H04R25/604

Multiple sound source encoding in hearing prostheses

Presented herein are techniques for enhancing a hearing prosthesis recipient's perception of multiple frequencies present in received sound signals. The hearing prosthesis is configured to extract a plurality of frequencies from the received sound signals and to use the plurality of frequencies to modulate the amplitudes of different stimulation pulse sequences that are to be delivered to the recipient via different stimulation channels. The hearing prosthesis may also adapt a stimulation resolution of the stimulation pulse sequences when delivering the modulated stimulation pulses sequences to the recipient.

Cochlear implant headpiece

An integrated headpiece for a cochlear implant system includes a microphone for outputting an audio signal; signal processing electronics for processing the audio signal; and a transmitter for transmitting a processed audio signal received from the electronics to an implanted receiver. All of the microphone, signal processing electronics, and transmitter are disposed in a common housing of the integrated headpiece. The headpiece may also be one of a set of headpieces that can be alternatively used as needed to suit power consumption requirements or environmental conditions. Cochlear implant systems include a circuit board having electronic circuitry configured to generate one or more signals configured to direct electrical stimulation of one or more stimulation sites within a patient, an induction coil configured to transmit a telemetry signal by generating a telemetry magnetic field, and a telemetry flux guide positioned between the induction coil and the circuit board. The telemetry flux guide is configured to direct magnetic flux of the telemetry magnetic field away from the circuit board.

LOOP ANTENNA FOR HEARING AID
20220369049 · 2022-11-17 · ·

A hearing aid including a hearing aid antenna assembly, a transceiver, and an acoustic transducer is provided. The hearing aid assembly includes a resonant loop antenna, a coupling mechanism such as a primary loop, and an electrically conductive assembly. The resonant loop antenna forms an aperture that is arranged to be substantially parallel to a head of the wearer when the hearing aid is worn. The coupling mechanism is configured to transfer RF energy between the transceiver and the resonant loop antenna. The resonant loop antenna excites the electrically conductive assembly. The electrically conductive assembly includes a battery shield. The resonant loop antenna, the coupling mechanism, and/or the electrically conductive assembly are formed in one or more conductive layers of FPCB. The resonant loop antenna includes a course tuning capacitor in series with a fine tuning capacitor. The primary loop includes a resonating capacitor.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN ARRANGEMENT OF TWO FIRST-ORDER DIRECTIONAL MICROPHONES ARRANGED IN TANDEM TO FORM A SECOND-ORDER DIRECTIONAL MICROPHONE SYSTEM
20220360916 · 2022-11-10 ·

Systems and methods for arranging two first-order directional microphones in tandem to form a second-order directional microphone system of an amplified listening device are provided. The amplified listening device includes a first directional microphone configured to provide a first electrical signal having a first phase, and a second directional microphone reversed in space and configured to provide a second electrical signal having a second phase opposite the first phase. Microphone inlet ports of the first and second directional microphones are linearly aligned in a same plane. The rear microphone inlet ports of the first and second directional microphones are positioned adjacent each other. The amplified listening device includes a resistive summing circuit without phase inverting circuitry. The resistive summing circuit is configured to combine the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal to generate a second order directional response.

A HEARING AID SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING ACOUSTIC TRANSFER FUNCTIONS

A hearing aid system comprises a hearing aid, and a portable auxiliary device’ adapted to establish a communication link between them. The hearing aid comprises a microphone providing an electric input signal, a signal processor, and an output unit. The auxiliary device comprises a microphone providing an auxiliary electric input signal, and a user control interface allowing a user to initiate a specific calibration mode of operation of the hearing aid system. The signal processor of the hearing aid is configured to receive corresponding time segments of said electric input signal and said auxiliary electric input signal to provide an estimate of an acoustic transfer function from said microphone of said auxiliary device to said microphone of said hearing aid. A method of operating a hearing aid system is further disclosed. The invention may e.g. be used in various applications related to own voice detection and estimation.

Hearing device with antenna extending from the hearing device

An in-the-ear hearing device includes: a microphone configured to receive an audio signal; a signal processor configured to process the audio signal for compensating a hearing loss; a wireless communication unit being connected to the signal processor; a feeding network; a hearing device shell accommodating the microphone and the signal processor; a face plate positioned at the hearing device shell; and an antenna for electromagnetic field emission and electromagnetic field reception, the antenna coupled with the wireless communications unit, wherein the antenna has a first end, and wherein the feeding network is configured to feed the antenna via the first end of the antenna; wherein the antenna extends through the face plate at a first position; at least a part of the antenna extending from the faceplate being arch-shaped; and wherein a second end of the antenna is an electrically open end, or is coupled to a ground potential.

Hearing aid
11496846 · 2022-11-08 · ·

A hearing aid contains a housing having a baseplate and a housing shell, a number of electrical units, and a transmitting and receiving unit for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves. The number of electrical units are fastened on the baseplate. The transmitting and receiving unit includes an electronic circuit for generating a transmission signal and an antenna unit coupled thereon, and the antenna unit includes a first antenna arm and a shielding element for shielding the first antenna arm against the number of electrical units.

OPEN FIT CANAL HEARING DEVICE
20230102275 · 2023-03-30 ·

A hearing aid device adapted for use within the ear canal and of partially exposed in the canal types. This aid allows an air gap to substantially surround the hearing aid shell and air passages which communicate with the inner ear minimizing occlusion sensations and providing the user with an enhanced natural hearing experience. An aspect of this device is the provision of air passages in the mounting insert which securely positions the hearing aid shell in the wearer's canal. These passages are designed to stay open after insertion of the aid in the ear canal. In use, unamplified sound from the outside passes around the hearing aid shell, through the air passages in the mounting insert blending with the amplified sound emanating from the receiver. The area of air passages in the mounting insert can be tailored by the technician adapting to the bearing loss characteristics of the user.

Method and apparatus for objective assessment of in-ear device acoustical performance

A method and apparatus for objectively assessing acoustical performance of an in-ear device having a passageway extending there through use a dual microphone probe that removably engages the passageway. The acoustical performance of the in-ear device is performed with the in-ear device inserted into the ear canal of the user and a reference sound source. A clip holding the probe in an acoustic near field of the sound source permits real time calibration thereof. The method and apparatus allow on-site and in-situ measurement of a predicted personal attenuation rating of the device, a subject-fit re-insertion test, an acoustic seal test, a rating test, a stability and reliability test, as well as a protection test of the device with an assessment of a filtered predicted exposure level at the ear for a specific noise exposure level. The apparatus may be simply housed along with the sound source for in-field evaluation tests.

Monaural hearing device with parts that are interconnected utilizing near-field wireless communication

A monaural hearing device includes: a first housing accommodating a first near-field magnetic induction communication unit and a first magnetic field antenna connected to the first near-field magnetic induction communication unit, wherein the first housing is configured for placement behind an ear of a user of the monaural hearing device; and a second housing accommodating a second near-field magnetic induction communication unit and a second magnetic field antenna connected to the second near-field magnetic induction communication unit; wherein the first and second near-field magnetic induction communication units connected to the first and second magnetic field antennas, respectively, are configured to perform near-field wireless data communication with each other.