Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices having acoustic port guards. In an embodiment, an ear-wearable device is included having a receiver, an acoustic channel wall defining an acoustic channel between the receiver and an acoustic channel opening, an acoustic port guard disposed at a device opening. The acoustic port guard is included having a first ring structure including a first ring portion and an insertion portion, wherein the insertion portion is configured to be inserted into the device opening. The acoustic port guard can include a plurality of ribs connected to the first ring structure with each of the plurality of ribs defining an outer portion extending beyond an outer radius of the first ring structure. Other embodiments are also included herein.
Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices. In an embodiment, a hearing aid assembly is included having a housing with a top case and a bottom case. The housing defines an electronics cavity between the top case and the bottom case and a housing inlet between the bottom case and the top case. The hearing aid assembly can include an electronics assembly positioned within the electronics cavity, the electronics assembly defining a microphone inlet, wherein an acoustic passageway extends inward from the housing inlet to the microphone inlet. The electronics assembly includes a 10 microphone, and the acoustic passageway includes a front trap portion located below the front microphone inlet. Other embodiments are also included herein.
An ear-wearable device includes a digital signal processor that receives an audio signal from sound source of the ear-wearable device and reproduces the audio signal at a receiver that is placed within an ear of a user. The digital signal processor includes a deep neural network (DNN) logic circuit. The DNN logic circuit is operable to perform sound enhancement on the audio signal using a DNN stored in memory. An audio feature detector of the ear-wearable device is operable to detect an audio change via the digital signal processor that triggers a change of state of the DNN, the change of state affecting resource consumption by the DNN. The audio feature detector applies the change of state to the DNN. The DNN performs the sound enhancement in the changed state.
G10L 25/30 - Speech or voice analysis techniques not restricted to a single one of groups characterised by the analysis technique using neural networks
A system, such as an ear-wearable device or a hearing aid, can receive multiple audio signals representing a same audio content, can cross-correlate the multiple audio signals to determine relative delays between the audio signals, can apply the determined delays to at least one of the audio signals to form multiple synchronized audio signals, and can mix at least two of the synchronized audio signals in time-varying proportions to form an output audio signal. The system can optionally adjust the mix proportions, in real time, to increase or optimize the signal-to-noise ratio of the output audio signal. The system can optionally perform the cross-correlation repeatedly, at regular or irregular time intervals, to update the relative delays. The system can optionally divide the audio signals into frequency bands, and apply these operations to each frequency band, independent of the other frequency bands.
Various embodiments of an ear-wearable electronic device are disclosed. The device includes a housing having a top shell and a bottom shell, a microphone disposed within the housing, and an acoustic path disposed at least partially within the housing and extending between an acoustic port disposed at an outer surface of the housing and an outlet disposed within the housing that acoustically couples the acoustic path to an inlet of the microphone. The device further includes an acoustic filter disposed at least partially within an inner surface of the top shell and includes a neck and a resonance cavity acoustically coupled to the neck. The acoustic filter is acoustically coupled to the acoustic path via the neck. Further, the acoustic filter is configured to reduce an intensity of acoustic waves sensed by the microphone in a first frequency range.
Various embodiments of an ear-wearable electronic device are disclosed. The device includes a faceplate having an outer surface and an inner surface, where the faceplate defines a cavity disposed in the inner surface of the faceplate; a microphone disposed at least partially within the cavity and including an inlet; and an acoustic path disposed within the faceplate and extending between a microphone port disposed at the outer surface of the faceplate and an outlet disposed in the cavity. The acoustic path is acoustically coupled to the inlet of the microphone via the outlet. The inlet of the microphone is disposed in the cavity or in the outlet of the acoustic path. The acoustic path is configured such that all acoustic waves propagating within the acoustic path pass directly from the acoustic path to the inlet of the microphone.
The present disclosure relates to the wireless communication of information for a hearing assistance device including a multi-mode radio adapted to provide communications at different frequencies using frequency control. In applications of hearing aids, the processor is adapted to perform correction of sound for a hearing impaired user. In certain examples the present subject matter provides an inductive portion for inductive communications. In various applications the multi-mode radio can be used for long range and short range communications.
Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for microphone suspension for mechanical feedback reduction in hearing devices. A hearing device includes a housing, hearing electronics within the housing, a microphone not connected to the housing, and a flex connector. The flex connector is configured to electrically and mechanically connect the microphone to the hearing electronics, and the flex connector has a length to thickness ratio configured to lower a resonant frequency of the flex connector and the microphone below an audible range of interest.
A hearing aid device can include a housing having a button operable to activate the hearing aid device. Operation of the button activates the hearing aid device. A shim can be configured to inhibit operation of the button. The shim can include a shim body. The shim can include a button recess having a recess wall extending from the shim body. The shim can include the recess wall at least partially surrounds the button recess. The button recess can be configured to receive at least a portion of the button. The shim can include a channel having a channel wall. The channel can be in communication with the button recess, and the channel 10 can be configured to receive at least a portion of the button.
A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.
An antenna system for a wearable device comprises an antenna that includes a plurality of elements. The elements include an antenna element that comprises an electrically conductive material. The antenna also includes one or more feed points configured for operable coupling to a wireless transceiver. Additionally, the antenna includes a set of one or more switch units. For each respective switch unit of the set of switch units: the respective switch unit is connected to one or more elements of the respective switch unit in the plurality of elements, a flow of electrical current to the one or more elements connected to the respective switch unit is dependent on a switch state of the respective switch unit. A radiation characteristic of the antenna is dependent on the switch states of the switch units.
H01Q 1/27 - Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
H01Q 3/24 - Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
A persistent memory of an ear-wearable device stores a plurality of neural network data objects each defining a respective neural network. The ear-wearable device includes a digital signal processor comprising a neural network processor. The digital signal processor is operable to: classify an ambient environment of a sound signal into one of a plurality of classifications; select one of the neural network data objects to enhance the sound signal based on the classification; and load neural network data from the selected neural network data objects into a memory. The neural network processor enhances the sound signal using the neural network data. The ear-wearable device includes an audio processing circuit that reproduces the enhanced sound signal via a receiver of the ear-wearable device.
An ear-wearable device includes a digital signal processor that receives an audio signal from sound source of the ear-wearable device and reproduces the audio signal at a receiver that is placed within an ear of a user. The digital signal processor includes a deep neural network (DNN) logic circuit. The DNN logic circuit is operable to perform sound enhancement on the audio signal using a DNN stored in memory. An audio feature detector of the ear-wearable device is operable to detect an audio change via the digital signal processor that triggers a change of state of the DNN, the change of state affecting resource consumption by the DNN. The audio feature detector applies the change of state to the DNN. The DNN performs the sound enhancement in the changed state.
G10L 25/30 - Speech or voice analysis techniques not restricted to a single one of groups characterised by the analysis technique using neural networks
21.
REMOVABLE MICROPHONE MODULE FOR AN EAR-WORN DEVICE
Various ear-worn devices are provided. An ear-worn device can include a housing. The housing can include a microphone module and a body module. The microphone module can include a first microphone adjacent to a first microphone port. The microphone module can define a first housing inlet and a first acoustic channel. The first acoustic channel can include a first end at the first housing inlet and a second end at the first microphone port. The microphone module can be removably coupled to the body module.
Various embodiments of an earbud and an ear-wearable electronic device that includes such earbud are disclosed. The earbud includes an elongated body having a first end, a second end, a cavity extending along a body axis between the first end and the second end of the elongated body, and a body acoustic port disposed in the first end of the body and acoustically coupled to the cavity of the body. A portion of the cavity adjacent the body acoustic port includes a cross-sectional area in a plane orthogonal to the body axis that increases in a direction from the second end of the body to the first end of the body. The earbud further includes a flange connected to the elongated body and a wax bridge disposed on an outer surface of the flange along the body axis and over the body acoustic port.
A hearing device includes a receiver, a microphone, and a proximity sensor operable to detect a proximate object. One or more processors are coupled to the receiver, the microphone, and the proximity sensor. The processors are operable to execute a feedback canceller that cancels feedback transmitted through a feedback path between the receiver and the microphone. The processors are further operable to detect, via the proximity sensor, a relative movement between the object and the hearing device, and in response thereto, adjust a parameter affecting the feedback canceller of the hearing device to compensate for a change caused by the relative movement that affects the feedback canceller, such as a change in the feedback path.
Various embodiments of a hearing device system are disclosed. The system includes a first hearing device, a second hearing device, and a receiver operatively coupled to one or both of the first hearing device and the second hearing device. The system further includes a controller configured to provide a receiver signal to the receiver based on at least one of a first audio signal received from the first hearing device or a second audio signal received from the second hearing device, determine a first signal to noise ratio of the first audio signal, and determine a second signal to noise ratio of the second audio signal. The controller is further configured to compare the first signal to noise ratio and the second signal to noise ratio, and modify the receiver signal based on a difference between the first signal to noise ratio and the second signal to noise ratio.
Various embodiments of an ear-wearable device are disclosed. The device includes a housing, a microphone port disposed in the housing and extending between an inlet disposed at an outer surface of the housing and an outlet disposed within the housing, and a microphone disposed within the housing and acoustically coupled to the outlet of the microphone port. The device further includes a filter disposed over the inlet of the microphone port or at least partially within the microphone port, where the filter includes an open cell material.
A receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing device comprises a housing configured for deployment behind an ear of a user of the hearing device. A power source, audio components, a communication device, and a controller are respectively disposed in the housing. A cable assembly comprises a cable, a receiver disposed at a distal end of the cable, and a connector disposed at a proximal end of the cable and configured to attach to the housing. An optical sensor is disposed in the connector and configured to generate a proximity signal based on proximity of the optical sensor to skin at or near the user's ear. The controller is configured to operate the hearing device in a nominal power mode in response to the proximity signal exceeding a threshold and to operate the hearing device in a low power mode in response to the proximity signal falling below the threshold.
Embodiments herein relate to ear-worn devices having active debris removal. In an embodiment, an ear-worn device is included having a housing defining an acoustic outlet, a receiver disposed within the housing, an acoustic channel having an acoustic channel wall formed by the housing, wherein the acoustic is channel defined between the receiver and the acoustic outlet. The ear-worn device can include a first actuator disposed within the acoustic channel and extending from the acoustic channel wall toward the center of the acoustic channel. The first actuator can include a piezoelectric layer, a power source electrically connected to the first actuator, and an actuator control device configured to apply a control voltage from the power source to the actuator. The first actuator moves in response to the application of the control voltage. Other embodiments are also included herein.
A feedback cancellation function is operable to cancel feedback through a receiver of the hearing device. An audible indicator to a user of the hearing device is emitted via the receiver. The audible indicator has a primary purpose unrelated to characterization of the feedback cancellation function. A response of the audible indicator is detected at a microphone of the hearing device while the hearing device is being worn by the user. Subsequent feedback path characterization data of the hearing device is determined based on the response. The feedback cancellation function uses the subsequent feedback path characterization data.
A self-check is initiated via an audio processor circuit of the hearing device. In response to the self-check, a transfer function of a feedback path is measured between a receiver of the hearing device to at least one microphone of the hearing device. An anomaly is determined in the transfer function via comparison with example feedback path characterization data. An abnormality associated with the hearing device is predicted based on the anomaly. An indication of the abnormality is presented via a user interface of the hearing device.
A self-check is initiated via an audio processor circuit of a hearing device while located in a user's ear. In response to the self-check, the device measures a first transfer function of a first feedback path between a receiver of the hearing device and at least one outward facing microphone of the hearing device, and measures a second transfer function of a second feedback path between the receiver and an inward facing microphone of the hearing device, An anomaly is determined in at least one of the first transfer function and the second transfer function, and an otoscopic condition of the ear is detected based on the anomaly.
A method for manufacturing a hearing instrument includes placing a component support structure at least partially in a bath of a resin liquid, wherein one or more operative components of the hearing instrument are attached to or contained within the component support structure prior to the component support structure being at least partially placed in the bath of the resin liquid. While the component support structure is at least partially in the bath, volumetric 3-dimensional (3D) printing is performed to form a shell of the hearing instrument attached to the component support structure.
B29C 64/124 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
an integrated feature of a hearing aid that when activated will synchronize audio streams in two devices, namely synchronized audio streamed to a hearing aid and a cochlear implant device
Embodiments herein relate to devices and related systems and methods for detecting falls. In an embodiment, a hearing assistance device is included having a first control circuit and a first motion sensor. The first motion sensor can be disposed in a fixed position relative to a head of a subject wearing the hearing assistance device. A first microphone and a first transducer for generating sound can be in operational communication with the first control circuit. The first control circuit can be configured to evaluate data from one or more sensors to detect a possible fall of a subject in physical contact with the hearing assistance device. The device can be configured to wirelessly transmit data regarding a possible fall to another device including an indication of whether the possible fall was detected binaurally or monoaurally. Other embodiments are included herein.
A system comprises an ear-worn electronic device configured to be worn by a wearer. The ear-worn electronic device comprises a processor and memory coupled to the processor. The memory is configured to store an annoying sound dictionary representative of a plurality of annoying sounds pre-identified by the wearer. A microphone is coupled to the processor and configured to monitor an acoustic environment of the wearer. A speaker or a receiver is coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to identify different background noises present in the acoustic environment, determine which of the background noises correspond to one or more of the plurality of annoying sounds, and attenuate the one or more annoying sounds in an output signal provided to the speaker or receiver.
G10L 21/0216 - Noise filtering characterised by the method used for estimating noise
G10L 17/02 - Preprocessing operations, e.g. segment selectionPattern representation or modelling, e.g. based on linear discriminant analysis [LDA] or principal componentsFeature selection or extraction
In an audio signal, one or more processing circuits recognize spoken content in a user's own speech signal using speech recognition and natural language understanding. The spoken content describes a listening difficulty of the user. The one or more processing circuits generate, based on the spoken content, one or more actions for hearing devices and feedback for the user. The one or more actions attempt to resolve the listening difficulty. Additionally, the one or more processing circuits convert the user feedback to verbal feedback using speech synthesis and transmit the one or more actions and the verbal feedback to the hearing devices via a body-worn device. The hearing devices are configured to perform the one or more actions and play back the verbal feedback to the user.
A method comprising: receiving, by a computing system, audio data generated by one or more hearing instruments worn at or near one or more ears of a user; providing, by the computing system, a virtual personal assistant to the user, wherein the virtual personal assistant is configured to generate, based on the audio data, output to assist the user, wherein providing the virtual personal assistant comprises applying, by the computing system, a Large Language Model (LLM) to generate a response, and the output is based on the response; and providing, by the computing system, the output to the one or more hearing instruments, wherein the one or more hearing instruments are configured to generate auditory stimuli based on the output.
G10L 15/22 - Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialog
G10L 15/18 - Speech classification or search using natural language modelling
G16H 10/60 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
G16H 20/10 - ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices and systems that can be used to screen for orthostatic intolerance conditions. In an embodiment, an ear-wearable device can be included having a control circuit, a microphone, an electroacoustic transducer, and a sensor package. The sensor package can include a motion sensor and an optical sensor. The ear-wearable device can be configured to process signals from the motion sensor to detect a postural transition of a device wearer to a standing position, trigger operation of the optical sensor, and process signals from the optical sensor to screen for an orthostatic intolerance condition. Other embodiments are also included herein.
A hearing instrument comprises a processor coupled to memory, a user interface operatively coupled to the processor, one or more microphones, and an acoustic transducer. Audio processing circuitry is coupled to the one or more microphones, the acoustic transducer, and the processor. The processor is configured to deliver, via the acoustic transducer, a series of supra-threshold audio stimuli to an ear of the wearer, receive, from the wearer via the user interface, an indication of the quality of perception of the stimuli, and store the indication of the quality of perception in the memory. The processor can be configured to present the indication of the quality of perception of the stimuli via the user interface. The user interface can be implemented by the hearing instrument or an external electronic device communicatively coupled to the hearing instrument.
A method comprises obtaining ear modeling data representing a 3-dimensional (3D) impression of an ear surface of an ear of a patient; determining, based on the ear modeling data, values of landmarks of the ear, wherein the landmarks include ear canal landmarks of an ear canal, and determining the values of the landmarks comprises: predicting an ear aperture plane of an aperture of the ear; determining a plurality of cross-sectional planes that are aligned with the ear aperture plane; for each of the cross-sectional planes: determining an intersection boundary of the cross-sectional plane representing a line of intersection between the cross-sectional plane and the ear canal; and determining a centroid of the intersection boundary of the cross-sectional plane; and determining values of the ear canal landmarks based on the centroids.
41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services
Goods & Services
Education services, namely, providing seminars and online non-downloadable videos in the field of hearing health care and hearing aids and distribution of educational materials in connection therewith
A hearing instrument comprising: a rechargeable battery; a faceplate defining an aperture; a push button assembly coupled to the faceplate, wherein the push button assembly includes charging contacts, a button cover, and an activation sensor, wherein the button cover is disposed within the aperture of the faceplate, the button cover is depressible, and the activation sensor is configured to generate an activation signal in response to detecting depression of the button cover, and the button cover defines charging contact openings through which the charging contacts extend; and electrical conductors configured to conduct electricity from the charging contacts to the rechargeable battery.
An ear-wearable electronic device comprises a housing having a housing wall. The housing wall comprises an outer surface, an inner surface, and an aperture extending between the outer and inner surfaces. A light emitting device is disposed in the housing. An elastomeric light pipe is disposed within the aperture and arranged to receive light from the light emitting device. An interface between a section of the housing wall comprising the aperture and the elastomeric light pipe defines a convoluted path for impeding passage of fluid between the outer and inner surfaces of the housing wall.
A hearing instrument configured to be worn in, on, or about an ear of a user, the hearing instrument comprising: a shell defining an inner recess; processing circuitry disposed within the inner recess, the processing circuitry being configured to cause the hearing instrument to output sound; a faceplate coupled to the shell, the faceplate being configured to enclose the inner recess from an external environment; and a removable power source module configured to be disposed within the inner recess, the removable power source module comprising a power source, wherein the removable power source module is removably affixed to the faceplate.
Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for temperature detection for hearing device applications. A method includes obtaining a first temperature measurement from a first sensor from a first side of a housing of a hearing device, and obtaining a second temperature measurement from a second sensor from a second side of the housing. The first temperature measurement is compared to the second temperature measurement, and a determination is made whether the hearing device is positioned on a right side or a left side of a wearer of the hearing device, based on the comparison. The hearing device is configured as a right device or a left device based on the determination.
Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for mitigating interference within a telecoil signal for hearing devices. A system includes a first hearing device and a second hearing device. The first hearing device includes a magnetic sensor configured to sense an inductive signal, a first wireless radio configured for wireless communication, and a first near-field radio configured for near-field communication. The second hearing device includes a second wireless radio configured for wireless communication and a second near-field radio configured for near-field communication. The first hearing device is configured to selectively deactivate the first wireless radio when using the magnetic sensor to reduce interference in the sensed inductive signal, and further configured to transmit the sensed inductive signal to the second hearing device using the first near-field radio. The second hearing device is configured to receive the sensed inductive signal using the second near-field radio.
An ear-wearable device includes a receiver that produces sound into an ear canal and an inward-facing microphone determining sound pressure resulting from: the sound reproduced by the receiver into the ear canal; and acoustical noise leaking into the ear canal. A structural vibration sensor is coupled to detect at least one of body-induced vibrations and receiver-induced vibrations and produce a sensed vibration signal in response. A sound processor of the ear-wearable device is operable to determine an error signal from the inward-facing microphone and determine an active noise cancellation (ANC) signal based on the error signal. The vibration signal is used to reduce the impacts of vibrations on ANC processing within the ear-wearable device.
Various embodiments of a hearing device and a system including such device are disclosed. The device includes an enclosure having a front housing and a rear housing. The enclosure further includes an isolator disposed between the front housing and the rear housing. The isolator includes a body, a first sleeve disposed at the first end of the body, and a second sleeve disposed at the second end of the body. A second end of the front housing is connected to the first sleeve of the isolator and a second end of the rear housing is connected to the second sleeve of the isolator. The hearing device further includes a first sensor disposed in the front housing, a second sensor disposed in the rear housing, and a receiver disposed at least partially within the body of the isolator.
G10K 11/178 - Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effectsMasking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
An ear-wearable device includes a housing with a top shell and a bottom shell. A microphone inlet acoustically couples a first end of an acoustic pathway ambient air outside the housing. The microphone inlet is defined by a top surface of the top shell, a bottom surface of the bottom shell, and an opening in the top and/or bottom shell. A dividing member divides the microphone inlet. A top surface of the dividing member is in contact with or connected to the top surface of the microphone inlet. At least part of the bottom surface of the dividing member is in contact with or connected to the bottom surface of the bottom shell. A microphone is at a second end of the acoustic pathway and acoustically coupled to the acoustic pathway
A hearing assistance device adapted to be worn by a wearer comprises a processor configured to generate a sequence of audio cues that audibly guide the wearer through a series of actions involving the wearer's head and neck in accordance with a predetermined corrective or therapeutic maneuver. A speaker is configured to play back the sequence of audio cues for reception by the wearer. One or more sensors are configured to sense movement of the head during each of the actions. The processor is configured to determine if head movement for an action associated with each audio cue has been correctly executed by the wearer, and produce an output indicative of successful or unsuccessful execution of the actions by the wearer.
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons
A61B 3/113 - Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients perceptions or reactions for determining or recording eye movement
A61B 5/11 - Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor or mobility of a limb
A63B 71/06 - Indicating or scoring devices for games or players
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
An antenna for a hearing instrument comprises an antenna element that is fed at an intermediate point between a first end of the antenna element and a second end of the antenna element. The antenna element has a J-shaped surface. The antenna also includes a ground plane element, a dielectric structure, and a shorting structure. The ground plane element that has a first segment and a second segment. A surface of the first segment has substantially the same shape as the J-shaped surface of the antenna element. The second segment connects a first end of the first segment to a second end of the first segment, thereby defining an opening through the ground plane element. The dielectric structure is disposed between the antenna element and the ground plane element. The shorting structure connects the first end of the antenna element to the ground plane element.
A processing system may receive reference audio data representing one or more voices and may generate, using a first machine learning (ML) model, an embedding of the reference audio data. The processing system receives live audio data representing sound detected by one or more microphones of a hearing instrument and may generate an input spectrogram of the live audio data. The processing system may use a second ML model to generate a masked spectrogram based on the embedding and the input spectrogram. The masked spectrogram represents a version of the live audio data in which portions of the live audio data spoken in the voices represented by the reference audio data are enhanced. The processing system may cause one or more receivers of the hearing instrument to output sound based on the masked spectrogram.
G10L 25/30 - Speech or voice analysis techniques not restricted to a single one of groups characterised by the analysis technique using neural networks
A hearing device adapted to be worn by a wearer comprises a shell configured for placement on an exterior surface of an ear of the wearer. The shell comprises a first end, a second end, a bottom, a top, and opposing sides, wherein the bottom, top, and opposing sides extend between the first and second ends. Circuitry is provided within the shell comprising at least a microphone, signal processing circuitry, radio circuitry, and a power source. A folded antenna is coupled to the radio circuitry and extends longitudinally along one of the bottom and the top and along the opposing sides between the first and second ends. The folded antenna encompasses at least some of the circuitry and forms an elongated gap between the opposing sides. The elongated gap faces the other of the bottom and the top.
H01Q 1/22 - SupportsMounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
H01Q 1/27 - Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
H01Q 1/38 - Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support
H01Q 1/40 - Radiating elements coated with, or embedded in, protective material
H01Q 5/335 - Individual or coupled radiating elements, each element being fed in an unspecified way using frequency dependent circuits or components, e.g. trap circuits or capacitors at the feed, e.g. for impedance matching
An ear-wearable device comprising: a sensor configured to sense one or more physiological parameters of a user of the ear-wearable device; communications circuitry; and processing circuitry configured to: apply a machine learning (ML) model to the one or more sensed physiological parameters to determine whether the user is experiencing symptoms of a medical scenario, wherein the ML model is configured to be trained via a training set comprising a plurality of physiological parameter values and a corresponding plurality of symptoms of the medical scenario; and based on a determination that the user is experiencing symptoms of a medical scenario, cause the communications circuitry to transmit a notification indicating that the user is experiencing the symptoms of the medical scenario.
G16H 10/60 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
79.
EAR-WORN ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCORPORATING ANTENNA WITH REACTIVELY LOADED NETWORK CIRCUIT
Various embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device configured to be worn by a wearer. The device comprises an enclosure configured to be supported by or in an ear of the wearer. Electronic circuitry is disposed in the enclosure and comprises a wireless transceiver. An antenna is situated in or on the enclosure and coupled to the wireless transceiver. The antenna comprises a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a strap comprising a reactive component connected to the first and second antenna elements.
A hearing device, such as a hearing aid, includes an antenna for wireless communication. The antenna is housed in the hearing aid with an orientation determined to approximately minimize change in performance of the wireless communication when the hearing aid goes onto a wearer's head from free space. In various embodiments, the orientation of the antenna can be optimized by considering various factors including head loading and performance of wireless communication with various other devices.
A system includes a hearing device comprising a rechargeable power source, power management circuitry, and a first charging interface comprising a first cathode contact and a first anode contact spaced apart from the first cathode contact. A charging module comprises a second charging interface configured to detachably couple with the first charging interface of the hearing device. The second charging interface comprises a second anode contact having a contact surface and a displaceable second cathode contact. An arrangement is configured to displace at least a portion of the second cathode contact above the contact surface to facilitate electrical contact between the first and second cathode contacts prior to electrical contact between the first and second anode contacts. Charging circuitry of the charging module is coupled to the second charging interface and configured to charge the rechargeable power source of the hearing device.
Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for an automatic hearing loop memory for hearing assistance systems. A method includes receiving an acoustic input at a microphone and receiving an inductive input at a magnetic sensor. The method further includes using an operatively connected processor of the hearing assistance system to process the acoustic input from the microphone using instructions stored in a first set of memory locations, and to process the inductive input from the magnetic sensor using instructions stored in a second set of memory locations, and to optionally discontinue processing the acoustic input when a demodulator circuit operatively connected to the processor detects a predetermined signal indicative of the presence of a hearing loop system.
Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for cancelling interference from a telecoil signal for ear-wearable devices. A method includes receiving a signal from a telecoil of a hearing device, and using a trigger signal to initiate recordings of segments of the telecoil signal. An interference component is isolated from the telecoil signal using the recorded segments. The interference component is inverted and added to the telecoil signal to cancel the interference component from the telecoil signal, and audio from the telecoil signal is provided to a wearer of the hearing device.
Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for removing periodic interference from a telecoil signal for ear-wearable devices. A method includes receiving a signal from a telecoil of a hearing device, and determining a base period of periodic interference present in the signal. The signal is divided into clip samples having a clip length based on the base period, and the clip samples are used to create an averaged clip of the periodic interference. The averaged clip of periodic interference is inverted and summed with the signal to cancel the periodic interference from the signal, and audio from the summed signal is played for a wearer of the hearing device.
Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for wireless communication with hearing devices. A method includes configuring, using a first hearing device configured to be worn or implanted in a first ear of a user, a first device parameter data. The method further includes transmitting, from the first hearing device via a wireless connection to a second hearing device configured to be worn or implanted in a second ear of the user, the first device parameter data. The method also includes receiving, at the second hearing device via the wireless connection, the first device parameter data from the first hearing device, and configuring the second hearing device for coordinated binaural operations with the first hearing device using the first device parameter data.
Embodiments herein relate to hearing assistance devices that can control other devices based on hearing assistance device events and/or status. In an embodiment, a hearing assistance system includes a hearing assistance device that can include a control circuit, a microphone in electrical communication with the control circuit, an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound in electrical communication with the control circuit, and a power supply circuit. The hearing assistance device can be configured to initiate sending a hearing accommodative command to a separate controllable device upon occurrence of a hearing assistance device event. The hearing assistance device event can be raised by detection of at least one of the hearing assistance device not being worn by the subject, the hearing assistance device in a not-in-use operating state, the hearing assistance device entering a recharging mode, and the hearing assistance device entering a shut-down sequence. Other embodiments are also included herein.
G08B 3/10 - Audible signalling systemsAudible personal calling systems using electric transmissionAudible signalling systemsAudible personal calling systems using electromagnetic transmission
G08B 5/38 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmissionVisible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources using flashing light
G08B 6/00 - Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems
G08B 7/06 - Signalling systems according to more than one of groups Personal calling systems according to more than one of groups using electric transmission
G08B 17/117 - Actuation by presence of smoke or gases by using a detection device for specific gases, e.g. combustion products, produced by the fire
biomedical apparatus, namely, hearing aids and structural replacement parts therefor; hearing protection devices, namely, earplugs for noise reduction, hearing protection, soundproofing, and sound enhancement, and earplugs for noise reduction, hearing protection, sound proofing, and sound enhancement with mobile device connectivity; sound enhancement devices, namely earplugs, hearing protection devices, high frequency noise filters, and acoustic sound filters
A method for fitting a hearing instrument comprises generating training data based on post-fitting adjustments made to settings of a plurality of hearing instruments and based on profiles of users of the plurality of hearing instruments, wherein the post-fitting adjustments are made to the settings of the plurality of hearing instruments after initial uses of the plurality of hearing instruments. The method further comprises training a machine learning (ML) model based on the training data to generate initial fitting suggestions. The method also comprises, prior to an initial use of a current hearing instrument by a current user, generating an initial fitting suggestion for the hearing instrument of the current user by applying the ML model to input that includes a profile of the current user.
Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for a hearing device antenna. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer to perform wireless communication. The hearing device includes a housing, hearing electronics within the housing, and an inverted F antenna or loop antenna disposed at least partially in the housing and configured for performing 2.4 GHz wireless communication. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the antenna protrudes from an exterior of the housing.
Embodiments herein relate to a hearing assistance system including a multi-function charging case for one or more ear-worn devices. The case can be placed in a streaming mode, in which first input audio is received by the case and streamed from the case to the ear-worn device. The case can be switched between different modes, including the streaming mode and a charging mode, using a user input device. Other embodiments are also included herein.
A wellness evaluation system may determine, based on data generated by a first set of sensors powered by one or more batteries of one or more ear-wearable devices, that a user of the one or more car-wearable devices is currently in an environment that includes human-directed communication signals. If so, a second set of sensors may be activated such that the one or more batteries provides an increased amount of power to the second set of sensors. Furthermore, the wellness evaluation system may determine based on data generated by the second set of sensors, whether the user has satisfied a target level of a wellness measure. If the user has not satisfied the target level of the wellness measure, the wellness evaluation system may perform an action to encourage the user to perform one or more activities to increase an achieved level of the wellness measure.
Business support services, namely, business consulting in the field of hearing aid services and audiology services; Business management services, namely, administration of business engaged in the field of hearing aid services and audiology services; Connecting qualified service providers with consumers in the fields of hearing aid services and audiology services via an online support desk and telephone call center; Customer relationship management services in the fields of hearing aid services and audiology services
Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for providing a conversation bridge for ear-wearable devices. A method includes receiving, at a central device, a first wireless signal from one or more first hearing devices configured to be worn by a first user via a first wireless connection, and a second wireless signal from one or more second hearing devices configured to be worn by a second user via a second wireless connection. The central device transmits to the one or more first hearing devices and the one or more second hearing devices, one or more audio packets based on the received first and second wireless signals.
A system includes a hearing device comprising a rechargeable power source, power management circuitry, and a first charging interface comprising a first cathode contact and a first anode contact spaced apart from the first cathode contact. A charging module comprises a second charging interface configured to detachably couple with the first charging interface of the hearing device. The second charging interface comprises a second anode contact having a contact surface and a displaceable second cathode contact. An arrangement is configured to displace at least a portion of the second cathode contact above the contact surface to facilitate electrical contact between the first and second cathode contacts prior to electrical contact between the first and second anode contacts. Charging circuitry of the charging module is coupled to the second charging interface and configured to charge the rechargeable power source of the hearing device.
A method and system are described for providing high-priority notification messages to a user of an ear-wearable device system. The ear-wearable device system includes a physiological sensor present on, within, or carried with the user and an ear-wearable device comprising a speaker, a microphone, a processor, a memory storage, and a wireless communication device. The system is capable of receiving a plurality of sensor messages from the physiological sensor, identifying high-priority sensor information from among the plurality of received sensor messages, identifying content for an audio voice message to provide to the user, and providing the audio voice message at the speaker of the ear-wearable device. The content includes user notification information containing or based on the high-priority sensor information identified from among the received sensor messages.
