A device to transmit an audio signal to a user comprises a transducer and a support. The support is configured for placement on the eardrum to drive the eardrum. The transducer is coupled to the support at a first location to decrease occlusion and a second location to drive the eardrum. The transducer may comprise one or more of an electromagnetic balanced armature transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a magnetostrictive transducer, a photostrictive transducer, or a coil and magnet. The device may find use with open canal hearing aids.

In embodiments of the invention, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system including: a transmit coil positioned in an ear tip wherein the transmit coil includes an electrical coil wound on a ferrite core; a receive coil positioned on a contact hearing device wherein the receive coil includes an electrical coil without a core; a load connected to the receive coil; and a demodulation circuit connected to the receive coil and the load wherein the demodulation circuit includes a voltage doubler and a peak detector.

The present subject matter relates to an improved connection assembly for hearing assistance devices. The improved connection assembly provides a connection system that is reliable, straightforward to manufacture, and easy to use. The present connection assembly provides a rapid replacement option for the cable and/or the receiver or other electronics connected to the cable. The present subject matter provides for a connection assembly that can be extended to provide connections for a variety of applications which are not limited to a speaker (receiver) in the ear. Sensors and new configurations of component placement are supported using the present assembly, including, but not limited to telecoils, and GMR or TMR sensors. Various electromagnetic interference issues are addressed. In some examples a shielded set of wires are included. In some examples a twisted pair of wires is included. Various combinations of wires for different applications are supported with the present connector system.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for audio synchronization for hearing devices. An audio packet is received from a host device at a first hearing device configured to be worn in a first ear of a wearer, the audio packet compatible with a wireless low energy digital communication protocol, and the audio packet is received from the host device at a second hearing device configured to be worn in a second ear of the wearer. Upon one or more programmable conditions, a synchronization packet is sent from the first hearing device to the second hearing device. An acknowledgment packet is sent from the second hearing device to the first hearing device upon receipt of the synchronization packet, and a first transducer at the first hearing device and a second transducer at the second hearing device are unmuted to deliver synchronized audio to the first ear and to the second ear.

Systems and methods discussed herein can be used to augment or induce brainwave behavior, such as using auditory stimulus, in an example, ambient acoustic information can be received, selectively modulated, and presented to a user in a substantially continuous manner. A low frequency portion of received ambient acoustic information can be modulated and then combined with a high frequency portion of the ambient acoustic information to produce a combined signal. The combined signal can be provided to the user as an auditory stimulation signal.

A method of providing a custom visual marking on a earing device includes: providing a hearing device comprising a behind-the-ear (BTE) component, an in-the-ear (ITE) component, and a connector having a proximal end connected to the ITE component and a distal end connected to the BTE component, the connector comprising a flexible member extending between the proximal and distal ends; arranging the BTE component behind the ear of the user, and arranging the ITE component in the ear canal of the user so that the connector has a covered portion inserted in the ear canal and an exposed portion outside the ear canal; and providing a visual marking on the connector, wherein the visual marking distinguishes the covered portion from the exposed portion. Further disclosed is a connector and a hearing device.

A hearing device includes: an earpiece having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the earpiece is configured for insertion into an ear canal of a user, and wherein at least a part of the earpiece is configured for placement along a first bend of the ear canal; wherein the earpiece comprises a flexible member, at least a part of the flexible member located at the first end of the earpiece, wherein at least a part of the flexible member is configured for placement along a second bend of the ear canal located between the first bend and an eardrum.

A heart rate sensor within a hearing assistance device may provide heart rate information or other sensor data, which may be used to determine how well the hearing assistance device fits the patient's ear. The heart rate sensor data provides quantitative feedback that indicates how well the hearing assistance device fits the patient's ear. The heart rate sensor data may be used to provide an indication to the patient to reseat or otherwise adjust the fitting of the hearing assistance device. The improved fitting process provides the ability for the audiologist and patient to identify a preferred or optimized hearing assistance device geometry. This improved fit provides improved performance and reliability of the hearing assistance device.

Each accessory device in a set of accessory devices may establish a respective communication link between the accessory device and an ear-wearable device. A particular accessory device in the set of accessory devices may receive data via the communication link between the particular accessory device and the ear-wearable device. The data comprise information generated based on sensor signals from sensors that monitor a user of the ear-wearable device. The accessory devices perform a health monitoring activity based on the data.

A hearing aid comprises a) an ITE-part adapted for being located at or in an ear canal of the user, b) a forward path for processing sound from the environment of the user. The forward path comprises b1) at least one first input transducer providing at least one first electric input signal representing said sound as received at the respective at least one first microphone, said at least one first input transducer being located to allow picking up sound from the environment of the user, b2) an audio signal processor comprising a gain unit for applying a frequency and/or level dependent prescribed gain to compensate for a hearing impairment of the user to said at least one first electric input signal, or a signal or signals originating therefrom, and configured to provide a processed signal in dependence thereof, b3) an output transducer for providing stimuli perceivable as sound to the user in dependence of said processed signal. The hearing aid further comprises c) at least one second input transducer providing at least one second electric input signal representing said sound as received at the at least one second input transducer, the at least one second input transducer being located in said ITE-part to pick up sound at the eardrum of the user, d) a correlator configured to determine a correlation measure between the at least one second electric input signal, or a signal originating therefrom, and a signal of the forward path and e) a gain modifier configured to modify said gain of the gain unit in dependence of said correlation measure. A method of operating a hearing aid is further disclosed.