An earmold having an earmold shell, the earmold shell having a first end facing a tympanic membrane when the earmold is worn by a user, and a second end facing toward a surrounding of the user when the earmold is worn by the user, includes: a receiver configured to provide an audio output signal; a receiver channel coupled to an output of the receiver and extending to a receiver opening in the first end; and a vent channel coupled to the receiver channel through a first vent port, the vent channel having a vent opening in the second end; wherein the receiver channel comprises a closing element, the closing element comprising a first magnetic member, wherein the closing element is configured to cause the first vent port to be open when in a first state, and to cause the first vent port to be closed when in a second state.

A hearing device has an ear plug for insertion into an ear canal of a user of the hearing device. The ear plug comprises a vent having a vent valve device configured to open or close the vent. The hearing device is configured to obtain a predetermined audio signal representing a sound emitted by the vent when the vent valve device is being manipulated. The signal processor is configured to output a phase-inverted version of the predetermined audio signal to the receiver substantially at the same time as the vent valve device is manipulated, thus cancelling out the sound of the vent. The predetermined audio signal may be obtained during manufacture of the hearing device or it may be picked up by an in-the-ear microphone. Accordingly, the unpleasant sound of a vent being opened or closed while the hearing device is worn by a user is reduced or eliminated.

An apparatus for a hearing instrument, the hearing instrument being configured to be at least partially placed in an ear canal of a wearer of the hearing instrument, the apparatus comprising: a sealing element configured to seal off the ear canal when the hearing instrument with the apparatus is at least partially positioned in the ear canal, wherein operation of the sealing element is controlled by an electric control signal, the sealing element being at least partially made from an electroactive material.

An ear tip apparatus for use with a hearing device is provided and comprises a malleable structure. The malleable structure is sized and configured for placement in an ear canal of a user. The malleable structure is deformable to allow an adjustable venting of the ear canal, thereby minimizing the occlusion effect. Methodology for adjusting a degree of venting of the ear canal is also provided, including the automatic adjustments. Adjusting the degree of venting may be done in response to one or more of detected feedback or an environmental cue.

An assembly of a sound generator having a sound output, a spout connected to the receiver, the spout having a sound channel having a first opening connected to the sound output and a second opening from which sound may be output. The spout has one or more third openings blocked by fastening portions of a dome, and a sensor positioned in the sound channel at the third opening(s). Sound may pass the sensor in the sound channel while travelling in the third opening(s). The assembly may be a personal hearing instrument and the sensor may be a microphone.

A method for operating a hearing aid which has a vent and the vent has a controllable closure for opening and closing the vent. The opening and closing of the vent is linked via a control rule to an environmental parameter, wherein the vent is controlled depending on the environmental parameter. The environmental parameter is ascertained and the vent is opened or closed in accordance with the control rule depending on the environmental parameter. The control rule is configured user-specifically. There are also described a corresponding hearing aid and a computer program product.

An acoustic filter (100) comprises a filter housing (10) with an acoustic channel (11) and acoustic valve (20) in the channel The acoustic valve (20) can be moved to along a trajectory (S) between positions (P1, P2). An actuator (30) is configured to actuate the acoustic valve (20) along the trajectory (S). The actuator (30) comprises one or more mechanical elements (31,32). The mechanical elements can move the acoustic valve (20) along at least an initial part of the trajectory. The actuator (30) comprises one or more magnetic elements (41, 42) with a magnetic field (M1,M2) configured to exert a magnetic force (Fm) on the acoustic valve (20). This may help to move the acoustic valve (20) to the second position (P2) along a final part of the trajectory and keep the acoustic valve (20) at the second position (P2). Accordingly the stroke of the valve can be enhanced.

A hearing device includes an acoustic transducer having a membrane configured to generate sound waves, a housing enclosing a first chamber and a second chamber acoustically coupled by the membrane, a sound outlet configured to release sound waves from the first chamber into the ear canal, and an acoustic port acoustically coupling the second chamber to an ambient environment outside the ear canal.

A personal hearing device with a first dome, a receiver, a speaker channel extending from the receiver through the dome to a speaker channel output, an acoustic vent channel extending from outside of the receiver and through the dome, where an acoustic separation is provided between the speaker channel output and the vent opening to reduce the amount of sound output by the receiver entering the vent channel.

The present invention provides a customizable ear insert for fitting within a user's outer ear or ear canal or both and methods therefor. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a customizable ear insert having: a body formed of photocurable polymer, the body having a first shape configured for insertion into the outer ear canal of a user; a light source, the light source positioned adjacent the body, and wherein the body can be cured into a second shape by application of light generated by the light source, the second shape snugly conforming to the interior surface of the user's outer ear or ear canal or both.