A modular headphone system that can afford the wearer configurable choices of hearing protection and quality sound delivery for music and programming is provided. In an embodiment, a modular headphone includes a headband and an earpiece mounted to the headband. The earpiece comprises a can comprising a speaker, the can secured to the headband. A removable and replaceable music ear cup is removably mountable to the can to overlie the speaker. A removable and replaceable hearing protection/sound amplification (HP/amp) ear cup is removably mountable to the can to overlie the speaker.

Adjustable auricular nerve stimulation devices, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. A representative device for delivering an electrical signal to a subject includes a signal delivery element including at least two electrodes configured to deliver the electrical signal to a first portion of the subject’s ear. The device also includes a retention element configured to engage a second portion of the subject’s ear. The device further includes an adjustment mechanism permitting movement of the signal delivery element relative to the retention element to place the at least two electrodes in contact with the first portion of the subject’s ear.

The present disclosure provides an acoustic device including a microphone array, a processor, and at least one speaker. The microphone array may be configured to acquire an environmental noise. The processor may be configured to estimate a sound field at a target spatial position using the microphone array. The target spatial position may be closer to an ear canal of a user than each microphone in the microphone array. The processor may be configured to generate a noise reduction signal based on the environmental noise and the sound field estimation of the target spatial position. The at least one speaker may be configured to output a target signal based on the noise reduction signal. The target signal may be used to reduce the environmental noise. The microphone array may be arranged in a target area to minimize an interference signal from the at least one speaker to the microphone array.

A hearing protection device is presented. The device has a first earmuff connected to a second earmuff by a connector. Each of the first and second earmuffs are configured to receive an ambient sound and provide a dampened ambient sound to a wearer. The device also has a cable, with a cable length, that extends from the first earmuff to the second earmuff. The cable is coupled to the connector by a connection assembly. The connection assembly comprises a plurality of connection mechanisms arranged in a connection plan. Such a hearing protection device gives more freedom of placing the cable in a compact arrangement.

The embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an acoustic apparatus. The acoustic apparatus may include a support assembly. The support assembly may include a first portion and a second portion. When a user is wearing the acoustic apparatus, the first portion may be hung between a first side of an ear and a head of the user, the second portion may contact a second side of the ear. The first portion may cause the second portion to provide a compressive force on the second side of the ear.

A method for operating a bone conduction communication system can include establishing a communicable connection, operating a transducer in an input mode wherein the bone conduction transducers are configured to detect a vibration associated with a bone of the user; transmitting an audio signal over the communicable connection; and operating the transducers responsive to the audio signal.

A sound attenuating apparatus may include a replaceable sound attenuating device and an electronic receiver configured to mate with the replaceable sound attenuating device. The replaceable sound attenuating device may include a sound attenuating material having an embedded sensor element. The sensor element may have a property that corresponds to a type of replaceable sound attenuating device. The electronic receiver may detect the property of the sensor element. A computing device may determine the type of the replaceable sound attenuating device from the property of the sensor element and perform one or more operations based on the type of replaceable sound attenuating device, including audio control, safety warnings, personal attenuation rating determinations, and the like.

Aspects describe an in-ear audio output device. The in-ear audio output device includes an acoustic chamber defined by an earbud housing shaped to fit in the lower concha of an ear of a wearer of the in-ear audio output device, the earbud housing comprising: a resistive port located on a first side of the earbud housing creating an opening in a wall of the earbud housing and a first feedforward microphone located on a second side of the earbud housing, the second side substantially opposite the first side of the earbud housing; and a stability band. The stability band includes at least one attachment feature that couples the stability band to the earbud housing and a first side substantially opposite the attachment feature that only partially covers the resistive port when the in-ear audio output device is positioned in the ear of the wearer.

Various implementations include earphone cushions and related headsets. In particular aspects, an earphone cushion includes: a body including a front surface configured to engage or surround an ear of a user, an outer side surface, an inner side surface opposing the outer side surface, and a rear surface opposing the front surface; a cover over a portion of the body, the cover including an outside radiating surface for contacting at least a portion of the user's head, wherein the cover includes a set of ports along at least one of (i) the inner side surface, (ii) the rear surface, or (iii) a junction between the inner side surface and the rear surface; and an acoustic mesh covering at least one port in the set of ports.

This disclosure includes several different features suitable for use in circumaural and supra-aural headphones designs. Designs that include earpad assemblies that improve acoustic isolation are discussed. User convenience features that include automatically detecting the orientation of the headphones on a user's head are also discussed. Various power-saving features, design features, sensor configurations and user comfort features are also discussed.