An analysis system has at least one monitoring assembly that includes at least one microphone to monitor an acoustic field proximate the monitoring assembly. The at least one microphone produces at least one microphone signal responsive to the acoustic field. The analysis system further includes a data storage device configured to buffer the at least one microphone signal and an audio analysis system configured to analyze a content of the data storage device where the audio analysis system is configured to analyze the content of the buffer to process at least a sound into a response or action.

At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of generating preferred dynamic range function to process audio reproduced by an earphone device. The function includes processing the audio to improve speech intelligibility. The function is acquired with a self-administered hearing test.

An over-the-ear hearing assessment device and a method for evaluating the performance of over-the-ear hearing devices are described. An exemplary over-the-ear hearing assessment device includes an ear cup defining an interior volume and positionable at least partially over the ear of a user. The ear cup includes a shell, a cushion, and an acoustic port extending from an exterior to the interior volume of the ear cup. The acoustic port is sealably engagable with a microphone.

A wearable audio output device with a rotatable input mechanism outputs first audio that is based on first media and, while outputting the first audio, receives a first input via the rotatable input mechanism. In response to receiving the first input: in accordance with a determination that the first input is a first type of input to the rotatable input mechanism that includes rotation of the rotatable input mechanism, the wearable audio output device changes an audio output volume of the first audio based on the rotation of the rotatable input mechanism while continuing to output the first audio; and, in accordance with a determination that the first input is a second type of input to the rotatable input mechanism, where the second type of input is different from the first type of input, the wearable audio output device ceases to output the first audio.

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.

A sound attenuating apparatus may include a replaceable sound attenuating device and an electronic receiver configured to mate with the replaceable sound attenuating device. The replaceable sound attenuating device may include a sound attenuating material having an embedded sensor element. The sensor element may have a property that corresponds to a type of replaceable sound attenuating device. The electronic receiver may detect the property of the sensor element. A computing device may determine the type of the replaceable sound attenuating device from the property of the sensor element and perform one or more operations based on the type of replaceable sound attenuating device, including audio control, safety warnings, personal attenuation rating determinations, and the like.

A method performed by an in-ear headphone. Coupled to the in-ear headphone is a first ear tip that is inserted into an ear canal of a user. The method obtains an audio signal from an audio source device paired with the in-ear headphone and uses the signal to drive a speaker of the headphone to output a sound into the ear canal. The method obtains a microphone signal that is responsive to the outputted sound. The method notifies the user to replace the first ear tip with a second ear tip in response to a parameter associated with the microphone signal being less than a threshold.

A measurement system includes earphones configured to be worn on a left ear and a right ear of a user and be interchangeably attached with earpieces having different sizes on one end portion of each, and a wireless terminal. Each of the earphones collects a sound signal by a microphone of the earphone in a case that the earphone outputs a sound signal from its speaker, the measurement system performs measurement processing to determine whether an ear of the user is sealed by the worn earpiece, and the wireless terminal includes a display unit, and displays, on the display unit, a notification indicating that a size of the worn earpiece is a most suitable size among sizes of the plurality of earpieces, or a notification urging replacement with another earpiece having a size larger than or smaller than the size of the worn earpiece.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods, apparatus and systems for authentication of a user. The described embodiments relate to obtaining ear biometric data for a user to be authenticated. The ear biometric data comprises one or more features characteristic of the user's ear canal and an associated fit metric indicative of a positioning of a personal audio device relative to the user's ear canal, the personal audio device comprising a transducer for application of acoustic stimulus to the user's ear to obtain the ear biometric data. The user may be identified as a particular authorised user based on one or more features and the associated fit metric.

An analysis system has at least one monitoring assembly that includes at least one microphone to monitor an acoustic field proximate the monitoring assembly. The at least one microphone produces at least one microphone signal responsive to the acoustic field. The analysis system further includes a data storage device configured to buffer the at least one microphone signal and an audio analysis system configured to analyze a content of the data storage device where the audio analysis system is configured to analyze the content of the buffer to process at least a sound into a response or action.