Abstract:
Embodiments herein relate to assistive listening devices and systems for providing audio streams to device wearers within sound fields. In an embodiment an assistive listening device is included having a control circuit, an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound in electrical communication with the control circuit, a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit, and a communications circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit. The control circuit can be configured to issue a communication to an audio communication device or audio provisioning device including at least one of a language preference, a set of hearing requirements, data regarding a presentation delay, and an authorization status identifier, digital code, digital token, or digital key specific to a wearer of the assistive listening device. Other embodiments are also included herein.
Abstract:
Ear-worn devices may include one or more structural elements formed of highdielectric material. The position and shape of the structural element may be selected relative to an antenna of the ear-worn device to provide specific enhancements of the electric and/or magnetic field generated by the antenna. The structural elements may include a host resin material and a plurality of dielectric material elements. The structural elements may have an effective dielectric constant greater than 5. One or more loading strips may be used to tune a resonating structure formed by the antenna and the structural elements. The antenna may be an antenna array with structural elements disposed between elements of the array.
Abstract:
An ear-wearable device (100) includes a shell (102) shaped for wearing in a user's ear. The shell (102) comprises a tunnel wall (116) shaped to define a tunnel (108) that passes through the ear- wearable device (100). The tunnel wall (116) defines one or more contact pin apertures (208, 212) through which distal ends (210, 214) of two or more contact pins (202, 204) pass. One or more electrical components (216) are encased within the shell (102). The contact pins (202, 204) are conductors from the one or more electrical components (216). The distal ends (210, 214) of the contact pins (202, 204) are positioned to make electrical contact with terminals (218, 220) of a cable plug (200) that is removably inserted into the tunnel (108).
Abstract:
Embodiments herein relate to hearing assistance devices and related systems and methods for providing visual feedback to a subject undergoing physical therapy or vestibular movement training. In an embodiment, a method of providing physical or vestibular therapy to a subject is included. The method can include prompting the subject to move in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount as part of a first predetermined movement. The method can further include tracking movement of the subject using a first IMU disposed in a fixed position relative to the subject's head. The method can further include generating feedback data by comparing the tracked movement of the subject against the predetermined direction and amount of the first predetermined movement. The method can further include generating a feedback image using the feedback data. Other embodiments are included herein.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
Various embodiments of a fall prediction system and method of using such system are disclosed. The system includes a hearing device for a wearer, a sensor operatively connected to the hearing device and adapted to detect a characteristic of the wearer and generate a sensor signal based on the characteristic, and a controller operatively connected to the hearing device. The controller is adapted to determine a fall risk value based on the sensor signal, compare the fall risk value to a fall risk threshold, and generate a fall prevention output if the fall risk value exceeds the fall risk threshold.
Abstract:
A system and method of determining a filter to cancel feedback signals from input signals in a hearing assistance device includes determining feedback signals for a plurality of feedback paths associated with the device, and determining a model of the plurality of feedback paths, with the model having an invariant portion and a time varying portion. A probable structure of the invariant portion is determined to generate a structural constraint to constrain the plurality of feedback paths, and probability distributions to impose the structural constraint on the invariant portion are determined. During an iterative process, the invariant portion is iteratively determined using the determined probability distributions and the feedback path measurements. A measurement noise variance representative of model mismatch is updated, for each iteration, to reduce a probability of a non-desirable determination of an invariant filter, and the invariant filter is determined in response to a criterion for ending the iterative process being satisfied.
Abstract:
In a hearing aid that employs a feedback cancellation (FBC) algorithm, the feedback cancellation may be adversely affected when the FBC coefficients are initialized at one battery voltage and battery voltage subsequently changes as the battery discharges due to the change in the gain of the acoustic feedback path. Described are techniques for to deal with this situation by measuring the battery voltage and applying different offsets to the FBC coefficients as the battery voltage changes.
Abstract:
A hearing aid kit includes a standard fit, completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid and a hearing aid tool set. The CIC hearing aid is for extended use and includes a core module inserted into a sleeve. The core module and the sleeve each include various features providing for a minimum overall size, ease of insertion, removal, and cleaning, and enhanced sound transmission. The tool set is configured to be stored and carried in a single piece and provides for adjustment and cleaning of the CIC hearing aid. Open ear fits and occlusive ear fits are possible using different sleeves.
Abstract:
The present subject matter relates generally to the method and apparatus for storing tags during a fitting session. The tags may be used to store information useful for an audiologist, a manufacturer of hearing aids, and a manufacturer of fitting software. The software adapted to provide searching based on tags. The software able to provide pre-programmed tags for use by the user. In various applications the software programmable to automatically generate tags upon occurrence of one or more conditions.