Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090094817 | Directional Microphone Assembly - A directional microphone assembly for a hearing aid is disclosed. The hearing aid has one or more microphone cartridge(s), and first and second sound passages. Inlets to the sound passages, or the sound passages themselves, are spaced apart such that the shortest distance between them is less than or approximately equal to the length of the microphone cartridge(s). A sound duct and at least one surface of a microphone cartridge may form each sound passage, where the sound duct is mounted with the microphone cartridge. Alternatively, each sound duct may be formed as an integral part of a microphone cartridge. | 04-16-2009 |
20090176538 | Two-Way Communication Device with Detachable Boom - Certain embodiments provide a two-way communication device that includes: a housing; a first microphone disposed on a boom that is removably attached to the housing; and a second microphone mounted with the housing, wherein when the boom is attached to the housing, the first microphone is operational and the second microphone is not operational, and when the boom is not attached to the housing, the second microphone is operational and the first microphone is not operational. Certain embodiments provide, a two-way communication device that includes a charging jack for providing power to a battery mounted with a housing, wherein the charging jack is only accessible when a boom/microphone assembly is not attached to the housing. | 07-09-2009 |
20090272192 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREDICTING LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO A HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENT - Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for predicting long-term exposure to a hazardous environment based on a user-controllable measurement interval of short duration. In an embodiment, the system includes an electronic circuit for receiving one or more signals representative of the level of a hazard in an environment using one or more of a hazard level sensor and a direct input jack. The system further includes a processor within the electronic circuit for determining an accumulated dose over a user-controllable measurement interval. In addition, the processor predicts hazardous exposure for a user-settable extended period greater than the user-controllable measurement interval and based on the accumulated dose. The dosimeter also includes a user-operable switch within the electronic circuit and in communication with the processor for controlling the user-controllable measurement interval to be less than a nominal measurement interval. | 11-05-2009 |
20100048982 | Optical Electro-Mechanical Hearing Devices With Separate Power and Signal Components - A device to transmit an audio signal comprises at least one light source configured to transmit the audio signal with at least one wavelength of light. At least one detector is configured to detect the audio signal and generate at least one electrical signal in response to the at least one wavelength of light. A transducer is supported with and configured to vibrate at least one of an eardrum, an ossicle or a cochlea. Active circuitry is coupled to the transducer to drive the transducer in response to the at least one electrical signal, so as to provide the user with high quality sound. | 02-25-2010 |
20100061576 | Amplification Circuit and Hearing Aid - Certain embodiments of the present technology provide improved amplification circuits and hearing aids that can utilize such amplification circuits. In an embodiment, for example, an amplification circuit includes: a first sub circuit configured to create a voltage drop when a supply voltage is above a first voltage; and a second sub circuit configured to create a reverse voltage drop when the supply voltage is below a second voltage, wherein the first and second sub circuits operate to maintain idling current within a range. Certain embodiments of the present technology also provide hearing aids that include removable dampers. | 03-11-2010 |
20110056299 | Method and System for an Ultra Low Power Dosimeter - Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in an ultra low power dosimeter assembly. The ultra low power dosimeter assembly may comprise a low power voltage source and a table circuit. The table circuit may be adapted to convert an input voltage to a second voltage level. The second voltage level may correspond to noise dose. The ultra low power dosimeter assembly may also comprise a switch adapted to trigger a control circuit. The control circuit may provide progressive attenuation of an output signal as the second voltage level increases. In certain embodiments, the control circuit may also be adapted to send one or more warning signals to a user of the ultra low power dosimeter. The one or more warning signals may be sent when the control circuit determines the second voltage level has reached one or more pre-determined threshold voltage levels. | 03-10-2011 |
20110064231 | Method and System for Noise Dosimeter with Quick-Check Mode and Earphone Adapter - A noise dosimeter with capability to rapidly predict noise exposure over an extended time period based on a measurement of short duration. Either an acoustic or an electrical earphone adapter provides a convenient means to connect the noise dosimeter to an external sound source. A direct input jack operable to receive at least one audio signal provides a signal to an RMS detector, which provides a DC signal to a two-stage amplifier circuit. The outputs of the amplifiers are provided to a processor having multiple A/D channels. The processor calculates accumulated noise doses and drives a display, which in one embodiment includes a panel of light-emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the dosimeter includes functionality for control of external devices such as sound boards. | 03-17-2011 |
20110086256 | Rechargeable Battery Assemblies and Methods of Constructing Rechargeable Battery Assemblies - Rechargeable battery assemblies and methods of constructing rechargeable battery assemblies are provided. Rechargeable battery assemblies can include a storage cell and receive circuitry comprising a receive coil operatively connected to receive control circuitry, the receive coil configured to receive inductively coupled current, the receive control circuitry configured to rectify the current and communicate charging power to the storage cell, the coil wound around a shield/core comprising magnetically permeable material, and the shield/core disposed around the storage cell. Methods of constructing rechargeable battery assemblies can include disposing a shield/core comprising magnetically permeable material around a storage cell; winding a receive coil around the shield/core; and providing the receive coil in operative connection with receive control circuitry and the storage cell, the receive coil configured to receive inductively coupled current, and the receive control circuitry configured to rectify the current and communicate charging power to the storage cell. | 04-14-2011 |
20110103605 | ELECTRONIC EARPLUG - Electronic earplugs, methods of enhancing and/or attenuating sound using electronic earplugs, and kits including electronic earplugs are provided. Certain electronic earplugs provided can deliver sound to a user's ear canal at levels below, equal to, and/or above ambient sound levels for specified ambient sound level ranges. Certain electronic earplugs provided can be switched between first and second settings with different sound level delivery settings. Certain electronic earplugs provided can be coupled with or integrated into two-way communication devices. Certain of such two-way communication devices can use induction to receive and transmit audio signals. Certain electronic earplugs provided can include a receive coil configured to allow remote radio signals to be received. Certain electronic earplugs provided can block at least about 35 dB of ambient sound when fully inserted into a user's ear canal. Kits that include electronic earplugs and accessories for use with electronic earplugs are also provided. | 05-05-2011 |
20110228947 | ELECTRONIC EARPLUG WITH TRANSISTOR SWITCHING FOR INTRODUCING ELECTRONIC CONTROL OF THE GAIN AND PROVIDING AUDIBLE SWITCH INDICATIONS - Electronic earplugs, methods of enhancing and/or attenuating sound using electronic earplugs, and kits including electronic earplugs are provided. Certain electronic earplugs may include a circuit operatively connected to a microphone. The circuit may be configured to receive input electrical signals from the microphone and provide output electrical signals to a receiver. Further, the circuit may be configured to modify a sound output level from the electronic earplug based on a sound input level of ambient sound received at the microphone and a gain characteristic setting selected from a plurality of gain characteristic settings. The circuit may be configured such that it can be switched between the plurality of gain characteristic settings, wherein the switching to the selected gain characteristic setting produces an audible switch indication. Certain electronic earplugs also include a receiver configured to convert the output electrical signals into sound that is communicated to a user's ear canal. | 09-22-2011 |
20120163649 | INSERT EARPHONE USING A MOVING COIL DRIVER - Certain embodiments provide an insert earphone assembly. The insert earphone assembly may include a transducer adapted to convert electrical signals into sound energy. The insert earphone assembly may also include a main sound channel adapted for communicating the sound energy to a user. The insert earphone assembly may also include a plurality of one or more damping elements, one or more auxiliary volumes, and one or more auxiliary ducts. The plurality of the one or more damping elements, the one or more auxiliary volumes, and the one or more auxiliary ducts may be adapted to absorb sound from the main sound channel to modify at least one insertion response. | 06-28-2012 |
20120170780 | Amplification Circuit and Hearing Aid - Certain embodiments of the present technology provide improved amplification circuits and hearing aids that can utilize such amplification circuits. In an embodiment, for example, an amplification circuit includes: a first sub circuit configured to create a voltage drop when a supply voltage is above a first voltage; and a second sub circuit configured to create a reverse voltage drop when the supply voltage is below a second voltage, wherein the first and second sub circuits operate to maintain idling current within a range. Certain embodiments of the present technology also provide hearing aids that include removable dampers. | 07-05-2012 |
20120191004 | HEARING TESTING PROBE APPARATUS WITH DIGITAL INTERFACE - Certain embodiments provide a hearing testing probe apparatus. The hearing testing probe apparatus includes a probe tube detachably coupled at a first end to a probe body and extending through a center hole in an eartip to align proximate a face of the eartip at a second end. The probe tube includes a plurality of stimulus lumens for receiving and carrying stimulus from the first end of the probe tube for output at the second end of the probe tube. The probe tube includes one or more microphone lumens for receiving and carrying one or more measured responses from the second end of the probe tube to one or more microphones at the first end of the probe tube. | 07-26-2012 |
20120213396 | ONE-SIZE-FITS-MOST HEARING AID - A hearing-aid device comprising a housing and circuitry module, wherein the circuitry module comprises a battery, a microphone, and a receiver, and the circuit module is inserted in the hearing aid housing. The hearing aid device further comprises a retractable battery sleeve, wherein a battery slot is exposed when the battery sleeve is retracted, and a battery can be inserted into the battery slot from either side of the battery slot with either polarity. The hearing aid housing may comprise an ear-tip, wherein a microphone is mounted in the hearing aid housing near the ear-tip and the microphone receives sounds through at least one sound inlet located on a side surface of the hearing aid housing. The ear-tip additionally comprises three flanges decreasing in size toward the flange closest to the ear canal, and the hearing aid can be inserted into the ear canal in any orientation. | 08-23-2012 |
20140198926 | ELECTRONIC EARPLUG FOR PROVIDING COMMUNICATION AND PROTECTION - Systems and methods for providing communication and protection by an electronic earplug are provided. A communication and protection system includes an electronic earplug operable in a transmit mode and a receive mode. The electronic earplug includes an external microphone, an ear canal microphone, processing circuitry, and a receiver. In the receive mode, the external microphone is configured to transduce sound pressure levels received from exterior to an ear canal to electrical signals; the processing circuitry is configured to process the electrical signals from the external microphone to provide processed electrical signals; and, the receiver is configured to convert the processed electrical signal to sound. In the transmit mode, the ear canal microphone is configured to transduce sound pressure levels received from in the ear canal to electrical signals provided to a communication device; and, one or more of the external microphone, the processing circuitry, and the receiver is disabled. | 07-17-2014 |
20140296620 | Optical Electro-Mechanical Hearing Devices with Separate Power and Signal Components - A device to transmit an audio signal comprises at least one light source configured to transmit the audio signal with at least one wavelength of light. At least one detector is configured to detect the audio signal and generate at least one electrical signal in response to the at least one wavelength of light. A transducer is supported with and configured to vibrate at least one of an eardrum, an ossicle or a cochlea. Active circuitry is coupled to the transducer to drive the transducer in response to the at least one electrical signal, so as to provide the user with high quality sound. | 10-02-2014 |
20140355809 | FLEXIBLE EARTIP WITH RETENTION BASE - Certain embodiments provide an eartip. The eartip includes a flexible body, a sound channel, and a retention base. The flexible body is bendable at curves of an ear canal of a wearer. The sound channel is disposed within the flexible body. The sound channel includes a first end inlet and a second end outlet. The sound channel is generally parallel with the flexible body. The retention base includes a retention base inlet, one or more retention cavities, and at least one protrusion. The one or more retention cavities extend from the retention base inlet to the first end inlet of the sound channel. The one or more retention cavities are configured to receive a hearing device. The at least one protrusion is configured to detachably secure the hearing device within the one or more retention cavities. | 12-04-2014 |
20150047651 | COMPACT HIGH FIDELITY EARPLUG - The present technology relates to a compact high fidelity earplug. The earplug has a central column having a hollow sound channel. Inner and outer platforms extend radially from the central column to define a first and second chamber. Openings in the first and second platforms allow sound to enter into the first chamber, and pass into the second chamber. Sound is then directed through an opening in the central column, into the sound chamber, and towards the ear of a wearer. | 02-19-2015 |