Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100260343 | System for estimating sound pressure levels at the tympanic membrane using pressure-minima based distance - In various embodiments, a system is used to provide an apparatus configured to measure sound in an ear canal of a wearer's ear at a distance from a tympanic membrane of the ear. The sound is measured and received by the apparatus to produce a signal. A frequency analysis is performed on the signal to determine output as a function of the frequency and to determine the frequency of the minima (null). Further, a distance equal to a quarter wavelength of the null frequency is calculated. A correction factor associated with the quarter wavelength is retrieved and applied to the output to generate a corrected output. An estimated sound pressure level at the tympanic membrane from the corrected output is produced. | 10-14-2010 |
20110044485 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN INSULATED ELECTROMAGNETIC SHIELD FOR USE IN HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES - The present subject matter of the invention relates generally to the management of electromagnetic fields in hearing assistance devices, such as hearing aids, and in particular to an insulated electromagnetic shield design for hearing assistance devices. The present disclosure includes various embodiments for electromagnetic shielding of a receiver using a magnetic shield that is electrically insulated from the receiver casing and electronics. | 02-24-2011 |
20110182452 | FOREIGN MATERIAL MITIGATION FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE COMPONENTS - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for mitigating foreign material buildup for hearing assistance device components. The present subject matter includes coating of at least one surface of a hearing assistance device, such as a hearing aid, with an omniphobic coating, a hydrophilic coating, or a combination of omniphobic and hydrophilic coatings designed to reduce the unwanted effects of wax, moisture and other foreign materials. In various embodiments at least one surface of a receiver with a wax trap or waxceptor in a receiver tube is coated with an omniphobic coating. In various embodiments the present subject matter includes an internal barrier disposed near a receiver in the receiver tube in addition to the wax trap or waxceptor. In various embodiments the internal barrier is coated with an omniphobic coating. In various embodiments at least one surface includes a hydrophilic coating. | 07-28-2011 |
20120219167 | OMNIPHOBIC PERFORATED BARRIER FOR HEARING AID TRANSDUCERS - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for mitigating foreign material buildup for hearing assistance device components. The present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device transducer barrier device configured to resist accumulation and passage of foreign materials, the barrier device comprising a plug adapted to fit within a receiver opening. In various embodiments, the plug includes a membrane that is coated with oleophobic and hydrophobic materials, the membrane adapted to include an aperture, wherein the barrier is acoustically transparent but prevents the accumulation and passage of unwanted materials. Other barriers, such as a plug with a plurality of holes are described. In some embodiments a molded plastic plug including a plurality of holes provides the barrier. | 08-30-2012 |
20120237065 | BALL AND SOCKET CONNECTION WITH AN ACOUSTIC SEAL AND MOUNTING INTERFACE FOR A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE - Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved connections for components of hearing assistance devices. Various embodiments include an apparatus including a receiver case configured to house a hearing assistance device receiver, the receiver case including a spherical receiver spout having an opening. The apparatus also includes a receptacle housing having a spherical socket adapted to mate with the spherical receiver spout to form a ball and socket connection. An insert within the spherical socket is configured to establish a retained interference fit with the opening of the receiver spout when the connection is formed so as to create an acoustic seal therebetween. | 09-20-2012 |
20130016862 | HEARING AID WITH MAGNETOSTRICTIVE ELECTROACTIVE SENSORAANM Newton; James R.AACI BurnsvilleAAST MNAACO USAAGP Newton; James R. Burnsville MN USAANM Sacha; Michael KarlAACI ChanhassenAAST MNAACO USAAGP Sacha; Michael Karl Chanhassen MN USAANM Lin; Wei LiAACI PlymouthAAST MNAACO USAAGP Lin; Wei Li Plymouth MN US - A hearing aid includes a magnetostrictive electroactive (ME) sensor that generates an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field or a mechanical pressure. In various embodiments, the ME sensor is used for cordless charging of a rechargeable battery in the hearing aid by generating an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field generated for power transfer, magnetic sound signal reception, and/or detection of user commands by sensing a magnetic field or a pressure applied to the hearing aid. | 01-17-2013 |
20130108089 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MICROPHONES SHARING A COMMON ACOUSTIC VOLUME | 05-02-2013 |
20140153760 | HEARING AID WITH MAGNETOSTRICTIVE ELECTROACTIVE SENSOR - A hearing aid includes a magnetostrictive electroactive (ME) sensor that generates an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field or a mechanical pressure. In various embodiments, the ME sensor is used for cordless charging of a rechargeable battery in the hearing aid by generating an electrical signal in response to a magnetic field generated for power transfer, magnetic sound signal reception, and/or detection of user commands by sensing a magnetic field or a pressure applied to the hearing aid. | 06-05-2014 |
20150016648 | ACOUSTICALLY TRANSPARENT BARRIER LAYER TO SEAL AUDIO TRANSDUCERS - Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for mitigating foreign material buildup for hearing assistance device components. The present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device transducer barrier layer configured to resist accumulation and passage of foreign materials. In various embodiments, the barrier layer includes a membrane that is coated with oleophobic and hydrophobic materials, wherein the barrier is acoustically transparent but prevents the accumulation and passage of unwanted materials. | 01-15-2015 |