482results about "In the ear hearing aids" patented technology

The invention relates to a listening assistance device (1) comprising hearing modules (3) mounted on the ends of the arms of an eyeglass frame (2), said modules being designed to support the eyeglass frame on the ear of the user. The hearing modules also have a formed part (5) which extends into the auditive canal without closing the latter and which includes the sound outlet hole (6) of the module. The modules comprise a speech spectrum frequency response and linear dynamics in order to improve speech intelligibility. This makes it possible to provide a listening assistance device compensating for mild hearing loss that can be produced easily and economically, is more comfortable to use and is not regarded at first sight as a hearing aid by an observer.

A hearing aid insertable into an ear canal includes a microphone which translates acoustic energy into electrical signals, signal processing circuitry which processes the electrical signals provided by the microphone, a receiver which converts the processed electrical signals into acoustic energy, and a power source connectable to the signal processing circuitry.

An acoustic coupler adapted for use with an intracanal receiver module can be deeply inserted into the ear canal of the user while making minimal contact with the walls of the ear canal. The minimal contact feature of the invention allows the acoustic coupler to seal the ear canal acoustically and anchor a hearing device at an optimal depth within the ear canal, while maximizing the user's comfort. The acoustic coupler is manufactured from a soft, pliable elastomer that allows it to conform readily to the shape of the ear canal. The acoustic coupler incorporates structural supports that allow the coupler to maintain an acoustical seal and withstand the inward pressure of the ear canal wall while making minimal contact with the ear canal. The invention incorporates a cerumen-protecting feature that prevents damage to a hearing device from infiltration of earwax into the sound port of the receiver. A vent pathway for control of occlusion effects is also provided. A user-friendly, attachment mechanism incorporating a snap-on, twist-off feature allows the acoustic coupler to concentrically surround the receiver module within the ear canal in a space-efficient manner.

A wearable device has a motion detector configured to detect motion of the device and produce a motion signal relating to motion of the device, a contact sensor configured to detect if the device is in contact with an object and produce a contact signal relating to whether the device is in contact with an object, and a controller operatively coupled with the motion detector and the contact sensor. The controller is configured to switch between on and off-states as a function of at least one of the motion signal and contact signal. The device also has a sound transducer or other transducer operatively coupled with the controller. The controller is configured to change the state of the sound transducer between on and off-states in response to receipt of the motion signal, and the contact signal.

Device called ear unit for stable fittings in an ear, characterised in that said ear unit (10) is shaped as a decremental curve and that the distance between the ends (5, 8) of the decremental curve is approximately equal to the distance between a first cavity from the under the tragus (4) of the ear and second cavity covered by the lower node (15) of the antihelix of the ear, the upper part of the curve projecting in underneath a flap (2) covering the lower part of the second cavity, and said ear piece having a curvature providing an improved attachment in that said curvature follows the bottom of the ear mussel (22). The ear unit (10) optionally comprises a part (T) extending downwards, the transition between said part (T) and the ear piece is formed in such a way that it aligns along the intertragic notch (14). The ear unit is optionally arranged with at least one unit from the group comprising ear phone and microphone. The ear unit is optionally arranged with a unit from the group of wireless communication unit for use with mobile phone and the like, and wired communication unit for use with music system and the like. Said ear unit (10) is arranged with a curvature (21) in such a way that it traces along the bottom of the ear mussel (22) when the ear unit (10) is positioned into the ear and optionally arranged with an incision (20) in such a way that it aligns along the intertragic notch (14) when said ear unit is brought into the ear. This provides a further stability and increased comfort.

The robustness of hearing aid devices in terms of electromagnetic disturbances and chemically aggressive surroundings should be improved. For this purpose, provision is made to equip a hearing aid apparatus with optical microphones. Since no metal parts must be used for these optical micro-phones, corrosion can be largely excluded. Furthermore, no EMC problems occur as a result of the optical signal processing.

The invention regards a communication device which is adapted for placement in a users ear. The communication device comprises a shell part enclosing an input transducer for receiving an input signal, a signal processing device and an output transducer for providing a signal perceivable as sound, a battery located at a surface part of the shell which is facing away from the head of the user, a transmission and reception circuit for transmission and / or reception of electromagnetic energy. According to the invention an antenna for radiating and / or receiving electromagnetic energy is provided such that it has a first surface turned towards the surroundings and a second surface located in close proximity of the battery.

The increasing miniaturization of hearing aids means that less and less space is available for accommodating controls (9). It is thus proposed that, at least one proximity sensor (6; 12A, 12B) be provided on a hearing aid (1; 11) so as to enable an operating function to be performed even without touching a control directly. For operation of a hearing aid (1; 11) in accordance with the invention, in addition to the hearing aid (1; 11) itself, no further technical aids such as remote control, magnets etc. have to be worn as well.

An audio player is constructed in an ear module fully supported by the ear. The ear module is an in ear canal device, or ear bud with a clip that securely attaches it to the ear. The ear module contains all components required for storing and playing digitized audio such as MP3, RealAudio, WMA or ASF. The ear module is coupled to a hub that is also fully supported by the ear. The hub comprises a micro controller and connectors for receiving digitized audio. The hub has a connector hub from which peripheral devices are supportable.

The hearing device comprises an ear-piece (1) which is designed to be worn at least partially in an ear canal of a user of the hearing device. The ear-piece (1) comprises a vent passage (3) connecting the ear canal with the atmosphere. The vent passage (3) has an inner opening (8) towards the ear-canal and an outer opening (9) towards the atmosphere. The ear-piece (1) further comprises a vent extension (4). The vent extension (4) is a protrusion extending the vent passage (3) beyond the body (2) of the ear-piece (1). The vent extension (4) is adapted for abutting on a surface of the body of the user and is thereby inconspicuous and / or contributes thereby to retention. A method for manufacturing such a hearing device is also disclosed.

A mobile communication device (50) receives an audio stream as input and delivers a processed audio stream as output. The mobile communication device has a data connection providing access to the Internet, and a short range data connection for delivering a processed audio stream as output to a specific hearing aid (10). The mobile communication device acquires a data set containing hearing aid settings for said specific hearing aid from a remote server (71), and adjusts the emulation software application by means of the data set containing hearing aid settings for said specific hearing aid (10). The mobile communication device transmits the control signals and a processed audio stream to the specific hearing aid via said short range data connection and the specific hearing aid outputs the audio signal to the user without additional amplification. The invention also provides a method of signal processing in a mobile communication device.

A method of estimating an acoustic transfer quantity representative of a sound pressure transfer to the eardrum includes the steps of measuring, by an ear canal microphone of the hearing instrument, an acoustic signal in the ear canal when a sound signal is emitted into the ear canal by a receiver of the hearing instrument, the ear canal microphone being in acoustic communication with the ear canal, determining, from the acoustic signal and from a frequency dependent reference characteristics of the hearing instrument, an ear canal impedance, and, calculating, from the ear canal impedance, an estimate of the acoustic transfer quantity.

A hearing device system includes a hearing device having a normally open (i.e., doorless) receptacle cavity configured to accept a battery assembly for powering the hearing device. The battery assembly has an insertable segment and protruding segment, the protruding segment remains outside of the receptacle cavity of the hearing device when the insertable segment of the battery assembly is operably seated (i.e., firmly engaged, with electrical connection established to the hearing device) within the receptacle cavity. A battery dispenser holds one or more new battery assemblies for direct transfer of one of the held battery assemblies into the receptacle cavity of the hearing device to replace a depleted battery assembly when the latter is removed from the receptacle cavity.

A portable electronic device having a) a folded substrate carrying components of the device, and b) another, separate component having a fixed outer contour, and c) a housing for enclosing said folded substrate and said separate component, said housing having an inner contour, wherein said folded substrate is folded from a planar substrate along a folding line, said folded substrate exhibiting outer edges comprising a folded edge following said folding line. A method of manufacturing a folded substrate. An object of the present application is to facilitate miniaturization of a portable electronic device, such as a hearing aid. A problem is solved in that the folded substrate is shaped to provide that at least one of said outer edges follow(s) the fixed outer contour of the separate component and / or the inner contour of said housing.

In the case of a hearing aid device which can be worn in the ear or a hearing aid device with a otoplastic which can be worn in the ear, the penetration of direct sound through a ventilation channel of the hearing aid device or of the otoplastic is prevented. An acoustic signal is picked up from the ventilation channel via a second microphone in a first region of the ventilation channel and phase-shifting it in a filter device in such a way that the direct sound is at least largely eliminated after the phase-shifted signal is emitted into the ventilation channel via a second earphone. The invention offers the advantage that an enlargement of the cross section of the ventilation channel is made possible as a result, even to provide an open supply, without disturbing direct sound getting into the auditory canal of the person wearing the hearing device.

A hearing aid device configured to be partly or fully inserted into the ear canal of a user is disclosed. The hearing aid device comprises a receiver (loudspeaker) adapted to generate and send an air-borne acoustic signal towards the eardrum when the hearing aid device is partly or fully inserted into the ear canal. The hearing aid device further comprises a microphone configured to receive acoustic signals. The hearing aid device comprises a processing unit configured to determine if the hearing aid device is positioned in a correct position in the ear canal on the basis of the acoustic signals received by the microphone.

A balanced armature (“BA”) based valve is described. The valve includes a motor having a coil assembly and a magnetic system, an armature extending through or being located adjacent to the motor, a drive pin coupled to the armature, and a valve flap of a membrane having a hole therein. The valve flap is actuated by the drive pin into open and closed positions, in response to respective motions of the armature. A housing contains the motor, the armature, the drive pin, and the membrane. In one embodiment, the membrane is attached to the housing and divides the housing into an upper space and a lower space, and there is airflow through the hole, between the upper space and the lower space, only when the valve flap is open. A first spout of the housing may deliver sound generated by an acoustic driver in the housing into a wearer's ear canal, and is also open to the upper space. A second spout of the housing is open to the bottom space and to an ambient environment. Other embodiments are also described.

Embodiments of the invention include a method of preventing ferrite migration in a hearing aid including an antenna stack and a battery stack wherein the antenna stack sits on the battery stack, the method comprising the steps of: conformally coating the top and sides of the antenna stack using a conformal coating material; and separately coating all the surfaces of the battery stack using a separate material.

An earhook anti-snoring device is disclosed. The earhook anti-snoring device includes a casing, a base plate, a control unit, a sound-receiving device, a sound-generating device and a vibrating device. The base plate is arranged in the casing, and the control unit and the sound-receiving device are positioned on a side of the base plate. The position of the sound-receiving device corresponds to a hollow pipe arranged on the casing. The sound-generating device and the vibrating device are positioned on another side of the base plate and the sound-generating device is opposite to the sound-receiving device. The position of the sound-generating device corresponds to another hollow pipe arranged on the casing, and the sound-generating device is directed to an ear canal of a user along the hollow pipe.

A removable bezel (122) for use with an audio device (120) to enhance operation with a hearing aid (102). The removable bezel (122) has an electromagnetic coil (132) that is coupled to the audio output (124, 304, 404, 406) of the audio device. The electromagnetic coil (132) is either inductively coupled to an acoustic transducer (124) within the audio device (120) or by a direct electrical connection (314). The electromagnetic coil (132) has multiple turns and provides an enhanced magnetic field to a “T-Coil” magnetic pick up (112) within most conventional hearing aids (102). A cellular phone (104) is an example of an audio device used with the present invention. A method for use of the removable bezel (122) is also provided.

A hearing aid includes a sound input device, and a speaker, wherein the speaker includes a compartment with magnet suspended in a fluid containing magnetic particles and wherein a coil wrapped around the compartment or in close proximity thereto excites the magnet to vibrate causing pressure waves to vibrate a diaphragm proximal to the magnet.

A method is provided including: receiving a signal for regulating a valve of an ear-wearable device; and changing a state of the valve based on the signal, the changing including at least one of opening and closing the valve.

A method of manufacturing a hearing aid preferably includes the steps of: placing a moldable material in the ear canal of a patient to cast a form; using the form to form a hollow shell with an outer surface that approximates the shape of the patient's ear canal, the shell being of a soft polymeric material providing a mounting member; mounting electronic hearing aid components to the mounting member; joining the mounting member to the hollow shell to define a mold cavity; and filling the shell with a soft polymeric material that substantially encapsulates at least one of the electronic components and bonds to the mounting member, wherein the combination of shell, electronic components and soft polymeric material define a soft structure that is compliant to ear canal movement during use.

The invention regards an ear canal device and a retainer strip, whereby the ear canal device has a distal part for extending into the ear canal and facing the tympanic membrane and a proximal part extending towards the ear canal opening, wherein the proximal part of the ear canal device comprises an opening extending transversely through the ear canal device, and where a retaining strip is arranged with a first end thereof arranged to be fastened in the opening and a second end arranged to lie resiliently against the inside of the concha for exerting a retaining force on the ear canal device.