Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an earphone including a fixing structure, a first microphone array, a processor, and a speaker. The fixing structure is configured to fix the earphone near a user's ear without blocking the user's ear canal and including a hook-shaped component and a body part. The first microphone array is located in the body part and is configured to pick up environmental noise. The processor is located in the hook-shaped component or the body part and is configured to estimate a sound field at a target spatial position using the first microphone array and generate a noise reduction signal based on the estimated sound field. The target spatial position is closer to the user's ear canal than any microphone in the first microphone array. The speaker is located in the body part and is configured to output a target signal according to the noise reduction signal.

A method is disclosed for operating a hearing device, comprising a receiver and an active vent. The method includes 1) upon request to switch the active vent into a different state, estimating a transfer function (H, H.sub.rec.fwdarw.mic) from the receiver to obtain a first transfer function (Ĥ.sub.a), 2) subsequently switching the active vent, 3) subsequently estimating a transfer function (H, H.sub.rec.fwdarw.mic) from the receiver to obtain a second transfer function (Ĥ.sub.b), 4) comparing the first transfer function (Ĥ.sub.a) to the second transfer function (Ĥ.sub.b) to obtain a divergence measure (D), 5) concluding that the active vent has actually been switched into the different state if the divergence measure (D) exceeds a threshold (D.sub.diff).

The present disclosure provides an earphone with a duct unit dividing a pressure equilibrium hole and a back hole. The earphone includes a driver unit including a frame, a magnetic circuit, a voice coil, a diaphragm configured to reproduce sound, and a pressure equilibrium hole configured to improve a pressure difference between front and rear sides of the driver unit, and a back hole configured to smooth vibration of the diaphragm. A housing allows the driver unit to be installed therein and includes a vent hole. A duct unit provided in the housing adjusts a size of a back volume in the housing and provides a flow path from the pressure equilibrium hole to the vent hole.

A sound output device according to an embodiment includes: an acoustic path (70) and a microphone (100b). The acoustic path connects a first space (54b) formed on a front surface of a driver unit (106) and the outside of a housing (50b) including the driver unit separately from a second space (55b) formed on a back surface of the driver unit. The microphone is disposed in the vicinity of an opening where the acoustic path is connected to the outside of the housing.

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system including: an ear tip including a transmit circuit having a first Q value, wherein the ear tip includes a transmit coil wound on a ferrite core; a contact hearing device including a receive circuit having a second Q value, wherein the first Q value is greater than the second Q value; a receive coil positioned on the contact hearing device, wherein the receive coil includes a core of a non-ferromagnetic material.

Playback devices such as headphone devices can include an earpiece configured to be positioned adjacent a user's ear. The earpiece can include a transducer having a diaphragm configured to face toward the user's ear when the earpiece is positioned adjacent the user's ear, as well as an outlet vent in fluid communication with the transducer and a microphone. A support member within the earpiece includes a first opening aligned with the microphone and a second opening aligned with the outlet vent. An acoustic mesh extends over the first opening and the second opening, wherein the mesh has a substantially uniform acoustic impedance.

At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an eartip or earplug configured to inserted in an ear canal of a user. The eartip or earplug is configured to occlude or partially occlude the ear canal of the user. The eartip or earplug includes a projected tip with various support structures designed to provide enhanced stability, comfort, and/or firmer insertion.

A user content audio signal is converted into sound that is delivered into an ear canal of a wearer of an in-ear speaker, while the in-ear speaker is sealing off the ear canal against ambient sound leakage. An acoustic or venting valve in the in-ear speaker is automatically signaled to open, so that sound inside the ear canal is allowed to travel out into an ambient environment through the valve, while activating conversion of an ambient content audio signal into sound for delivery into the ear canal. Both user content and ambient content are heard by the wearer. The ambient content audio signal is digitally processed so that certain frequency components have been gain adjusted, based on an equalization profile, so as to compensate for some of the insertion loss that is due to the in-ear speaker blocking the ear canal. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

A portable listening device comprising: a device housing defining an internal cavity; an acoustic port formed through the device housing; an audio driver disposed within the device housing and aligned to emit sound through the acoustic port; a multifunction input button coupled to the device housing, the multifunction input button having a distal end and a proximate end, a centerline between the distal and proximate ends and an axis of rotation located between the center line and the proximate end; an electronic circuit disposed within the device housing that requires power to operate and is configured to detect activation of the button; and a battery disposed within the device housing and operable to provide power to the electronic circuit.

Embodiments of the inventive subject matter described in this application are directed to headset audio systems that incorporate components designed to improve sound reproduction in certain ranges. For example, in some embodiments, an acoustic chamber and a venting portion are incorporated into an internal portion of a headset audio system such that the vent is configured to improve bass response. Different vent shapes and sizes can affect speaker performance. Moreover, in some embodiments, the acoustic chamber can additionally include a vent.