An implanted microphone is provided that allows for isolating an acoustic response of the microphone from vibration induced acceleration responses of the microphone. The present invention measures the relative motion between a microphone diaphragm, which is responsive to pressure variations in overlying media caused by acoustic forces and acceleration forces, and a cancellation element that is compliantly mounted within a housing of the microphone, which moves primarily in response to acceleration forces. When the microphone and cancelation element move substantially in unison to acceleration forces, relative movement between these elements corresponds to the acoustic response of the microphone diaphragm. This relative movement may be directly measured using various optical measuring systems.

A method and a device for increasing the perception of acoustic events, particularly for increasing musical sensitivity. As high a correlation as possible between heard and felt perceptions can be achieved by the conversion of the musical signal into vibrations on the skin, the local impact distribution of the filtered musical signals, the emphasis of the dominant musical signals by expanding the extent of the impact, the transfer of the signal portions in the non-feelable range into the feelable range, and the variable base spectrum adapting to the current musical spectrum.

A method and a device for increasing the perception of acoustic events, particularly for increasing musical sensitivity. As high a correlation as possible between heard and felt perceptions can be achieved by the conversion of the musical signal into vibrations on the skin, the local impact distribution of the filtered musical signals, the emphasis of the dominant musical signals by expanding the extent of the impact, the transfer of the signal portions in the non-feelable range into the feelable range, and the variable base spectrum adapting to the current musical spectrum.

Exemplary light control devices and methods provide a regional variation of visual information and sampling (“V-VIS”) of an ocular field of view that improves or stabilizes vision, ameliorates a visual symptom, reduces the rate of vision loss, or reduces the progression of an ophthalmic or neurologic condition, disease, injury or disorder. The V-VIS devices and methods generate a moving aperture effect anterior to a retina that samples and delivers to the retina environmental light from an ocular field of view at a sampling rate between 50 hertz and 50 kilohertz. Certain of these V-VIS devices and methods may be combined with augmented or virtual reality, vision measurement, vision monitoring, or other therapies including, but not limited to, pharmacological, gene, retinal replacement and stem cell therapies.

Exemplary light control devices and methods provide a regional variation of visual information and sampling (“V-VIS”) of an ocular field of view that improves or stabilizes vision, ameliorates a visual symptom, reduces the rate of vision loss, or reduces the progression of an ophthalmic or neurologic condition, disease, injury or disorder. The V-VIS devices and methods generate a moving aperture effect anterior to a retina that samples and delivers to the retina environmental light from an ocular field of view at a sampling rate between 50 hertz and 50 kilohertz. Certain of these V-VIS devices and methods may be combined with augmented or virtual reality, vision measurement, vision monitoring, or other therapies including, but not limited to, pharmacological, gene, retinal replacement and stem cell therapies.

A tinnitus treatment system is provided. The system includes a sound processing unit, a haptic stimulus unit and an audio delivery unit. The sound processing unit includes a processor input for receiving an audio signal; and a digital signal processor to analyze the audio signal and generate a plurality of actuation signals therefrom which are representative of the audio signal. The digital signal processor may spectrally modify the audio signal in accordance with a predetermined modification profile to generate a modified audio signal. The haptic stimulus unit includes an array of stimulators each of which independently apply a tactile stimulus to a subject; and a stimulus unit input receives the plurality of actuation signals generated by the digital signal processor and directs individual actuation signals to individual stimulators. The audio delivery unit includes an audio delivery unit input for receiving the modified audio signal generated by the digital signal processor.

A tinnitus treatment system is provided. The system includes a sound processing unit, a haptic stimulus unit and an audio delivery unit. The sound processing unit includes a processor input for receiving an audio signal; and a digital signal processor to analyze the audio signal and generate a plurality of actuation signals therefrom which are representative of the audio signal. The digital signal processor may spectrally modify the audio signal in accordance with a predetermined modification profile to generate a modified audio signal. The haptic stimulus unit includes an array of stimulators each of which independently apply a tactile stimulus to a subject; and a stimulus unit input receives the plurality of actuation signals generated by the digital signal processor and directs individual actuation signals to individual stimulators. The audio delivery unit includes an audio delivery unit input for receiving the modified audio signal generated by the digital signal processor.

Provided is a sensory substitution apparatus and method that combines two or more pieces of multi-sense sensory information to be converted into different multi-sense sensory information, in which received pieces of multiple information are combined to suit sensory characteristics of the user's body and efficiently transmitted to a different sensory organ. According to the present invention includes: receiving input sensory information; classifying the input sensory information; calculating an importance of each of individual sensory information; determining a target sense for which part or all of the individual sensory information, of which an importance is calculated, is to be converted into a new sensory signal incongruent with the corresponding individual sense; and converting the input sensory information into target sensory information to be transmitted to the determined target sense which is an organ.

Apparatus and methods for bone conduction detection are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes memory; machine-readable instructions; and processor circuitry to execute the machine-readable instructions to associate a vibration signal with a voice or with motion, the vibration signal transmitted via a bone structure of a user; permit access to a user application based on the association of the vibration signal with the voice; and deny access to the user application based on the association of the vibration signal with the motion.

Apparatus and methods for bone conduction detection are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes memory; machine-readable instructions; and processor circuitry to execute the machine-readable instructions to associate a vibration signal with a voice or with motion, the vibration signal transmitted via a bone structure of a user; permit access to a user application based on the association of the vibration signal with the voice; and deny access to the user application based on the association of the vibration signal with the motion.