H04R2225/025

METHOD FOR PREPARING AN AUDIOGRAM OF A TEST SUBJECT BY USE OF A HEARING INSTRUMENT
20230050817 · 2023-02-16 ·

A method for preparing an audiogram of a test subject by use of a hearing instrument. A sound signal is recorded in an auditory canal of the test subject at least partially closed by the hearing instrument by a first electroacoustic input transducer of the hearing instrument. A first input signal is generated therefrom. A test sound is generated by an electroacoustic output transducer of the hearing instrument and output into the auditory canal of the test subject at least partially closed by the hearing instrument. A hearing threshold of the test subject at at least one test frequency is ascertained on a basis of a reaction of the test subject to the test sound and by use of the first input signal.

HEARING AID WITH SPEAKER UNIT AND DOME

A hearing aid with an earpiece for placement in the ear canal, and a dome, are disclosed. The earpiece comprises a speaker unit comprising: a receiver extending along an axis between an outlet surface perpendicular to the axis and a bottom surface perpendicular to the axis, a receiver outlet directed towards the ear canal of the user when the earpiece is mounted in the ear canal, a microphone having an inlet surface and a bottom surface, wherein the microphone is placed in connection with the receiver, a microphone inlet directed towards the ear canal of the user when the earpiece is mounted in the ear canal, wherein the receiver outlet is placed side by side with the microphone inlet, and wherein the microphone inlet and receiver outlet are separated by a wall, the earpiece further comprising a dome for placement on the speaker unit, the dome comprising: a speaker unit interface connecting a tip of the speaker unit to the dome such that when connected, the microphone inlet and receiver outlet are separated all the way into the ear canal, and an outer dome portion, wherein the dome comprises a two-component material in which the interface comprises a harder material, and the outer dome portion comprises a softer material.

Ear tips and related devices and methods

An ear tip includes a body configured to be mounted onto an earbud. The body includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an inner wall extending between the first and second ends. The inner wall defines and surrounds a hollow passage that is configured to conduct sound waves. The body also includes an outer wall that is connected to the inner wall at the first end and extends away from the inner wall toward the second end. The inner wall has an oblong cross-sectional shape that is configured to accommodate a corresponding nozzle on the earbud. The inner wall includes a ring that is formed of a rigid material and engages and conforms to the oblong shape of the nozzle, which inhibits improper mounting and rotation of the ear tip relative to the nozzle.

Hearing device with an antenna
11582567 · 2023-02-14 · ·

A hearing device is configured to be worn in an ear of a user, and is configured to provide an audio signal to the user. The hearing device comprises a circuit assembly. The circuit assembly comprises a printed circuit board assembly. The printed circuit board assembly comprises a first circuit board, a second circuit board, and a third circuit board between the first and second circuit boards. The circuit assembly comprises a battery, wherein the printed circuit board assembly is folded about the battery; and an antenna comprising an antenna element, the antenna being configured for emission and reception of electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength (λ); wherein the antenna element has a first end connected to a feed, wherein the feed is provided in a portion of the first or third circuit board which is adjacent an interconnection between the first and third circuit boards.

Systems and methods for improving functional hearing
11581008 · 2023-02-14 · ·

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for improving functional hearing. In one aspect, the system may include a housing configured to fit within an ear of a user. The housing may include a speaker, an amplifier, a transmitter, and a power supply. Additionally, the housing may include a memory storing instructions and at least one processor configured to execute instructions. The instructions may include receiving an audio input and amplifying the audio input. The instructions may include outputting the amplified audio input from a speaker. The instructions may include converting the audio input into a visual representation of the audio input and transmitting the visual representation to at least one display.

Methods of estimating ear geometry and related hearing devices
11558700 · 2023-01-17 · ·

A method for estimating an ear geometry of an ear of a user with a hearing device, the hearing device comprising an ear canal microphone, an external microphone, and a receiver, includes: obtaining an external input signal using the external microphone; providing an output signal by the receiver; obtaining an ear canal microphone input signal using the ear canal microphone; and estimating the ear geometry based on the external input signal and the ear canal microphone input signal.

Electrodes for hearing devices and related methods

A hearing device for electrically coupling to skin of a user includes a body having a housing forming at least part of an outer surface. The device includes an acoustic transducer and an electrode disposed at least partially in the body. The electrode includes an outer conductor disposed at least partially in the housing and an inner conductor electrically coupled to the outer conductor and disposed subflush to the outer surface. A method of forming the hearing device includes providing a cast shell, forming an elastomeric conductor in a cavity of the cast shell, and removing a thin outer wall of the cast shell to form the housing of the hearing device.

In-the-ear hearing device
11553292 · 2023-01-10 · ·

An in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid has a housing that is designed for insertion into an ear canal of a hearing aid wearer. The housing has a housing shell. The housing shell has an antenna, in particular a folded, capacitively charged dipole antenna. The antenna is mounted in particular on an outer surface of the housing shell.

DEVICES AND METHODS FOR HEARING

A device to transmit an audio signal to a user comprises a transducer and a support. The support is configured for placement on the eardrum to drive the eardrum. The transducer is coupled to the support at a first location to decrease occlusion and a second location to drive the eardrum. The transducer may comprise one or more of an electromagnetic balanced armature transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a magnetostrictive transducer, a photostrictive transducer, or a coil and magnet. The device may find use with open canal hearing aids.

BINAURAL HEARING AID SYSTEM

In a binaural hearing aid system audio signals are transmitted between an antenna facility of a left ITE hearing aid and an antenna facility of a right ITE hearing aid. Binaural beam forming is based on a natural directivity of the pinna and/or based on a head shadowing effect. Each antenna facility has an antenna arrangement with a coil core made of magnetically permeable material, and extending along a longitudinal axis, a further electric hearing aid component, which emits electromagnetic interference radiation, and an at least partially planar shield made of magnetically permeable material. The shield is arranged between the antenna arrangement and the further hearing aid component transversely to the longitudinal axis of the coil core and the shield is arranged at a distance of 50 to 150 micrometers from the coil core, preferably 75 to 100 micrometers.