Abstract

ECM.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01H 3/14 - Measuring mean amplitudeMeasuring mean powerMeasuring time integral of power

Abstract

ECM.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01H 3/14 - Measuring mean amplitudeMeasuring mean powerMeasuring time integral of power

Abstract

ECM.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04R 29/00 - Monitoring arrangementsTesting arrangements
• G01H 3/14 - Measuring mean amplitudeMeasuring mean powerMeasuring time integral of power

Abstract

total); and performs an action to modify operation of the audio device when the total SPL dose is greater than a predetermined threshold.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04R 29/00 - Monitoring arrangementsTesting arrangements
• H03G 3/30 - Automatic control in amplifiers having semiconductor devices
• H03G 3/32 - Automatic control in amplifiers having semiconductor devices the control being dependent upon ambient noise level or sound level

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring a sound pressure level dose at an ear are provided. A system includes an audio transducer which outputs a sound signal is placed within an ear to receive sound at the ear. A sound level threshold detector determines whether a sound pressure level of the sound signal is at a minimum level and outputs a sound pressure level signal corresponding to the sound pressure level when the sound pressure level is not at the minimum level. A time period is calculated during which the sound pressure level is not at the minimum threshold level. A listening fatigue calculator determines whether a cumulative effect of exposure to the sound signal at the ear over the time period will cause harm to the ear. At least a portion of the system is disposed in situ at the ear.

IPC Classes  ?

• A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons
• A61B 5/12 - Audiometering

Abstract

Methods of operating an audio device are provided. A method includes calculating estimated sound pressure levels (SPLs) for drive signals directed to an ear canal receiver (ECR) during a time increment Δt; calculating an estimated SPL_Dose during the time increment Δt using the estimated sound pressure levels; and calculating a total SPL_Dose at a time t of the audio device using the estimated SPL_Dose.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01C 3/08 - Use of electric radiation detectors
• H04R 29/00 - Monitoring arrangementsTesting arrangements
• A61F 11/06 - Protective devices for the ears
• A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons
• A61B 5/12 - Audiometering
• G01H 3/14 - Measuring mean amplitudeMeasuring mean powerMeasuring time integral of power

Abstract

ECM.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04R 29/00 - Monitoring arrangementsTesting arrangements
• G01H 3/14 - Measuring mean amplitudeMeasuring mean powerMeasuring time integral of power

Abstract

An earpiece (100) and a method (300) for evaluating auditory health are provided. Evaluating auditory health includes embedding (302) at least one excitation signal (402) in an audio clip (404) to produce an embedded excitation signal (406), emitting (304) the embedded excitation signal to an ear canal (131) at least partially occluded by the earpiece, analyzing (312) a recorded sound field within the ear canal during a continuous delivery of the embedded excitation signal to assess auditory health, and adjusting (314) the excitation signal within the audio clip during the emitting based on comparative differences with a reference otoacoustic emission (OAE).

IPC Classes  ?

• H04R 25/00 - Deaf-aid sets

Abstract

Methods of operating an audio device are provided. A method includes calculating estimated sound pressure levels (SPLs) for drive signals directed to an ear canal receiver (ECR) during a time increment Δt; calculating an estimated SPL_Dose during the time increment Δt using the estimated sound pressure levels; and calculating a total SPL_Dose at a time t of the audio device using the estimated SPL_Dose.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04R 29/00 - Monitoring arrangementsTesting arrangements
• A61F 11/06 - Protective devices for the ears
• A61B 5/12 - Audiometering

Abstract

At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of monitoring hearing health comprising: measuring a first acoustic sound pressure level due to an ambient audio signal; measuring a second acoustic sound pressure level due to an emitted audio signal from a speaker; calculating a total sound pressure level dosage, where the total sound pressure level dosage is calculated using the first acoustic sound pressure level and a first time span, and the second acoustic sound pressure level and a second time span associated, where the first time span is the time associated with the measured first acoustic sound pressure level and second time span is the time associated with the measured second acoustic sound pressure level; and sending a notification signal when total sound pressure level dosage is greater than a threshold value.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04R 29/00 - Monitoring arrangementsTesting arrangements

Abstract

Methods of acoustic dose monitoring and acoustic dose systems are provided. An acoustic dose system includes a first device configured to measure sound pressure levels directed to an ear drum and a second device configured to convert the sound pressure levels into a sound pressure level dose. The second device sends a notification signal to a third device if the sound pressure level dose is larger than a threshold value.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04R 29/00 - Monitoring arrangementsTesting arrangements

Abstract

ECM.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04R 29/00 - Monitoring arrangementsTesting arrangements
• A61F 11/06 - Protective devices for the ears
• A61B 5/12 - Audiometering

Abstract

A system for monitoring sound pressure levels at the ear includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) for receiving ambient sounds and an ear canal receiver (ECR) for producing audio signals as a function of ambient sound received at the ambient sound microphone and a sound signal received from an associated personal audio device. A logic circuit is operatively associated with the ASM and ECR and calculates a total SPL_Dose experienced by the ear for periods Δt. The logic circuit may select an action parameter in response to the Total SPL_Dose.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04R 29/00 - Monitoring arrangementsTesting arrangements
• H04R 25/02 - Deaf-aid sets adapted to be supported entirely by ear
• G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions

Abstract

A system for monitoring sound pressure levels at the ear includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) for receiving ambient sounds and an ear canal microphone (ECM) for producing audio signals as a function of ambient sound received at the ambient sound microphone and a sound signal received from an associated personal audio device. A logic circuit is operatively associated with the ASM and ECM calculates a total SPL_Dose experienced by the ear at a time t. The total SPL_Dose is calculated by determining SPL_Dose for periods Δt as measured at the ECM. The logic circuit may select an action parameter in response to the Total SPL_Dose.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04R 29/00 - Monitoring arrangementsTesting arrangements
• H04R 25/02 - Deaf-aid sets adapted to be supported entirely by ear
• G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
• G01C 3/08 - Use of electric radiation detectors

Abstract

An earpiece is provided that can include an Ambient Sound Microphone (ASM) to measure ambient sound, an Ear Canal Receiver (ECR) to deliver audio to an ear canal, an Ear Canal Microphone (ECM) to measure a sound pressure level within the ear canal, and a processor to produce the audio from at least in part the ambient sound, actively monitor a sound exposure level inside the ear canal, and adjust a level of the audio to within a safe and subjectively optimized listening level range based on the sound exposure level. An audio interface can deliver audio content from a media player. The processor can selectively mix the audio content with the ambient sound to produce the audio in accordance with a personalized hearing level (PHL) to permit environmental awareness of at least one distinct sound in the ambient sound. Other embodiments are disclosed.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04R 25/00 - Deaf-aid sets

Abstract

Methods of monitoring sound pressure level are provided. A method of monitoring sound pressure level includes: measuring a first sound pressure level in the ear canal; measuring a second sound pressure level out of the ear canal; calculating a first sound pressure level dose using the first sound pressure level, where if the first sound pressure level is below a permissible sound level a recovery function is used to calculate the first sound pressure level dose; and calculating a second sound pressure level dose using the second sound pressure level.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04R 29/00 - Monitoring arrangementsTesting arrangements
• G10K 11/16 - Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
• H03B 29/00 - Generation of noise currents and voltages