Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for determining a nozzle of an audio device is, at least partially blocked. More specifically, based on a measured transfer function between the driver and a microphone and an expected transfer function between the driver and the microphone, a blockage is detected. In response to the detected blockage, the user is notified.

The present invention is directed to a hearing aid which includes a lateral ear canal assembly and a medial ear canal assembly. In embodiments of the invention the medial ear canal assembly may include smart circuitry adapted to control parameters and outputs of the medial ear canal assembly. In embodiments of the invention various methods and circuitry are described, wherein the methods and circuitry are adapted to improve the performance and efficiency of the hearing aid.

An audio apparatus, e.g. for rendering audio for a virtual/augmented reality application, comprises a receiver (201) for receiving audio data for an audio scene including a first audio component representing a real-world audio source present in an audio environment of a user. A determinator (203) determines a first property of a real-world audio component from the real-world audio source and a target processor (205) determines a target property for a combined audio component being a combination of the real-world audio component received by the user and rendered audio of the first audio component received by the user. An adjuster determines a render property by modifying a property of the first audio component indicated by the audio data for the first audio component in response to the target property and the first property. A renderer (209) renders the first audio component in response to the render property.

A speaker of a hearing instrument generates a sound that includes a range of frequencies. Furthermore, a microphone of the hearing instrument measures an acoustic response to the sound. A processing system classifies, based on the acoustic response to the sound, a depth of insertion of an in-ear assembly of the hearing instrument into an ear canal of a user. Additionally, the processing system generates an indication based on the depth of insertion of the in-ear assembly of the hearing instrument into the ear canal of the user.

An active noise cancelling system (20) comprising: an earphone (8′) comprising: an electro-acoustic driver (11); and at least one sensing microphone (12, 13); tunable active noise cancelling circuitry (7) operative to receive a signal from the at least one sensing microphone (12, 13), the tunable active noise cancelling circuitry (7) being pre-configured in a standard tuning for a reference ear and comprising at least one noise-control filter (14, 15); and a tuning module (24) operative to configure the earphone (8′) for an individual wearer by: comparing acoustic coupling of the earphone (8′) to the individual wearer's ear with acoustic coupling to the reference ear to determine a deviation in acoustic coupling; and using the determined deviation in acoustic coupling to modify the tunable active noise cancelling circuitry (7) by a predetermined degree based on the determined deviation in acoustic coupling.

A system for evaluating a seal between an earphone of a hearing device and an ear canal that includes a first microphone positioned outside the ear canal, a second microphone positioned inside the ear canal, and a controller. The controller is configured to measure a sound level at one or more test frequencies using the first microphone, measure a sound level at the one or more frequencies using the second microphone, calculate a difference between the sound levels measured using the first and second microphones at each of the one or more test frequencies, and determine a measurement of an ear seal based on the calculated one or more differences.

The present disclosure provides processes, methods, systems, and devices for providing a feedback of a wearable device to a user. The feedback may indicate a level of seal, fitness, or compatibility between the wearable device and the user. For example, the feedback provides an exact measurement and a quantified report regarding how well a seal is created when the user puts on the wearable device that dictates the wearable device's audio playback performance experienced by the user. This allows the user to identify, in addition to the comfort level, a best adjustment or selection of components (e.g., tips, inserts, cups, or the like) of the wearable device to deliver the best audio performance achievable by the wearable device. The wearable device may include ear buds, headphones, headsets, or any audio device physically contacting the user.

An audio apparatus, e.g. for rendering audio for a virtual/ augmented reality application, comprises a receiver (201) for receiving audio data for an audio scene including a first audio component representing a real-world audio source present in an audio environment of a user. A determinator (203) determines a first property of a real-world audio component from the real-world audio source and a target processor (205) determines a target property for a combined audio component being a combination of the real-world audio component received by the user and rendered audio of the first audio component received by the user. An adjuster (207) determines a render property by modifying a property of the first audio component indicated by the audio data for the first audio component in response to the target property and the first property. A renderer (209) renders the first audio component in response to the render property.

A portable acoustic device comprising: a device housing that defines an internal cavity, the device housing comprising a speaker housing portion and a stem portion extending away from the speaker housing portion; a first acoustic port formed through a wall of the speaker housing; an audio driver disposed within the speaker housing portion and aligned to emit sound through the acoustic first port; a battery disposed within the speaker housing portion and positioned an opposite side of the audio driver than the acoustic port; an antenna disposed in the stem; a user input region disposed along the stem; and a system in a chip disposed in the stem, the system in a chip comprising: a processor that controls operation of the portable wireless acoustic device, charging circuitry, an accelerometer, a wireless communication controller, support components for the antenna and support components for the user input region.

A hearing device comprises a receiver module for insertion into an ear canal of a user of the hearing device. The hearing device comprises a signal processor, and a controller. The receiver module comprises an output transducer, a vent having a vent valve device configured to open and close the vent. The controller is configured to electrically manipulate the vent valve device to be in a first position or in a second position based on a first signal received from the signal processor whereby the vent valve device is configured to move between the first position and the second position in response thereto. When the vent valve device enters/arrives in the first position a first sound is produced. When the vent valve device enters/arrives in the second position a second sound is produced. The first sound and/or the second sound are detectable by one or more input transducers.