In-ear sound pressure level, SPL, is determined that is caused by output audio being converted into sound by a headset worn by a user. The in-ear SPL is converted into a sound sample having units that are suitable for evaluating sound noise exposure. These operations are repeated to produce a sequence of sound samples during playback. This sequence of sound samples is then written to a secure database. Access to the database is authorized by the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

In-ear sound pressure level, SPL, is determined that is caused by output audio being converted into sound by a headset worn by a user. The in-ear SPL is converted into a sound sample having units that are suitable for evaluating sound noise exposure. These operations are repeated to produce a sequence of sound samples during playback. This sequence of sound samples is then written to a secure database. Access to the database is authorized by the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

An apparatus for controlled perforation and aspiration of the inner ear having a distal portion including a plurality of apices and a plurality of valleys therebetween defining a plurality of serrated blades. An apparatus for controlled penetration of a membrane of the inner ear includes a member having a distal portion, and an outer surface defining a circumference around the member, the member defines a plurality of apices extending from a distal end of said member, a plurality of valleys, wherein each valley is disposed between neighboring apices, a plurality of cutting edges defined by the plurality of apices and the plurality of valleys disposed on the outer circumference of the member; a tip at a most distal end of each of the apices, and a trailing edge extending from the tip to the center of the member.

Apparatus and methods for bone conduction detection are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first sensor to output a first vibration signal associated with a first bone structure of a user, a second sensor to output a second vibration signal associated with a second bone structure of the user, memory, and at least one processor to execute instructions to determine a sound associated with at least one of the first vibration signal or the second vibration signal originated external to the user; determine a direction from which the sound originated relative to the user; and generate a signal to cause an output device to present an alert to the user, the alert indicative of the direction of the sound.

The concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to venue seat assignment based upon hearing profiles. According to one aspect of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, a device can include a processor and a memory. The device can receive a request to upload a hearing profile, and can upload the hearing profile to a seat assignment system. The device can receive, from the seat assignment system, a customized seating chart based, at least in part, upon the hearing profile. The customized seating chart can include a visual representation of at least a portion of seating in a venue. The device can select, from the customized seating chart, a seat from the portion of the seating in the venue. This selection can be made automatically or based upon user input.

Systems and methods are described for performing diagnostic procedures, such as vibrometric diagnostic procedures. An example system includes a handheld vibrometric device, a handheld controller, and a control and processing console. The handheld controller includes an input receiving mechanism for controlling the handheld vibrometric device and/or controlling a user interface generated by the console. The handheld controller is configured such that when the handheld vibrometric diagnostic device is supported by a first hand of an operator and the handheld controller is supported by a second hand of the operator, the input receiving mechanism is capable of being actuated by a digit of the second hand while maintaining support of the handheld controller by the second hand, in the absence of contact with the control and processing console and the handheld vibrometric diagnostic device, thereby facilitating control of the handheld vibrometric diagnostic device without mechanically perturbing the handheld vibrometric diagnostic device.

The present application relates to an electrophysiologically based Spectro-Temporal Modulation (STM) test unit. The STM test unit comprises an STM stimulus generating unit, an output unit, wherein the STM stimulus generating unit is configured to provide STM test stimuli comprising at least one STM probe stimulus to a user via the output unit according to a predetermined STM test protocol. The STM test unit further comprises one or more electrodes for measuring electrophysiological responses of the user, and an analysis unit configured to analyse the recorded electrophysiological responses of the user measured in response to the provided stimuli. The present application further relates to a method of electrophysiologically based STM testing of a user.

Cochlear implant systems can include an inner ear sensor configured to receive a stimulus signal from the cochlear tissue of a wearer and generate an input signal based on the received stimulus signal. The inner ear sensor can be configured to detect pressure, for example, within a wearer's cochlear tissue and generate an input signal based on the detected pressure. The inner ear sensor can be integrated with a cochlear electrode implanted in the cochlear tissue. Systems can include a signal processor programmed with a transfer function and configured to receive an input signal and output a stimulation signal based on the received input signal and transfer function. Systems can include an implantable battery and/or communication module in communication with the signal processor. The implantable battery and/or communication module can be configured to interface with and update the transfer function of the signal processor.

An apparatus and method for hearing analysis including a frequency setting part for setting a predetermined frequency at which there is a possibility of tinnitus of the subject; a signal generation part generates a pure tone signal of the set frequency and increase or decrease the level of the generated pure tone signal, and generates a complex tone signal including the frequency of the pure tone signal and increase or decrease a level of the generated complex tone signal; and a hearing analysis part to analyze hearing by using a pure tone recognition information and a complex tone recognition information of the subject obtained in reaction to the pure tone signal and the complex tone signal generated by the signal generation part. As a result, the apparatus and method can accurately determine the tinnitus region and also provide information from which point of the sound path the tinnitus originates.

An illustrative sound calibration system is configured to direct a loudspeaker to present a sound to a recipient by way of a length of tubing extending from the loudspeaker to an ear tip disposed at an ear canal of the recipient. The directing is configured to cause the sound to have a target sound pressure level at the ear canal. The system is further configured to obtain, from a probe microphone disposed within the ear tip, a detected sound pressure level of the sound as the sound is presented at the ear canal. The system is further configured to identify a discrepancy between the detected and target sound pressure levels of the sound as the sound is presented at the ear canal, and, based on the identified discrepancy, to direct a remedial action to be performed to compensate for the discrepancy. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.