Disclosed examples generally include methods and apparatuses related to microphone units, such as may be found in implantable medical devices (e.g., cochlear implants). Microphone units generally include a microphone element connected to a chamber having a concave floor with the chamber covered by a membrane. Microphone units can be configured to produce an output based on pressure waves (e.g., sound waves) that reach the membrane. In an example, a microphone unit has a pressurized gas within the chamber below the membrane such that, while in a static state, the membrane deflects away from the chamber floor.

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.

A hearing system includes a hearing instrument for capturing a sound signal from an environment of the hearing instrument. The captured sound signal is processed, and the processed sound signal is output to a user of the hearing instrument. In a speech recognition step, the captured sound signal is analyzed to recognize speech intervals, in which the captured sound signal contains speech. In a speech enhancement procedure performed during recognized speech intervals, the amplitude of the processed sound signal is periodically varied according to a temporal pattern that is consistent with a stress rhythmic pattern of the user. A method for operating the hearing instrument is also provided.

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.

The invention relates to the technical field of microphones, in particular to an online trimmed MEMS microphone. The online trimmed MEMS microphone comprises an acoustic transducer for receiving an external ultrasonic signal and converting the ultrasonic signal into an electric signal; an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) chip, coupled to the acoustic transducer, wherein the ASIC chip comprises: an amplifier unit for performing amplification on the electric signal and outputting an amplified signal; a decoding unit, connected to the amplifier unit, and configured to decode the amplified signal to obtain a decoded signal sequence; a matching unit, connected to the decoding unit, and configured to match the decoded signal sequence with a predetermined identification code to obtain a matched signal; a control unit, connected to the matching unit, and configured to generate one or more circuit adjusting parameters under the action of the matched signal.

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.

Provided in this disclosure is an acoustic adapter which includes an interior enclosure for substantially surrounding a back of a speaker driver and for defining a predetermined three-dimensional interior volume (3DV1) around the back of the speaker driver to thereby act as a vibration dampener. An exterior enclosure is provided having a configuration that corresponds to a configuration of the interior enclosure and spaced apart from the interior enclosure to define a restricted two-dimensional volume (2DV) outside the three-dimensional interior volume. An aperture is formed in the interior surface of the enclosure for admitting sound into the two-dimensional volume. A foam material is received within the two-dimensional volume (2DV) for at least coating an inner surface of the exterior enclosure, to provide a frictional surface for damping the sound admitted into the two-dimensional volume.

A method for adapting signal processing parameters of a hearing instrument of a hearing system. A number of acoustic indicators (IndA) for a temporary environmental situation of a user of the hearing instrument is ascertained from an input signal generated by a transducer. A first sensor ascertains a number of peripheral indicators (IndP) for the existing temporary environmental situation. Based on the acoustic and peripheral indicators (IndA, IndP) the system determines whether the existing temporary environmental situation falls into a known class of temporary environmental situations. If it does not, a new class is defined with the respective ascertained acoustic and peripheral indicator(s) (IndA, IndP), and the plurality of signal processing parameters are assigned a corresponding plurality of parameter values, according to which the first input signal is to be processed to form the output signal upon the future existence of a temporary environmental situation from the new class.

In a method for direction-dependent noise rejection for a hearing system, first and second input transducers are used to generate an interference signal and a target signal from a sound from the surroundings. The interference signal and/or the target signal are referenced to a useful signal source arranged in a target direction. The target signal is generated with a target directivity pattern. For each of a first plurality of frequency bands, an acoustic characteristic of the target signal is compared with a corresponding acoustic characteristic of the interference signal, and the comparison is used to ascertain a provisional weighting factor. The provisional weighting factor is used to form for the frequency band a weighting factor for the respective frequency bands. An input signal to be processed is weighted on a frequency-band-by-frequency-band basis using the respective weighting factor, and the weighted input signal is used to generate an output signal.

A heart rate sensor within a hearing assistance device may provide heart rate information or other sensor data, which may be used to determine how well the hearing assistance device fits the patient's ear. The heart rate sensor data provides quantitative feedback that indicates how well the hearing assistance device fits the patient's ear. The heart rate sensor data may be used to provide an indication to the patient to reseat or otherwise adjust the fitting of the hearing assistance device. The improved fitting process provides the ability for the audiologist and patient to identify a preferred or optimized hearing assistance device geometry. This improved fit provides improved performance and reliability of the hearing assistance device.