US3876843A - Directional hearing aid with variable directivity - Google Patents

Directional hearing aid with variable directivity Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3876843A
US3876843A US320072A US32007273A US3876843A US 3876843 A US3876843 A US 3876843A US 320072 A US320072 A US 320072A US 32007273 A US32007273 A US 32007273A US 3876843 A US3876843 A US 3876843A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
hearing aid
microphone
grill
sound
housing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US320072A
Inventor
Bruce A Moen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Textron Inc
Original Assignee
Textron Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Textron Inc filed Critical Textron Inc
Priority to US320072A priority Critical patent/US3876843A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3876843A publication Critical patent/US3876843A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/40—Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic
    • H04R25/402—Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic using contructional means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/20—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics
    • H04R1/32—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only
    • H04R1/34—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by using a single transducer with sound reflecting, diffracting, directing or guiding means
    • H04R1/38—Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by using a single transducer with sound reflecting, diffracting, directing or guiding means in which sound waves act upon both sides of a diaphragm and incorporating acoustic phase-shifting means, e.g. pressure-gradient microphone

Definitions

  • the microphone with the acoustic resistance at the rear of the microphone responds to sound originating from a location to the rear of the microphone so as to produce more of a neutralizing effect as the sound waves are applied at opposite sides of the diaphragm so that the diaphragm has less magnitude of movement and generates a lesser magnitude of signals for output from the microphone than in the case of sounds which originate from in front of the microphone.
  • the amount of the resistance at the rear of the microphone is rather critical, and that the directional response of the microphone and the hearing aid in which the microphone is incorporated will peak at a rather small range of acoustic resistance, and if the acoustic resistance is either increased or decreased out of such a small range, the-directional characteristics of the microphone and hearing aid are considerably reduced.
  • the relative magnitude of the acoustic resistance at the rear of the microphone to the resistance at the front of the microphone at the openings into the microphone for admitting sound waves to opposite sides of the diaphragm is important.
  • variable acoustic resistance is disposed in the passage of the hearing aid housing which supplies sound waves to the rear of the microphone, but, in order to change the combination of acoustic resistances which are effective to change the directivity effect of the unit, a variable acoustic resistance may be established adjacent the front of the microphone.
  • adjustable acoustic resistances will vary the combination of resistances in the directional hearing aid so that the hearing aid can be tuned to itsmaximum directional characteristic or to such other directional characteristics as may be comfortable to or desired by the wearer of the hearing aid.
  • the acoustic resistances- may be controllable from the exterior of the hearing aid housing, or may be controllable or variable only-- by obtaining access into the interior of the hear-ing aid housing.
  • the wearer of the hearing aid does not have access to the interior of the hearing aid housing but technicians, who are familiar with hearing aid features; fInd it very useful tobe able to tune a directional hearingaid to its maximum directivity and this may be accomplished by a variable acoustic resistance confined wholly within the housing of the hearing aid.
  • An additional variable acoustic resistance may be provided for reducing the directional effect of the hearing aid unit and may be controllable or adjustable by the wearer of the hearing aid or by a person who. is capable of fitting the hearing aid to the wearer.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevation view of abehind the ear hear-- ing aid which incorporates the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an elevation view taken at an oblique angle as indicated at 2-2 in FIG. 1 showing the rear detail of the hearing aid housing.
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail section view taken approximately at 3-3 in FIG. 2.
  • F IG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of certain important partsof the variable acoustic resistance of the hearing aid. 7 v
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail section view somewhat similar to FIG. 3 and showing a modified form of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged detail section view somewhat similar to FIG. 3 and showing an additional modified form of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a response curve showing the gain in output signal produced by the hearing aid illustrated in FIGS. 1-4; curve F shows the gain produced by the hearing aid in relation to sounds originating at a location in front of the hearing aid; and curves R R and R show I the response characteristics to sounds originating at a location to the rear of the hearing aid, and wherein curve R, illustrates the response in the condition wherein the variable acoustic resistance is at a minimum, and curve R illustrating the response in the condition wherein the variable acoustic resistance is at nearly a maximum, and curve R illustrates the response of the hearing aid in the condition wherein the variable acoustic resistance is of intermediate magnitude.
  • FIGS. 1-4 The form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 is a behind-the-ear hearing aid, indicated in general by numeral 10 and having a housing 11 which confines all of the hearing aid components including the microphone 12 as well as the circuitry, the battery, the sound producing transducer from which sound is transmitted through the nipple 12 to which the sound tube 13 and ear mold 14 are connected.
  • the volume of the output may be regulated by the volume control 15.
  • the hearing aid housing 11 defines an isolated microphone chamber 16 which is separated from the other portions of the interior of housing 11 by a full wall 17 which minimizes any transmission of sounds therethrough. Sounds are permitted to enter the front and rear portions of the microphone chamber 16 through access ports 18 and 19 formed in the front and rear wall portions 20 and 21, respectively, of the housing 11 which defines the microphone chamber 16.
  • Thefront port 18 has a protective grill 22 secured therein as by adhesive or otherwise to protect the microphone 12 and prevent foreign materials or articles from entering or obstructing the access port or opening 18.
  • the apertures 22.1 in the grill 22 are sufficiently large and numerous as to cumulatively provide open space which is essentially non-resistive to transmittal of sound therethrough.
  • the microphone 12 is confined in the chamber 16 and physically located by a soft and resilient spacer pad 23, which underlies the microphone and has upright ends 23.1 to cushion the ends of the microphone.
  • Pad 23 has a belt portion 24 surrounding the girth area of the microphone l2.
  • Pad 23 including the integral belt portion is constructed, of soft and resilient sound absorbing material such as soft porous rubber or plastic so as tosubstantially completely isolate the front portion 16.1 of the microphone chamber from the rear portion 16.2 thereof and thereby prevent any migration of sound around the exterior of the microphone and between the front and rear portions of the microphone chamber.
  • the pad 23 with belt 24 of resilient material also confines the microphone 12 against movement in the chamber 16 because the pad and belt engage both the case 12.1 of the microphone and the adjoining wall areas 17 and 11.1 of the hearing aid housing.
  • the microphone 12 has a diaphragm 12.2 and a transducer 12.3 which is operated by the diaphgram.
  • the diaphragm 12.2 separates the microphone case into two separate compartments so that sounds'entering both compartments will apply pressures against the diaphragm so as to cause oscillation or vibration thereof.
  • the upper compartment in the hearing aid case communicates with a soundqeceiving opening 12.4 disposed at the front portion of the microphone and specifically in the front wall 12.5 thereof.
  • the sound-receiving opening 12.4 is essentially non-restrictive or non-resistive to passage of sounds therethrough so that the sounds and sound pressure variations may enter the upper compartment of the microphone substantially unimpeded.
  • the upper compartment of the microphone will thereby receive sounds from the front port 18 of the hearing aid housmg.
  • the lower compartment of the microphone 12 has one or more sound-receiving openings 12.6 located adjacent the rear portion of the microphone case 12.1 at a location below the diaphragm 12.2.
  • the openings 12.6 are minute in size and are formed in a separate plate 12.7 secured over a large opening 12.8 formed in the rear portion of the hearing aid case at a location below the diaphragm 12.2.
  • the openings 12.6 are extremely small and may be formed by etching or similar processes so that the size of the openings 12.6 form an acoustical resistance between the interior of the microphone and the rear portion 16.2 of the microphone chamber.
  • the resistance provided by the openings 12.6 to passage of sounds into the microphone cause a phase shift or delay in transmission of these sounds relative to the transmission of sounds into the front portion of the microphone.
  • the amount of resistance provided by the openings 12.6 into the microphone case is rather critical.
  • the directivity of the microphone l2 and of the hearing aid will be at a maximum for a rather narrow range of resistances provided by the minute openings 12.6, and if the amount of resistance provided for entry of sound into the rear portion of the microphone is varied from such a small range, by either increasing the resistance or decreasing the resistance, the directivity effect of the microphone and hearing aid will be reduced considerably.
  • each hearing aid may be desirable to tune each hearing aid to the maximum directivity, or at least to the level of directivity which is desired.
  • the hearing aid 10 is provided with a variable acoustic resistance 25 in the access opening or port 19 in the rear wall 21 of the hearing aid housing.
  • the variable acoustic resistance includes a grill or screen 26 having a plurality of minute apertures or clear passages 26.1 therein (which are illustrated disproportionately large in the drawing as to be visible) for permitting passage of sound therethrough.
  • the apertures 26.1 cumulatively define an open area through the grill 26 which has essentially no resistance to transmission of sounds and sound waves therethrough, but the apertures 26.1 are sufficiently small as to define a significant resistance to transmission of sounds therethrough when most of the apertures 26.1 are closed or covered and only a few of the apertures remain open.
  • the resistance 25 in combination with the volume of chamber 16.2 produce the phase shift or delay of sounds entering the rear port 19 of the hearing aid.
  • the space in chamber 16.2 is fixed and acts in a manner similar to a capacitance in electrical circuitry. Adjusting the resistance 25 effects tuning so as to maximize, or vary, the phase shift of sounds entering the rear port 19.
  • the resistance provided by minute openings 12.6, in combination with the space within the microphone case 12.1 and beneath the diaphragm produces a phase shift or delay of'sounds entering themicrophone from the time such sounds are first presented at the openings 12.6 and until such sounds are effective to produce an effect upon the diaphragm.
  • the variable acoustic resistance also includes a substantially circular disc or masking plate 27 having a cylindrical hub 27.1 which fits snugly into the bearing opening 26.4 of the grill plate and is rotatable in the opening.
  • the masking plate 27 will lie flush against the grill plate 26 which is sealed around its entire periph eral edge 26.5 to the rear wall ofthe microphone chamber.
  • the masking plate or disc 27 is disposed in a slot 21.1 in the rear wall of the housing and the upper portion of the disc 27 protrudes outwardly through an open side 21.2 of the slot.
  • the masking disc or plate 27 has a pair of openings 27.2 formed therein and also a pair of adjacent closed areas 27.3 separated from the open areas by substantially radial edges 27.4.
  • the boundary 26.2'of area of apertures 26.1 in the grill is similar in shape to opening 27.2 of wheel 27 so that the resistance can be maximized by closing all of openings 26.1.
  • the masking plate or disc 27 may be rotated by manual manipulation of the edge which protrudes through the side of slot 21.2, and the plate 27 will progressively cover or uncover portions of the apertured areas of the grill 26 so as to progressively increase or decrease the resistance to transmission of sound to the rear portion of the microphone.
  • the curves in FIG. 7 illustrate the operating characteristics of the hearing aid 10 at various adjustments of the rotary masking plate or disc 27 of the variable acoustic resistance.
  • the microphone 12 of the hearing aid 10 was turned so that as relates to sounds which originate at a location in front of the hearing aid housing, the gain recorded at the output of the hearing aid in such sounds was at a maximum as indicated by the curve F in FIG. 7. Subsequently, the hearing aid was reversed so that the sound was originating at a location to the rear ofthe hearing aid, closest the access port 19. With the masking plate 27 in the adjustment illustrated in FIG.
  • the gain produced by the hearing aid was recorded at the curve R At 1000 Hz.
  • the gain with the sound originating at the front of the hearing aid was approximately 50 dB
  • the gain with the sound originating to the rear of the hearing aid was approximately 23 dB
  • the differential front to rear gain was'27 dB, which indicates that, at this setting, the hearing aid had a maximum directivity effect.
  • the hearing aid was most sensitive to sounds originating at a location infront of the hearing aid and least sensitive to sounds originating at the rear of the hearing aid.
  • variable acoustic resistance 25 The resistance produced by the variable acoustic resistance 25 was thereafter increased at several different;
  • variable acoustic resistance 25 is pronounced.
  • the microphone 12 may have been tuned sothat the acoustic resistance provided by the minute clear passages 12.6 into the rear portion of the housing, may have produced slightly less than maximum directivity of the hearing aid, whereupon the variable acoustic resistance 25 may have first caused the differential gain to increase and then subsequently decreaseas the variableacoustic resistance 25 producesmore resistance by closing more and more of the apertures 26.1.
  • the hearing aid 30 has a housing 31 very nearly identical to the housing previously described.
  • the microphone chamber 36 confines the microphone 32 and the resil ient belt 34 isolates the front and rear portions of the microphone chamber from each other.
  • the port 39 in the rear wall of the housing has a simple protective grill 39.1 to protect the microphone from exterior influences, but to freely transmit,sounds'therethrough without significant resistance.
  • the microphone 32 has a forwardly facing sound-receiving opening 32.1 of sufficient size as to be non-resistive to transmission of sounds therethrough.
  • the sound-receiving openings 32.2 in the rear portion of the microphone and commu: nicating with the lower microphone compartment beneath the diaphragm are resistive to transmission of sounds.
  • An apertured grill 26, substantially identical to the grill 26 described in connection with FIGS. 1-4 is se cured about its entire periphery to the hearing, aid housing in the front port 38 with the capability of in-. creasing the resistance to sounds transmitted to the front of the microphone if a number of the apertures in the grill 26' are closed or covered.
  • This resistance in combination-with thechamber 16.1 produces a phase shift or delay ofthe sound before its effects movement of the diaphragm.
  • IArotatable disc or masking plate 27' is rotatably mounted on and lies flush against the apertured grill 26' in the sameidentical fashion as is the grill 27 related to the grill 26 in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. l-4..;Theopenings in the masking plate ordisc 27' may partially cover and uncover the apertures in thegrill 26' as-the plate 27 is revolved.
  • the form ofthe hearing aid 10" is substantially identical to that illustrated in FIGS. l-4 with certain exceptions.
  • the microphone 12 is the same and is located essentially identically to that previously described.
  • The-rear wall 21' of the hearing aid housing partly is partially defined by a cover 21 in this form of the invention, and it is the cover 21 of the rear wall through which the rear access opening 19 is defined.
  • the rotatable masking disc 27 and the apertured grill 26 are both identical to that illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and are related to each other in the same manner and function in the same manner as previously described.
  • the access port has an interior portion 19' thereof in which an additional variable acoustic resistance 25' is located.
  • the variable acoustic resistance 25' has an apertured grill 26.1, and a partly open rotary masking plate or disc 27.1 both of which are substantially identical to the grill and masking disc 26, 27, respectively, but of slightly smaller dimensions.
  • the rotatable masking plate 27.1 has an operating control lug 40 located at its center and provided with a screw driver slot so that the disc 27.1 can be adjusted to produce the directivity of the hearing aid 10', and then a spot of adhesive 41 will secure the edge of the plate 27.1 to the adjoining portion of the housing to retain it in a prefixed location.
  • the disc 27 will then be used simply by the I wearer or the person who fits the hearing aid to the wearer to produce the directivity which is comfortable for the wearer to utilize.
  • this invention provides a hearing aid with a directional microphone to receive the sounds from both front and rear, and'an adjustable acoustic resistance to vary the amount of resistance to sounds being transmitted through one of the main access ports and into the hearing aid to control the relative gain to sounds originating from positions to the front of and to the rear of the hearingaid and thereby control the degree of directivity of the hearing aid.
  • the drawings illustrate the invention applied to a behindthe-ear hearing aid, the invention is also applicable to hearing aids incorporated in eyeglasses.
  • a microphone containing a diaphragm and a transducer and having soundreceiving openings in the front and rear portions of the microphone case to transmit sounds to both sides of the diaphragm and to create a significant acoustic resistance at the rear portion of the microphone case and thereby effect a phase shift of the sounds entering through such rear portions,
  • a hearing aid housing shaped to fit a persons head and oriented in a fore and aft direction, the housing having a microphone chamber and front and rear wall portions with sound access ports transmitting sound into the chamber to the microphone, and
  • variable acoustic resistance in one of said sound access ports and operable to vary the gains relative to for covering and uncovering portions of the grill to thereby change the acoustical resistance and vary the directivity of the hearing aid.
  • variableacousticalresistance having a movable part to be moved to vary the acoustical resistance, and said movable part having a control portion accessible from the exterior of the hearing aid housing for moving said part to vary the directivity of the hearing aid.
  • a microphone containing a diaphragm and a transducer and having soundreceiving openings in the front and rear portions of the microphone case to transmit sounds to both sides of the diaphragm and to create a significant acoustic resistance at the rear portion of the microphone case and thereby effect a phase shift of the sounds entering through such rear portions,
  • a hearing aid housing shaped to fit to a persons head and oriented in a fore andaft direction, the housing having a microphone chamber and front and rear wall portions with sound access ports transmitting sound into the chamber to the microphone, and
  • variable acoustic resistance in one of said sound access ports and operable to vary the gains relative to each other produce by the hearing aid of sounds originating, respectively, in front of and to the rear of the hearing aid and thereby change the directivity effect of the hearing aid
  • the acoustical resistance including a grill in the port, a masking plate lying against the grill and movable along the grill for covering and uncovering portions of the grill to thereby change the acoustical resistance and vary the directivity of the hearing aid, the masking plate being rotatable and having alternate open and closed portions adjacent each other circumferentially of the plate to cover and uncover portions of the grill as the masking plate is rotated to progressively vary the directivity-of the hearing aid.
  • the invention according to claim 5 and the grill and masking plate being disposed at the front wall portion of the hearing aid housing and in the sound access port thereof to vary the resistance to sounds transmitted through the front portand to the microphone.
  • a microphone containing a diaphragm and a transducer and having sound-receiving openings in the front and rear portions of the microphone case to transmit sounds to both sides of the diaphragm and to create a significant acoustic resistance at the rear portion of the microphone case and thereby effect a phase shift of the sounds entering through such rear portions,
  • a hearing aid housing shaped to fit to a persons head and oriented in a fore and aft direction, the housing having a microphone chamber and front and rear wall portions with sound access ports transmitting sound into thechamber to the microphone, and
  • variable acoustic resistance in one of said sound access ports and operable to vary the gains relative to each other produced by the hearing aid of sounds originating, respectively, in front of and to the rear of the hearing aid and thereby change the directivity effect of the hearing aid
  • the variable acoustical resistance having a movable part to be moved to vary the acoustical resistance, and said movable part having a control portion accessible from the exterior of the hearing aid housing for moving said part to vary the directivity of the hearing aid
  • a second variable acoustical resistance in one of the access ports to the hearing aid housing and having a manually operable control portion disposed wholly within the housing to restrict access thereto.
  • a hearing aid housing shaped to be fit against a persons head and oriented in a fore and aft direction, the housing having a microphone chamber and front and rear wall portions with sound access ports transmitting sound into the chamber to the microphone, the openings in the front and rear portions of the microphone case being disposed adjacent to, respectively, the front and rear wall portions of the housing with the front and rear access ports therethrough, means within the housing preventing transmittal of sound from the rear access port of the hearing aid housing to the front soundreceiving opening of the microphone case and also preventing transmittal of sound through the microphone chamber from the front access port and to the sound-receiving openings at the rear of the microphone case,
  • variable acoustic resistance in the sound access port in the rear wall portion of the hearing aid housing to change the directivity effect of the hearing aid
  • said variable acoustic resistance including a stationary grill in the rear access port, the grill having adjacent areas of different sound transmitting capabilities, one of said areas having a plurality of closely spaced and minute apertures defining clear passages and cumulatively defining a substantial open area to provide minimum restriction and resistance to passage of sounds therethrough, said 5 individual apertures being sufficiently small as to provide very substantial resistance, acting individually and alone, to passage of sound therethrough, the other of said areas adjacent to the apertured area having substantially less sound transmitting capability than said apertured area, the periphery of the grill being sealed to the hearing aid housisng to prevent any passage of sounds around the edges of the grill and into the microphone chamber, said acoustical resistance also including a rotatable masking plate in the rear sound access port of the hearing aid housing and lying flush against the grill, the periphery of the masking plate being disposed adjacent the periphery
  • the invention according to claim 11 and the rotatable masking plate having an edge separating the open and closed portions thereof, said edge extending from the central area of the masking plate outwardly toward the edge thereof, and the apertured area of the grill having a boundary edge adjacent the other area of the grill and said boundary edge having an orientation oblique to the edge of the open area of the masking plate whereby to progressively and incrementally close the apertured area of the grill as the masking plate passes thereover.

Abstract

A directional hearing aid to be fitted to a person''s head and wherein the housing has front and rear openings to receive sounds from the front and rear, a directional microphone in the housing respectively receiving the sounds from front and rear, and a variable acoustic resistance in one of the openings of the housing, the acoustic resistance comprising a grill entirely filling the opening and having minute soundreceiving apertures, and a rotary plate having partly open areas to variably open and close the apertures of the grill for changing the acoustic resistance and changing the directivity effect of the directional hearing aid.

Description

United States Patent [191 Moen I 1 DIRECTIONAL HEARING AID WITH VARIABLE DIRECTIVITY [75] Inventor: Bruce A. Moen, Maple Grove,
Minn.
[73] Assignee: Textron, Inc., Providence. R.1.
[22] Filed: Jan. 2, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 320,072
[52] U.S. Cl. 179/107 FD; 179/107 H [51] Int. Cl. H04r 25/00 [58] Field of Search 179/107 FD, 107 E, 107 R.
179/107 H, 1 DM 3.770.911 11/1973 Knowles 179/107 S Primary ExaminerRalph D. Blakeslee Attorney, Agent, or FirmH. Dale Palmatier 57 ABSTRACT A directional hearing aid to be fitted to a persons head and wherein the housing has front and rear openings to receive sounds from the front and rear, a directional microphone in the housing respectively receiving the sounds from front and rear, and a variable acoustic resistance in one of the openings of the housing, the acoustic resistance comprising a grill entirely filling the opening and having minute soundreceiving apertures, and a rotary plate having partly open areas to variably open and close the apertures of the grill for changing the acoustic resistance and changing the directivity effect of the directional hearing aid.
13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures DIRECTIONAL HEARING AID WITH VARIABLE DIRECTIVITY I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION .In a directional hearing aid of the type disclosed in U.S. Reissue Patent RE 27,487, it is important that sound be admitted at both the front and rear of the housing so as to supply soundto both, sides of the diaphragm in the microphone. Ordinarily, an acoustic resistance is incorporated at the rear of the microphone so as to introduce a time delay or phase shift in the transmission of sound waves to the diaphragm which enter the rear of the microphone, as compared to those which enter, unimpeded, at the front of the microphone. Thus, as for sounds which originate in front of the microphone, such a phase shift causes sound waves entering the rear of the microphone to have an additive effect in moving the diaphragm along with the sound waves entering the microphone from the front. This additive effect is in contrast to the neutralizing effect of sound waves originating from the rear and reaching the opposite sides of the diaphragm simultaneously to thereby oppose each other and prevent the diaphragm from moving. Of course, this additive effect is transformed into a larger magnitude of signal from the microphone.
The microphone with the acoustic resistance at the rear of the microphone responds to sound originating from a location to the rear of the microphone so as to produce more of a neutralizing effect as the sound waves are applied at opposite sides of the diaphragm so that the diaphragm has less magnitude of movement and generates a lesser magnitude of signals for output from the microphone than in the case of sounds which originate from in front of the microphone.
It has been found that the amount of the resistance at the rear of the microphone is rather critical, and that the directional response of the microphone and the hearing aid in which the microphone is incorporated will peak at a rather small range of acoustic resistance, and if the acoustic resistance is either increased or decreased out of such a small range, the-directional characteristics of the microphone and hearing aid are considerably reduced.
It has also been determined that the relative magnitude of the acoustic resistance at the rear of the microphone to the resistance at the front of the microphone at the openings into the microphone for admitting sound waves to opposite sides of the diaphragm is important. As a result, it may be desirable in certain instances to apply an acoustic resistance'in relation to the opening at the front of the microphone, as well assome resistance in relation to the opening atthe rear of the microphone so that the combination of.acoustic resistances is such as to maximize the directional effect of the microphone and the ability of the. microphone to maximize its signal response on soundswhich originate from a location in front of the microphoneas compared to the signal response on sounds which originate from the rear of the microphone.
In setting the acoustic resistances in relation to a miduce all of the parts and their relationships and exactly reproduce the acoustic resistances in each microphone and hearing aid and make them the same as in all other of these tiny microphones and hearing aids. It is also to be recognized that various persons wearing hearing aids can tolerate or desire various degrees of directivity in the hearing aid.
. "S M ARY OF THE INVENTION out regard to the hearing aid housing. An additonal acoustic resistance with minute clear passages is provided in the ports of the hearing aidhousing through which the sound waves are permitted to pass to the front and rear of the microphone. v
In many cases, the variable acoustic resistance is disposed in the passage of the hearing aid housing which supplies sound waves to the rear of the microphone, but, in order to change the combination of acoustic resistances which are effective to change the directivity effect of the unit, a variable acoustic resistance may be established adjacent the front of the microphone.
Use of these adjustable acoustic resistanceswill vary the combination of resistances in the directional hearing aid so that the hearing aid can be tuned to itsmaximum directional characteristic or to such other directional characteristics as may be comfortable to or desired by the wearer of the hearing aid.
The acoustic resistances-may be controllable from the exterior of the hearing aid housing, or may be controllable or variable only-- by obtaining access into the interior of the hear-ing aid housing. Ordinarily, the wearer of the hearing aid does not have access to the interior of the hearing aid housing but technicians, who are familiar with hearing aid features; fInd it very useful tobe able to tune a directional hearingaid to its maximum directivity and this may be accomplished by a variable acoustic resistance confined wholly within the housing of the hearing aid. An additional variable acoustic resistance may be provided for reducing the directional effect of the hearing aid unit and may be controllable or adjustable by the wearer of the hearing aid or by a person who. is capable of fitting the hearing aid to the wearer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevation view of abehind the ear hear-- ing aid which incorporates the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an elevation view taken at an oblique angle as indicated at 2-2 in FIG. 1 showing the rear detail of the hearing aid housing.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail section view taken approximately at 3-3 in FIG. 2.
F IG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of certain important partsof the variable acoustic resistance of the hearing aid. 7 v
FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail section view somewhat similar to FIG. 3 and showing a modified form of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged detail section view somewhat similar to FIG. 3 and showing an additional modified form of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a response curve showing the gain in output signal produced by the hearing aid illustrated in FIGS. 1-4; curve F shows the gain produced by the hearing aid in relation to sounds originating at a location in front of the hearing aid; and curves R R and R show I the response characteristics to sounds originating at a location to the rear of the hearing aid, and wherein curve R, illustrates the response in the condition wherein the variable acoustic resistance is at a minimum, and curve R illustrating the response in the condition wherein the variable acoustic resistance is at nearly a maximum, and curve R illustrates the response of the hearing aid in the condition wherein the variable acoustic resistance is of intermediate magnitude.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 is a behind-the-ear hearing aid, indicated in general by numeral 10 and having a housing 11 which confines all of the hearing aid components including the microphone 12 as well as the circuitry, the battery, the sound producing transducer from which sound is transmitted through the nipple 12 to which the sound tube 13 and ear mold 14 are connected. The volume of the output may be regulated by the volume control 15.
The hearing aid housing 11 defines an isolated microphone chamber 16 which is separated from the other portions of the interior of housing 11 by a full wall 17 which minimizes any transmission of sounds therethrough. Sounds are permitted to enter the front and rear portions of the microphone chamber 16 through access ports 18 and 19 formed in the front and rear wall portions 20 and 21, respectively, of the housing 11 which defines the microphone chamber 16. Thefront port 18 has a protective grill 22 secured therein as by adhesive or otherwise to protect the microphone 12 and prevent foreign materials or articles from entering or obstructing the access port or opening 18. The apertures 22.1 in the grill 22 are sufficiently large and numerous as to cumulatively provide open space which is essentially non-resistive to transmittal of sound therethrough.
The microphone 12 is confined in the chamber 16 and physically located by a soft and resilient spacer pad 23, which underlies the microphone and has upright ends 23.1 to cushion the ends of the microphone. Pad 23 has a belt portion 24 surrounding the girth area of the microphone l2. Pad 23 including the integral belt portion is constructed, of soft and resilient sound absorbing material such as soft porous rubber or plastic so as tosubstantially completely isolate the front portion 16.1 of the microphone chamber from the rear portion 16.2 thereof and thereby prevent any migration of sound around the exterior of the microphone and between the front and rear portions of the microphone chamber. The pad 23 with belt 24 of resilient material also confines the microphone 12 against movement in the chamber 16 because the pad and belt engage both the case 12.1 of the microphone and the adjoining wall areas 17 and 11.1 of the hearing aid housing.
The microphone 12 has a diaphragm 12.2 and a transducer 12.3 which is operated by the diaphgram. The diaphragm 12.2 separates the microphone case into two separate compartments so that sounds'entering both compartments will apply pressures against the diaphragm so as to cause oscillation or vibration thereof. The upper compartment in the hearing aid case communicates with a soundqeceiving opening 12.4 disposed at the front portion of the microphone and specifically in the front wall 12.5 thereof. In this form, the sound-receiving opening 12.4 is essentially non-restrictive or non-resistive to passage of sounds therethrough so that the sounds and sound pressure variations may enter the upper compartment of the microphone substantially unimpeded. The upper compartment of the microphone will thereby receive sounds from the front port 18 of the hearing aid housmg.
The lower compartment of the microphone 12 has one or more sound-receiving openings 12.6 located adjacent the rear portion of the microphone case 12.1 at a location below the diaphragm 12.2. In the form shown, the openings 12.6 are minute in size and are formed in a separate plate 12.7 secured over a large opening 12.8 formed in the rear portion of the hearing aid case at a location below the diaphragm 12.2. The openings 12.6 are extremely small and may be formed by etching or similar processes so that the size of the openings 12.6 form an acoustical resistance between the interior of the microphone and the rear portion 16.2 of the microphone chamber. As previously described, the resistance provided by the openings 12.6 to passage of sounds into the microphone cause a phase shift or delay in transmission of these sounds relative to the transmission of sounds into the front portion of the microphone.
The amount of resistance provided by the openings 12.6 into the microphone case is rather critical. The directivity of the microphone l2 and of the hearing aid will be at a maximum for a rather narrow range of resistances provided by the minute openings 12.6, and if the amount of resistance provided for entry of sound into the rear portion of the microphone is varied from such a small range, by either increasing the resistance or decreasing the resistance, the directivity effect of the microphone and hearing aid will be reduced considerably.
Because of the criticality of the amount of resistance as it affects the directivity of the unit, it may be desirable to tune each hearing aid to the maximum directivity, or at least to the level of directivity which is desired.
The hearing aid 10 is provided with a variable acoustic resistance 25 in the access opening or port 19 in the rear wall 21 of the hearing aid housing. The variable acoustic resistance includes a grill or screen 26 having a plurality of minute apertures or clear passages 26.1 therein (which are illustrated disproportionately large in the drawing as to be visible) for permitting passage of sound therethrough. The apertures 26.1 cumulatively define an open area through the grill 26 which has essentially no resistance to transmission of sounds and sound waves therethrough, but the apertures 26.1 are sufficiently small as to define a significant resistance to transmission of sounds therethrough when most of the apertures 26.1 are closed or covered and only a few of the apertures remain open.
The resistance 25 in combination with the volume of chamber 16.2 produce the phase shift or delay of sounds entering the rear port 19 of the hearing aid. The space in chamber 16.2 is fixed and acts in a manner similar to a capacitance in electrical circuitry. Adjusting the resistance 25 effects tuning so as to maximize, or vary, the phase shift of sounds entering the rear port 19. Similarly, the resistance provided by minute openings 12.6, in combination with the space within the microphone case 12.1 and beneath the diaphragm produces a phase shift or delay of'sounds entering themicrophone from the time such sounds are first presented at the openings 12.6 and until such sounds are effective to produce an effect upon the diaphragm.
The variable acoustic resistance also includes a substantially circular disc or masking plate 27 having a cylindrical hub 27.1 which fits snugly into the bearing opening 26.4 of the grill plate and is rotatable in the opening. The masking plate 27 will lie flush against the grill plate 26 which is sealed around its entire periph eral edge 26.5 to the rear wall ofthe microphone chamber. The masking plate or disc 27 is disposed in a slot 21.1 in the rear wall of the housing and the upper portion of the disc 27 protrudes outwardly through an open side 21.2 of the slot.
The masking disc or plate 27 has a pair of openings 27.2 formed therein and also a pair of adjacent closed areas 27.3 separated from the open areas by substantially radial edges 27.4.
The boundary 26.2'of area of apertures 26.1 in the grill is similar in shape to opening 27.2 of wheel 27 so that the resistance can be maximized by closing all of openings 26.1.
The masking plate or disc 27 may be rotated by manual manipulation of the edge which protrudes through the side of slot 21.2, and the plate 27 will progressively cover or uncover portions of the apertured areas of the grill 26 so as to progressively increase or decrease the resistance to transmission of sound to the rear portion of the microphone.
The curves in FIG. 7 illustrate the operating characteristics of the hearing aid 10 at various adjustments of the rotary masking plate or disc 27 of the variable acoustic resistance. The microphone 12 of the hearing aid 10 was turned so that as relates to sounds which originate at a location in front of the hearing aid housing, the gain recorded at the output of the hearing aid in such sounds was at a maximum as indicated by the curve F in FIG. 7. Subsequently, the hearing aid was reversed so that the sound was originating at a location to the rear ofthe hearing aid, closest the access port 19. With the masking plate 27 in the adjustment illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein the maximum number of openings 26.] of the grill are open and therefore the least resistance to transmission of sounds is encountered, the gain produced by the hearing aid was recorded at the curve R At 1000 Hz. the gain with the sound originating at the front of the hearing aid was approximately 50 dB, and the gain with the sound originating to the rear of the hearing aid was approximately 23 dB, and therefore the differential front to rear gain was'27 dB, which indicates that, at this setting, the hearing aid had a maximum directivity effect. In other words, the hearing aid was most sensitive to sounds originating at a location infront of the hearing aid and least sensitive to sounds originating at the rear of the hearing aid.
The resistance produced by the variable acoustic resistance 25 was thereafter increased at several different;
settings as depicted by the characteristics recordedin curves R and R The differential gain, front to rear, between the curves R and F was only moderate, and
at v1000 Hz., the. differential gain, front to rear, was 15 dB, still significant, but ofmoderate magnitude.
With the .maskingplate 2-7 rotated so that substantially all ,ofthe apertures in grill -26 are closed, the curve R was recorded. with the sound originating from a location to the rear of thehearingaid, and it will be seen that the leastdifferential gain, front to rear, was recorded for this settingof the masking -plate27. In this condition,only a 6dB differential gain was determined at 1000 Hz. l
It will be noted in the curves of FIG. 7, that curves R and R are merged with curves R and F and that the overall effect of the-variable acoustic resistance 25 is nullified as the frequencies. approach 5000 Hz.
However, in the normal voice ranges, in the vicinity of 500 to 2000 Hz., the effect of the variable acoustic resistance 25 is pronounced.
With the original tuning of microphone 12, the adding of additional acoustic resistance by thevariable acoustic resistance 25 tends to decrease the directivity effect of the hearing aid. However, the microphone 12 may have been tuned sothat the acoustic resistance provided by the minute clear passages 12.6 into the rear portion of the housing, may have produced slightly less than maximum directivity of the hearing aid, whereupon the variable acoustic resistance 25 may have first caused the differential gain to increase and then subsequently decreaseas the variableacoustic resistance 25 producesmore resistance by closing more and more of the apertures 26.1. I
In the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5,-the hearing aid 30 has a housing 31 very nearly identical to the housing previously described. The microphone chamber 36 confines the microphone 32 and the resil ient belt 34 isolates the front and rear portions of the microphone chamber from each other. The port 39 in the rear wall of the housing has a simple protective grill 39.1 to protect the microphone from exterior influences, but to freely transmit,sounds'therethrough without significant resistance. The microphone 32 has a forwardly facing sound-receiving opening 32.1 of sufficient size as to be non-resistive to transmission of sounds therethrough. The sound-receiving openings 32.2 in the rear portion of the microphone and commu: nicating with the lower microphone compartment beneath the diaphragm are resistive to transmission of sounds. v I 1 An apertured grill 26, substantially identical to the grill 26 described in connection with FIGS. 1-4 is se cured about its entire periphery to the hearing, aid housing in the front port 38 with the capability of in-. creasing the resistance to sounds transmitted to the front of the microphone if a number of the apertures in the grill 26' are closed or covered. This resistance in combination-with thechamber 16.1, produces a phase shift or delay ofthe sound before its effects movement of the diaphragm. IArotatable disc or masking plate 27' is rotatably mounted on and lies flush against the apertured grill 26' in the sameidentical fashion as is the grill 27 related to the grill 26 in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. l-4..;Theopenings in the masking plate ordisc 27' may partially cover and uncover the apertures in thegrill 26' as-the plate 27 is revolved.
entering through the front of the hearing aid as well as those entering into the rear of the microphone.
In FIG. 6, the form ofthe hearing aid 10" is substantially identical to that illustrated in FIGS. l-4 with certain exceptions. The microphone 12 is the same and is located essentially identically to that previously described. The-rear wall 21' of the hearing aid housing partly is partially defined by a cover 21 in this form of the invention, and it is the cover 21 of the rear wall through which the rear access opening 19 is defined. The rotatable masking disc 27 and the apertured grill 26 are both identical to that illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and are related to each other in the same manner and function in the same manner as previously described.
In this form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6, the access port has an interior portion 19' thereof in which an additional variable acoustic resistance 25' is located. The variable acoustic resistance 25' has an apertured grill 26.1, and a partly open rotary masking plate or disc 27.1 both of which are substantially identical to the grill and masking disc 26, 27, respectively, but of slightly smaller dimensions. In addition, the rotatable masking plate 27.1 has an operating control lug 40 located at its center and provided with a screw driver slot so that the disc 27.1 can be adjusted to produce the directivity of the hearing aid 10', and then a spot of adhesive 41 will secure the edge of the plate 27.1 to the adjoining portion of the housing to retain it in a prefixed location. The disc 27 will then be used simply by the I wearer or the person who fits the hearing aid to the wearer to produce the directivity which is comfortable for the wearer to utilize.
It will be seen that this invention provides a hearing aid with a directional microphone to receive the sounds from both front and rear, and'an adjustable acoustic resistance to vary the amount of resistance to sounds being transmitted through one of the main access ports and into the hearing aid to control the relative gain to sounds originating from positions to the front of and to the rear of the hearingaid and thereby control the degree of directivity of the hearing aid. Although the drawings illustrate the invention applied to a behindthe-ear hearing aid, the invention is also applicable to hearing aids incorporated in eyeglasses.
What is claimed is:
1. In a directional hearing aid, a microphone containing a diaphragm and a transducer and having soundreceiving openings in the front and rear portions of the microphone case to transmit sounds to both sides of the diaphragm and to create a significant acoustic resistance at the rear portion of the microphone case and thereby effect a phase shift of the sounds entering through such rear portions,
a hearing aid housing shaped to fit a persons head and oriented in a fore and aft direction, the housing having a microphone chamber and front and rear wall portions with sound access ports transmitting sound into the chamber to the microphone, and
a variable acoustic resistance in one of said sound access ports and operable to vary the gains relative to for covering and uncovering portions of the grill to thereby change the acoustical resistance and vary the directivity of the hearing aid.
" 3. The'invention according to claim 1 and the variableacousticalresistance having a movable part to be moved to vary the acoustical resistance, and said movable part having a control portion accessible from the exterior of the hearing aid housing for moving said part to vary the directivity of the hearing aid.
4. In a directional hearing aid, a microphone containing a diaphragm and a transducer and having soundreceiving openings in the front and rear portions of the microphone case to transmit sounds to both sides of the diaphragm and to create a significant acoustic resistance at the rear portion of the microphone case and thereby effect a phase shift of the sounds entering through such rear portions,
a hearing aid housing shaped to fit to a persons head and oriented in a fore andaft direction, the housing having a microphone chamber and front and rear wall portions with sound access ports transmitting sound into the chamber to the microphone, and
a variable acoustic resistance in one of said sound access ports and operable to vary the gains relative to each other produce by the hearing aid of sounds originating, respectively, in front of and to the rear of the hearing aid and thereby change the directivity effect of the hearing aid, the acoustical resistance including a grill in the port, a masking plate lying against the grill and movable along the grill for covering and uncovering portions of the grill to thereby change the acoustical resistance and vary the directivity of the hearing aid, the masking plate being rotatable and having alternate open and closed portions adjacent each other circumferentially of the plate to cover and uncover portions of the grill as the masking plate is rotated to progressively vary the directivity-of the hearing aid.
5. The invention according to claim 4 and the rotatable masking plate having a rounded peripheral edge protruding through the housing to the exterior of the housing to facilitate manual rotation of the masking plate to vary the acoustical resistance and directivity of the hearing aid.
6. The invention according to claim 4 and the grill having adjacent areas, one being partially open and substantially more previous to passage of sound therethrough than the other adjacent area, the closed portion of the masking plate moving across said partly open area of the grill to vary the acoustical resistance and the directivity of the hearing aid.
7. The invention according to claim 6 and the rotatable masking plate having a circular mounting hub fitting snugly in and rotatable with respect to an opening in the grill, and said rotatable masking plate lying flush against the grill to prevent sound from traveling transversely between the grill and masking plate.
8. The invention according to claim 5 and the grill and masking plate being disposed at the rear wall portion of the hearing aid housing and in the sound access port thereof to vary the resistance to sounds transmitted through the'rear port of the hearing aid and to the microphone.
-9. The invention according to claim 5 and the grill and masking plate being disposed at the front wall portion of the hearing aid housing and in the sound access port thereof to vary the resistance to sounds transmitted through the front portand to the microphone.
10. In a directional hearing aid, a microphone containing a diaphragm and a transducer and having sound-receiving openings in the front and rear portions of the microphone case to transmit sounds to both sides of the diaphragm and to create a significant acoustic resistance at the rear portion of the microphone case and thereby effect a phase shift of the sounds entering through such rear portions,
a hearing aid housing shaped to fit to a persons head and oriented in a fore and aft direction, the housing having a microphone chamber and front and rear wall portions with sound access ports transmitting sound into thechamber to the microphone, and
a variable acoustic resistance in one of said sound access ports and operable to vary the gains relative to each other produced by the hearing aid of sounds originating, respectively, in front of and to the rear of the hearing aid and thereby change the directivity effect of the hearing aid, the variable acoustical resistance having a movable part to be moved to vary the acoustical resistance, and said movable part having a control portion accessible from the exterior of the hearing aid housing for moving said part to vary the directivity of the hearing aid, and a second variable acoustical resistance in one of the access ports to the hearing aid housing and having a manually operable control portion disposed wholly within the housing to restrict access thereto.
11. In a hearing aid,
a microphone containing a diaphragm and a transducer and having sound-receiving openings in the front and rear portions of the microphone case to transmit sounds to both sides of the diaphragm, the microphone having an acoustical resistance in the opening at the rear portions of the microphone case to delay thetransmission of sounds through the openings in the rear portions of the microphone and thereby induce a directional effect in the microphone,
a hearing aid housing shaped to be fit against a persons head and oriented in a fore and aft direction, the housing having a microphone chamber and front and rear wall portions with sound access ports transmitting sound into the chamber to the microphone, the openings in the front and rear portions of the microphone case being disposed adjacent to, respectively, the front and rear wall portions of the housing with the front and rear access ports therethrough, means within the housing preventing transmittal of sound from the rear access port of the hearing aid housing to the front soundreceiving opening of the microphone case and also preventing transmittal of sound through the microphone chamber from the front access port and to the sound-receiving openings at the rear of the microphone case,
a variable acoustic resistance in the sound access port in the rear wall portion of the hearing aid housing to change the directivity effect of the hearing aid, said variable acoustic resistance including a stationary grill in the rear access port, the grill having adjacent areas of different sound transmitting capabilities, one of said areas having a plurality of closely spaced and minute apertures defining clear passages and cumulatively defining a substantial open area to provide minimum restriction and resistance to passage of sounds therethrough, said 5 individual apertures being sufficiently small as to provide very substantial resistance, acting individually and alone, to passage of sound therethrough, the other of said areas adjacent to the apertured area having substantially less sound transmitting capability than said apertured area, the periphery of the grill being sealed to the hearing aid housisng to prevent any passage of sounds around the edges of the grill and into the microphone chamber, said acoustical resistance also including a rotatable masking plate in the rear sound access port of the hearing aid housing and lying flush against the grill, the periphery of the masking plate being disposed adjacent the periphery of the grill and preventing passage of sounds therebetween, the masking plate having alternate open and closed portions adjacent each other in a direction circumferentially of the plate to cover and uncover portions of the apertured area of the grill, the rotatable masking plate having a rounded edge portion protruding through the hearing aid housing and to the exterior thereof to facilitate manual manipulation of the masking plate which changes the acoustic resistance to sound entering through the rear port of the hearing aid housing to the microphone and change the gains relative to each other produced by the hearing aid of sounds originating, respectively, in front of and to the rear of the hearing aid, thereby changing the directivity effect of the hearing aid.
12. The invention according to claim 11 and the rotatable masking plate having an edge separating the open and closed portions thereof, said edge extending from the central area of the masking plate outwardly toward the edge thereof, and the apertured area of the grill having a boundary edge adjacent the other area of the grill and said boundary edge having an orientation oblique to the edge of the open area of the masking plate whereby to progressively and incrementally close the apertured area of the grill as the masking plate passes thereover.
13. The invention according to claim 11 and there being a second variable acoustic resistance in the sound access port of the rear wall portions of the housing defining the microphone chamber, said second variable acoustic resistance having a grill with its peripheral edge entirely engaging the housing and preventing passage of sounds into the microphone chamber and around said peripheral edge, the grill of said second acoustic resistance also having a plurality of minute sound transmitting apertures defining clear passages into the microphone chamber and also having an area adjacent said apertures for obstructing passage of sound through the grill of said second resistance, and the second resistance also having a movable masking plate lying flush against the grill and movable to progressively cover and uncover the apertures of the grill of the second sound transmitting resistance, and means confined within the housing for effecting movement of the masking plate of the second acoustic resistance. 65

Claims (13)

1. In a directional hearing aid, a microphone containing a diaphragm and a transducer and having sound-receiving openings in the front and rear portions of the microphone case to transmit sounds to both sides of the diaphragm and to create a significant acoustic resistance at the rear portion of the microphone case and thereby effect a phase shift of the sounds entering through such rear portions, a hearing aid housing shaped to fit a person''s head and oriented in a fore and aft direction, the housing having a microphone chamber and front and rear wall portions with sound access ports transmitting sound into the chamber to the microphone, and a variable acoustic resistance in one of said sound access ports and operable to vary the gains relative to each other produced by the hearing aid of sounds originating, respectively, in front of and to the rear of the hearing aid and thereby change the directivity effect of the hearing aid.
2. The invention according to claim 1 and the acoustical resistance including a grill in the port, a masking plate lying against the grill and movable along the grill for covering and uncovering portions of the grill to thereby change the acoustical resistance and vary the directivity of the hearing aid.
3. The invention according to claim 1 and the variable acoustical resistance having a movable part to be moved to vary the acoustical resistance, and said movable part having a control portion accessible from the exterior of the hearing aid housing for moving said part to vary the directivity of the hearing aid.
4. In a directional hearing aid, a microphone containing a diaphragm and a transducer and having sound-receiving openings in the front and rear portions of the microphone case to transmit sounds to both sides of the diaphragm and to create a significant acoustic resistance at the rear portion of the microphone case and thereby effect a phase shift of the sounds entering through such rear portions, a hearing aid housing shaped to fit to a person''s head and oriented in a fore and aft direction, the housing having a microphone chamber and front and rear wall portions with sound access ports transmitting sound into the chamber to the microphone, and a variable acoustic resistance in one of said sound access ports and operable to vary the gains relative to each other produce by the hearing aid of sounds originating, respectively, in front of and to the rear of the hearing aid and thereby change the directivity effect of the hearing aid, the acoustical resistance including a grill in the port, a masking plate lying against the grill and movable along the grill for covering and uncovering portions of the grill to thereby change the acoustical resistance and vary the directivity of the hearing aid, the masking plate being rotatable and having alternate open and closed portions adjacent each other circumferentially of the plate to cover and uncover portions of the grill as the masking plate is rotated to progressively vary the directivity of the hearing aid.
5. The invention according to claim 4 and the rotatable masking plate having a rounded peripheral edge protruding through the housing to the exterior of the housing to facilitate manual rotation of the masking plate to vary the acoustical resistance and directivity of the hearing aid.
6. The invention according to claim 4 and the grill having adjacent areas, one being partially open and substantially more previous to passage of sound therethrough than the other adjacent area, the closed portion of the masking plate moving across said partly open area of the grill to vary the acoustical resistance and the directivity of the hearing aid.
7. The invention according to claim 6 and the rotatable masking plate having a circular mounting hub fitting snugly in and rotatable with respect to an opening in the grill, and said rotatable masking plate lying flush against the grill to prevent sound from traveling transversely between the grill and masking plate.
8. The invention according to claim 5 and the grill and masking plate being disposed at the rear wall portion of the hearing aid housing and in the sound access port thereof to vary the resistance to sounds transmitted through the rear port of the hearing aid and to the microphone.
9. The invention according to claim 5 and the grill and masking plate being disposed at the front wall portion of the hearing aid housing and in the sound access port thereof to vary the resistance to sounds transmitted through the front port and to the microphone.
10. In a directional hearing aid, a microphone containing a diaphragm and a transducer and having sound-receiving openings in the front and rear portions of the microphone case to transmit sounds to both sides of the diaphragm and to create a significant acoustic resistance at the rear portion of the microphone case and thereby effect a phase shift of the sounds entering through such rear portions, a hearing aid housing shaped to fit to a person''s head and oriented in a fore and aft direction, the housing having a microphone chamber and front and rear wall portions with sound access ports transmitting sound into the chamber to the microphone, and a variable acoustic resistance in one of said sound access ports and operable to vary the gains relative to each other produced by the hearing aid of sounds originating, respectively, in front of and to the rear of the hearing aid and thereby change the directivity effect of the hearing aid, the variable acoustical resistance having a movable part to be moved to vary the acoustical resistance, and said movable part having a control portion accessible from the exterior of the hearing aid housing for moving said part to vary the directivity of the hearing aid, and a second variable acoustical resistance in one of the access ports to the hearing aid housing and having a manually operable control portion disposed wholly within the housing to restrict access thereto.
11. In a hearing aid, a microphone containing a diaphragm and a transducer and having sound-receiving openings in the front and rear portions of the microphone case to transmit sounds to both sides of the diaphragm, the microphone having an acoustical resistance in the opening at the rear portions of the microphone case to delay the transmission of sounds through the openings in the rear portions of the microphone and thereby induce a directional effect in the microphone, a hearing aid housing shaped to be fit against a person''s head and oriented in a fore and aft direction, the housing having a microphone chamber and front and rear wall portions with sound access ports transmitting sound into the chamber to the microphone, the openings in the front and rear portions of the microphone case being disposed adjacent to, respectively, the front and rear wall portions of the housing with the front and rear access ports therethrough, means within the housing preventing transmittal of sound from the rear access port of the hearing aid housing to the front soundreceiving opening of the microphone case and also preventing transmittal of sound through the microphone chamber from the front access port and to the sound-receiving openings at the rear of the microphone case, a variable acoustic resistance in the sound access port in the rear wall portion of the hearing aid housing to change the directivity effect of the hearing aid, said variable acoustic resistance including a stationary grill in the rear access port, the grill having adjacent areas of different sound transmitting capabilities, one of said areas having a plurality of closely spaced and minute apertures defining clear passages and cumulatively defining a substantial open area to provide minimum restriction and resistance to passage of sounds therethrough, said individual apertures being sufficiently small as to provide very substantial resistance, acting individually and alone, to passage of sound therethrough, the other of said areas adjacent to the apertured area having substantially less sound transmitting capability than said apertured area, the periphery of the grill being sealed to the hearing aid housisng to prevent any passage of sounds around the edges of the grill and into the microphone chamber, said acoustical resistance also including a rotatable masking plate in the rear sound access port of the hearing aid housing and lying flush against the grill, the periphery of the masking plate being disposed adjacent the periphery of the grill and preventing passage of sounds therebetween, the masking plate having alternate open and closed portions adjacent each other in a direction circumferentially of the plate to cover and uncover portions of the apertured area of the grill, the rotatable masking plate having a rounded edge portion protruding through the hearing aid housing and to the exterior thereof to facilitate manual manipulation of the masking plate which changes the acoustic resistance to sound entering through the rear port of the hearing aid housing to the microphone and change the gains relative to each other produced by the hearing aid of sounds originating, respectively, in front of and to the rear of the hearing aid, thereby changing the directivity effect of the hearing aid.
12. The invention according to claim 11 and the rotatable masking plate having an edge separating the open and closed portions thereof, said edge extending from the central area of the masking plate outwardly toward the edge thereof, and the apertured area of the grill having a boundary edge adjacent the other area of the grill and said boundary edge having an orientation oblique to the edge of the open area of the masking plate whereby to progressively and incrementally close the apertured area of the grill as the masking plate passes thereover.
13. The invention according to claim 11 and there being a second variable acoustic resistance in the sound access port of the rear wall portions of the housing defining the microphone chamber, said second variable acoustic resistance having a grill with its peripheral edge entirely engaging the housing and preventing passage of sounds into the microphone chamber and around said peripheral edge, the grill of said second acoustic resistance also having a plurality of minute sound transmitting apertures defining clear passages into the microphone chamber and also having an area adjacent said apertures for obstructing passage of sound through the grill of said second resistance, and the second resistance also having a movable masking plate lying flush against the grill and movable to progressively cover and uncover the apertures of the grill of the second sound transmitting resistance, and means confined within the housing for effecting movement of the masking plate of the second acoustic resistance.
US320072A 1973-01-02 1973-01-02 Directional hearing aid with variable directivity Expired - Lifetime US3876843A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US320072A US3876843A (en) 1973-01-02 1973-01-02 Directional hearing aid with variable directivity

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US320072A US3876843A (en) 1973-01-02 1973-01-02 Directional hearing aid with variable directivity

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3876843A true US3876843A (en) 1975-04-08

Family

ID=23244754

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US320072A Expired - Lifetime US3876843A (en) 1973-01-02 1973-01-02 Directional hearing aid with variable directivity

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3876843A (en)

Cited By (72)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4041251A (en) * 1973-05-01 1977-08-09 U.S. Philips Corporation Hearing aid to be worn behind the ear of the user and provided with a pressure-gradient microphone
US4972488A (en) * 1987-04-13 1990-11-20 Beltone Electronics Corporation Ear wax barrier and acoustic attenuator for a hearing aid
EP0466676A2 (en) * 1990-07-13 1992-01-15 VIENNATONE Gesellschaft m.b.H. Hearing aid with a directive microphone having variable directivity
US5239588A (en) * 1988-12-21 1993-08-24 Davis Murray A Hearing aid
US5329593A (en) * 1993-05-10 1994-07-12 Lazzeroni John J Noise cancelling microphone
EP0614599A1 (en) * 1991-11-18 1994-09-14 Motorola, Inc. User selectable noise canceling for portable microphones
US5365595A (en) * 1993-02-19 1994-11-15 Motorola, Inc. Sealed microphone assembly
WO1995007014A1 (en) * 1993-09-01 1995-03-09 Knowles Electronics, Inc. Receiver for a hearing aid
US5448637A (en) * 1992-10-20 1995-09-05 Pan Communications, Inc. Two-way communications earset
US5793875A (en) * 1996-04-22 1998-08-11 Cardinal Sound Labs, Inc. Directional hearing system
US5844984A (en) * 1992-03-19 1998-12-01 Pan Communications, Inc. Two-way communications earset with filter
US5933510A (en) * 1997-10-02 1999-08-03 Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc. User selectable unidirectional/omnidirectional microphone housing
US5949889A (en) * 1997-09-02 1999-09-07 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Directional hearing aid
EP0984666A2 (en) * 1998-08-06 2000-03-08 Resistance Technology, Inc. Hearing aId microphone and housing
WO2000027167A1 (en) * 1998-10-30 2000-05-11 Etymotic Research, Inc. Miniature surface mounted directional microphone assembly
WO2000038477A2 (en) * 1998-12-18 2000-06-29 Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. Directional ite hearing aid using dual-input microphone
US6160896A (en) * 1998-05-08 2000-12-12 Motorola, Inc. Variable frequency response microphone porting system
US6272360B1 (en) 1997-07-03 2001-08-07 Pan Communications, Inc. Remotely installed transmitter and a hands-free two-way voice terminal device using same
EP1241919A2 (en) * 2001-03-12 2002-09-18 Knowles Electronics, LLC A method for reducing distortion in a receiver
US6597793B1 (en) 1998-08-06 2003-07-22 Resistance Technology, Inc. Directional/omni-directional hearing aid microphone and housing
EP1349426A2 (en) * 2002-03-20 2003-10-01 Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. A hearing instrument with directional microphones
US7103196B2 (en) 2001-03-12 2006-09-05 Knowles Electronics, Llc. Method for reducing distortion in a receiver
US20060215863A1 (en) * 2005-03-16 2006-09-28 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Cover fixture for at least one microphone input of a hearing device
US7136498B1 (en) * 1999-12-16 2006-11-14 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Loudspeaker having a dual chamber acoustical enclosure with two external vents and one internal vent
US20070177749A1 (en) * 2006-01-30 2007-08-02 Sjursen Walter P Hearing aid circuit with integrated switch and battery
US20070189563A1 (en) * 2006-01-30 2007-08-16 Sjursen Walter P Hearing aid with tuned microphone cavity
US20080123887A1 (en) * 2006-09-10 2008-05-29 Markus Heerlein Absorption of electromagnetic radiation in hearing apparatuses
US20100142742A1 (en) * 2008-12-05 2010-06-10 Fuminori Tanaka Microphone unit
US20100260369A1 (en) * 2009-04-09 2010-10-14 Shingo Suzuki Narrow Directional Microphone
US20130216084A1 (en) * 2012-02-22 2013-08-22 Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica Unidirectional condenser microphone and method for adjusting acoustic resistance
US20130272558A1 (en) * 2012-04-16 2013-10-17 Hiroshi Akino Unidirectional Condenser Microphone and Directionality Varying Member for the Same
US20160290855A1 (en) * 2014-12-18 2016-10-06 Purdue Research Foundation Nonlinear mass sensors based on electronic feedback and methods of using the same
US20170094405A1 (en) * 2015-09-25 2017-03-30 Hyundai Motor Company Microphone and manufacturing method thereof
US10897669B2 (en) * 2018-08-13 2021-01-19 Bose Corporation Two layer microphone protection
US20210067938A1 (en) * 2013-10-06 2021-03-04 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and systems for establishing and maintaining presence information of neighboring bluetooth devices
US11317202B2 (en) 2007-04-13 2022-04-26 Staton Techiya, Llc Method and device for voice operated control
US20220191608A1 (en) 2011-06-01 2022-06-16 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and devices for radio frequency (rf) mitigation proximate the ear
US11388500B2 (en) 2010-06-26 2022-07-12 Staton Techiya, Llc Methods and devices for occluding an ear canal having a predetermined filter characteristic
US11389333B2 (en) 2009-02-13 2022-07-19 Staton Techiya, Llc Earplug and pumping systems
US11430422B2 (en) 2015-05-29 2022-08-30 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and devices for attenuating sound in a conduit or chamber
US11432065B2 (en) 2017-10-23 2022-08-30 Staton Techiya, Llc Automatic keyword pass-through system
US11443746B2 (en) 2008-09-22 2022-09-13 Staton Techiya, Llc Personalized sound management and method
US11450331B2 (en) 2006-07-08 2022-09-20 Staton Techiya, Llc Personal audio assistant device and method
US11451923B2 (en) 2018-05-29 2022-09-20 Staton Techiya, Llc Location based audio signal message processing
US11489966B2 (en) 2007-05-04 2022-11-01 Staton Techiya, Llc Method and apparatus for in-ear canal sound suppression
US11488590B2 (en) 2018-05-09 2022-11-01 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and systems for processing, storing, and publishing data collected by an in-ear device
US11504067B2 (en) 2015-05-08 2022-11-22 Staton Techiya, Llc Biometric, physiological or environmental monitoring using a closed chamber
US11521632B2 (en) 2006-07-08 2022-12-06 Staton Techiya, Llc Personal audio assistant device and method
US11546698B2 (en) 2011-03-18 2023-01-03 Staton Techiya, Llc Earpiece and method for forming an earpiece
US11551704B2 (en) 2013-12-23 2023-01-10 Staton Techiya, Llc Method and device for spectral expansion for an audio signal
US11550535B2 (en) 2007-04-09 2023-01-10 Staton Techiya, Llc Always on headwear recording system
US11558697B2 (en) 2018-04-04 2023-01-17 Staton Techiya, Llc Method to acquire preferred dynamic range function for speech enhancement
US11589329B1 (en) 2010-12-30 2023-02-21 Staton Techiya Llc Information processing using a population of data acquisition devices
US11595771B2 (en) 2013-10-24 2023-02-28 Staton Techiya, Llc Method and device for recognition and arbitration of an input connection
US11595762B2 (en) 2016-01-22 2023-02-28 Staton Techiya Llc System and method for efficiency among devices
US11605456B2 (en) 2007-02-01 2023-03-14 Staton Techiya, Llc Method and device for audio recording
US11605395B2 (en) 2013-01-15 2023-03-14 Staton Techiya, Llc Method and device for spectral expansion of an audio signal
US11607155B2 (en) 2018-03-10 2023-03-21 Staton Techiya, Llc Method to estimate hearing impairment compensation function
US11638109B2 (en) 2008-10-15 2023-04-25 Staton Techiya, Llc Device and method to reduce ear wax clogging of acoustic ports, hearing aid sealing system, and feedback reduction system
US11638084B2 (en) 2018-03-09 2023-04-25 Earsoft, Llc Eartips and earphone devices, and systems and methods therefor
US11659315B2 (en) 2012-12-17 2023-05-23 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and mechanisms for inflation
US11665493B2 (en) 2008-09-19 2023-05-30 Staton Techiya Llc Acoustic sealing analysis system
US11683643B2 (en) 2007-05-04 2023-06-20 Staton Techiya Llc Method and device for in ear canal echo suppression
US11693617B2 (en) 2014-10-24 2023-07-04 Staton Techiya Llc Method and device for acute sound detection and reproduction
US11710473B2 (en) 2007-01-22 2023-07-25 Staton Techiya Llc Method and device for acute sound detection and reproduction
US11730630B2 (en) 2012-09-04 2023-08-22 Staton Techiya Llc Occlusion device capable of occluding an ear canal
US11750965B2 (en) 2007-03-07 2023-09-05 Staton Techiya, Llc Acoustic dampening compensation system
US11759149B2 (en) 2014-12-10 2023-09-19 Staton Techiya Llc Membrane and balloon systems and designs for conduits
US11818552B2 (en) 2006-06-14 2023-11-14 Staton Techiya Llc Earguard monitoring system
US11853405B2 (en) 2013-08-22 2023-12-26 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and systems for a voice ID verification database and service in social networking and commercial business transactions
US11856375B2 (en) 2007-05-04 2023-12-26 Staton Techiya Llc Method and device for in-ear echo suppression
US11917100B2 (en) 2013-09-22 2024-02-27 Staton Techiya Llc Real-time voice paging voice augmented caller ID/ring tone alias

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2293258A (en) * 1939-11-24 1942-08-18 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Acoustic device
US2518805A (en) * 1945-08-24 1950-08-15 Massa Frank Resonant chamber for microphones
US3749853A (en) * 1972-05-18 1973-07-31 Zenith Radio Corp Hearing aid with directional microphone system
US3770911A (en) * 1972-07-21 1973-11-06 Industrial Research Prod Inc Hearing aid system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2293258A (en) * 1939-11-24 1942-08-18 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Acoustic device
US2518805A (en) * 1945-08-24 1950-08-15 Massa Frank Resonant chamber for microphones
US3749853A (en) * 1972-05-18 1973-07-31 Zenith Radio Corp Hearing aid with directional microphone system
US3770911A (en) * 1972-07-21 1973-11-06 Industrial Research Prod Inc Hearing aid system

Cited By (111)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4041251A (en) * 1973-05-01 1977-08-09 U.S. Philips Corporation Hearing aid to be worn behind the ear of the user and provided with a pressure-gradient microphone
US4972488A (en) * 1987-04-13 1990-11-20 Beltone Electronics Corporation Ear wax barrier and acoustic attenuator for a hearing aid
US5239588A (en) * 1988-12-21 1993-08-24 Davis Murray A Hearing aid
EP0466676A2 (en) * 1990-07-13 1992-01-15 VIENNATONE Gesellschaft m.b.H. Hearing aid with a directive microphone having variable directivity
EP0466676A3 (en) * 1990-07-13 1992-07-29 Viennatone Gesellschaft M.B.H. Hearing aid with a directive microphone having variable directivity
EP0614599A1 (en) * 1991-11-18 1994-09-14 Motorola, Inc. User selectable noise canceling for portable microphones
EP0614599A4 (en) * 1991-11-18 1995-01-04 Motorola Inc User selectable noise canceling for portable microphones.
US5844984A (en) * 1992-03-19 1998-12-01 Pan Communications, Inc. Two-way communications earset with filter
US5664014A (en) * 1992-10-20 1997-09-02 Pan Communications, Inc. Two-way communications earset
US5448637A (en) * 1992-10-20 1995-09-05 Pan Communications, Inc. Two-way communications earset
US5606607A (en) * 1992-10-20 1997-02-25 Pan Communications, Inc. Two-way communications earset
US5365595A (en) * 1993-02-19 1994-11-15 Motorola, Inc. Sealed microphone assembly
US5329593A (en) * 1993-05-10 1994-07-12 Lazzeroni John J Noise cancelling microphone
WO1995007014A1 (en) * 1993-09-01 1995-03-09 Knowles Electronics, Inc. Receiver for a hearing aid
US5793875A (en) * 1996-04-22 1998-08-11 Cardinal Sound Labs, Inc. Directional hearing system
US6272360B1 (en) 1997-07-03 2001-08-07 Pan Communications, Inc. Remotely installed transmitter and a hands-free two-way voice terminal device using same
US5949889A (en) * 1997-09-02 1999-09-07 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Directional hearing aid
US5933510A (en) * 1997-10-02 1999-08-03 Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc. User selectable unidirectional/omnidirectional microphone housing
US6160896A (en) * 1998-05-08 2000-12-12 Motorola, Inc. Variable frequency response microphone porting system
EP0984666A2 (en) * 1998-08-06 2000-03-08 Resistance Technology, Inc. Hearing aId microphone and housing
US6597793B1 (en) 1998-08-06 2003-07-22 Resistance Technology, Inc. Directional/omni-directional hearing aid microphone and housing
EP0984666A3 (en) * 1998-08-06 2001-09-19 Resistance Technology, Inc. Hearing aid microphone and housing
WO2000027167A1 (en) * 1998-10-30 2000-05-11 Etymotic Research, Inc. Miniature surface mounted directional microphone assembly
US6681021B1 (en) 1998-12-18 2004-01-20 Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. Directional ITE hearing aid using dual-input microphone
WO2000038477A2 (en) * 1998-12-18 2000-06-29 Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. Directional ite hearing aid using dual-input microphone
WO2000038477A3 (en) * 1998-12-18 2000-11-23 Siemens Hearing Instr Inc Directional ite hearing aid using dual-input microphone
US7136498B1 (en) * 1999-12-16 2006-11-14 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Loudspeaker having a dual chamber acoustical enclosure with two external vents and one internal vent
EP1241919A2 (en) * 2001-03-12 2002-09-18 Knowles Electronics, LLC A method for reducing distortion in a receiver
EP1241919A3 (en) * 2001-03-12 2003-07-16 Knowles Electronics, LLC A method for reducing distortion in a receiver
US7103196B2 (en) 2001-03-12 2006-09-05 Knowles Electronics, Llc. Method for reducing distortion in a receiver
EP1349426A2 (en) * 2002-03-20 2003-10-01 Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. A hearing instrument with directional microphones
EP1349426A3 (en) * 2002-03-20 2003-12-17 Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. A hearing instrument with directional microphones
US20050157897A1 (en) * 2002-03-20 2005-07-21 Oleg Saltykov Hearing instrument
US7245733B2 (en) 2002-03-20 2007-07-17 Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. Hearing instrument microphone arrangement with improved sensitivity
US20060215863A1 (en) * 2005-03-16 2006-09-28 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Cover fixture for at least one microphone input of a hearing device
US7676050B2 (en) * 2005-03-16 2010-03-09 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Cover fixture for at least one microphone input of a hearing device
US8121327B2 (en) 2006-01-30 2012-02-21 K/S Himpp Hearing aid
US20070189563A1 (en) * 2006-01-30 2007-08-16 Sjursen Walter P Hearing aid with tuned microphone cavity
US20100098280A1 (en) * 2006-01-30 2010-04-22 Songbird Hearing, Inc. Hearing aid
US20100119094A1 (en) * 2006-01-30 2010-05-13 Songbird Hearing, Inc. Hearing aid
US20070177749A1 (en) * 2006-01-30 2007-08-02 Sjursen Walter P Hearing aid circuit with integrated switch and battery
US7756284B2 (en) 2006-01-30 2010-07-13 Songbird Hearing, Inc. Hearing aid circuit with integrated switch and battery
US7756285B2 (en) * 2006-01-30 2010-07-13 Songbird Hearing, Inc. Hearing aid with tuned microphone cavity
US8121326B2 (en) 2006-01-30 2012-02-21 K/S Himpp Hearing aid
US11818552B2 (en) 2006-06-14 2023-11-14 Staton Techiya Llc Earguard monitoring system
US11521632B2 (en) 2006-07-08 2022-12-06 Staton Techiya, Llc Personal audio assistant device and method
US11848022B2 (en) 2006-07-08 2023-12-19 Staton Techiya Llc Personal audio assistant device and method
US11450331B2 (en) 2006-07-08 2022-09-20 Staton Techiya, Llc Personal audio assistant device and method
US20080123887A1 (en) * 2006-09-10 2008-05-29 Markus Heerlein Absorption of electromagnetic radiation in hearing apparatuses
US11710473B2 (en) 2007-01-22 2023-07-25 Staton Techiya Llc Method and device for acute sound detection and reproduction
US11605456B2 (en) 2007-02-01 2023-03-14 Staton Techiya, Llc Method and device for audio recording
US11750965B2 (en) 2007-03-07 2023-09-05 Staton Techiya, Llc Acoustic dampening compensation system
US11550535B2 (en) 2007-04-09 2023-01-10 Staton Techiya, Llc Always on headwear recording system
US11317202B2 (en) 2007-04-13 2022-04-26 Staton Techiya, Llc Method and device for voice operated control
US11856375B2 (en) 2007-05-04 2023-12-26 Staton Techiya Llc Method and device for in-ear echo suppression
US11683643B2 (en) 2007-05-04 2023-06-20 Staton Techiya Llc Method and device for in ear canal echo suppression
US11489966B2 (en) 2007-05-04 2022-11-01 Staton Techiya, Llc Method and apparatus for in-ear canal sound suppression
US11889275B2 (en) 2008-09-19 2024-01-30 Staton Techiya Llc Acoustic sealing analysis system
US11665493B2 (en) 2008-09-19 2023-05-30 Staton Techiya Llc Acoustic sealing analysis system
US11443746B2 (en) 2008-09-22 2022-09-13 Staton Techiya, Llc Personalized sound management and method
US11610587B2 (en) 2008-09-22 2023-03-21 Staton Techiya Llc Personalized sound management and method
US11638109B2 (en) 2008-10-15 2023-04-25 Staton Techiya, Llc Device and method to reduce ear wax clogging of acoustic ports, hearing aid sealing system, and feedback reduction system
US8526656B2 (en) * 2008-12-05 2013-09-03 Funai Electric Co., Ltd. Microphone unit
US20100142742A1 (en) * 2008-12-05 2010-06-10 Fuminori Tanaka Microphone unit
US11857396B2 (en) 2009-02-13 2024-01-02 Staton Techiya Llc Earplug and pumping systems
US11389333B2 (en) 2009-02-13 2022-07-19 Staton Techiya, Llc Earplug and pumping systems
US8331600B2 (en) * 2009-04-09 2012-12-11 Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica Narrow directional microphone
US20100260369A1 (en) * 2009-04-09 2010-10-14 Shingo Suzuki Narrow Directional Microphone
US11388500B2 (en) 2010-06-26 2022-07-12 Staton Techiya, Llc Methods and devices for occluding an ear canal having a predetermined filter characteristic
US11589329B1 (en) 2010-12-30 2023-02-21 Staton Techiya Llc Information processing using a population of data acquisition devices
US11546698B2 (en) 2011-03-18 2023-01-03 Staton Techiya, Llc Earpiece and method for forming an earpiece
US11736849B2 (en) 2011-06-01 2023-08-22 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and devices for radio frequency (RF) mitigation proximate the ear
US11483641B2 (en) 2011-06-01 2022-10-25 Staton Techiya, Llc Methods and devices for radio frequency (RF) mitigation proximate the ear
US11832044B2 (en) 2011-06-01 2023-11-28 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and devices for radio frequency (RF) mitigation proximate the ear
US20220191608A1 (en) 2011-06-01 2022-06-16 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and devices for radio frequency (rf) mitigation proximate the ear
US11729539B2 (en) 2011-06-01 2023-08-15 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and devices for radio frequency (RF) mitigation proximate the ear
US20130216084A1 (en) * 2012-02-22 2013-08-22 Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica Unidirectional condenser microphone and method for adjusting acoustic resistance
CN103297906A (en) * 2012-02-22 2013-09-11 欧力天工股份有限公司 Unidirectional condenser microphone and method for adjusting acoustic resistance
US9113261B2 (en) * 2012-02-22 2015-08-18 Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica Unidirectional condenser microphone and method for adjusting acoustic resistance
US20130272558A1 (en) * 2012-04-16 2013-10-17 Hiroshi Akino Unidirectional Condenser Microphone and Directionality Varying Member for the Same
US9020179B2 (en) * 2012-04-16 2015-04-28 Kabushiki Kaisha Audio-Technica Unidirectional condenser microphone and directionality varying member for the same
US11730630B2 (en) 2012-09-04 2023-08-22 Staton Techiya Llc Occlusion device capable of occluding an ear canal
US11659315B2 (en) 2012-12-17 2023-05-23 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and mechanisms for inflation
US11605395B2 (en) 2013-01-15 2023-03-14 Staton Techiya, Llc Method and device for spectral expansion of an audio signal
US11853405B2 (en) 2013-08-22 2023-12-26 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and systems for a voice ID verification database and service in social networking and commercial business transactions
US11917100B2 (en) 2013-09-22 2024-02-27 Staton Techiya Llc Real-time voice paging voice augmented caller ID/ring tone alias
US11570601B2 (en) * 2013-10-06 2023-01-31 Staton Techiya, Llc Methods and systems for establishing and maintaining presence information of neighboring bluetooth devices
US20210067938A1 (en) * 2013-10-06 2021-03-04 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and systems for establishing and maintaining presence information of neighboring bluetooth devices
US11595771B2 (en) 2013-10-24 2023-02-28 Staton Techiya, Llc Method and device for recognition and arbitration of an input connection
US11741985B2 (en) 2013-12-23 2023-08-29 Staton Techiya Llc Method and device for spectral expansion for an audio signal
US11551704B2 (en) 2013-12-23 2023-01-10 Staton Techiya, Llc Method and device for spectral expansion for an audio signal
US11693617B2 (en) 2014-10-24 2023-07-04 Staton Techiya Llc Method and device for acute sound detection and reproduction
US11759149B2 (en) 2014-12-10 2023-09-19 Staton Techiya Llc Membrane and balloon systems and designs for conduits
US9927287B2 (en) * 2014-12-18 2018-03-27 Purdue Research Foundation Nonlinear mass sensors based on electronic feedback and methods of using the same
US20180180466A1 (en) * 2014-12-18 2018-06-28 Purdue Research Foundation Nonlinear mass sensors based on electronic feedback and methods of using the same
US10072969B2 (en) * 2014-12-18 2018-09-11 Purdue Research Foundation Nonlinear mass sensors based on electronic feedback and methods of using the same
US20160290855A1 (en) * 2014-12-18 2016-10-06 Purdue Research Foundation Nonlinear mass sensors based on electronic feedback and methods of using the same
US11504067B2 (en) 2015-05-08 2022-11-22 Staton Techiya, Llc Biometric, physiological or environmental monitoring using a closed chamber
US11727910B2 (en) 2015-05-29 2023-08-15 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and devices for attenuating sound in a conduit or chamber
US11430422B2 (en) 2015-05-29 2022-08-30 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and devices for attenuating sound in a conduit or chamber
US20170094405A1 (en) * 2015-09-25 2017-03-30 Hyundai Motor Company Microphone and manufacturing method thereof
US11917367B2 (en) 2016-01-22 2024-02-27 Staton Techiya Llc System and method for efficiency among devices
US11595762B2 (en) 2016-01-22 2023-02-28 Staton Techiya Llc System and method for efficiency among devices
US11432065B2 (en) 2017-10-23 2022-08-30 Staton Techiya, Llc Automatic keyword pass-through system
US11638084B2 (en) 2018-03-09 2023-04-25 Earsoft, Llc Eartips and earphone devices, and systems and methods therefor
US11607155B2 (en) 2018-03-10 2023-03-21 Staton Techiya, Llc Method to estimate hearing impairment compensation function
US11818545B2 (en) 2018-04-04 2023-11-14 Staton Techiya Llc Method to acquire preferred dynamic range function for speech enhancement
US11558697B2 (en) 2018-04-04 2023-01-17 Staton Techiya, Llc Method to acquire preferred dynamic range function for speech enhancement
US11488590B2 (en) 2018-05-09 2022-11-01 Staton Techiya Llc Methods and systems for processing, storing, and publishing data collected by an in-ear device
US11451923B2 (en) 2018-05-29 2022-09-20 Staton Techiya, Llc Location based audio signal message processing
US10897669B2 (en) * 2018-08-13 2021-01-19 Bose Corporation Two layer microphone protection

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3876843A (en) Directional hearing aid with variable directivity
US3770911A (en) Hearing aid system
TWI469652B (en) Earphone
US3488457A (en) Earphone housing with offset opening for sound quality variation
US3702123A (en) Vented hearing aid ear mold
US4856118A (en) Headphone cushioning
KR100335017B1 (en) Telephone headset device reduces ambient noise
US4005278A (en) Headphone
US2603724A (en) Sound translating device arranged to eliminate extraneous sound
US5136657A (en) Sound device mounted in a helmet
US4027112A (en) Head-rest and loudspeaker combination
US6082485A (en) Adjustable earplug
US3946168A (en) Directional hearing aids
US3999020A (en) Transducer with variable frequency response
US4027116A (en) Headphone
KR101952909B1 (en) Earphone having pressure equalization structure
US11653144B2 (en) Open audio device
US5115473A (en) Transducer having two ducts
CN111918161A (en) Device with acoustic enhancement and method thereof
US11122351B2 (en) Open audio device
US8130971B2 (en) Manually switching dual-mode hearing protector
CN105848039A (en) Earphone
US3772478A (en) Stethoscope headset
US11197092B2 (en) In-vehicle independent sound field system and control system based on mini-speakers
CN106878854B (en) Earphone acoustic cavity structure