interior of the garment through passageways or within garment seams, extending to garment apertures wherein a left and right channel wire shall respectively pass through and exit the apparel fabric having each wire ending with a connector enabling further conductive connectivity respectively to left and right channel transducers emitting audio sounds.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of continuing a telephone call, even in a case in which power is received from a battery charger while the telephone call is made. The electronic device includes a power receiving unit and a speaker unit. The power receiving unit receives power from the battery charger by electromagnetic waves. The speaker unit outputs sound in a first mode or a second mode. The first mode is a sound output mode when the electronic device is made proximate to a user's ear. The second mode is a sound output mode when the electronic device is separated from the user's ear. In a case in which the power receiving unit is receiving power, the speaker unit outputs sound in the second mode.

Abstract: A vibrator for generating vibrations in a bone conducting hearing device, i.e. a hearing device of the type in which the sound information is mechanically transmitted via the skull bone directly to the inner ear of a person. The vibratory movements are provided by a piezo-electric or magneto-elastic element arranged to transfer the vibrations via the skull bone from the area behind the outer ear to the inner ear. The piezo-electric or magneto-elastic element is arranged to be at least partially implanted in a surgically drilled hole directly into the mastoid bone behind the outer ear so that the vibrations are transferred directly from the element to the bone and transferred in the skull bone to the inner ear. The element is encapsulated with a bone integrating material, such as titanium or various biocompatible ceramic materials or coatings and is disc shaped and acts with a radial expansion upon electrical stimulation so that longitudinal sound waves are induced into the skull bone.

Abstract: An earphone comprising an earphone housing having a body portion acoustically coupled to a tube portion extending from the body portion, the body portion having an acoustic output opening to output sound from a driver positioned therein into an ear canal of a wearer. An acoustic tuning member is positioned within the body portion for acoustically coupling the driver to the tube 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 the tube portion to improve an acoustic performance of the earphone.

Abstract: A hearing aid, ear bud, ear plug, and hands-free headset are provided that may include one or more surfaces coated with an antimicrobial treatment, which may include a silane quaternary ammonium salt and isopropyl alcohol. The silane quaternary ammonium salt may include an unreacted organofunctional silane to promote bonding to the surfaces of the ear piece, such as 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. Methods are also provided for coating, or otherwise integrating the antimicrobial treatment on or within a hearing aid, ear bud, ear plug, and hands-free headset.

Abstract: An earphone having an earphone housing including a tip portion dimensioned to be inserted into an ear canal of a wearer, a body portion extending outward from the tip portion, and a tube portion extending from the body portion. The body portion has a face portion that faces a pinna region of the ear when the tip portion is inserted into the ear canal. A primary output opening, that outputs sound from a driver in the housing to the ear canal, is formed in the tip portion. A secondary output opening, that outputs air from the ear canal to the surrounding environment, is formed in the face portion. The primary output opening and the secondary output opening are horizontally aligned when the tube portion is positioned vertically downward and an angle formed between the primary output opening, the tube portion and the secondary output opening is less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: Headsets with non-occluding earbuds are disclosed. The earbud includes a non-occluding housing having a directional sound port offset with respect to a center axis of the earbud. The housing can have an asymmetric shape amenable to in-the-ear retention. Additionally, the housing can have a seamless or nearly seamless construction even though two or more parts are joined together to form the housing. Front and back volumes can exist for a driver of the earbud, and embodiments of this invention use mid-mold and rear-mold structures to achieve desired performance from the earbud. For example, the mid-mold structure can be used to tune the front volume while the rear-mold structure can be used to tune the back volume. Apertures may also be included in the housing to further improve the performance of the earbud.

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: Earphone apparatus (10) comprising: a body (20) configured to be inserted at least in part into an auditory canal of a user's ear, the body (20) housing a driver (30) and defining a passageway (40) connecting the driver (30) to an opening (50) in the body (20) for allowing sound generated by the driver (30) to pass into the auditory canal of the user's ear; and a sensing microphone (60) coupled to the body (20) for providing a feedback signal to a signal processor, the sensing microphone (60) comprising a sensing element (62)(62?)(62?) positioned to sense sound present in the auditory canal of the user's ear; wherein the sensing element (62) (62?)(62?) is spaced from the driver (30).

Abstract: Disclosed is a charging cradle for a headset device, which includes a housing with a surface providing a mounting depression, and a cover with a transparent surface pivotably connected to the housing so as to open and close the mounting depression. The headset device is mounted in the mounting depression so as to charge an internal battery pack provided in the headset device. The cradle protects the headset device under charging, enabling the user to observe the charging state without opening it. An earphone cover for a headset device includes a projected semi-circular fixing ring for preventing the earphone from being removed from the ear. The earphone cover is provided in various sizes to fit a user's ear size, and may be rotated to change the rotational position of the fixing ring so as to enable the user to put the headset device selectively on the right or left ear.

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

Abstract: Cheek stabilizers for audio headsets are disclosed. The audio headset generally include a headset body having first and second regions for positioning near a user's ear and toward the user's mouth, respectively, and a stabilizer extending from the second region of the headset body, the stabilizer being configured to position the second region at a distance away from the user's cheek. The stabilizer may facilitate positioning any metal contacts on the headset body away from the user. The stabilizer may be inverted U-shaped to form a channel over the metal contact or may be configured as one or more ribs disposed adjacent to the metal contact. The stabilizer may also facilitate in positioning a microphone port away from the user's cheek. Where the headset is used with an earpiece worn in the ear, the stabilizer may facilitate maintaining the earpiece within the user's ear.

Abstract: This invention relates to an earphone with a movable push rod structure, which comprising a housing, a sound-emitting unit assembled inside of the housing, and a sound duct connected to the sound-emitting unit for sound transmission, and an earplug connected to the sound duct, with an air duct assembled on the housing for the flow of air inside and outside the earphone, as well as a movable push rod assembled inside the housing and connected with the housing for adjusting air flow condition of the air duct. A completely sealed earphone can be achieved when the push rod is pushed to block the air duct, or an open earphone can be achieved when the push rod is separated from the air duct. This invention has advantages of convenient and flexible regulation of sound modes of the earphones, which can be applied to users who have different requirements for sounds, and also a broader range of applications.

Abstract: An ear tip includes a body shaped to fit at least partially into the outer ear of a wearer and having a coefficient of friction greater than 2.0. The body has an outer surface having a permanent coating on at least the part shaped to fit into the outer ear with a coefficient of friction of less than 2.0.

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

Abstract: An earphone includes a speaker unit, a housing that covers a rear surface of the speaker unit, and a bushing having a cord holding portion that holds a cord that carries an audio signal to the speaker unit and is running to the outside of the housing. The bushing also has an extended portion that is extended into the housing and spread along an inner surface of the housing. The inner surface of the housing faces the rear surface of the speaker unit.

Abstract: An ear piece for providing audio (e.g., from an electronic device) to the user is provided. The ear piece may include a compliant element operative to be inserted in the user's ear such that the compliant element deforms to retain the ear piece in the user's ear. The compliant element may include a connector portion coupling the compliant element to the ear piece housing, and an outer portion folded over the ear piece housing. To improve the user's comfort, the parting lines and other manufacturing defects may be hidden from view and from touch (e.g., the parting lines are then on the inner surface of the outer portion).

Abstract: A system and method of resuming media playback on a mobile device can include playing media on a mobile device and outputting audio associated with the playing media to an audio output device. The media can be paused in response to receiving an interrupt request. A play request can be received to resume playing of the media on the mobile device. A determination can be made as to whether the audio output device is communicatively coupled to the mobile device. The media can resume play in response to the audio output device being communicatively coupled to the mobile device. In another implementation, media can resume play if a determination is made that the audio output device outputting the audio associated with the media before the interrupt request is the same audio output device that will output audio associated with the media after the interrupt request.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a tooth or teeth 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. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other bone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.