Audio device with acoustic valve

A hearing device such as a hearing aid, ear pod, headphone, or other wearable is provided, whose components include the following: an acoustic transducer with a vent port operable to produce sound, a housing of the acoustic transducer with a sound opening, and an actuatable acoustic valve disposed in the housing, where the acoustic valve is actuatable to alter passage of sound through the acoustic vent to change the state of the hearing device between an open vent state and a closed vent state, so that actuation of the valve changes an acoustic characteristic of the hearing device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/611,937 filed on Dec. 29, 2017, and entitled “Audio Device with Acoustic Valve,” the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to audio devices and, more specifically, to audio devices that have different modes of operation.

Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale or to include all features, options or attachments. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure pertains to hearing devices configurable with a valve actuatable between an open state and a closed state, wherein actuation of the valve changes an acoustic characteristic of the hearing device. In some embodiments the valve provides adjustable internal volumes that can increase the response and the maximum power output (MPO) of an acoustic transducer by providing the acoustic transducer with a larger internal volume by opening the acoustic valve to acoustically couple the internal volume with an effectively unbounded volume external to the housing, such as the ambient atmosphere, or with a closed volume inside the housing, as appropriate. The valve may be actuatable in situ without having to remove the hearing device from the user's ear to adjust between an open state and a closed state depending on the user's desire or other context, in which different states provide different acoustic characteristics of the hearing device.

The teachings of the present disclosure are generally applicable to hearing devices including an electroacoustic transducer disposed in a housing having a portion configured to form a seal with the user's ear. The seal may be formed by an ear dome or other portion of the hearing device. In some embodiments, the hearing device is a receiver-in-canal (RIC) device for use in combination with a behind-the-ear (BTE) device including a battery and an electrical circuit coupled to the RIC device by a connector that extends about the user's ear. The RIC typically includes an electro-acoustic transducer disposed in a housing having a portion configured for insertion at least partially into a user's ear canal. In other embodiments, the hearing device is an in-the-ear (ITE) device or a completely-in-canal (CIC) device containing the transducer, electrical circuits and all other components. In another embodiment, the hearing device is a behind-the-ear (BTE) device containing the transducer, electrical circuits and all other components except for a sound tube that extends into the ear. The teachings of the present disclosure are also applicable to over-the-ear devices, earphones, ear buds, ear pods, wireless headsets and in-ear devices among other wearable devices that emit sound. These and other applicable hearing devices typically include an electro-acoustic transducer operable to produce sound.

In embodiments that include an electro-acoustic transducer, the transducer generally includes a diaphragm that separates a volume within a housing of the hearing device into a front volume and a back volume. A motor actuates the diaphragm in response to an excitation signal applied to the motor. Actuation of the diaphragm moves air from a volume of the housing and into the user's ear via a sound opening of the hearing device. Such a transducer may be embodied as a balanced armature receiver or as a dynamic speaker among other known and future transducers.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a hearing device such as a hearing aid, ear pod, headphone, or other wearable, includes an acoustic transducer with a vent port, a housing of the acoustic transducer with a sound opening, and an actuatable acoustic valve disposed in the housing. The acoustic valve is actuatable to alter passage of sound through the acoustic vent to change the state of the hearing device between an open vent state and a closed vent state, so that actuation of the valve changes an acoustic characteristic of the hearing device.

In one embodiment, the acoustic transducer includes a transducer housing having a sound port and a diaphragm separating an internal volume of the hearing device into a back volume and a front volume. The front volume and the back volume are defined by a transducer housing. The transducer housing may be a discrete housing disposed within a housing of the hearing device or the transducer housing may be defined, in whole or in part, by the hearing device housing. Generally, the housing may comprise several parts that when combined make up the outer surface of the housing, acoustic vent passages, and in some embodiments all or a part of the transducer housing. The vent port is disposed through the housing and acoustically coupled to the internal volume. The housing has a sound opening to which the front volume of the transducer housing is acoustically coupled. The housing also has a portion configured to be disposed at least partially in a user's ear, so that sound from the sound port of the front volume emanates into the user's ear through the sound opening when the portion of the housing is at least partially disposed in the user's ear. The acoustic valve has a first port that is acoustically coupled to the internal volume of the transducer via the vent port of the transducer housing, so that the valve is acoustically coupled to a volume external to the transducer housing. In one aspect of the embodiment, acoustic impedance between the internal volume of the transducer and the volume external to the transducer housing is greater when the valve is in the closed state than when the valve is in the open state. In another aspect of the embodiment, the actuation of the valve changes an acoustic output of the hearing device.

In one embodiment, the valve of the hearing device is acoustically coupled to the front volume of the transducer via the vent port. In one embodiment, the hearing device has a nominal acoustic performance when the valve is in the closed state. The nominal acoustic performance has a first resonant frequency which is decreased when the valve is in the open state. When the valve is in the open state, an acoustic output of the hearing device is decreased at frequencies higher than the first resonant frequency. In another embodiment, the volume external to the transducer housing is a closed volume internal to the housing. Sound passes more freely between the front volume of the transducer and the closed volume when the valve is in the open state than when the valve is in the closed state.

In one embodiment, the hearing device has a nominal acoustic performance when the valve is in the closed state. The volume external to the transducer housing is an effectively unbounded volume external to the housing, for example the ambient atmosphere outside the user's ear and the housing when portion of the housing is disposed at least partially in the user's ear. Sound passes more freely between the effectively unbounded volume and the sound opening when the valve is in the open state than when the valve is in the closed state. The acoustic output of the hearing device is decreased over a wide range of frequencies when the valve is in the open state. For example, if the hearing device is an ear pod that is playing music, sound from the unbounded volume passes through the ear pod while the sound output, which in this case is the music that the ear pod is playing, is decreased, in order to make it easier for the user to hear people talking. In another embodiment, a sound transmissive contamination barrier is disposed between the volume external to the housing and the valve.

In one embodiment, the acoustic valve is acoustically coupled to the back volume via the vent port. In another embodiment, the hearing device has a nominal acoustic performance when the valve is in the closed state. The nominal acoustic performance includes a first resonant frequency. When the valve is in the open state, the hearing device has a new first resonant frequency and an acoustic output of the hearing device is increased at frequencies less than the new first resonant frequency. In one embodiment, the volume external to the transducer housing is a closed volume internal to the housing. In another embodiment, the volume external to the transducer housing is an effectively unbounded volume external to the housing. In one embodiment, a sound transmissive contamination barrier is disposed between the volume external to the housing and the valve.

In one embodiment, the volume external to the transducer housing is an effectively unbounded volume external to the housing. Passage of sound between the transducer and the unbounded volume is attenuated more when the valve is in the closed state than when the valve is in the open state. In another embodiment, the volume external to the transducer housing is an effectively unbounded volume external to the housing. Passage of sound between the unbounded volume and the sound opening is relatively attenuated when the valve is in the closed state than when the valve is in the open state. In yet another embodiment, an acoustic damper is disposed between the vent port of the acoustic transducer and the volume external to the transducer housing. The acoustic damper is used to smooth or otherwise shape a frequency response in the hearing device. In one embodiment, the transducer is a balanced armature receiver including a motor in the back volume. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the housing forms at least a portion of the transducer housing. In another embodiment, the volume external to the transducer housing is integral to the valve.

In one embodiment, the hearing device has two vent ports: a first vent port disposed through the transducer housing and acoustically coupled to the front volume, and a second vent port disposed through the transducer housing and acoustically coupled to the back volume. The hearing device also has an acoustic valve disposed in the housing, with the valve having two ports: a first port acoustically coupled to the front volume via the first vent port, and a second port acoustically coupled to the back volume via the second vent port.

FIG. 1illustrates one example of a hearing device100in which an acoustic valve is acoustically coupled to the back volume of an acoustic transducer via a vent port, and the volume external to a transducer housing is an effectively unbounded volume external to a housing. The hearing device100is a hearing assembly, including but not limited to a RIC, ear pod, or headphone assembly, among other hearing devices configured for at least a partial insertion on or into a user's ear such that, when the hearing device100is in a closed state, sounds traveling between the ear cavity on the inside of the ear canal and the ambient atmosphere can be substantially blocked while the hearing device100is in use. In this example, the hearing device100includes an acoustic transducer102with a vent port104, a housing106, and an actuatable acoustic valve108.

InFIG. 1, a sound-producing electroacoustic transducer102includes a transducer housing110, with a cover111, a sound port112, and a cup113. More generally however the housing106may form a portion, or all, of the transducer housing110. The acoustic transducer102is embodied as a balanced armature receiver including a diaphragm114which separates the inside volume of the transducer housing110into a back volume116and a front volume118. The front volume118is partially defined by the cover111and the diaphragm112. The sound port112, which is acoustically coupled to the ear canal once the hearing device100is at least partially inserted into the ear canal, is defined by the cover111and the cup113of the acoustic transducer102. Also, the front volume118is acoustically coupled to the sound port112. However, any suitable sound-producing electroacoustic acoustic transducer may be employed including but not limited to dynamic speakers.

InFIG. 1, the transducer102includes a motor122disposed in the back volume116. The motor122includes a coil124disposed about a portion of an armature126. A movable portion128of the armature126is disposed in equipoise between magnets130and132. The magnets130and132are retained by a yoke134. The diaphragm114is movably coupled to a support structure136of the transducer housing110. Application of an excitation signal to the coil124modulates the magnetic field, causing deflection of the armature126between the magnets130and132. The deflecting armature126is linked to the diaphragm114disposed within the transducer housing110, wherein movement of the diaphragm114forces air through the sound port112of the transducer housing110. Movement of the diaphragm112results in changes in air pressure in the front volume118wherein acoustic pressure (e.g., sound) is emitted through the sound port112of the transducer102. Armature receivers suitable for the embodiments described herein are available from Knowles Electronics, LLC. Extending from the acoustic transducer are wires which transmit electrical signals that include, for example, a driving signal of the acoustic transducer102and an electrical current to change the state of the valve108between the open state and the closed state.

InFIG. 1, the housing106includes a sound opening138located at an end portion140of the housing106disposed on or in the user's ear. The sound opening138is acoustically coupled to the front volume118, and sound produced by the acoustic transducer102emanates from the sound port112of the front volume118through the sound opening138of the housing106and into the user's ear. The vent port104is coupled to the back volume116. An acoustic passage142extends from the vent port104through the housing106and is coupled to the ambient atmosphere. The acoustic passage142also defines a volume external to the transducer housing110connecting the vent port104to the acoustic valve108. The acoustic valve108is acoustically coupled to the back volume116of the transducer housing110. Therefore, when the acoustic valve108is in the open state, the back volume116of the acoustic transducer102is acoustically coupled to the effectively unbounded volume external to the housing110, which is also the ambient atmosphere. When in the closed state the valve108increases the acoustic impedance in the vent path between the vent port104and the ambient atmosphere.

The housing106also includes a nozzle144which defines the end portion140, connected to an ear tip146which is used to at least partially seal to the ear canal once the hearing device is at least partially inserted into the user's ear. The seal improves transmission of low frequency sound from the hearing device to the user's ear. The ear tip146may be made of any material as deemed suitable for the use of the hearing device, including but not limited to foams, silicone, plastic, or rubber. Any suitable ear tip may be employed and different shapes of the ear tip may be employed, such as double- or triple-flanged earbud tips, as appropriate, in order to provide a more complete or more reliable seal for the user while the hearing device is at least partially inserted inside the ear canal.

In some embodiments, the housing106includes a microphone148with a microphone port150located to detect ambient sound external to the housing when the hearing device is in use. In one example, the hearing device is a hearing aid, and the microphone is used for amplifying the ambient sound before feeding the amplified sound into the user's ear from the acoustic transducer. In another example, the hearing device is an active noise-cancelling headphone which uses the microphone to capture the ambient sound and creates, using a noise-cancelling circuitry also coupled with the microphone, sound waves that are 180 degrees out of phase with the sound waves of the incoming ambient sound, so that when the two kinds of sound waves are combined, the incoming ambient sound is reduced considerably through destructive interference. In another use case, the microphone senses the user's voice for use in voice communications, for example, telephone calls.

InFIG. 1, the acoustic valve108is located in the acoustic passage142and has a first port152coupled to the vent port104. A sound transmissive contamination barrier154is placed in the acoustic passage142between the acoustic valve108and an effectively unbounded volume, or the ambient atmosphere, external to the housing106, so that the barrier154acts as a filter which at least partially protects the acoustic valve108and the acoustic transducer102from contaminants such as dirt, dust, water, or other foreign substances which may enter the acoustic passage142from the ambient atmosphere. The barrier154may be configured to provide minimal acoustic impedance or it may be configured to act as a damper in order to influence the acoustic response of the hearing device100. The barrier154can be made of a porous material. A damper156may also be placed in the acoustic passage142between the first port152and the vent port104. The damper156can be acoustic cloth screens, for example, to be inserted inside the acoustic passage142, which for example can be an acoustic tubing. Such damping elements are used to smooth or otherwise shape the frequency response of the hearing device100. Any suitable acoustic valve may be employed for the acoustic valve108, including but not limited to the acoustic valve as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,798,304 assigned to Knowles Electronics, LLC. Any suitable acoustic damper may be employed for the damper156.

FIG. 2shows a graph200depicting the change in a coupler response of the valve configured to allow back volume to communicate with the effectively unbounded volume, one example of which is illustrated inFIG. 1. The graph200compares a response202when the valve is closed and another response204when the valve is open. In this example, the hearing device has a new resonant frequency when the valve is in the open state, where an acoustic output of the hearing device is increased at frequencies less than the new resonant frequency when the valve is in the open state.

FIG. 3illustrates one example of a hearing device300in which an acoustic valve is acoustically coupled to the back volume of an acoustic transducer via a vent port, the volume external to a transducer housing is an effectively unbounded volume external to a housing, and there is a second acoustic valve that is acoustically coupled to a vent path in the hearing device. The hearing device300is a hearing assembly which includes the acoustic transducer102with the vent port104, a housing302, and a second acoustic valve304in addition to the first acoustic valve108.

InFIG. 3, the housing302includes a sound opening306and a vent opening308located inside the nozzle144of the housing302disposed in the user's ear. The sound opening306is acoustically coupled to the front volume118of the acoustic transducer102, and sound produced by the acoustic transducer102emanates from the sound port112of the front volume118through the sound opening306of the housing302and into the user's ear. Similar toFIG. 1, when the acoustic valve108is in the open state, the back volume116of the acoustic transducer102is acoustically coupled to the effectively unbounded volume external to the housing110, which is also the ambient atmosphere.

In this example, the second acoustic valve304is located in a vent path310which spans from inside the nozzle144to the other end of the housing302where the first acoustic valve108is disposed. Inside the nozzle144is a portion312disposed in the user's ear which is divided into the acoustic passage142and the vent path310by a partition314placed inside the nozzle144. The second acoustic valve304also has a first port316coupled to the vent opening308. Similar to the first acoustic valve108, a sound transmissive contamination barrier318is placed in the vent path310between the second acoustic valve304and an effectively unbounded volume, or the ambient atmosphere, external to the housing302, so that the barrier318acts as a filter which protects the second acoustic valve304and the vent opening308from contaminants such as dirt, dust, water, or other foreign substances which may enter the vent path310from the ambient atmosphere. As such, in this example, even when the first acoustic valve108is in the closed state, the user's ear can be vented and acoustically coupled to the effectively unbounded volume external to the housing302, i.e. the ambient atmosphere, by actuating the second acoustic valve304into the open state.

When the valve304is open, the vent310reduces occlusion and passes ambient sounds through so that the user can hear the sounds from outside the hearing device. Furthermore, discomfort of inserting and extracting the hearing device is reduced when the acoustic valve is in the open state. When the valve304is closed, the vent310prevents the passage of ambient sounds and low frequency output is improved.

FIG. 4illustrates one example of a hearing device400in which an acoustic valve is acoustically coupled to the back volume of two acoustic transducers via a vent port, wherein the volume external to a transducer housing is an effectively unbounded volume external to a housing. The hearing device400is a hearing assembly which includes the first acoustic transducer102, a second acoustic transducer402with a vent port404, a housing406, and the acoustic valve108.

The second acoustic transducer402in this example may be structurally similar to the first acoustic transducer102, or it may be a different type of transducer. The first and second transducers increase the output of the hearing device in the same or in different frequency ranges. The second acoustic transducer402includes a transducer housing408, a sound port410defined by a cover409and a cup411of the transducer housing408, and a diaphragm412separating an internal volume418inside the transducer housing408into a back volume414and a front volume416. The front volume416is acoustically coupled to the nozzle144of the housing406, and the back volume414, which is coupled to the vent port404, is acoustically coupled to the acoustic valve108and the back volume of the first acoustic transducer102. In this embodiment, the two acoustic transducers102and402are disposed such that the covers111and409are facing each other, and the distance between the two sound ports112and410is shorter than the distance between the two vent ports104and404, thereby allowing for a smaller nozzle than is otherwise possible. An acoustic passage422connects the two vent ports104and404to the first port152of the acoustic valve108.

FIG. 5illustrates one example of a hearing device500with two acoustic valves and two acoustic transducers, in which each acoustic valve is acoustically coupled to the back volume of a corresponding acoustic transducer via a vent port, wherein the volume external to a transducer housing is an effectively unbounded volume external to a housing. The hearing device500is a hearing assembly which includes the first acoustic transducer102, the second acoustic transducer402, a housing502, the first acoustic valve108, and the second acoustic valve304.

The positions of the two acoustic transducers102and402are the same as the example shown inFIG. 4. However, instead of having the vent ports104and404acoustically coupled to the same acoustic valve108, the first vent port104is acoustically coupled to the first port152of the first acoustic valve108and the second vent port404is acoustically coupled to the first port316of the second acoustic valve304. A first acoustic passage504couples the first vent port104to the first acoustic valve108, and a second acoustic passage506couples the second vent port404to the second acoustic valve304. As such, in this example, there are two sets of acoustic transducers, acoustic passages, and acoustic valves.

FIG. 6illustrates one example of a hearing device600with two acoustic transducers of different sizes, in which only the larger of the two acoustic transducers is acoustically coupled to an acoustic valve via a vent port, the volume external to a transducer housing of the larger acoustic transducer is an effectively unbounded volume external to a housing. The hearing device600is a hearing assembly which includes the first acoustic transducer102, a second acoustic transducer602, a housing604, and the acoustic valve108.

When an acoustic transducer is larger in size, the bass response is greater than that of a smaller acoustic transducer. As such, the larger transducer, which in this example is the first acoustic transducer102, is acoustically coupled to the first port152of the acoustic valve108so that when the acoustic valve108is actuated into the open position, the back volume116of the first acoustic transducer102is acoustically coupled to the effectively unbounded volume, or the ambient atmosphere, external to the housing604. The smaller transducer in this example, which is the second acoustic transducer602, includes a transducer housing606, a sound port608defined by a cover607and a cup609of the transducer housing606, a diaphragm610dividing the volume inside the transducer housing606into a back volume612and a front volume614, and a motor616disposed in the back volume612. In this example, an acoustic passage618acoustically couples the vent port104, and therefore the back volume116, of the first acoustic transducer102with the acoustic valve108. The back volume612of the second transducer, on the other hand, does not have a vent port and therefore is not acoustically coupled to the acoustic valve108.

FIG. 7illustrates one example of a hearing device700in which the larger acoustic transducer, which was embodied as a balanced armature receiver in the example shown inFIG. 6, is replaced with a dynamic speaker702. The hearing device700includes a dynamic speaker702, the smaller acoustic transducer602, a housing706, and the acoustic valve108. The dynamic speaker702has a vent port704acoustically coupled to the first port152of the acoustic valve108, a transducer housing708, a diaphragm710separating the an internal volume of the housing706into a back volume712and a front volume714, where a sound port716is coupled to the front volume714and to the user's ear. The transducer housing708is at least partially defined by a portion of the housing706, which defines the sound port716. The dynamic speaker702includes an annular voice coil718fixing the diaphragm710so that the voice coil718is held between portions720and722of a magnetic material, both of which is attached to a permanent magnet724. In other embodiments, other types of speakers may be used.

FIG. 8illustrates one example of a hearing device800in which an acoustic valve is acoustically coupled to the back volume of an acoustic transducer via a vent port, wherein the volume external to a transducer housing is a closed cavity located inside a housing. In this example, the hearing device800includes the acoustic transducer102, a housing802, and the acoustic valve108. The hearing device800differs from the previously illustrated examples of hearing devices in that the housing802has no opening which allows the acoustic valve108to be coupled to the effectively unbounded volume external to the housing, or the ambient atmosphere, when the hearing device108is at least partially inserted into the user's ear. Therefore, the housing802includes the acoustic transducer102with the sound port112acoustically coupled to the user's ear, an acoustic passage804leading from the vent port104of the acoustic transducer102to the first port152of the acoustic valve108, and a closed cavity806internal to the housing802which defines a larger unvented back volume808for the acoustic transducer102when the acoustic valve108is actuated to the open state. In this example, when the acoustic valve108is in the open state, the back volume116of the acoustic transducer102is effectively expanded to also include the volume defined by the closed cavity806, thereby resulting in a response that resembles a device with a larger back volume. The acoustic passage804also includes a damper156to smooth or otherwise shape the frequency response of the hearing device800.

FIG. 9shows a graph900depicting the change in a coupler response of the valve placed so as to allow back volume to communicate with a closed cavity, one example of which is illustrated inFIG. 8. The graph900compares a response902when the valve is closed and another response904when the valve is open. In this example, the hearing device has a new resonant frequency when the valve is in the open state, where an acoustic output of the hearing device is increased at frequencies less than the new resonant frequency when the valve is in the open state.

FIG. 10illustrates one example of a hearing device1000in which an acoustic valve is acoustically coupled to the front volume of an acoustic transducer via a vent port, and the volume external to a transducer housing is a closed cavity located inside a housing. In this example, the hearing device1000includes an acoustic transducer1002with a vent port1004, a housing1006, and the acoustic valve108. The housing1006includes the acoustic transducer1002with the sound port1010defined by a cover1009and a cup1011of the transducer housing1008. The sound port1010is acoustically coupled to the user's ear. The vent port1004is defined by the cover1009. A diaphragm1012of the acoustic transducer1002divides a volume inside the transducer housing1008into a back volume1014and a front volume1016. The housing1006also includes a closed cavity1018internal to the housing1006which is coupled to the front volume1020when the acoustic valve108is actuated to the open state, thereby resulting in a response that resembles a device with a larger front volume.

In this example, the closed cavity1018is located perpendicularly with respect to the cover1009of the transducer housing1008, however any other suitable configuration for the closed cavity1018may be employed. In this example, when the acoustic valve108is in the open state, the front volume1016of the acoustic transducer1002is effectively expanded to also include the volume defined by the closed cavity1018. The vent port1004includes a damper156to smooth or otherwise shape the frequency response of the hearing device1000.

FIG. 11shows a graph1100depicting the change in a coupler response of the valve placed so as to allow front volume to communicate with an additional closed volume inside the housing, one example of which is illustrated inFIG. 10. The graph1100compares a response1102when the valve is closed and another response1104when the valve is open. In this example, the hearing device has a resonant frequency when the valve is in the closed state. The resonant frequency is decreased when the valve is in the open state, and an acoustic output of the hearing device is decreased at frequencies higher than the new resonant frequency when the valve is in the open state.

Coupling the front volume to a closed cavity inside the housing lowers the resonant frequency and produces increased output in a band of frequencies about the new resonant frequency. The closed volume also prevents contaminants such as dirt, dust, water, or any foreign substance from entering the acoustic passage, thereby eliminating the need for a filter. The closed volume in this case reduces dramatic decreases in output in certain frequency ranges and prevents leakage of sound to the ambient space that might be sensed by microphones that are placed on or near the hearing device.

FIG. 12illustrates one example of a hearing device1200in which an acoustic valve is acoustically coupled to the front volume of an acoustic transducer via a vent port, and the volume external to a transducer housing is an effectively unbounded volume external to the housing, or the ambient atmosphere. In this example, the hearing device1200includes the acoustic transducer1002, a housing1202, and the acoustic valve108. The housing1202includes the acoustic transducer1002with the sound port1010defined by the cover1009and the cup1011of the transducer housing1008. The vent port1004is defined by the cover1009. A diaphragm1012of the acoustic transducer1002divides a volume inside the transducer housing1008into the back volume1014and a front volume1204. The housing1202also includes an acoustic passage1206in which the acoustic valve108is disposed. The acoustic passage1206defines a larger vented front volume1208for the acoustic transducer1002when the acoustic valve108is in the open state. As such, when the acoustic valve108is in the open state, the front volume1204is expanded to include the larger vented front volume1208, which is acoustically coupled to the effectively unbounded volume external to the housing, or the ambient atmosphere. The barrier154is additionally attached to the housing1202.

FIG. 13shows a graph1300depicting the change in a coupler response of the valve placed so as to allow front volume to communicate with effectively unbounded volume, one example of which is illustrated inFIG. 12. The graph1300compares a response1302when the valve is closed and another response1304when the valve is open. This example enables pass through of externally produced sounds, reduced occlusion for the user, and reduced acoustic output of the hearing device over a wide range of frequencies when the valve is in the open state. For example, the valve may be closed for listening to music and open when the user wishes to verbally communicate with a companion.

FIG. 14illustrates one example of a hearing device1400in which an acoustic valve is acoustically coupled to the front volume and the back volume of an acoustic transducer via two vent ports, and the volume external to a transducer housing is a closed cavity located inside the housing. In this example, the hearing device1400includes the acoustic transducer1402with a first vent port1404and a second vent port1406, a housing1408, and the acoustic valve108. The acoustic transducer1402includes a transducer housing1410, a sound port1412defined by a cover1411and a cup1413of the transducer housing1410, and a diaphragm1414which divides a volume inside the transducer housing1410into a back volume1416and a front volume1418. The front volume1418is coupled to the first vent port1404, and the back volume1416is coupled to the second vent port1406. The two vent ports1404and1406are defined by the transducer housing1410and connected to each other by an acoustic passage1420defined by the housing1408, where the acoustic valve108is disposed. The first port152of the acoustic valve108is coupled to the first vent port1404, and the second port1422of the acoustic valve108is coupled to the second vent port1406. The acoustic valve108also includes a damper156located by either the first port152or the second port1422to smooth or otherwise shape the frequency response of the hearing device1400. One of the advantages of this example is that when the acoustic valve108is actuated to the open state, the acoustic valve108can act as a high pass filter.

FIG. 15shows a graph1500depicting the change in a coupler response of the valve placed so as to allow front volume to communicate with back volume, one example of which is illustrated inFIG. 14. The graph1500compares a response1502when the valve is closed and another response1504when the valve is open.

FIG. 16illustrates one example of a hearing device1600in which an acoustic valve is acoustically coupled to the front and back volumes of an acoustic transducer via two vent ports, the volume external to a transducer housing is a closed volume located inside the housing defined by a long tube. In this example, the hearing device1600includes an acoustic transducer1602with a first vent port1604and a second vent port1606, a housing1608, and the acoustic valve108. The acoustic transducer1602includes a transducer housing1610, a sound port1612defined by a cover1611and a cup1613of the transducer housing1610, and a diaphragm1614which divides a volume inside the transducer housing1610into a back volume1616and a front volume1618. The front volume1618is coupled to the first vent port1604, and the back volume1616is coupled to the second vent port1606. The two vent ports1604and1606are defined by the transducer housing1610and connected to each other by an acoustic passage1620defined by a long tube1622in which the acoustic valve108is disposed. The long tube1622may be made of any suitable material including but not limited to plastic and metal, and the long tube1622may be part of the housing1608or implemented as a separate component, as appropriate. The first port152of the acoustic valve108is coupled to the first vent port1604, and the second port1422of the acoustic valve108is coupled to the second vent port1606. One of the advantages of this example is that the hearing device1600gets a second resonance by utilizing the long tube in forming the acoustic passage thereby increasing acoustic output at frequencies about the second resonance.

FIG. 17shows a graph1700depicting the change in a coupler response of the valve placed so as to allow front volume to communicate with back volume through a tube with an inner diameter of 1 millimeter and a length of 30 millimeters, one example of which is illustrated inFIG. 16. The graph1700compares a response1702when the valve is closed, a response1704when the valve is in a restrictive open state, and another response1706when the valve is in a less restrictive open state. Advantages for having these different restrictive open states include using the restrictive open state of the valve as a high pass filter and using the less restrictive open state of the valve to reduce music bass and increase speech intelligibility. The device may be configured to have three separate states or just two of the states shown inFIG. 17.

FIG. 18illustrates one example of a hearing device1800in which an acoustic valve is acoustically coupled to the back volume of an acoustic transducer via a vent port, and the volume external to a transducer housing is a closed volume integral to the acoustic valve. In this example, the hearing device1800includes the acoustic transducer102, a housing1802, and an acoustic valve1804. The diaphragm114divides a volume inside the transducer housing110into a back volume1805and the front volume118, with the front volume118acoustically coupled to the sound port112defined by the cover111and the cup113, and the back volume1805acoustically coupled to the vent port104defined by the cup113. The vent port104is acoustically coupled to a first port1808of the acoustic valve1804through an acoustic passage1806. In this example, a volume1810inside the acoustic valve1804is coupled to the back volume1805when the acoustic valve1804is in the open state.

Use of a valve with a large internal cavity in lieu of a separate cavity within the hearing device is not limited to embodiments where the valve is coupled to a back volume. InFIG. 18, the valve1804is coupled to the back volume1805and produces a similar result as the acoustic device ofFIG. 8where the valve108is coupled to the back volume116and an internal volume808of the cavity806. InFIG. 10, for example, the front volume1016may be coupled to a large internal cavity of an acoustic valve instead of the volume1020of cavity1018.

When the user prefers to change the acoustic characteristic of the hearing device, the acoustic valve included in the hearing device can be opened mechanically or electronically. If an electronic valve is employed, the opening and closing of the valve can be controlled by a variety of means including but not limited to user input to the hearing device, user input to a remote device, user input to a wired device, and decisions by algorithm in the device or in a connected device based on how the device is used. The connected device may be connected via a wire or may be wirelessly connected.

While the present disclosure and what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof has been described in a manner that establishes possession by the inventors and that enables those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the same, it will be understood and appreciated that there are many equivalents to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein and that myriad modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure, which is to be limited not by the exemplary embodiments but by the appended claims.