Earlens Corporation

An apparatus can include a first ear simulator coupler configured to receive a first hearing device within a first aperture, with an acoustic microphone provided below the first aperture to capture first audio input data associated with the first ear simulator coupler. A second ear simulator coupler can comprise a second aperture configured to receive a contact hearing device ear tip, the second ear simulator coupler including a receive coil configured to obtain a second audio input data corresponding to a transmitted signal from the contact hearing device ear tip when inserted within the second ear simulator coupler. The apparatus can include an audio output port can be connected by a switch to a selected one of a first audio processing path corresponding to a simulated hearing experience of the first hearing device, or a second audio processing path corresponding to a simulated hearing experience of the contact hearing device.

Systems and techniques are provided for processing audio data. A process can include obtaining first audio data from a first microphone in a first direction, and second audio data from a second microphone in a second direction. A directional audio signal can be generated, comprising a weighted sum of an omni-directional signal corresponding to the first audio data and a bi-directional difference signal corresponding to the first audio data and the second audio data. A constructed noise reference can be generated based on a difference between the omni-directional signal and the bi-directional difference signal. Estimated noise information associated with one or more of the first microphone or the second microphone can be determined, based on the constructed noise reference.

In embodiments of the invention, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system including: a transmit circuit including a transmit coil positioned in an ear tip, THE transmit circuit having a first bandpass characteristic, wherein the transmit circuit is tuned such that a center of the first bandpass characteristic is set at a first frequency; and a receive circuit including a receive coil positioned on a contact hearing device, the receive circuit having a second bandpass characteristic, wherein the receive circuit is tuned such that a center of the second bandpass characteristic differs from the center of the first bandpass characteristic.

The present invention is directed to a contact hearing system utilizing an emitter adapted to emit light and a contact hearing device adapted to receive the emitted light and convert that light into sound by mechanical manipulation of a subjects ear drum. In the present invention the emitter may utilize multiple light sources and the multiple light sources may be passed through at least one diffuser in order to generate an emitted light having a broader angle of incidence with little or no loss in received power as measured by a photodetector on the contact hearing device when the contact hearing device is positioned on a subject's tympanic membrane and the emitter is positioned in the subject's ear canal.

In embodiments of the invention, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system including: a transmit circuit including a transmit coil positioned in an ear tip, THE transmit circuit having a first bandpass characteristic, wherein the transmit circuit is tuned such that a center of the first bandpass characteristic is set at a first frequency; and a receive circuit including a receive coil positioned on a contact hearing device, the receive circuit having a second bandpass characteristic, wherein the receive circuit is tuned such that a center of the second bandpass characteristic differs from the center of the first bandpass characteristic.

An apparatus can include a first ear simulator coupler configured to receive a first hearing device within a first aperture, with an acoustic microphone provided below the first aperture to capture first audio input data associated with the first ear simulator coupler. A second ear simulator coupler can comprise a second aperture configured to receive a contact hearing device ear tip, the second ear simulator coupler including a receive coil configured to obtain a second audio input data corresponding to a transmitted signal from the contact hearing device ear tip when inserted within the second ear simulator coupler. The apparatus can include an audio output port can be connected by a switch to a selected one of a first audio processing path corresponding to a simulated hearing experience of the first hearing device, or a second audio processing path corresponding to a simulated hearing experience of the contact hearing device.

Systems and techniques are provided for processing audio data. A process can include obtaining first audio data from a first microphone in a first direction, and second audio data from a second microphone in a second direction. A directional audio signal can be generated, comprising a weighted sum of an omni-directional signal corresponding to the first audio data and a bi-directional difference signal corresponding to the first audio data and the second audio data. A constructed noise reference can be generated based on a difference between the omni-directional signal and the bi-directional difference signal. Estimated noise information associated with one or more of the first microphone or the second microphone can be determined, based on the constructed noise reference.

A device to transmit an audio signal to a user comprises a transducer and a support. The support is configured for placement on the eardrum to drive the eardrum. The transducer is coupled to the support at a first location to decrease occlusion and a second location to drive the eardrum. The transducer may comprise one or more of an electromagnetic balanced armature transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, a magnetostrictive transducer, a photostrictive transducer, or a coil and magnet. The device may find use with open canal hearing aids.

The present disclosure provides a contact hearing device comprising a piezoelectric actuator. The attachment of the piezoelectric actuator to a tympanic membrane can vibrate the tympanic membrane based on a transmission received by the receiver assembly and produce perception of sounds.

The present invention is directed to a hearing aid which includes a lateral ear canal assembly and a medial ear canal assembly. In embodiments of the invention the medial ear canal assembly may include smart circuitry adapted to control parameters and outputs of the medial ear canal assembly. In embodiments of the invention various methods and circuitry are described, wherein the methods and circuitry are adapted to improve the performance and efficiency of the hearing aid.