Audio apparatus

Abstract

Audio apparatus (50) comprises a transducer, coupling means in the form of a hook (56) and leads (58) to connect the audio apparatus (50) to a remote sound source. The transducer (52) is mounted to a lower straight end of the hook (56). An upper curved end of the hook (56) hooks over the junction between the user's ear and head so that the transducer (52) touches a lower rear face of the pinna adjacent the concha. The transducer excites vibration in the pinna whereby an acoustic signal from the transducer to a user's inner ear by radiation of pressure waves and / or by conduction of vibrational energy through the outer and middle ear.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to audio devices and in particular to audio devices for personal use. Background technique [0002] Ear-hook earphones which can be inserted into the recesses of a user's ears or headphones comprising a small loudspeaker mounted on a headscarf and facing or placed on the user's ear are known. These sound sources use air pressure waves passing along the ear canal to transmit sound to the user's inner ear via the eardrum. [0003] There are disadvantages associated with both headphones and earphones. For example, such earphones can block normal hearing processes, such as conversations, or block external audio messages that are useful or important to a user, such as warnings. Furthermore, these earphones are generally not comfortable, and if the volume delivered is too high, it can overload the ear and cause injury. [0004] Another method of supplying sound to the user's inner ear uses bone conduction, such as some types ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] One disadvantage is that the mechanical impedance of the skull at the transducer location is a complex function of frequency

Therefore, the design of the converter and the necessary electrical leveling is expensive and difficult

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