Example embodiments may include one or more of receiving an electrical sound emission signal from a sound controller, interrupting reception of the electrical sound emission signal, by a sound emission interruption circuit connected to a sound emitter, and receiving an electrical ambient sound signal via a sound detection circuit, based on ambient sound sensed by the sound emitter when the reception of the electrical sound emission signal is interrupted by the sound emission interruption circuit.

An omnidirectional electroacoustic transducer capable of reproducing a sound with high acoustic quality and sufficient sound volume in a wide frequency band is provided with a small number of components. The electroacoustic transducer includes: two or more electroacoustic transduction units each including an electroacoustic transduction film and an elastic supporter, the electroacoustic transduction film having a polymer composite piezoelectric body in which piezoelectric body particles are dispersed in a viscoelastic matrix formed of a polymer material having viscoelasticity at a normal temperature, and two thin film electrodes laminated on both surfaces of the polymer composite piezoelectric body, and the elastic supporter being disposed to be closely attached to one principal surface of the electroacoustic transduction film so as to cause the electroacoustic transduction film to be bent, in which the two or more electroacoustic transduction units are disposed so that the electroacoustic transduction films face outward and form some or all of faces of a polyhedron.

Ultrasonic transducers that are capable of generating increased levels of ultrasound, as well as receiving ultrasonic waves with increased sensitivity. The ultrasonic transducers include a back cover, a protective front cover, a backplate, and a vibrator film layer disposed between the backplate and the protective front cover. The backplate includes a plurality of grooves formed on a surface thereof facing the vibrator film layer. Each groove includes upper edges having cross-sectional contours that gradually tend toward the deepest part of the groove to allow a larger area of the backplate to be closer to the vibrator film layer, thereby increasing the resulting electric field, and, consequently, increasing the output power and sensitivity of the ultrasonic transducer.

Example embodiments may include one or more of receiving sound emissions signals from channels via sound emitters, controlling the sound emission signals, via relay circuits, and one of the relay circuits is configured to interrupt one of the sound emission signals associated with one of the sound emitters while the other sound emissions signals pass to the other corresponding sound emitters, and receiving, via a sound detection circuit, an electrical ambient sound signal based on ambient sound sensed by the one of the sound emitters responsive to the interrupted one of the sound emission signals.

A hearing device includes a loudspeaker having a loudspeaker diaphragm for generating acoustic signals, a drive or actuator acting on the loudspeaker diaphragm, and a loudspeaker housing in which the drive or actuator and the loudspeaker diaphragm are accommodated. A housing encloses a housing interior. A loudspeaker box is disposed in the housing interior and has a sound outlet opening coupled with a sound conductor leading out of the housing. The loudspeaker is sealed in the loudspeaker box against the housing interior in a fluid-tight manner. The loudspeaker is disposed in the loudspeaker box clear or free of a sound channel element, disposed within the loudspeaker box and coupling the loudspeaker with the sound outlet opening.

The present invention describes a system that uses ultrasonic waves to transfer energy and data, enabling for the control and recharging of a cardiac assist device. Data and energy transfer are accomplished using pulsed ultrasonic waves. The use of ultrasonic waves allows for wireless transcutaneous energy transfer to power the cardiac assist device pump in absence of a driveline, reducing complications associated with driveline infections and improving patient quality of life.

The invention relates to an amplifier unit for a MEMS sound transducer, which is operable as a microphone and as a loudspeaker, comprising at least one audio amplifier for sound reproduction and/or sound recording. According to the invention, the amplifier unit is designed in such a way that the MEMS sound transducer provided therefor is simultaneously operable as a loudspeaker and as a microphone. Moreover, the invention relates to sound-generating unit comprising a MEMS sound transducer, which is operable as a microphone and as a loudspeaker, and an amplifier unit coupled to the sound transducer for sound reproduction and/or sound recording.

An active acoustic system includes a thin-film sheet having an array of piezoelectric microstructures embossed in the film. Each piezoelectric microstructure may act as a speaker and/or a microphone. A control circuit is configured to individually address the piezoelectric microstructures to provide a separate voltage signal to, or receive a separate voltage signal from, each piezoelectric microstructure.

A method for in-ear detection, the method may include transmitting test signals, by a speaker of an earbud, during a test period, and while the earbud is operating at a first operational mode, wherein the test signals comprise at least one first test signal within a first frequency range, at least one second test signal within a second frequency range, and at one third test signal within a third frequency range; wherein the first frequency range, the second frequency range and the third frequency range differ from each other and are within a human auditory range; generating, by a feedback microphone of the earbud, sensed information that is indicative of audio signals sensed by the feedback microphone as a result of the transmitting of the test signals; and determining whether the earbud is located within an ear of a person, wherein the determining is based on the sensed information and a reference out of ear spectrum.

A method for manufacturing a MEMS sound transducer for generating and/or detecting sound waves in the audible wavelength range and/or in the ultrasonic range, includes arranging at least one piezoelectric element on a support substrate. A diaphragm is formed on the at least one piezoelectric element. In forming the diaphragm, a flowable and curable polymer, which forms the diaphragm after curing, is at least partially cast around the at least one piezoelectric element. The invention further relates to the MEMS sound transducer formed by the method.