Patent classifications
A61B5/125
PERCEPTION CHANGE-BASED ADJUSTMENTS IN HEARING PROSTHESES
Presented herein are substantially automated techniques that enable an electro-acoustic or other hearing prosthesis implanted in a recipient to use objective measurements to determine when the recipient is likely experiencing sound perception changes. Once one or more perception changes are detected, the hearing prosthesis may initiate one or more remedial actions to, for example, address the perception changes. As described further below, the one or more remedial actions may include adjustments to the recipient's operational map to reverse the one or more perception changes.
VESTIBULAR ELECTRODE ARRAY
Techniques and electrode array designs can facilitate implantation of a vestibular electrode array proximate a target treatment location of the recipient’s vestibular system. An example vestibular electrode array can include a variety of mechanisms to provide fine control of the vestibular electrode array’s position in the vestibular space. Further, the position can be guided by real time feedback mechanisms, such as fluoroscopy or electrophysiological measures to assist with optimizing the position of the vestibular electrode array.
OCCLUSION DEVICE CAPABLE OF OCCLUDING AN EAR CANAL
Occlusion devices, earpiece devices and methods of occluding an ear canal are provided. An occlusion device includes an insertion element, a foldable element and an expandable element. The foldable element is disposed on the insertion element and is configured to receive a medium via the insertion element. The expandable element is disposed over the foldable element. The foldable element is configured to unfold, responsive to the medium, and cause the expandable element to expand to contact the ear canal.
IN-EAR ELECTRODES FOR AR/VR APPLICATIONS AND DEVICES
A device for performing electrical measurements for in-ear monitoring is provided. The device includes an in-ear fixture configured to fit in an ear canal of a user, a first electrode mounted on the in-ear fixture and configured to receive an electronic signal from the skin, and an internal microphone to receive an acoustic signal, propagating through the ear of the user. The device also includes an external microphone coupled to receive an external acoustic signal, propagating through an environment, and a processor that is coupled to an augmented reality headset, the processor identifies a cardiovascular condition, or a neurologic condition of the user based on at least one of the electronic signals, the internal acoustic signal, and the external acoustic signal. A memory storing instructions which, when executed by a processor cause a method of use of the above device. The memory, the processor and the method are also provided.
IN-EAR TEMPERATURE SENSORS FOR AR/VR APPLICATIONS AND DEVICES
An in-ear device for immersive reality applications is provided. The device includes an in-ear fixture configured to seal an ear canal of a user, a temperature sensor mounted on the in-ear fixture and configured to receive a temperature signal from the ear canal of the user, and a processor that is coupled to an augmented reality headset, the processor configured to identify a health condition of the user based on the temperature signal. A method for using the above device, a memory storing instructions and a processor that executes the instructions to perform the method are also provided.
IN-EAR OPTICAL SENSORS FOR AR/VR APPLICATIONS AND DEVICES
An in-ear device for immersive reality applications is provided. The device includes a fixture configured to fit in an ear canal of a user, an emitter mounted on the in-ear fixture and configured to emit a first electromagnetic radiation onto the ear canal of the user, a detector configured to provide a signal indicative of a second electromagnetic radiation from the ear canal of the user, and a processor that is coupled to an augmented reality headset, the processor configured to identify a health condition of the user based on the signal, wherein the second electromagnetic radiation includes at least a portion of the first electromagnetic radiation reflected from a tissue in the ear canal of the user. A memory storing instructions to cause processors in a system to perform a method for use of the above in-ear device, the memory, the processor, the system and the method are also provided.
IN-EAR MOTION SENSORS FOR AR/VR APPLICATIONS AND DEVICES
An in-ear device for immersive reality applications is provided. The device includes an in-ear fixture configured to fit in an ear canal of a user, a motion sensor mounted on the in-ear fixture and configured to provide a motion signal indicative of an inner body motion or a bulk body motion of the user, a speaker coupled to provide an audio signal to the user, and a processor that is coupled to an augmented reality headset, the processor configured to identify a health condition of the user based on the motion signal. A method for using the above device, a memory and a processor for storing and executing instructions to perform the method are also provided.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF ESTIMATING HEARING THRESHOLDS USING AUDITORY BRAINSTEM RESPONSES
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems and non-transitory computer readable media of estimating hearing thresholds using auditory brainstem responses (ABR). An example method includes: presenting at least one stimulus to a subject; receiving first ABR signals responsive to the at least one stimulus; fitting a model to at least the first ABR signals to provide a fitted model; generating, using the fitted model, predicted hearing thresholds across a range of frequencies and uncertainty associated with the hearing thresholds; determining a next stimulus based, at least in part, on the uncertainty associated with the hearing thresholds; and presenting the next stimulus to the subject.
Ear probe for hearing testing
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.
UTILIZATION OF VOCAL ACOUSTIC BIOMARKERS FOR ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICE UTILIZATION
A body worn or implantable hearing prosthesis, including a device configured to capture an audio environment of a recipient and evoke a hearing percept based at least in part on the captured audio environment, wherein the hearing prosthesis is configured to identify, based on the captured audio environment, one or more biomarkers present in the audio environment indicative of the recipient's ability to hear.