An in-ear wearable that can include an electro-acoustic transducer; a housing supporting the electro-acoustic transducer such that the housing and the electro-acoustic transducer together defining an acoustic volume, a feedback microphone disposed within the acoustic volume to receive the acoustic energy, the feedback microphone including a microphone port, the feedback microphone transducing acoustic energy received at the microphone port into a feedback microphone signal; and a port defined within the housing, the port extending from a first opening to a second opening, wherein the port acoustically couples the acoustic volume to a space outside the housing such that outside acoustic energy from the space outside the housing enters the first acoustic volume through a path that does not pass through the second acoustic volume, wherein the first opening does not extend beyond a first plane tangent to a point of the microphone port nearest to acoustic exit port and orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Conformable vented eartips are provided. A comfortable vented eartip includes an ear insertion end, an earphone insertion end opposite the ear insertion end, a base at the ear insertion end extending toward the earphone extension end, a central opening extending through the base to form an inner sound channel through the base, and at least one flange. The at least one flange includes a first flange end extending from the base at an angle away from the base and toward the earphone insertion end at a second flange end. The at least one flange includes at least one swept indent extending between the first flange end and the second flange end. The at least one swept indent sweeps laterally around a portion of a circumference of the at least one flange.

In embodiments of the invention, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system including: a transmit coil positioned in an ear tip wherein the transmit coil includes an electrical coil wound on a ferrite core; a receive coil positioned on a contact hearing device wherein the receive coil includes an electrical coil without a core; a load connected to the receive coil; and a demodulation circuit connected to the receive coil and the load wherein the demodulation circuit includes a voltage doubler and a peak detector.

A hearing device includes: an earpiece having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the earpiece is configured for insertion into an ear canal of a user, and wherein at least a part of the earpiece is configured for placement along a first bend of the ear canal; wherein the earpiece comprises a flexible member, at least a part of the flexible member located at the first end of the earpiece, wherein at least a part of the flexible member is configured for placement along a second bend of the ear canal located between the first bend and an eardrum.

Disclosed herein are apparatuses for manipulation of an ear device within the ear canal of a subject. Also disclosed herein are methods of using said apparatuses for the insertion, removal, or other manipulations of the ear device. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the apparatuses, and kits containing the apparatus with instructions for use.