35results about "Hearing aid design aspects" patented technology

A hearing aid comprising an induction coil is disclosed, wherein the hearing aid comprises: a faceplate; a custom ear shell adapted to at least partly fit into an ear canal of a specific person, the custom ear shell being connected to the faceplate; a rechargeable battery enclosed in the faceplate and the custom ear shell; and an induction coil, e.g. a hearing aid induction coil, for wireless charging of the rechargeable battery, the induction coil being arranged at least partly in contact with the custom ear shell, wherein the induction coil is arranged as a printed or deposited material on a flexible substrate.

A faceplate insert module (11) for a customized hearing device (50) is devised. The faceplate insert module (11) comprises a faceplate insert (4) holding a connector (3), and an acoustic output transducer module (25) comprising an acoustic output transducer (20), a biometric sensor module (24), a MaRIE microphone (18) and an AOC microphone (16) mounted on respective sides of the acoustic output transducer (20). The faceplate insert module (11) is embodied as a pre-assembled, standardized unit configured to be detachably mounted in an opening (5) of a faceplate (2) configured to be mounted on, or be an integral part of, a custom-shaped shell (6) in such a way that the output transducer module (25) protrudes through the opening (5), thereby forming an in-the-ear part (1) of a customized hearing device (50). The connector (3) of the faceplate insert module (11) carries a conduit (8) comprising a plurality of wires for conveying electrical signals between the in-the-ear part (1) and a behind-the-ear part (30) of the customized hearing device (50). The standardized faceplate insert module (11) facilitates a fast and easy assembly of the customized in-the-ear part (1) of the hearing device (50).

According to an embodiment, a method for designing of one or more virtual models of custom ear devices according to configuration requirements from a user input and according to component and / or material information that are associated with components and / or materials of a target product is provided. The method may comprise steps for displaying the designed one or more virtual models of custom ear devices together with meta data that comprise information on the designed one or more custom ear device's compatibility with the configuration requirements and the contained components. According to an embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium or computer program is provided, comprising commands, which when executed by a computer, causes the computer to execute and perform the method for designing and displaying the one or more virtual models of custom ear devices. According to an embodiment, a system for determining one or more virtual models of custom ear devices is further disclosed. The system may further be configured to display the determined one or more virtual models of custom ear devices together with associated meta data on a graphical user interface.

Described herein is a computer-implemented method for constructing a customized ear device in a virtual environment in the form of a design through a network automation process utilizing trained nerves. The described computer-implemented method is configured to allow for altering output from a neural network to create a change to an automatically generated custom ear device design. Further, a system is described herein that utilizes a processor running the methods described herein to automatically generate a virtual-constructed custom ear device that may be modified to adjust for any incorrect output generated by a neural network.

A hearing instrument comprises a housing having an exterior surface and an interior surface; a rechargeable battery; a first conductor having an external segment tracing a first path on the exterior surface of the housing; and a second conductor having an external segment tracing a second path on the exterior surface of the housing. The first conductor and the second conductor are configured to operate as both an antenna and to conduct electricity from a charger to recharge the rechargeable battery.

In accordance with an embodiment, there is provided a method for designing one or more virtual models of a custom ear device in accordance with configuration requirements from user input and in accordance with component and / or material information associated with components and / or materials of a target product. The method may include a step for displaying one or more virtual models of the designed custom ear device along with metadata including information in compatibility of the designed one or more custom ear devices with configuration requirements and contained components. In accordance with an embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium or computer program is provided that includes commands that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute and implement a method for designing and displaying one or more virtual models of a customized ear device. In accordance with an embodiment, a system for determining one or more virtual models of a customized ear device is also disclosed. The system may also be configured to display the determined one or more virtual models of the customized ear device on the graphical user interface along with the associated metadata.

A method for checking a usability of an impression model (28) of a human ear comprises: determining an estimated shape model (36) by adapting a statistical shape model (30) to the impression model (28), wherein the statistical shape model (30) has been determined from a plurality of impression models of a plurality of human ears and wherein the statistical shape model (30) has at least one impression feature (32), which is mapped to an estimated impression feature (38); determining a feature classification (40) from the estimated impression feature (38); and when the feature classification (40) is within an allowed feature classification range, rating the impression model (28) as usable.

An object of the present disclosed is to provide a protective cover for a hearing aid device which comprises a cover formed from a substantially flexible material, and where the cover may have a first area with a first hardness and a second area with a second hardness.

The present disclosure relates to an in-ear wearable device and a panel assembly thereof. The panel assembly of the in-ear wearable device includes a panel, a mainboard, a manipulation device, a charging device, a battery, an antenna device, a sound pickup device, a speaker assembly, and a wireless communication module. In a plane perpendicular to the panel or the manipulation device, an orthographic projection of the manipulation device partially overlaps an orthographic projection of the charging device; in a plane where the panel or the manipulation device is located, minimum circumscribed circles of the orthographic projections of the manipulation device and the charging device at least partially overlap each other.

An ear-wearable electronic device is housed within a shell. The shell includes an organically-shaped outer surface that corresponds uniquely to an ear geometry of a user of the ear-wearable device. The shell also has a faceplate void that has a curved and beveled perimeter edge. The faceplate void facilitates access to one or more devices installable into the shell. A faceplate is installed in the faceplate void. The faceplate has a beveled edge that mates with the perimeter edge. The faceplate includes an unbroken covering surface that matches the outer surface of the shell surrounding the faceplate void.

To provide ear tips and related devices and methods.SOLUTION: An ear tip 104 includes a body 120 configured to be mounted on an earbud. The body 120 includes a first end 122, a second end 124 opposite the first end 122, and an inner wall 126 extending between the first end 122 and the second end 124. The inner wall 126 defines and surrounds a hollow passage 128 configured to conduct sound waves. The body 120 also includes an outer wall 130 that is connected to the inner wall 126 at the first end 122 and extends away from the inner wall 126 toward the second end 124. The inner wall 126 has an oblong cross-sectional shape that is configured to accommodate a corresponding nozzle on the earbud. The inner wall includes a ring 132 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 104 relative to the nozzle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3C

Disclosed is a closure assembly for an in-ear portion of a hearing device, the in-ear portion having a cavity for holding an output transducer, the in-ear portion having an opening and the closure assembly configured to be mounted into the opening, the closure assembly comprising: an insertion portion having an insertion portion opening for receiving and mounting a connector, the connector configured to mechanically connect the in-ear portion of the hearing device to a behind-the-ear portion; and a cover portion comprising a recess for receiving and mounting the insertion portion.

A method comprises obtaining, by one or more processors of a computing system, ear modeling data representing an impression of an ear of a patient; for each of a plurality of combinations of one or more types of hearing instruments and one or more feature sets, determining, by the one or more processors, whether the combination is feasible for a shape of the ear of the patient, wherein different feature sets of the one or more feature sets include different combinations of components; and outputting, by the one or more processors, for display, a graphical user interface (GUI) that presents one or more of the combinations that are determined to be feasible given the shape of the ear of the patient.

An acoustic element (100), an acoustic device (200), and a preparation method for the acoustic element (100). The acoustic element (100) is used to hold a first audio apparatus (210) in a user's ear canal. The acoustic element (100) comprises: a first end suitable for being located near the inner side of an ear, a second end suitable for being located near the outer side of the ear, and a porous structure (120) provided between the first end and the second end, wherein a plurality of first holes (122) communicated with each other are defined inside the porous structure (120), and the first end and the second end are communicated by means of at least some of the first holes (122); and an accommodating cavity (132) used for at least partially accommodating the first audio apparatus (210), the accommodating cavity (132) being communicated with the outside from the first end of the acoustic element (100).

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 a first wall extending between the first and second ends. The first wall defines and surrounds a hollow passage that is configured to conduct sound waves. The first wall is configured to engage a nozzle on the earbud. The first wall includes a ring that is formed of a rigid material and engages the nozzle. The ring includes at least one C-shaped member with at least one gap and a compliant material is molded around the ring and fills the gap.

An assembly method for a hearing device includes an elongated circuit board center section and two circuit board side parts. Positioning devices are installed on both circuit board side parts. Afterwards, the circuit board side parts are connected, mechanically and for signal transmission, to the circuit board center section to form a circuit board arrangement. The circuit board side parts are aligned in an orientation transverse to a surface of the circuit board center section by the respective positioning devices. The circuit board arrangement is then housed by at least two housing shells.

An apparatus includes a housing configured to be implanted beneath a portion of skin of a recipient and first circuitry within the housing. The first circuitry is configured to wirelessly communicate with second circuitry of an external device positioned on or above the portion of skin. The apparatus further includes an actuator within the housing and configured to be in mechanical communication with a portion of bone of the recipient. The actuator includes a unitary mass configured to undergo vibratory motion within the housing. The unitary mass includes a plurality of electrically conductive sub-masses in mechanical communication with one another and electrically isolated from one another.

An acoustic element, an acoustic device, and a preparation method for the acoustic element are provided. The acoustic element is used to hold a first audio apparatus in a user's ear canal. The acoustic element includes: a first end suitable for being located near the inner side of an ear, a second end suitable for being located near the outer side of the ear, and a porous structure provided between the first end and the second end, wherein a plurality of first holes communicated with each other are defined inside the porous structure, and the first end and the second end are communicated by means of at least some of the first holes; and an accommodating cavity used for at least partially accommodating the first audio apparatus, the accommodating cavity being communicated with the outside from the first end of the acoustic element.

Described herein is a protective element configured to be connected to an electroacoustic transducer or sound tube included in a hearing device. The protective element comprises a 3D-shaped membrane enclosing a cavity with an opening at which the 3D-shaped membrane is configured to connect to the electroacoustic transducer or sound tube. Wherein the 3D-shaped membrane has one or more thinner portions configured to transmit sound and one or more thicker portions at which a rigidity of the 3D-shaped membrane is greater than at the one or more thinner portions; and one or more stiffeners are formed by one or more of the one or more thicker portions extending between the one or more thinner portions.

An exemplary hearing device may comprise an in-the-ear (“ITE”) component comprising a shell that is custom formed of a soft material by additive manufacturing to fit at least partially within an ear canal of the user. The shell may include a compressible region provided along an outer surface of the shell that is configured to contact a wall of the ear canal. The compressible region may be deformable due to a cavity that is located within the shell in the compressible region and that is configured to deform and / or compress when the ear canal deforms while the ITE component is inserted within the ear canal of the user.

The present application discloses a protective cover for a hearing aid device, where the protective cover comprises a hearing aid device configured to be worn on and behind an ear of a user, the protective cover comprising: a cover formed of a substantially soft material, where the cover has a first region and a second region, the first region has a first hardness and the second region has a second hardness, the cover having a main opening configured to receive a hearing aid device, the main opening being disposed in the second region of the cover; a plurality of lips formed on the surface of the second region of the cover; and a closure device configured to be applied to the cover to enclose at least the plurality of lips to seal the hearing aid device in the cover.

Various embodiments of a hearing assistance device and a method of forming such device are disclosed. The device includes a housing having a shell and a frame disposed at least partially within the shell. An inner surface of the shell and at least a portion of the frame define a void. Further, an indentation hardness value of the frame is greater than an indentation hardness value of the shell. The hearing assistance device also includes hearing assistance components that are disposed at least partially within the void.

A method for making a customized earpiece includes creating a unique identifier associated with a user, scanning an ear of the user with an electronic device that includes at least one camera system that configured to perform three dimensional mapping image scans, associating the unique identifier with one or more scans obtained via the electronic device, receiving, at a database, the one or more scans via transmission from the electronic device, receiving, at the database, one or more earpiece parameters via transmission from the electronic device, forming, via a three-dimensional printer, a mold having an internal configuration corresponding to the one or more scans and the one or more earpiece parameters. The mold can then be utilized to create a custom-fit earpiece that includes customized internal components and other features that match the earpiece parameters provided by the user. A system utilizing the above method is also included.

Acoustic models accurately predict ear-canal acoustics in children using standard clinical immittance measures to improve the accuracy of hearing aid fitting when measurements cannot be made in the child’s ear canal. Physical models of ear canal geometry have been associated to indirect acoustic estimates, which makes is possible to develop models that can predict physical and acoustic characteristics of the ear canal. Such a model predicts ear-canal geometry and acoustics to product earmolds without the need for ear impressions or repeated verification. The combination of predicting ear canal geometry and acoustics improves the quality of hearing aid fitting in children, positively impacts developmental outcomes, and reduces the burden for children and their families. This is especially seen in rural areas, developing countries, and other areas where the ratio of patients to care provides is reduced.

A method comprises obtaining, by one or more processors, a component model, the component model being a 3-dimensional (3D) model of a component of a hearing instrument; obtaining, by the one or more processors, a plurality of ear impression models, each respective ear impression model of the plurality of ear impression models being a 3D model of an ear canal of a user corresponding to the respective ear impression model; for each respective ear impression model, performing, by the one or more processors, a component optimization process that optimizes a position of the component model within the respective ear impression model in 6-degrees of freedom based on one or more optimization criteria; generating, by the one or more processors, statistical data based on the positions of the components model within the ear impression models; outputting, by the one or more processors, the statistical data.

A method comprises obtaining, by one or more processors of a computing system, ear modeling data representing an impression of an ear of a patient; for each of a plurality of combinations of one or more types of hearing instruments and one or more feature sets, determining, by the one or more processors, whether the combination is feasible for a shape of the ear of the patient, wherein different feature sets of the one or more feature sets include different combinations of components; and outputting, by the one or more processors, for display, a graphical user interface (GUI) that presents one or more of the combinations that are determined to be feasible given the shape of the ear of the patient.

The invention revers to an assembly method for a hearing device (1). For the assembly an elongated circuit board center section (20) and two circuit board side parts (22) are provided. Positioning means (30) are installed on both circuit board side parts (22). Afterwards, the circuit board side parts (22) are connected, mechanically and for signal transmission, to the circuit board center section (20) to form a circuit board arrangement (50). The circuit board side parts (22) are aligned in an orientation transverse to a surface of the circuit board center section (20) by means of the respective positioning means (30). The circuit board arrangement (50) is then housed by means of at least two housing shells (52, 54).

A hearing instrument comprises: a microphone; a housing that defines an opening that leads to the microphone; a button disposed on the housing; and a ring member configured to be disposed within a recess defined in the housing and to define a perimeter around the button, wherein: the ring member defining an acoustic path that has a non-straight segment, the acoustic path has an external port and an internal port, and the internal port is configured to be aligned with the microphone opening of the housing.

The invention relates to a protective element (2) configured to be connected to an electroacoustic transducer (1) or a sound tube (3) included in a hearing device, the protective element (2) comprising a 3D-shaped membrane (7) enclosing a cavity (6) with an opening (8) at which the membrane (7) is configured to connect to the transducer (1) or sound tube (3), wherein the membrane (7) has one or more thinner portions (7.1, 7.4) configured to transmit sound and one or more thicker portions (7.2) at which a rigidity of the membrane (7) is greater than at the thinner portions (7.1, 7.4).