Abstract: Techniques are provided for mobile platform based detection and prevention (or mitigation) of hearing loss. An example system may include a hearing loss indicator data generation circuit configured to measure hearing loss indicator data associated with use of the device by a user. The hearing loss indicator data may include ambient sound characteristics, user speech volume level and user volume setting of the device. The system may also include an audio context generation circuit configured to estimate context data associated with use of the device. The context data may be based on classification of audio input to the device and on the location of the device. The system may further include an interface circuit configured to collect the hearing loss indicator data and the context data over a selected time period and provide the collected data to a hearing loss analysis system at periodic intervals.

Abstract: Disclosed are a test instrument and testing methods for audibly providing signal metrics (such as signal strength and/or signal quality) of fifth-generation network (5G) beams to assist installation of 5G Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) antenna at a premises. A test instrument may obtain signal metrics and provide audio output based on the signal metrics at various locations of the premises. The audio output may be transmitted to a headphone device worn by a user. In this manner, the user may select an appropriate location on the premises at which to install the 5G CPE antenna via audible queues that are based on the measured signal metric at a given location. The test instrument may provide fine-tuning capabilities by also audibly providing directional information that indicates where the 5G CPE antenna should be pointed or moved to align the 5G CPE antenna to a 5G beam.

Abstract: A method for use in a biometric process, comprising: for a first function and a second function, applying an acoustic stimulus to a user's ear; and for the second function: receiving a response signal of a user's ear to the acoustic stimulus; and extracting, from the response signal, one or more features for use in a biometric process, wherein the first function is a function other than to induce the response signal for use in the biometric process.

Abstract: A smartphone and tympanometer-based middle ear abnormality detection mobile system and a method for detecting middle ear abnormalities by a mobile computing device coupled to a tympanometer is disclosed. The method detects middle ear abnormalities by a smartphone-based tympanometer, thereby allowing mobility for medical practitioners to check for middle ear abnormalities in people unable to visit an ENT at a medical facility. The method is implemented as a software application that runs on the mobile computing device and displays results instantly to help determine any of several types of middle ear infection which may be present. This is a huge improvement over existing process where a doctor has to make that determination based on his/her interpretation of the tympanogram.

Abstract: An in-ear stimulation device for administering caloric stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) first and second earpieces configured to be insertable into the ear canals of the subject; (b) at least first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled to respective ones of the first and second earpieces; (c) a first heat sink thermally coupled to the first thermoelectric device opposite the first earpiece and a second heat sink thermally coupled to the second thermoelectric device opposite the second earpiece; and (d) a controller comprising a waveform generator in communication with the first and second thermoelectric devices, the waveform generator configured to generate a first control signal to control a first caloric output to the first thermoelectric device and a second control signal to control a second caloric output to the second caloric device.

Abstract: An audio device includes a sound emission section which outputs a sound, and a sound reception section to which a sound is inputted. The audio device outputs an acoustic wave into the earhole of the user and authenticates the user based on echo waves created by the earhole. The audio device, when an electronic device is connected thereto, outputs to the electronic device unique authentication information acquired according to an instruction received from the electronic device.

Abstract: A middle ear sound transmission characteristics evaluation system includes a probe; a measuring probe that includes an actuator that vibrates the probe and a force sensor that outputs a voltage in accordance with a reaction force exerted to the actuator when a tip of the probe is brought into contact with ossicles; an electrode that is installed on or near a round window and detects a potential value of a cochlear microphonic when vibration is applied to the ossicles by the probe; a database that stores a sensor voltage value output by the force sensor before surgical treatment, the potential value detected by the electrode, and surgical details; and a surgical details proposing unit that proposes selected surgical details on the basis of the magnitude of at least one of the sensor voltage value and the potential value measured before surgery with reference to the database.

Abstract: An acoustic otoscope generates volume change excitations of either a trapezoidal or sinusoidal waveforms which are coupled into a sealed ear canal using a speculum tip. The change in volume results in a pressure change, for which a pressure measurement is taken during the volume change excitation interval. In one example, a trapezoidal time-domain volume change is presented, and a pressure measurement waveform is stored, the pressure measurement waveform thereafter examined to find a change of slope point in time, after which the pressure measurement waveform is scaled to be equal to the volume change waveform at that same point in time, a difference between scaled pressure measurement and volume excitation is formed, and examined for peak value prior to the earlier determined change in slope point in time.

Abstract: An ear probe assembly comprising a housing structure and a first transducer and a second transducer arranged in said housing structure is disclosed. The ear probe assembly further comprising a channel structure comprising at least a first transducer entrance and a second transducer entrance configured to receive first and second sound ports of the transducers, where further a tip portion is configured to engage with the channel structure in a detachable manner.

Abstract: The present application provides a left and right brain recognition method and device, and relates to the field of wearable devices. The method comprises: in response to that a user listens to an audio content meeting a predetermined condition, acquiring first brain electrical information of a first hemisphere of the user; and recognizing that the first hemisphere is a left brain or a right brain according to the first brain electrical information and reference information. The method and the device provide a left and right brain recognition method, facilitate a device that the user wears to perform automatic setting according to a recognition result, and enhance user experience.

Abstract: Disclosed are system and methods for automated fitting of a hearing aid, through an automated hearing test based upon which a suitable set of hearing aid parameters is determined.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for enabling adaptive audio signal alteration are described. When an input audio signal is received, a determination of whether the user of an audio device hears the input audio signal is performed based upon brain activity of the user. A determination of whether the user is distracted by the audio signal is performed based upon sensor measurements indicating a physical state of the user. In response to determining that the user hears the input audio signal and that the input audio signal causes the user to be distracted, a determination of configuration parameter(s) is performed. An alteration of audio signal(s) is caused based upon the configuration parameter(s) to obtain modified version(s) of the audio signal(s) that are intended to address the distraction caused by the input audio signal, and output audio signals are output, where the output audio signals include the modified versions.

Abstract: Non-invasive methods of detecting hidden hearing loss (cochlear synaptopathy) based on detection of an abnormal ratio of Summating Potential (SP)/Action Potential (AP) (SP/AP) Ratios.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are examples of methods and systems for performing a calibration check of a personal hearing test system using a built-in calibration cavity, particularly for use by a non-expert user outside the clinical environment. The hearing test system includes a one or more earpieces. The hearing test system further includes a portable test unit having an acoustic calibration cavity for accommodating the earpiece at least partially therein. The acoustic calibration cavity may include an opening along an exterior surface of the portable test unit. The acoustic calibration cavity receives an acoustic calibration stimuli and the microphone provided within the acoustic calibration cavity produces a calibration signal input for measuring and performing a calibration check, or an automatic self-calibration.

Abstract: A system for validation of a hearing aid performance, especially in small children is disclosed. The validation of the performance of hearing aids after having being fitted to a small child who is not able to subjectively provide responses to sounds presented to the child via the hearing aids, is instead done in an objective manner, by using a naturally occurring signal, which has been modulated in order to create an ASSR evoking speech stimulus which is not considered as noise by a hearing aid.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a client device for hearing device communication and related method. The client device comprises a processing unit, a memory unit, and an interface. The processing unit is configured to send a session request for a session to the hearing device via the interface. The processing unit is configured to receive a session response from the hearing device via the interface. The processing unit is configured to obtain a session key based on e.g. the session response. The processing unit is configured to determine hearing device data and/or to generate session data e.g. based on the session key and the hearing device data. The processing unit is configured to send the session data to the hearing device via the interface.

Abstract: An audiometric instrument that includes a dual pressure transducer configuration along a common air line with a first pressure transducer situated in a probe proximate to the ear of a user and a second pressure transducer situated proximate to a pressure control device. A restriction is preferably placed in the air line between the two pressure transducers to assist with obtaining a better comparison of the local pressure measurements from the different pressure transducers.

Abstract: A tinnitus treatment device provides a sound stimulus for tinnitus treatment to a user who is a tinnitus patient on a unit time basis, and includes: a controller; and a recording medium in which a treatment program is stored. The treatment program is executed by the controller to perform: analogizing one or both of a RI effect curve and a TL decrease curve for tinnitus treatment sound provided to the user; generating the tinnitus treatment sound based on the one or both of the RI effect curve and the TL decrease curve which is analogized; and presenting the tinnitus treatment sound generated to the user via a sound presentation unit on the unit time basis to provide the sound stimulus to the user.

Abstract: A hearing test system comprises: a control device for controlling a hearing aid comprising a communication interface arranged to allow two-way communication and software for executing predefined sequences of sounds saved in a memory module of the device in response to an instruction from a control station equipped with remote control software; at least one hearing aid comprising a communication interface arranged to allow two-way communication with the control device, the device comprising a software layer for communication with the hearing aid and being arranged to provide a gateway between the control station and the hearing aid; and means for the sound insulation of the hearing aid.

Abstract: The tinnitus testing apparatus of this invention comprises a control part that in turn comprises: an auditory stimulus generation part that can generate a stimulus; and an AEP acquisition and amplitude measurement part that can acquire auditory evoked potential (AEP) brain waves of a examinee due to said stimulus and measure the specific amplitude of said acquired brainwaves; wherein said auditory stimulus is one or more of: a 1st stimulus containing continuous noise and pulse noise; and a 2nd stimulus containing pulse noise and continuous noise with a silent gap.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool, such as an otoscope or other hand-held diagnostic device features a handle, a head portion and a circuit. The handle includes a controller and the head portion includes one or more optical spectroscopy (OS) components including at least one light detection element. The circuit includes one or more portions configured to be contorted at acute through reflex angles while maintaining electrical connectivity between the controller and the one or more OS components. The circuit includes a first contact area for the at least one light detection element.

Abstract: Technologies disclosed herein can be used to test vibrating actuators, such as those found in auditory prostheses. An example test system includes a trigger signal generator that emits a trigger signal, a test frequency generator that operates in a test mode responsive to receiving a trigger signal, and a diagnostic tool comprising a vibration sensor. The diagnostic tool can measure an output of the vibration sensor.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an earpiece having a balloon and a stent where the balloon is mounted on the stent and the stent incorporates two or more channels including at least an inflation channel and an acoustic channel. In some embodiments the stent is configured to pass audio signals through the acoustic channel where the acoustic channel is independent of the inflation channel of the balloon. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing an audio signal are provided for server-mediated sound personalization on a plurality of consumer devices. A user hearing test is conducted on one of a plurality of audio output devices. Next, the hearing data of the user's hearing test is outputted to a server and stored on the server's database along with a unique user identifier. Next, a set of DSP parameters for a sound personalization algorithm are calculated from the user's hearing data. The DSP parameter set is then outputted to one of a plurality of audio output devices when the user logs in with their unique identifier on an application on the audio output device.

Abstract: An exemplary monitoring system 1) receives a user input command to begin monitoring evoked responses that occur in response to acoustic stimulation during an insertion procedure in which a lead that is communicatively coupled to a cochlear implant is inserted into a cochlea of a patient, the lead having an array of intracochlear electrodes and an extracochlear electrode, the extracochlear electrode physically and communicatively coupled to a probe that is also communicatively coupled to the monitoring system, 2) directs, in response to the user input command, the cochlear implant to short an intracochlear electrode with the extracochlear electrode, 3) presents the acoustic stimulation to the patient, and 4) records the evoked responses that occur in response to the acoustic stimulation by using the intracochlear electrode to detect signals representative of the evoked responses and receiving the detected signals by way of the extracochlear electrode and the probe.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for hearing measurement based on a cochlear model comprising: a processor; and a memory connected to the processor, wherein the memory stores program instructions executable by the processor to output an interface in which n buttons corresponding to n frequency bands into which an audible frequency band is divided at 1/k octave resolution are arranged in a cochlear model, output acoustic signals corresponding to a predetermined hearing threshold in each of the n frequency bands, receive a user's input for whether each of the n frequency bands is inaudible at the predetermined hearing threshold, and output acoustic stimulation signals corresponding to the inaudible frequency band input by the user in predetermined sizes.

Abstract: A primary device arranged to communicate with one or more secondary devices across a communications network. The primary device comprises at least one processor and memory comprising computer executable instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, are configured to: receive an audio signal comprising a voice command associated with a user; determine a secondary device associated with the user from the one or more secondary devices; and transmit a response to the voice command to the determined secondary device.

Abstract: The automated determination of an individual function of a DPOAE level map with pdp,I=f(L1, L2) of human or animal hearing. The method may include reading into a main memory a model function with model parameters of a DPOAE level map, based upon a number of N DPOAE measurements of a stimulation frequency pair with respectively different level pairs in a population (p) of a population of normally hearing subjects, automatically presenting n different level pairs of a stimulation frequency pair via tone output means to an individual and detecting the corresponding DPOAE's of the individual via tone recording means, wherein at least the first level pair is predefined, iteratively adapting the model function to the measured n DPOAE's until an individual function is obtained with individual parameters of a DPOAE level map of the individual, outputting the individual function and/or its individual parameters.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a self fitting hearing device and a method for self fitting the hearing device. Specifically, the disclosed technology relates to transmitting calibration signals from a wireless communication device to a hearing device so that the wireless communication device can provide signals or audio streams calibrated for a self-fitting for a hearing device. The wireless communication device can receive feedback from a hearing device that received a calibration signal and use this feedback to adjust signals it transmits to a hearing device for self fitting. More specifically, the hearing device receiving the calibration signal can determine whether the calibration actually received by the hearing device has criteria that meets a threshold for properly fitting the hearing device.

Abstract: A system for vision testing and/or training of a user is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system includes an eye movement tracking device, a visual display device having an output screen, and a data processing device operatively coupled to the eye movement tracking device and the visual display device. The data processing device being programmed to generate and display the at least one visual object on the output screen of the visual display device; displace the at least one visual object across the output screen of the visual display device; and determine, based upon the signal received from the eye movement tracking device, whether the user is able to accurately track the at least one visual object as the at least one visual object is displaced across the output screen of the visual display device.

Abstract: The invention provides for the generation and output of a plurality of spatiotemporally organized, patterned sound streams that, while soothing, also address the critical need for infant brains to attend to salient acoustic cues in the environment—even during sleep—to facilitate the formation of neuronal connections which are essential for later efficient language processing. The algorithmic auditory sequences that comprise the sound streams are designed to engage the auditory cortex in a beneficial way that supports both development and maintenance of linguistic brain circuitry. Sound sequences constructed according to the invention also support continued fine-tuning of similar neuronal connections in adults. In other embodiments, light patterns can be structured to integrate with the sound patterns to further enhance the integrity of the brain's language processing neural circuitry.

Abstract: An audiometer is provided which has: a main body section; and multiple sets of a headphone section and a response operation section, wherein the main body section performs wireless communication with the headphone section and performs wireless communication with the response operation section independently of the wireless communication with the headphone section, thereby supplying a test sound output command to the headphone section to cause the headphone section to output the test sound and receiving information on operation by a subject from the response operation section, and performs the wireless communication with the headphone section and the response operation section of each set by a time-division multiplexing system.

Abstract: A system for respiration monitoring includes a garment, which is configured to be fitted snugly around a body of a human subject, and which includes, on at least a portion of the garment that fits around a thorax of the subject, a pattern of light and dark pigments having a high contrast at a near infrared wavelength. A camera head is configured to be mounted in proximity to a bed in which the subject is to be placed, and includes an image sensor and an infrared illumination source, which is configured to illuminate the bed with radiation at the near infrared wavelength, and is configured to transmit a video stream of images of the subject in the bed captured by the image sensor to a processor, which analyzes movement of the pattern in the images in order to detect a respiratory motion of the thorax.

Abstract: A smart hearing method in which an external processor is used in order to reduce the cost of a hearing aid, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: determining an operation mode of a hearing aid; and when it is determined that the operation mode of the hearing aid corresponds to a test mode among a normal mode and the test mode, transmitting a received audio signal to a terminal other than the hearing aid.

Abstract: Speech understanding in the presence of background noise can be assessed using novel hearing tests. One such test is a Masking Level Difference with Digits (MLDD) test, which is a clinical tool designed to measure auditory factors that influence the understanding of speech presented within a background of noise. The MLDD test can be used clinically to facilitate a determination of functional hearing. The MLDD test presents background noise using both monotic and diotic conditions.

Abstract: A method and software program is used by patients in situ for fitting and refitting of a DSP-based hearing assistance device. Hearing is tested by selection of one of twenty four playbacks of speech, for each ear. Cognitive training/testing exercises test and train the user to relearn to distinguish between various sounds and particularly speech using the hearing assistance device. The preferred cognitive training/testing includes noise detection exercises, spatial hearing exercises, volume recognition exercises and speech differentiation exercises. The regimens for using the hearing aid depend upon the measured cognitive loss, with different sets of DSP parameters for self-directed, non-assessed cognitive training.

Abstract: The application relates to a method for recording auditory steady-state responses responses of a person, the method comprising a) providing an acoustic stimulus signal to an ear of the person, b) recording the auditory steady-state responses of the person originating from said acoustic stimulus signal. The application further relates to a system. The object of the present application is to excite the auditory system with a signal capable of assessing the auditory systems ability to process speech. The problem is solved in that the acoustic stimulus signal comprises a speech-like stimulus provided as a combination of a series of frequency-specific stimuli, each having a specified (e.g. predetermined) frequency bandwidth, presentation rate, amplitude and amplitude-modulation. An advantage of the disclosure is that it allows a clinical assessment of the effect of a hearing device in a normal mode of operation, i.e. when processing speech stimuli. The invention may e.g.

Abstract: A device and method for the continuous monitoring of otoacoustic emissions (OAE) levels on an individual worker uses as a pair of earpieces each featuring an external microphone, an internal microphone and a pair of miniature receivers. An adaptive filtering noise rejection processing of the measured distortion product OAE (DPOAE) is used to further improve the Signal-to-Noise ratio in frequencies where passive isolation remains insufficient. The adaptive filtering noise rejection technique relies on a Normalized Least-Mean-Square (NLMS) algorithm that uses the ipsilateral external microphone and the contralateral internal microphone to reject the noise from the measured DPOAE signals for each in-ear OAE probe. A DPOAE signal extraction algorithm provides for an increase in results reliability on a greater dynamic range in DPOAE magnitudes than known methods of DPOAE signal extraction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing an audio signal are provided for server-mediated sound personalization on a plurality of consumer devices. A user hearing test is conducted on one of a plurality of audio output devices. Next, the hearing data of the user's hearing test is outputted to a server and stored on the server's database along with a unique user identifier. Next, a set of DSP parameters for a sound personalization algorithm are calculated from the user's hearing data. The DSP parameter set is then outputted to one of a plurality of audio output devices when the user logs in with their unique identifier on an application on the audio output device.

Abstract: Generally, a method performed by one or more processing devices includes generating a graphical user interface that when rendered on a display of the one or more processing devices renders a visual representation of an environment and a visual representation of an object in the environment; retrieving an auditory stimulus with one or more auditory attributes indicative of a location of a virtual target in the environment; receiving information specifying movement of the object in the environment; determining, based on the movement of the object, a proximity of the object to the virtual target; adjusting, based on the proximity, one or more values of the one or more auditory attributes of the auditory stimulus; and causing the one or more processing devices to play the auditory stimulus using the adjusted one or more values.

Abstract: A biological information measurement apparatus includes a biological sensor and an insertion portion, and the biological sensor is disposed at a position opposite the concha when the insertion portion is inserted in the external ear canal.

Abstract: An exemplary behavioral audiogram generation system 1) determines a noise floor within the cochlea of a patient, 2) presents, by way of a loudspeaker, acoustic stimulation having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined amplitude to the patient, 3) detects an evoked response that occurs in response to the acoustic stimulation, 4) determines an amplitude of the evoked response that occurs in response to the acoustic stimulation, and 5) determines, based on the amplitude of the evoked response, on the predetermined amplitude of the acoustic stimulation, and on the noise floor, a behavioral audiogram value for the patient that corresponds to the predetermined frequency.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for mobile platform based detection and prevention (or mitigation) of hearing loss. An example system may include a hearing loss indicator data generation circuit configured to measure hearing loss indicator data associated with use of the device by a user. The hearing loss indicator data may include ambient sound characteristics, user speech volume level and user volume setting of the device. The system may also include an audio context generation circuit configured to estimate context data associated with use of the device. The context data may be based on classification of audio input to the device and on the location of the device. The system may further include an interface circuit configured to collect the hearing loss indicator data and the context data over a selected time period and provide the collected data to a hearing loss analysis system at periodic intervals.

Abstract: A method for detecting characteristics of a Eustachian tube of a patient includes communicating pressurized air into an oro-nasal cavity of the patient. The method further includes directing an energy signal into the oro-nasal cavity. The method further includes detecting transmission of the energy signal from the oro-nasal cavity through the Eustachian tube with a sensor. The method further includes determining at least one characteristic of the Eustachian tube based on whether the energy signal is detected by the sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for identifying non-penetrating brain injury in a subject, as well as methods for classifying a subject that received a hit to the body that transmitted an impulsive force to the brain as either having a non-penetrating brain injury or not, by analyzing one or more components of frequency-following response (FFR) following administration of an acoustic stimulus to the subject. In addition, the present disclosure provides methods for assessing a subject's recovery from a non-penetrating brain injury. Also disclosed herein are processes and systems for automatically generating acoustic stimuli and processing brain response data to identify non-penetrating brain injuries in subjects.

Abstract: In a method for examining the faculty of hearing for at least one ear of a mammal, in which growth curves are determined on the basis of the measurement of DPOAE's evoked by pairs of excitation signals (f1, f2) for different excitation frequencies f2, the ear is presented with first excitation signals with a first excitation frequency f1 and a first noise level L1 and secondary excitation signals with a second excitation frequency f2 and a second noise level L2. Pulse pairs with a first pulse of the first excitation signal and a second pulse of the second excitation signal are presented in the ear, and the DPOAE's evoked thereby are captured and evaluated. A set of at least two different pulse pairs with different second excitation frequencies f2 is presented in one block that is repeated several times during a measuring period.

Abstract: An audiologic test apparatus includes: a pump device configured to apply a first pressure to the ear canal; and a processing module for communicatively coupling to the pump device and to a signal generator, wherein the processing module is configured to obtain first acoustic parameter values indicative of an acoustic parameter at the first pressure based on a first broadband signal generated using the signal generator; wherein the pump device is configured to change the first pressure to a changed pressure, and wherein the pump device is also configured to apply a second pressure to the ear canal; and wherein the processing module is also configured to obtain second acoustic parameter values indicative of the acoustic parameter at the second pressure based on a second broadband signal generated using the signal generator, and determine a middle ear resonance frequency based on the first and second acoustic parameter values.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for integrating a removable fader component with an audio component while also enabling the fader component to be connected with one or more external audio components and/or to function as a standalone fader when removed from the apparatus. Embodiments include an audio component configured to produce a first audio signal; a removable fader component configured with a first connection point for connectivity to the audio component and a second connection point for connectivity to an external audio component that produces a second audio signal, wherein a hardware component, a software component, or a combination thereof for performing a mixing of the first audio signal and the second audio signal is contained within the removable fader component; and a receptacle integrated into the apparatus, wherein the receptacle is configured to hold the removable fader component to the apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided a method for fitting of a binaural hearing system comprising a first hearing device and a second hearing device to a patient suffering from an asymmetric hearing loss for first time use, wherein the difference in hearing loss between the two ears is at least 5 dB on average in a main frequency range between 500 Hz and 4 kHz.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include systems and methods of configuring, e.g., a hearing prosthesis comprising a beamforming microphone array having two or more microphones. Some embodiments include (i) storing a plurality of sets of beamformer coefficients in memory, where each set of beamformer coefficients corresponds to one of a plurality of zones on a recipient's head, and (ii) configuring the hearing prosthesis with a set of beamformer coefficients that corresponds to the zone on the recipient's head where the beamforming microphone array is located. Other embodiments include determining a set of beamformer coefficients based on magnitude and phase differences between microphones of the beamforming array, where the magnitude and phase differences are determined from a plurality of head related transfer function measurements for the microphones.