A device or a method using the device includes a balloon configured to seal a user's orifice, where the balloon is configured to produce an acoustic seal between a first side and a second side of the balloon in an ear canal. At least a second side of the balloon is fitted into the ear canal. Audio processing circuitry produces an audio signal for driving a speaker in the device and to measure sound level using output from the microphone in the device while the speaker is being driven by the audio signal. The device or method further includes control circuitry to evaluate a seal quality of the device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of testing the earphone for proper sealing then generating a self-administered hearing test.

A method of determining an audio controller for a headphone that is configured to use an acoustic transducer to develop sound that is delivered to an ear of a user and that includes a feedback microphone that is configured to sense sound developed by the acoustic transducer, and a related computer program product and system. A first audio transfer function between the acoustic transducer and the feedback microphone is measured. A second audio transfer function between the acoustic transducer and the feedback microphone with a feedback controller applied is determined. The audio controller is calculated based on both the first audio transfer function and the second audio transfer function.

A hearing device seal module in accordance with at least one of the present inventions includes a tubular seal carrier defining a lumen configured to receive a hearing device core and including a connector region and a resilient seal support region formed from resilient material, a seal carrier support connected to the seal carrier connector region of the tubular seal carrier, including a support tube defining a longitudinal axis and a lumen configured to permit movement of the hearing device core and a tool along the longitudinal axis, and having an open state and a closed state.

A monitoring system can include an earpiece, a database with stored earpiece characteristics data, and a microphone to receive a plurality of signals where each signal of the plurality of signals can represents a respective sound pressure level of sound pressure values over a time duration. The system can also include a processor and a memory coupled processor, the memory having computer instructions which when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform the operations. The operations can include determining exposure time duration when a signal of the plurality of signals exceeds a sound pressure level threshold value, retrieving a subset of data of the stored earpiece characteristics data, and modifying an acoustic output of the earpiece in accordance with the subset of data of the stored earpiece characteristics data.

In-ear sound pressure level, SPL, is determined that is caused by output audio being converted into sound by a headset worn by a user. The in-ear SPL is converted into a sound sample having units that are suitable for evaluating sound noise exposure. These operations are repeated to produce a sequence of sound samples during playback. This sequence of sound samples is then written to a secure database. Access to the database is authorized by the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of testing the earphone for proper sealing then generating a self-administered hearing test.

Occlusion devices, earpiece devices and methods of forming occlusion devices are provided. An occlusion device is configured to occlude an ear canal. The occlusion device includes an insertion element and at least one expandable element disposed on the insertion element. The expandable element is configured to receive a medium via the insertion element and is configured to expand, responsive to the medium, to contact the ear canal. Physical parameters of the occlusion device are selected to produce a predetermined sound attenuation characteristic over a frequency band, such that sound is attenuated more in a first frequency range of the frequency band than in a second frequency range of the frequency band.

A monitoring system can include an earpiece, a database with stored earpiece characteristics data, and a microphone to receive a plurality of signals where each signal of the plurality of signals can represents a respective sound pressure level of sound pressure values over a time duration. The system can also include a processor and a memory coupled processor, the memory having computer instructions winch when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform the operations. The operations can include determining exposure time duration when a signal of the plurality of signals exceeds a sound pressure level threshold value, retrieving a subset of data of the stored earpiece characteristics data, and modifying an acoustic output of the earpiece in accordance with the subset of data of the stored earpiece characteristics data.

An in-ear device occludes an ear canal of an ear of a user. The in-ear device is configured to be calibrated such that the user perceives audio content as though the in-ear device is not occluding the ear canal. A transducer of the in-ear device presents audio content, and an inner microphone of the in-ear device detects sound pressure data within the ear canal. A controller of the in-ear device determines a blocked sound pressure at the entrance to the ear canal based on sound pressure data from an outer microphone. The controller generates sound filters custom to the user based in part on the detected sound pressure within the ear canal and the blocked sound pressure at the entrance to the ear canal. The controller adjusts audio content using the sound filter, and the transducer presents the adjusted audio content to the user.