Patent classifications
H04R25/603
HEARING DEVICE COMPRISING A FEEDBACK CONTROL SYSTEM
A hearing aid adapted for being worn by a user at or in an ear of the user comprises a) at least one input transducer for converting sound in an environment around the user to at least one electric input signal representing said sound; b) an output transducer for converting a processed output signal provided in dependence of said at least one electric input signal to stimuli perceivable to the user as sound; c) a feedback control system comprising an adaptive filer, the feedback control system being configured to provide an adaptively determined estimate (h*(n)) of a current feedback path (h(n)) from said output transducer to said at least one input transducer in dependence of c1) said at least one electric input signal, c2) said processed output signal, and c3) an adaptive algorithm. The hearing aid further comprises d) a database comprising a multitude (M) of previously determined candidate feedback paths (hm); and e) a controller configured to identify a change in the current feedback path (h(n)) based on the adaptively determined estimate (h*(n)) of the current feedback path and at least one of said multitude of previously determined candidate feedback paths (h.sub.m). A method of operating a hearing aid is further disclosed. The invention may e.g. be used in hearing aids, e.g. binaural hearing aid systems or headsets, or speakerphones, or combinations thereof.
Binaural hearing system for providing sensor data indicative of a physiological property, and method of its operation
The disclosure relates to a hearing system including a first hearing device configured to be worn at a first ear of a user and a second hearing device configured to be worn at a second ear of the user. The first hearing device includes a first physiological sensor configured to provide sensor data indicative of a physiological property of the user and the second hearing device includes a second physiological sensor configured to provide sensor data indicative of the same physiological property as the sensor data provided by the first physiological sensor. A processing unit may be configured to control the first and second physiological sensor to alternatingly provide the sensor data in subsequent time intervals.
Method for operating a hearing device
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).
PINNAL DEVICE
Disclosed examples include devices that are wearable at a recipient’s pinna and configured to deliver bone-conduction vibrations directly to the pinna. The device can be so configured by having a vibration transfer surface disposed within the pinna when the device is worn. The devices can lack a component configured to deliver vibrations to a non-pinnal surface, such as the ear canal. The devices can include a projection configured to be disposed within a recipient’s ear canal that is vibrationally decoupled from the remainder of the device.
SENSOR MOUNTING FEATURES IN A CUSTOM-FITTED HEARING DEVICE SHELL
An ear-wearable electronic device includes a shell having a uniquely-shaped outer surface that corresponds uniquely to an ear geometry of a user of the ear-wearable device. The device includes an elongated sensor assembly. A mounting bridge is formed integrally with the shell and has a mounting surface that supports the elongated sensor assembly. An elongated void is in the shell that exposes the mounting surface of the mounting bridge. The shell includes an access void that extends from the inner surface to the outer surface of the shell near a first end of the mounting bridge. The access void is larger than a minor cross section of the elongated sensor assembly such that the elongated sensor assembly is able to pass through the access void and be held against the mounting surface.
Avoidance of user discomfort due to pressure differences by vent valve, and associated systems and methods
Systems and methods are disclosed for avoidance of user discomfort due to pressure differences by vent valve. In one embodiment, a method for equalizing air pressure in ear canal includes sensing a pressure difference between a pressure in ear canal (P.sub.EC) and an ambient pressure (P.sub.AMB) by a sensor of a hearing device. Based on sensing the pressure difference, an active valve is set to a first position to open a vent through the hearing device or to a second position to close the vent through the hearing device.
Modular hearing instrument comprising electro-acoustic calibration parameters
A hearing instrument includes: a first portion shaped and sized for placement at a pinna of a user's ear; and a second portion having an earpiece for placement in the user's ear canal; wherein the second portion also comprises a connector assembly configured for electrically coupling to the first portion, the connector assembly having a plurality of connector wires, the plurality of connector wires comprising a first connector wire; wherein the second portion also comprises a receiver or miniature loudspeaker for receipt of an audio drive signal through at least the first connector wire; and wherein the second portion also comprises a non-volatile memory circuit having a data interface configured for receipt and transmittal of module data, the non-volatile memory circuit configured to store the module data, wherein the stored module data at least comprises electroacoustic calibration parameter(s) of the receiver or the miniature loudspeaker.
WATER IMMUNE USER-ACTUATABLE TOUCH CONTROL FOR AN EAR-WORN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer, electronic circuitry disposed in or supported by the housing, a controller disposed in the housing and coupled to the electronic circuitry, and a rechargeable power source and charging circuitry respectively disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to the controller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at a wall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is operatively coupled to the controller and comprises a touch sensor coupled to the first and second charge contacts. The touch sensor comprises a threshold detector configured to distinguish between skin contact with the first and second charge contacts and contact between a conductive material more conductive than skin and the first and second charge contacts.
Damping in contact hearing systems
Embodiments of the present invent include a method of controlling unwanted vibration in a tympanic lens, wherein the tympanic lens comprises a perimeter platform connected to a microactuator through at least one biasing element, the method comprising the step of: damping the motion of the at least one biasing element. In embodiments of the invention, the at least one biasing element is a spring. In embodiments of the invention, the at least one bias spring is coated in a damping material.
MAGNET POSITIONING IN AN EXTERNAL DEVICE
A button sound processor, including an RF coil, such as an inductance coil, and a sound processing apparatus and a magnet, which can be a permanent magnet, wherein the button sound processor has a skin interface side configured to interface with skin of a recipient, and the button sound processor is configured such that the magnet is installable into the button sound processor from the skin interface side.