Ear-worn hearing device

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ear-wearing hearing device. An ear-worn hearing device with reduced occlusion is disclosed. A hearing device includes a signal processor configured to generate an anti-occlusion signal based on a feed-forward signal from a vibration sensor positioned to detect vibrations propagated by tissue within an at least partially occluded ear canal of a user. Optionally, the anti-occlusion signal may also be based on a feedback signal from a microphone positioned to detect sound within the at least partially occluded ear canal. Unwanted vibrations detected by the vibration sensor may optionally be removed from the anti-occlusion signal based on filtering the anti-occlusion signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to ear-worn hearing devices, and more particularly to ear-worn hearing devices with active occlusion reduction and circuits for the ear-worn hearing devices. Background Art

[0002] Ear-worn hearing devices that form a seal with the user's ear (also called "closed-fit hearing devices") may block or occlude the inner ear. The blockage creates an occlusion effect that is perceived as amplifying the user's own voice and other sounds originating in and near the user's mouth. The effect is characterized by an increase in pressure within the occluded ear canal, primarily at frequencies below 2 kHz. The effect can also be noticed in hearing devices that do not form a complete seal. The occlusion effect can be distracting during conversations and while eating.

[0003] Conventional methods of meaningfully reducing occlusion produce undesirable audio side effects. For example, an acoustic vent that enters an otherwise occluded ear canal tends to degrade low-frequency acoustic performance. Therefore, vents are undesirable for listening to music and other audio content. Prior art active noise control (ANC) circuits can provide limited occlusion reduction. Such ANC circuits generate an anti-noise signal based on a feedback signal from a microphone located in the ear canal and a feed-forward signal from a microphone located outside the ear. Fig. 9 The example illustrates noise reduction of a prior art ANC circuit based on a feedforward microphone signal and a feedback microphone signal. The shaded area shows that the feedforward microphone signal enhances the noise reduction provided by the feedback microphone signal. The feedback microphone can provide limited occlusion reduction, but the feedforward microphone cannot reduce the occlusion effect. Therefore, there is a need to address the occlusion effect in ear-worn hearing devices. Utility Model Content

[0004] The present disclosure provides an ear-worn hearing device, the ear-worn hearing device comprising: a housing having a portion configured to at least partially block an ear canal of a user when the user wears the ear-worn hearing device; a speaker positioned to emit sound to an ear of the user when the user wears the ear-worn hearing device; a vibration sensor positioned to detect tissue-transmitted vibrations within an at least partially blocked ear canal; a signal processor coupled to the vibration sensor and configured to generate an anti-occlusion signal based on a feedforward signal from the vibration sensor; and a driver circuit coupled to the speaker and configured to drive the speaker with a drive signal including the anti-occlusion signal.

[0005] The signal processor includes a first filter, wherein the anti-occlusion signal is generated based on filtering the feedforward signal from the vibration sensor using the first filter.

[0006] The signal processor includes a second filter, wherein the signal processor is configured to reduce an unwanted vibration component of the anti-occlusion signal based on filtering the anti-occlusion signal using the second filter.

[0007] The ear-worn hearing device further includes a first microphone positioned to detect sound within the at least partially blocked ear canal, the signal processor includes a third filter, wherein the anti-occlusion signal is generated based on filtering a feedback signal from the first microphone using the third filter.

[0008] The ear-worn hearing device further includes a first microphone positioned to detect sound within the at least partially blocked ear canal, the signal processor includes a third filter, wherein the anti-occlusion signal is generated based on filtering a feedback signal from the first microphone using the third filter.

[0009] The signal processor is configured to update coefficients of the first filter based on the feedback signal from the first microphone.

[0010] The signal processor is configured to update coefficients of the third filter based on the feedback signal from the first microphone.

[0011] The signal processor is configured to update coefficients of the first filter based on user-generated tissue-propagated vibrations in response to a prompt.

[0012] The vibration sensor is capable of detecting tissue-transmitted vibrations of 300 Hz or higher.

[0013] The vibration sensor is capable of detecting tissue-borne vibrations below 3 kHz.

[0014] The vibration sensor is capable of detecting tissue-borne vibrations between 500 Hz and 2 kHz.

[0015] The ear-worn hearing device further includes a second microphone positioned to detect sounds outside the ear canal of the user, and the signal processor is configured to generate an anti-sound signal representing unwanted sounds based on a signal from the second microphone, wherein the unwanted sounds are reduced within the ear canal of the user when the speaker is driven by the drive signal.

[0016] The ear-worn hearing device further includes a second microphone positioned to detect sounds outside the ear canal of the user, the signal processor being configured to generate an audio signal based on a signal from the second microphone, wherein when the speaker is driven by the drive signal, the speaker reproduces the audio detected by the second microphone.

[0017] The present disclosure also provides an ear-worn hearing device, the ear-worn hearing device comprising: a shell having a portion configured to at least partially block an ear canal of a user when the user wears the ear-worn hearing device; a speaker positioned to emit sound to an ear of the user when the user wears the ear-worn hearing device; a vibration sensor positioned to detect vibrations propagated by tissue in an at least partially blocked ear canal; a first microphone positioned to detect sound in the at least partially blocked ear canal; a signal processor coupled to the vibration sensor and the first microphone, the signal processor configured to generate an anti-occlusion signal based on a feedforward signal from the vibration sensor and based on a feedback signal from the first microphone; and a driver circuit coupled to the speaker and configured to drive the speaker with a drive signal including the anti-occlusion signal.

[0018] The signal processor includes: a first filter, which is connected to the vibration sensor, wherein the anti-occlusion signal is generated based on filtering the feedforward signal from the vibration sensor using the first filter; a second filter, which is connected to the first microphone, wherein the signal processor is configured to reduce unwanted vibration components of the anti-occlusion signal based on filtering the anti-occlusion signal using the second filter; and a third filter, which is connected to the first microphone, wherein the anti-occlusion signal is generated based on filtering the feedback signal from the first microphone using the third filter.

[0019] The signal processor is configured to update coefficients of the first filter based on the feedback signal from the first microphone.

[0020] The signal processor is configured to update coefficients of the third filter based on the feedback signal from the first microphone.

[0021] The signal processor is configured to update coefficients of the first filter based on user-generated tissue-propagated vibrations in response to a prompt.

[0022] The vibration sensor detects tissue-borne vibrations between 500 Hz and 2 kHz.

[0023] The ear-worn hearing device further includes a second microphone positioned to detect sounds outside the ear canal of the user, and the signal processor is configured to generate an anti-sound signal representing unwanted sounds based on a signal from the second microphone, wherein the unwanted sounds are reduced within the ear canal of the user when the speaker is driven by the drive signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent after considering the following detailed description and appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.The drawings depict only representative embodiments and are not to be considered limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 1 An ear-worn hearing device that sits in or on the user's ear.

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an ear-worn hearing device with feed-forward vibration sensor-based occlusion reduction.

[0027] Figure 3 It is supplemented with unnecessary vibration compensation Figure 2 Schematic diagram of .

[0028] Figure 4 is supplemented with feedback microphone-based occlusion reduction Figure 3 Schematic diagram of .

[0029] Figure 5 is used for Figures 2 to 4 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 An adaptive filter based on occlusion reduction of a feed-forward vibration signal in any schematic diagram.

[0030] Figure 6 is used for Figures 2 to 5 and Figure 8 An adaptive filter is used to compensate for unwanted vibrations in any one of the above.

[0031] Figure 7 is used for Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 An adaptive filter based on occlusion reduction of a feedback microphone in any one of the embodiments.

[0032] Figure 8 It has ambient sound control Figure 4 .

[0033] Fig. 9 The frequency dependence of the prior art ANC based on the feedback microphone signal and the feedforward microphone signal is illustrated.

[0034] Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and, therefore, may not be drawn to scale and may not include well-known features, that actions or steps may occur in a different order than described, that such actions or steps may occur in a different order than described, and that the terms and expressions used herein have the meanings as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art unless they are specifically given different meanings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present disclosure relates generally to ear-worn hearing devices, and more particularly to ear-worn hearing devices with active occlusion reduction based on vibration sensors, circuits and methods therefor. Representative hearing devices include, but are not limited to, earphones, earplugs, in-the-ear (ITE) devices, completely in-the-canal (CIC) devices, and receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) devices coupled to a behind-the-ear (BTE) unit, among others.

[0036] A hearing device typically comprises a housing having a portion configured to at least partially occlude or block the user's ear canal when the hearing device is worn by the user. Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, the ear-worn hearing device 100 includes a housing having an integral housing portion 110 that at least partially occludes or blocks the ear canal 200 when worn. Alternatively, the housing portion that at least partially blocks the ear canal may be an ear-dome or other structure that is removably fastened to the hearing device. In a receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing device, the housing may be an integral part of a speaker (e.g., a balanced armature receiver housing), and the housing portion that at least partially blocks the ear canal may be an ear-dome coupled to a nozzle of the speaker or a nozzle of a housing in which the speaker is at least partially housed. The occlusion produces an effect that is perceived as amplifying the user's speech and other sounds originating in and near the mouth. The easily occluded ear-worn hearing device may be configured to be worn over, on, or at least partially in the ear or ear canal of a user.

[0037] exist Figure 1In the case, a sound emitting transducer (also generally referred to herein as a "speaker") 120 is at least partially disposed in the housing and positioned to emit sound to an ear of a user when the hearing device is worn by the user. The speaker may be implemented as one or more balanced armature receivers or dynamic speakers, or a combination of balanced armature receivers and dynamic speakers. The hearing device further includes a signal processor 130, which is configured to generate an output signal provided to a driver circuit (e.g., amplifier 140), which provides a drive signal to the speaker. The processor may be effectively implemented as a digital signal processor.

[0038] exist Figure 1 In the present invention, the hearing device 100 also includes an accelerometer (also referred to herein as a "vibration sensor") 150, which is positioned to detect tissue-transmitted vibrations when the hearing device at least partially occludes the ear canal of the user. The vibration sensor may be integrated with the housing, nozzle, or other part of the hearing device. The vibration sensor is coupled to the signal processor and provides a feed-forward signal to the signal processor based on the tissue-transmitted vibrations detected by the vibration sensor. Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, the signal processor 130 is configured to generate an anti-occlusion signal based on the feedforward signal from the vibration sensor. Ideally, the anti-occlusion signal has the same amplitude and opposite phase as the signal that produces the occlusion effect. In practice, the anti-occlusion signal has substantially the same amplitude and opposite phase as the signal to be canceled. The effectiveness of the occlusion reduction will decrease as the deviation from the ideal increases. The anti-occlusion signal is provided to the speaker 120 via the amplifier 140, wherein the occlusion effect perceived by the user is reduced.

[0039] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, the output signal including the anti-occlusion signal may also include or be combined with one or more signals from an external source 131. Such external sources may include music and telephone signals, among others. The processor may combine the signal from the external source with the output signal, or the combination may be performed downstream of the processor and upstream of the driver circuit (e.g., amplifier 140).

[0040] The vibration sensor is typically able to effectively detect tissue-transmitted vibrations between 300 Hz and 3 kHz. In one representative implementation, effective occlusion reduction can be achieved by detecting tissue-transmitted vibrations between 500 Hz and 2 kHz. However, in some applications, it may be desirable to compensate for tissue-transmitted vibrations below 300 Hz.

[0041] The processor generates an anti-occlusion signal by filtering the feedforward signal from the vibration sensor and inverting the phase of the filtered signal. Figure 2In the embodiment, the signal processor 130 includes a first filter 132, which is configured to perform a shelf, peak or notch function and other filter functions for this purpose. The first filter can be implemented as one or more filter components connected in parallel and / or in series. These filter components can be implemented in particular as one or more digital infinite impulse response (IIR) filters or finite impulse response (FIR) filters. In Figure 5 In the embodiment, the signal processor is configured to intermittently or continuously optimize the performance of the first filter 132 by updating one or more filter coefficients using an optimization function or model based on a feedback signal from the first microphone 133. The first microphone is positioned to detect sounds in the ear canal of the user and can be integrated with the housing, nozzle or other part of the hearing device. Figure 5 The adaptive anti-occlusion filter can be used for Figures 2 to 4 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 Any occlusion in the circuit is reduced.

[0042] Vibration sensors can also detect unwanted vibrations. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the vibration sensor detects unwanted vibrations originating from the speaker 120 in the ear canal of the user. Therefore, in addition to the tissue-propagated vibration signal, the feed-forward signal from the vibration sensor may also include the unwanted vibration signal, wherein the obtained anti-occlusion signal generated by the processor also includes the unwanted vibration component. In some implementations, the unwanted vibration component can be eliminated or reduced by subtracting the anti-vibration signal from the anti-occlusion signal upstream of the driver circuit. The anti-vibration signal can be generated by filtering the anti-occlusion signal.

[0043] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, the signal processor 130 is configured to generate an anti-vibration signal based on the anti-occlusion signal fed back from the output of the adder 136. The anti-vibration signal has the same or substantially the same amplitude as the vibration component of the anti-occlusion signal but an opposite phase. When combined at the adder, the unwanted vibration component of the anti-occlusion signal is eliminated or at least partially reduced. The processor can generate the anti-vibration signal by filtering the anti-occlusion signal output from the adder using a second filter 134. The processor can implement the second filter as one or more digital filter components connected in parallel and / or in series. These filter components can be implemented in particular as digital infinite impulse response (IIR) filters, which are configured to perform shelf, peak or notch functions as described herein.

[0044] In some implementations, such as Figure 6As shown, the signal processor is configured to intermittently or continuously optimize the performance of the second filter 134 by updating one or more filter coefficients using an optimization function or model based on feedback signals from the outputs of the first filter 132 and the second filter 134. The adder 136 includes a first adder 137 that combines the outputs of the filters 132 and 134. The processor uses the feedback signal from the first adder 137 to adapt the second filter 134. The output of the first adder 137 can be provided to the amplifier 140 alone or in combination with a signal from an external source, as described herein. The anti-blocking signal is also based on the reference signal as described herein. Figure 4 In the implementation of the microphone feedback signal, at the second adder 139 downstream of the first adder 137, the output of the first adder 137 is combined with the third filter ( Figure 4 The outputs of the filters 135 in are added, as further described herein. Figure 6 The adaptive anti-vibration filter can be used for Figures 2 to 5 and Figure 8 Any occlusion in the circuit is reduced.

[0045] In some implementations, the signal processor is configured to generate the anti-occlusion signal based on the feedback signal from the first microphone in addition to the feedforward signal from the vibration sensor, with or without the anti-vibration signal. Figure 4 In, the signal processor 130 is configured to generate an anti-occlusion signal by filtering the feedback signal from the first microphone 133 and inverting the phase of the filtered signal. The processor can implement the third filter as one or more digital filter components connected in parallel and / or in series. These filter components can be implemented in particular as digital infinite impulse response (IIR) filters, which are configured to perform, in particular, a shelf, peak or notch function as described herein. In Figure 4 , the filtered microphone feedback signal output from the third filter 135 is combined with the outputs of filters 132 and 134 at adder 136. Thus, the resulting anti-occlusion signal is based on the sum of the outputs of filters 132 and 134 and optionally filter 135, and may constitute all or a portion of the output signal applied to amplifier 140 to drive speaker 120. As described herein, the signal from external source 131 may also be combined with the anti-occlusion signal upstream of amplifier 140.

[0046] In some implementations, such as Figure 7As shown, the signal processor is configured to intermittently or continuously optimize the performance of the third filter 135 by updating one or more coefficients of the third filter using an optimization function or model 141 based on a feedback signal from the first microphone 133. The second adder 139 combines the anti-occlusion signal output from the third filter 135 with the anti-occlusion signal output from the first adder 137. The first adder 137 combines Figure 4 The outputs of the first filter 132 and the second filter 134 are shown. The second adder is coupled to the amplifier 140. Alternatively, the outputs of the filters 132, 134 and 135 may be combined at the first adder 137 coupled to the amplifier without the second adder 139, as shown. Figure 4 and Figure 8 As described herein, the anti-occlusion signal may also be combined with a signal from an external source. Figure 7 The adaptive feedback microphone signal filter can be used to Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 Any occlusion in the circuit is reduced.

[0047] In some implementations, the ear-worn hearing device further includes a second microphone positioned to detect sounds outside the user's ear, wherein the signal processor is configured to generate the output signal based in part on a signal from the second microphone. Figure 8 In the embodiment of the present invention, the ear-worn hearing device further comprises a second microphone 142 positioned to detect sounds outside the ear canal of the user. The second microphone can be integrated with a housing worn in the ear (eg, RIC device, CIC device, ITE device) or with a BTE housing.

[0048] In one implementation, Figure 1 and Figure 8 In the embodiment, the signal processor is configured to generate an anti-sound signal based on a signal from a second microphone 142, and the second microphone 142 is positioned to sense or detect a sound signal or an ambient signal outside the ear. Figure 8In some embodiments, an anti-sound signal can be generated by filtering a signal from an external microphone 142 using a fourth filter 144 configured to eliminate unwanted sounds (e.g., noise) detected by a second microphone. The fourth filter can be implemented as one or more filter components connected in parallel and / or in series. These filter components can be implemented in particular as digital infinite impulse response (IIR) filters or finite impulse response (FIR) filters, which are configured to perform shelving, peak or notch functions, etc. as described above. In some implementations, in addition to the signal from the external microphone 142, an anti-sound signal can also be generated based on a feedback signal from the first microphone 133 to improve noise cancellation. In this configuration, when the speaker is driven by a drive signal based on the anti-sound signal, unwanted sounds can be reduced in the ear canal of the user.

[0049] In another implementation, Figure 8 In the embodiment of the present invention, the signal processor can be configured to pass the feedforward signal from the second microphone 142 to the speaker. In this implementation, the fourth filter 144 can be configured to pass the desired portion of the sound detected by the second microphone. For example, the filter can be configured to reduce noise in the signal while maintaining the fidelity of certain sounds. In this configuration, when the speaker is driven by the drive signal based on the feedforward signal from the second microphone, the speaker reproduces the sound detected by the second microphone.

[0050] In some implementations, the processor is also configured to calibrate or adapt one or more of the filters based on user input for optimal performance. Such calibration can be performed by configuring one or more coefficients of one or more filters based on tissue vibrations generated by the user (e.g., by speaking a word or a random sound). Calibration can be performed when the ear-worn hearing device is first inserted or enabled. Calibration can also be performed while the hearing device is worn. For example, the hearing device can restart calibration in response to detecting a vibration or acceleration event (e.g., caused by physical activity) indicating a possible repositioning of the hearing device in the user's ear. In some implementations, when the hearing device is enabled, the hearing device or host device prompts the user to generate tissue vibrations. Calibration can uniquely configure the filter for changes in physical anatomical structures between different users and changes in the fit or seal of the hearing device in the user's ear.

[0051] Although the present disclosure and what is currently considered to be its best mode have been described in a manner that establishes possession and enables one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the disclosure and what is currently considered to be its best mode, it should be understood and appreciated that there are many equivalents to the representative embodiments described herein and that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, and that the scope and spirit of the invention is not limited by the described embodiments but by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ear-worn hearing device, characterized in that: The ear-worn hearing device comprises: a housing having a portion configured to at least partially occlude an ear canal of a user when the ear-worn hearing device is worn by the user; a speaker positioned to emit sound toward an ear of the user when the user wears the ear-worn hearing device; a vibration sensor positioned to detect tissue-propagated vibrations within the at least partially obstructed ear canal; a signal processor coupled to the vibration sensor and configured to generate an anti-occlusion signal based on a feed-forward signal from the vibration sensor; and A driver circuit is coupled to the speaker and configured to drive the speaker with a drive signal including the anti-occlusion signal.

2. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The signal processor includes a first filter, wherein the anti-occlusion signal is generated based on filtering the feedforward signal from the vibration sensor using the first filter.

3. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The signal processor includes a second filter, wherein the signal processor is configured to reduce an unwanted vibration component of the anti-occlusion signal based on filtering the anti-occlusion signal using the second filter.

4. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, wherein: The ear-worn hearing device further includes a first microphone positioned to detect sound within the at least partially blocked ear canal, the signal processor includes a third filter, wherein the anti-occlusion signal is generated based on filtering a feedback signal from the first microphone using the third filter.

5. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ear-worn hearing device further includes a first microphone positioned to detect sound within the at least partially blocked ear canal, the signal processor includes a third filter, wherein the anti-occlusion signal is generated based on filtering a feedback signal from the first microphone using the third filter.

6. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The signal processor is configured to update coefficients of the first filter based on the feedback signal from the first microphone.

7. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The signal processor is configured to update coefficients of the third filter based on the feedback signal from the first microphone.

8. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 2, wherein: The signal processor is configured to update coefficients of the first filter based on user-generated tissue-propagated vibrations in response to a prompt.

9. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, wherein: The vibration sensor is capable of detecting tissue-transmitted vibrations of 300 Hz or higher.

10. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, wherein: The vibration sensor is capable of detecting tissue-borne vibrations below 3 kHz.

11. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, wherein: The vibration sensor is capable of detecting tissue-borne vibrations between 500 Hz and 2 kHz.

12. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, wherein: The ear-worn hearing device further includes a second microphone positioned to detect sounds outside the ear canal of the user, and the signal processor is configured to generate an anti-sound signal representing unwanted sounds based on a signal from the second microphone, wherein the unwanted sounds are reduced within the ear canal of the user when the speaker is driven by the drive signal.

13. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 1, wherein: The ear-worn hearing device further includes a second microphone positioned to detect sounds outside the ear canal of the user, the signal processor being configured to generate an audio signal based on a signal from the second microphone, wherein when the speaker is driven by the drive signal, the speaker reproduces the audio detected by the second microphone.

14. An ear-worn hearing device, characterized in that: The ear-worn hearing device comprises: a housing having a portion configured to at least partially occlude an ear canal of a user when the ear-worn hearing device is worn by the user; a speaker positioned to emit sound toward an ear of the user when the user wears the ear-worn hearing device; a vibration sensor positioned to detect tissue-propagated vibrations within the at least partially obstructed ear canal; a first microphone positioned to detect sound within the at least partially obstructed ear canal; a signal processor coupled to the vibration sensor and the first microphone, the signal processor configured to generate an anti-occlusion signal based on a feed-forward signal from the vibration sensor and based on a feedback signal from the first microphone; and A driver circuit is coupled to the speaker and configured to drive the speaker with a drive signal including the anti-occlusion signal.

15. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 14, wherein: The signal processor comprises: a first filter coupled to the vibration sensor, wherein the anti-occlusion signal is generated based on filtering the feedforward signal from the vibration sensor using the first filter; a second filter coupled to the first microphone, wherein the signal processor is configured to reduce an unwanted vibration component of the anti-occlusion signal based on filtering the anti-occlusion signal using the second filter; and A third filter is coupled to the first microphone, wherein the anti-occlusion signal is generated based on filtering the feedback signal from the first microphone using the third filter.

16. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 15, characterized in that The signal processor is configured to update coefficients of the first filter based on the feedback signal from the first microphone.

17. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 15, wherein: The signal processor is configured to update coefficients of the third filter based on the feedback signal from the first microphone.

18. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 15, wherein: The signal processor is configured to update coefficients of the first filter based on user-generated tissue-propagated vibrations in response to a prompt.

19. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 14, wherein: The vibration sensor detects tissue-borne vibrations between 500 Hz and 2 kHz.

20. The ear-worn hearing device according to claim 14, wherein: The ear-worn hearing device further includes a second microphone positioned to detect sounds outside the ear canal of the user, and the signal processor is configured to generate an anti-sound signal representing unwanted sounds based on a signal from the second microphone, wherein the unwanted sounds are reduced within the ear canal of the user when the speaker is driven by the drive signal.

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