Patent Publication Number: US-2023164499-A1

Title: Pinnal device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to ear-worn devices. 
     Related Art 
     Medical devices have provided a wide range of therapeutic benefits to recipients over recent decades. Medical devices can include internal or implantable components/devices, external or wearable components/devices, or combinations thereof (e.g., a device having an external component communicating with an implantable component). Medical devices, such as traditional hearing aids, partially or fully-implantable hearing prostheses (e.g., bone conduction devices, mechanical stimulators, cochlear implants, etc.), pacemakers, defibrillators, functional electrical stimulation devices, and other medical devices, have been successful in performing lifesaving and/or lifestyle enhancement functions and/or recipient monitoring for a number of years. 
     The types of medical devices and the ranges of functions performed thereby have increased over the years. For example, many medical devices, sometimes referred to as “implantable medical devices,” now often include one or more instruments, apparatus, sensors, processors, controllers or other functional mechanical or electrical components that are permanently or temporarily implanted in a recipient. These functional devices are typically used to diagnose, prevent, monitor, treat, or manage a disease/injury or symptom thereof, or to investigate, replace or modify the anatomy or a physiological process. Many of these functional devices utilize power and/or data received from external devices that are part of, or operate in conjunction with, implantable components. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a first example, there is an apparatus comprising: a bone conduction actuator configured to conduct vibrations directly to a surface of a pinna when the apparatus is worn by a recipient, wherein the apparatus lacks a component configured to deliver vibrations to a non-pinnal surface. 
     In a second example, there is a system comprising: a bone conduction device having: a bone conduction actuator; and a single vibration transfer surface, wherein the vibration transfer surface is configured to conduct vibrations from the bone conduction actuator to a point of contact within a pinna when the bone conduction device is worn at least partially within the pinna. 
     In a third example, there is a method comprising: converting a sound signal to one or more control signals; transmitting the control signals to one or more actuators of a bone conduction device to cause the one or more actuators to deliver vibrations to a target location within a recipient’s concha, wherein none of the control signals based on the sound signal are transmitted to an actuator configured to deliver vibrations to a target location within a recipient’s ear canal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a first example system that includes an apparatus worn with respect to a recipient’s outer ear. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates the first example system with respect to a partial cross-section view of a recipient’s ear. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a second example system that includes an apparatus worn with respect to a recipient’s outer ear. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates the second example system with respect to a partial cross-section view of a recipient’s ear. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a third example system that includes an apparatus worn with respect to a recipient’s outer ear. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates the third example system with respect to a partial cross-section view of a recipient’s ear. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates methods of making and using a pinna device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Ear-worn devices can include consumer audio devices (e.g., earbuds and headphones) and medical devices, such as hearing aids and auditory prostheses. Recently, consumer bone conduction devices have been produced that deliver vibrations to a region beside the ear to cause hearing percepts without obstructing the ear canal. In addition, bone conduction auditory devices have been developed that deliver bone conduction vibrations directly into a recipient’s ear canal. For example, US 2010/0222639, which is entitled “HEARING DEVICE HAVING A NON-OCCLUDING IN THE CANAL VIBRATING COMPONENT” and which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for any and all purposes, describes, among other embodiments, a bone conduction hearing device having both a vibration transducer that is self-retained in an ear’s concha and a non-occluding in-the-canal vibration transducer assembly. 
     Disclosed examples include devices that are wearable at a recipient’s pinna. The devices can be sized and shaped to fit at a recipient’s pinna without entirely obstructing an ear canal proximate the pinna. Such an example implementation can be in contrast to typical consumer audio devices, which can be configured to be disposed at least partially within the ear canal to direct air-conducted audio signals through the ear canal to the ear drum. Devices that obstruct the ear canal can cause discomfort and impair the recipient’s ability to hear noises other than those produced by the device. 
     In an example, the device is provided in multiple different shapes and sizes to accommodate various pinnas. A device can be at least partially manufactured to fit a particular recipient. For instance, a 3D scan of the recipient’s outer ear can be performed and at least a portion of the device can be manufactured based on the scan. 
     In some implementations, disclosed devices can be configured to fit entirely or mostly within a recipient’s pinna. In some examples, no more than 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50% of the device is configured to extend outside of the pinna or outer ear in which the device is worn. In some examples, the device can include an extension that extends outside of the outer ear. The extension can extend away from a portion of the housing contained in the recipient’s outer ear. The extension can extend from the housing at a particular angle. For example, the angle can be configured such that the extension extends downward and/or forward from the recipient’s ear when the device is worn. The extension can take any of a variety of shapes and sizes. In an example, the extension is an elongate, cylindrical extension. While a cylindrical extension has been described, it should be appreciated that certain embodiments can also encompass housings/extensions of any suitable geometry. One or more of the components of the device (e.g., as described in more detail herein with respect to circuitry) can be housed in the extension. The extension can be integral with the housing and can be formed from a same material as the housing. In some implementations, at least some components (e.g., a battery) can be disposed in a behind-the-ear component coupled to the device. The connection can be made through a cable connection or via a rigid connection, among other connections. In other examples, devices can lack a behind-the-ear component or can function without a behind-the-ear component. 
     Disclosed devices can include circuitry for providing various features, such as stimulation and sensing. Components can be part of or connected to the circuitry, and the components can include a microphone, a sound processor, and a stimulator, among other components. In examples, the device can include a bone conduction actuator configured to deliver bone conduction vibration to the recipient to cause the recipient to experience an auditory percept. For example, the vibrations can be conducted to the recipient’s mastoid bone from a location in the recipient’s pinna (e.g., a concha thereof) in contact with a vibration transfer surface of the device. 
     The device can be configured to deliver bone-conduction vibrations directly to the recipient’s pinna. The device can be so configured by, for example, having a vibration transfer surface arranged on the device such that the surface is disposed within the pinna when the device is worn. The vibration transfer surface can be configured to directly contact and deliver vibrations directly to tissue of the recipient’s pinna when the device is worn. The vibration transfer surface can be coupled to a vibratory actuator, thereby configuring the actuator to deliver vibrations directly to the pinna. 
     The device can lack a component configured to deliver vibrations directly to a non-pinnal surface, such as the recipient’s ear canal, when the device is worn. For instance, the first tissue of the recipient to receive vibrations generated by the devices can be tissue of the pinna rather than tissue of the recipient’s ear canal. For example, the device can lack an in-canal portion that vibrates to deliver vibrations directly to the ear canal. In some examples, the device can lack a component configured to deliver vibrations to a non-pinnal surface. In some implementations, the device can be configured to directly deliver vibrations to the pinna with incidental vibrations being conducted to the ear canal via the recipient’s tissue. This can be in contrast to an alternative implementation, where a device is configured to deliver vibrations directly to the ear canal, with incidental vibrations being conducted to the pinna via the recipient’s tissue. 
     In some implementations, the device can lack a component that extends into the recipient’s ear canal. Thus, in contrast to apparatuses having components configured to conduct vibrations directly within the ear canal, certain implementations disclosed herein can lack such a feature. In-canal bone conduction can be unnecessary in certain circumstances, and entirely omitting an in-canal portion can make the device amenable to users that do not want a device within their ear canal. 
     In other implementations, the devices can include a projection configured to be inserted into the recipient’s ear canal. The projection can be configured to retain the device at the recipient’s pinna. Where the device includes an actuator configured to deliver vibrations to the recipient’s pinna, the projection may receive incidental vibrations from the actuator without the projection being configured to deliver vibrations. In some examples, the projection is arranged to resist vibration transfer or be vibrationally decoupled from the actuator. In some implementations, the device can include a projection into the ear canal that is not an in-canal bone conduction member (e.g., the projection can be a passive component lacking a vibrating actuator or the device’s vibration transfer surface is configured to be a surface other than a surface of the projection), which can make the configuration more amenable for use of the device for consumer electronics. Further, delivering vibrations via the ear canal can result in an undesirable tradeoff between comfort and vibration-transfer efficiency, where one is enhanced at the expense of the other. Certain components that encourage vibration transfer (e.g., hard components having a tight fit within an ear canal) can cause discomfort while components that encourage comfort in the ear canal (e.g., soft components) can fail to effectively transmit vibrations. Further, recipients may find vibration transfer via the ear canal to be uncomfortable. 
     In some implementations, the device (with or without a projection) can include a damper that resists the transfer of vibrations. In an example, the projection is or includes a damper that inhibits the transfer of vibrations to a recipient’s ear canal. 
     The device can be retained in the pinna based on its shape. For example, the shape can contribute to a friction fit or interference fit between the device and the structure of the pinna. In some examples, the device can be configured to be retained by slotting into a fold of a recipient’s ear. In addition or instead, the device can include a projection that extends into the recipient’s ear canal to retain the device. The projection can be a hollow tube in communication with an opening in the device to permit the ear canal to be substantially unobstructed. Further, the projection can be vibrationally-decoupled (e.g., using the damper) to permit retention while resisting vibration transfer. 
     Example implementations of the devices are shown and described in  FIGS.  1 - 6   , below. 
     First Example System 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a first example system  10  that includes an apparatus  100  worn with respect to a recipient’s outer ear.  FIG.  2    illustrates the first example system  10  with respect to a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a recipient’s ear. 
     The outer ear refers to the portion of the ear that includes the pinna (also known as the “auricle”) and ear canal up to the tympanic membrane (ear drum). The ear canal is the tube running from an opening defined by the pinna to the tympanic membrane though which sound can be transmitted. The pinna is the external portion of the ear, which includes every part of the outer ear except the ear canal. Typical pinnae include multiple portions, including the helix, the antihelix, triangular fossa, concha, tragus, antitragus, intertragic notch, and lobule, among others. The concha is the typically shell-shaped indention defined by the structure of the pinna that leads to the ear canal. The concha is typically bound by the tragus and anti-helix and connects to the mastoid bone. The concha includes two primary sections: the cymba and the cavum. The cymba corresponds to the upper portion of the concha and the cavum corresponds to the lower portion. The devices described herein can be configured to fit with respect to a recipient’s outer ear. 
     As illustrated, the apparatus  100  can include a housing  102  with circuitry  108  disposed therein. The housing  102  can be a wearable housing configured to be worn in the recipient’s pinna, such as by being shaped to fit within the pinna. In some examples, the housing is configured to be worn entirely within the recipient’s pinna. The housing  102  can be configured to be wearably retained by its fit within the pinna. The housing  102  can be so configured by being sized or shaped to be wearably retained by its fit within the pinna. The housing  102  can also be so configured by having one or more materials or retention features to facilitate retention. As an example, the housing  102  can include a portion sized and shaped to fit within the cymba and tuck under the antihelix to facilitate retention of the housing  102 . As another example, the housing  102  can include a pliable material or retention feature (e.g., a tab or hook) that grips one or more portions of the ear anatomy to retain the device relative to the ear. The housing  102  can be configured to be worn within a pinna without entirely obstructing an ear canal of the pinna, such as by defining an opening  104 . In the illustrated example, the apparatus  100  of system  10  lacks a component extending into the recipient’s ear canal. In some examples the housing  102 , when worn, attenuates or otherwise reduces a decibel level of ambient noise by less than approximately m decibels, where m is a value between 0 and 5 in steps of 0.1 (e.g., 0.1 dB, 0.2 dB, 0.3 dB, ..., 4.9 dB, 5 dB). 
     The opening  104  can be a region defined by the housing  102  and configured to permit sound to enter an ear canal proximate the pinna when the apparatus  100  is worn by the recipient. The opening  104  can take any of a variety of configurations. The opening  104  can be an absence of material extending entirely through the housing  102  from a first side of the housing (e.g., a side facing away from the ear when worn) to a second side of the housing (e.g., a side that faces the ear when worn). The opening  104  can be defined in any of a variety of ways. In the illustrated example, the opening  104  is surrounded by material of the housing  102 . In other examples, the opening  104  can be partially surrounded by the housing  102 . For instance, the housing  102  can be C-shaped or define a notch that corresponds to the opening  104  prevent the housing  102  from blocking the ear canal. The opening  104  can be defined at a location of the housing  102  such that when the housing  102  is worn, the opening  104  is disposed proximate the ear canal. The path of the opening  104  through the housing  102  can, but need not, be straight. The opening  104  can be completely open or be partially-covered with a grille or other structure. The opening  104  can be sized to correspond at least n% of a recipient’s ear canal (e.g., an ear canal of an average person), where n is an integer value between 0 and 300 (e.g., 1%, 2%, 3%, ..., 300%). 
     In the illustrated example, the apparatus  100  lacks a component configured to extend into a recipient’s ear canal when the apparatus  100  is worn. The apparatus  100  is configured to be used solely with the recipient’s pinna and not enter the ear canal. 
     As illustrated, the circuitry  108  can include or be connected to one or more of components from the group of: a bone conduction actuator  110 , a sensor  120 , a sound source  130 , a speaker  140 , a sound processor  150 , a transceiver  160 , and a power source  170 , other components, or combinations thereof. 
     The apparatus  100  can be a bone conduction device and include the bone conduction actuator  110 . The bone conduction actuator  110  can be a component configured to generate vibrations. The bone conduction actuator  110  can be configured to conduct the vibrations to a surface of a pinna (e.g., a surface of the concha of the pinna) when the apparatus  100  is worn by a recipient. The bone conduction actuator  110  can be configured to be disposed entirely within the pinna’s concha when the bone conduction apparatus  100  is worn by the recipient. The bone conduction actuator  110  can be implemented using any of a variety of different techniques to generate vibratory output. The bone conduction actuator  110  can be or include one or more piezoelectric or electro-magnetic transducers that cause a mass to vibrate. An example implementation of an actuator and associated components that can be adapted for use herein is described in US 10,477,331, which issued Nov. 12, 2019, and which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for any and all purposes. The bone conduction actuator  110  can be any suitable actuator. 
     The bone conduction actuator  110  can include or be connected to a vibration transfer surface  112  configured to contact a target location to which vibrations are to be transferred. For example, the target location can be a surface of the pinna, thereby resulting in vibrations generated by the bone conduction actuator  110  being conducted from the bone conduction actuator  110  to the pinna. In an example, the first tissue of the recipient that receives the vibrations from the bone conduction actuator  110  is tissue of the recipient’s pinna. The vibration transfer surface  112  can be configured to conduct vibrations from the bone conduction actuator  110  to a point of contact corresponding to a target location within a pinna when the apparatus  100  is worn at least partially within the pinna. For example, the vibration transfer surface  112  can be so configured by being disposed at a location of the housing  102  that will be disposed proximate a desired location within the pinna when the apparatus  100  is worn at the pinna. In an example, the point of contact is a portion of the pinna that is proximate the mastoid bone. The point of contact can be a portion of the concha, such as one or both of the cymba and cavum. The vibration transfer surface  112  can be integral with the housing  102 . For instance, the vibration transfer surface  112  can be a portion of the housing to which the bone conduction actuator  110  delivers vibrations for conduction to the recipient. In other examples, the vibration transfer surface  112  can be at least partially separate from the housing  102 . The vibration transfer surface  112  can be configured to resist transfer of vibrations to portions of the housing  102  (e.g., is vibrationally isolated from the housing  102 ). For example, the vibration transfer surface  112  can be separated from the housing  102  with an air gap, a material (e.g., a flexible material such as silicone forming a gasket or other configuration), or component (e.g., a spring) to resist vibration transfer from the vibration transfer surface  112  to adjacent portions of the housing  102 . In some implementations, the vibration transfer surface  112  is the sole vibration transfer surface  112  of the housing  102 . 
     The sensor  120  can be one or more sensing components configured to measure a state and produce a signal in response. The sensor  120  can take any of a variety of forms. The apparatus  100  can be a medical device and the sensor  120  can be a medical device sensor. The apparatus  100  need not be a medical device (e.g., the apparatus  100  can be a consumer electronics device) but the sensor  120  can still sense one or more attributes of the recipient wearing the apparatus. For instance, the sensor  120  can include one or more biosensors (e.g., heart rate or blood pressure sensors), otoacoustic emission sensors, EEG (electroencephalography) sensors, galvanic skin response sensors, temperature sensors, or other sensors. In an example, the sensor includes one or more location sensors, telecoils, light sensors, touch sensors, tap sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, piezoelectric sensors, or other kinds of sensors. The sensor  120  can include one or more components disposed within a housing  102  of the apparatus  100  as well as devices electrically coupled to the apparatus (e.g., via wired or wireless connections). The data produced by the sensor  120  can be stored in memory of the apparatus  100  for use by the recipient or a clinician. In examples, the data produced by the sensor  120  can be used to control functions of the apparatus  100 , such as the stimulation provided. 
     The sound source  130  can be a component configured to detect or receive sound signals and to generate electrical signals therefrom, such as signals that are representative of the detected sound signals. In some examples, the sound source  130  is one or more microphones. The sound source  130  can be disposed in or located outside of the apparatus  100  for sound input clarity. The sound source  130  can be or include a wireless data receiver configured to obtain, for example, audio data over a wireless transmission protocol, such as via an FM signal or BLUETOOTH. 
     The speaker  140  can be a component configured to generate audio signals using air conduction. The speaker  140  can be configured to generate audio based on signals from the sound processor  150 . 
     The sound processor  150  can be a component configured to obtain a sound signal and take one or more actions based thereon. For instance, the sound processor  150  can be configured to obtain a sound signal (e.g., from the sound source  130 ) and actuate one or both of the bone conduction actuator  110  and the speaker  140  based on the sound signal. The sound processor  150  can execute sound processing and coding to convert the input signals generated by the sound source  130  into output data signals that represent stimulation signals to cause actuation of the bone conduction actuator  110  or the speaker  140  for causing the recipient to experience an auditory percept. 
     The transceiver  160  can be one or more components configured to wirelessly receive or transmit signals (e.g., a power signal or a data signal). In an example, a power signal can be received to charge the power source  170 . In an example, a data signal is received by the transceiver  160  that causes actuation of one or both of the bone conduction actuator  110  and the speaker. Various types of signal transfer, such as electromagnetic, capacitive, and inductive transfer, can be used to usably receive or transmit the signal. The transceiver  160  can include or be electrically connected to one or more antennas  162  (e.g., in the form of a coil) for wireless transfer of power and data. In some examples, the transceiver  160  can be configured to communicate with an implanted medical device (e.g., an implanted auditory prosthesis), such as via an inductive connection. In examples, the transceiver  160  can be used to establish a communications link between the apparatus  100  and another device, such as a computer. The computer can be used to control functions of the apparatus  100 . 
     The power source  170  can be a component configured to operationally power one or more components of the system  10 . The power sources  170  can be or include one or more rechargeable batteries or capacitors. Power can be received from a source external to the system  10  and stored by the power source  170 . The power can then be distributed to the other components as needed for operation. 
     In some examples, the system  10  can further include a behind-the-ear device  200  configured to be worn behind or on an ear. The behind-the-ear device  200  can be sized and shaped to be worn on the recipient’s ear. A cable  210  can couple the behind-the-ear device  200  to the apparatus  100 . In various implementations, the behind-the-ear device  200  can include one or more of the components described above regarding the circuitry  108 . For example, the power source  170  and at least a portion of the circuitry  108  can be disposed in the behind-the-ear device  200 . 
     Second Example System 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a second example system  20  that includes an apparatus  300  worn with respect to a recipient’s outer ear.  FIG.  4    illustrates the second example system  20  with respect to a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a recipient’s ear. The apparatus  300  and system  20  can include one or more components of the apparatus  100  and system  10 . For example, as illustrated, the apparatus  300  includes a housing  102 , an opening  104 , circuitry  108 , and a behind-the-ear device  200 . The apparatus  300  further includes a projection  106  extending from the housing  102 . 
     The projection  106  can be a component configured to be inserted into an ear canal when the apparatus  300  is worn. The projection  106  can retain the housing  102  in position relative to the ear canal. The projection  106  can be a component extending from the housing  102 . The projection  106  can be a tubular structure extending from the housing  102  such that, when worn, the projection  106  aligns with the recipient’s ear canal. Where the housing  102  includes both the opening  104  and the projection  106 , the projection  106  can be defined with respect to the opening  104 . For example, the opening  104  can extend partially or entirely through the projection  106 . The projection  106  can be or include a tubular structure coaxial with the opening  104 . The projection  106  can be or include a pliable material to facilitate conformation with the ear canal anatomy the recipient. In some examples, the projection  106  can be a passive element that lacks an active transducer or vibration-delivery structure. 
     The projection  106  can include a collar  107  or another feature to facilitate retention of the projection  106  in the ear canal. The collar  107  can be a region of deformable material (e.g., foam or silicone) that, when inserted in the ear canal, compresses inward and exerts force radially outward against the ear canal. The force can contribute to retaining the housing  102  with respect to the ear canal and resisting removal. In some examples, one or both of the projection  106  and the collar  107  can be selected to suit the recipient’s ear canal, such as by having a suitable size or shape. In some examples, the apparatus can be provided with projections  106  or collars  107  of differing sizes from which the recipient can select to use with the apparatus  300 . In some examples, the projection  106  or collar  107  can be custom made for the recipient (e.g., based on a scan or mold taken of the recipient’s ear canal). 
     Third Example System 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a third example system  30  that includes an apparatus  500  worn with respect to a recipient’s outer ear.  FIG.  6    illustrates the third example system  30  with respect to a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a recipient’s ear. The apparatus  500  and system  30  can include one or more components of the apparatus  100 , apparatus  300 , system  10 , and system  20 . For example, as illustrated, the apparatus  500  includes a housing  102 , an opening  104 , a projection  106 , circuitry  108 , and a behind-the-ear device  200 . The apparatus  500  further includes one or more dampers  105 . 
     A damper  105  can be a component configured to resist transmitting vibrations, such as can be produced by the bone conduction actuator  110 . The one or more dampers  105  can disposed in any of a variety of locations. In some examples, a damper  105  can be disposed to resist the transmission of vibrations from the bone conduction actuator  110  to the sound source  130 . The illustrated example includes a damper  105  disposed between the vibration transfer surface  112  and a housing  102 . The illustrated example further includes a damper  105  to resist the transmission of vibrations to or through the projection  106 . The damper  105  or another component can vibrationally-decouple the projection  106  from one or more other components of the apparatus  500 . 
     The damper  105  can take any of a variety of forms. For instance, the damper  105  can be constructed to be an elastic, soft, flexible, non-rigid, gooey, and/or compliant component. In some examples, the damper  105  can be disposed such that the damper  105  extends at least partially into the ear canal when the apparatus  500  is worn. In some examples, the damper  105  can be disposed between the projection  106  and the ear canal so as to resist the transmission of vibrations from the projection  106  to the ear canal when the apparatus  500  is worn. In such an example, the damper  105  can be used to form the collar  107 . The disposition of the damper  105  in contact with the recipient’s ear canal (e.g., as opposed to a rigid material) can improve comfort for the recipient. In an example, the damper  105  can be formed as a suspension system. 
     The damper  105  can be configured to deliberately dampen, resist, inhibit, and/or attenuate vibration transfer through the damper  105 . The damper  105  can be configured to do so through its construction from particular materials. For example, the damper  105  can be constructed from polyurethane foam or silicone. The damper  105  can comprise a material having a durometer of less than about 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 15, or 10. In examples, the damper  105  can be configured to attenuate the vibrations by at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, or at least 70% (e.g., as measured via bench testing). For example, the attenuation can be measured by comparing an amount of vibrations transmitted through the damper  105  compared to an original amount of vibrations before the effect of the damper  105 . In some examples, the damper  105  can be replaceable by a user. 
     In some examples, the damper  105  can be a component of the projection  106 . In addition or instead, the projection  106  can be constructed in such a manner as to act as the damper  105 . For example, the projection  106  can be constructed from a material being configured to resist transmitting vibrations (e.g., a lightweight or soft material, such as polyurethane foam or silicone). Such materials can not only resist transmission but also be more comfortable to the recipient and aid in retaining the apparatus  500 . In some examples, the apparatus  500  can be arranged to resist the transmission of vibrations through the projection  106 . In some examples, the projection  106  can be vibrationally isolated by being connected to the housing  102  via a damper  105 . The damper  105  can be an area of material configured to resist transmission of vibrations across the damper  105 . The damper  105  can include one or more suspension springs, such as can couple the projection  106  to housing  102  in a vibrationally-decoupled manner. In an example, the projection  106  can be configured as an anchor (e.g., in the form of the collar  107 ) connected to the housing  102  via the damper  105 . In an example, the damper  105  connecting the projection  106  to the housing  102  can be in the form of a string or cable. 
     Example Methods 
       FIG.  7    illustrates an example methods  700 , which can include one or more methods for making a pinna device and one or more methods for using a pinna device. The pinna device can be part of a system, such as is shown in  FIGS.  1 - 6   . The method  700  can include any of a variety of operations. As illustrated, the method  700  can include operations  710 ,  720 ,  730 ,  735 , and  740 . Several of the operations are described in relation to a housing  102 , which can be the housing of a bone conduction device. 
     Operation  710  can include custom manufacturing a housing  102  to fit a recipient’s pinna. In an example, operation  710  can include molding some or all of the housing  102  to fit a recipient’s pinna. In an example, the operation  710  can include performing a scan (e.g., using a 3D scanning technique) of the recipient’s pinna and manufacturing the housing  102  based on the scan. In an example, the operation  710  can include forming a cymba region, a cavum region, an antitragus region, an intertragic notch region, a tragus region, a concha region, a triangular fossa region, other regions, or combinations thereof of the housing  102  based on the features of one or both of the recipient’s pinnae. Manufacturing the housing  102  to match the anatomy of the recipient’s pinna can enhance a connection between the housing  102  and the pinna, thereby contributing to strong fit and beneficial retention of the housing  102 . In some examples, operation  710  can further include custom manufacturing the projection  106 . For example, the operation  710  can include performing a scan of the recipient’s ear canal and manufacturing the projection  106  based thereon. 
     Operation  720  can include wearing the housing  102 . This operation  720  can include wearing the housing  102  at a recipient’s pinna. Where the housing  102  includes one or more tabs, hooks, springs, or other features to facilitate supporting the housing  102 , the operation  720  can include engaging such features to retain the housing  102  with respect to the recipient’s pinna. For example, wearing the housing  102  can include placing a tubular projection  106  of the housing  102  within a recipient’s ear canal (operation  722 ). The tubular projection  106  can be inserted into the recipient’s ear canal such that the weight of the housing  102  (and the components thereof) can be partially or wholly supported by the projection  106 . Wearing the housing  102  can include wearing the housing  102  without the housing  102  obstructing the recipient’s ear canal (operation  724 ). For example, when worn, the housing  102  can be disposed such that an opening  104  defined by the housing  102  is disposed proximate the recipient’s ear canal. Wearing the housing  102  can include placing the housing  102  entirely within the recipient’s concha (operation  726 ). In some examples, the housing  102  can be sized and shaped to be worn entirely within the concha without substantially protruding outside of the concha. 
     Operation  730  can include powering an actuator  110  from a power source  170  worn behind the recipient’s ear. The actuator  110  can be a bone conduction actuator  110  of the housing  102 . As described above, the apparatus  100  can include a behind-the-ear device  200  that includes circuitry  108  that can include a power source  170 . The power source  170  can operationally power one or more of the components within the housing  102 . 
     Operation  735  can include converting a sound signal to one or more control signals. The sound signal can be a representation of sound, such as may be produced by the sound source  130 . The control signal can be a signal configured to cause the bone conduction actuator  110  to actuate in a particular manner. For instance, the control signal can be configured to cause the bone conduction actuator  110  to generate vibrations configured to cause the recipient to experience a hearing percept representative of the sound signal. In an example, the sound signal can be produced as output from the sound source  130 , and the sound processor  150  can be used to convert the sound signal into the control signal. As another example, one or more of the techniques described in US 10,477,331, which was previously incorporated herein by reference, can be used to process the sound signal and generate the control signals. 
     Operation  740  can include transmitting the control signals to cause one or more actuators  110  to deliver vibrations to a target location. In an example, the target location can be a region of the recipient’s pinna, such as a region of the recipient’s concha. The vibrations can then be conducted away from the target location and cause the recipient to experience a hearing percept. In some examples, the target location is the first location of the recipient to which vibrations are directed. In at least some examples, none of the control signals based on the sound signal are transmitted to an actuator  110  configured to deliver vibrations to a target location within a recipient’s ear canal. 
     As should be appreciated, while particular uses of the technology have been illustrated and discussed above, the disclosed technology can be used with a variety of devices in accordance with many examples of the technology. The above discussion is not meant to suggest that the disclosed technology is only suitable for implementation within systems akin to that illustrated in the figures. In general, additional configurations can be used to practice the processes and systems herein and/or some aspects described can be excluded without departing from the processes and systems disclosed herein. 
     This disclosure described some aspects of the present technology with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which only some of the possible aspects were shown. Other aspects can, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein. Rather, these aspects were provided so that this disclosure was thorough and complete and fully conveyed the scope of the possible aspects to those skilled in the art. 
     As should be appreciated, the various aspects (e.g., portions, components, etc.) described with respect to the figures herein are not intended to limit the systems and processes to the particular aspects described. Accordingly, additional configurations can be used to practice the methods and systems herein and/or some aspects described can be excluded without departing from the methods and systems disclosed herein. 
     Similarly, where steps of a process are disclosed, those steps are described for purposes of illustrating the present methods and systems and are not intended to limit the disclosure to a particular sequence of steps. For example, the steps can be performed in differing order, two or more steps can be performed concurrently, additional steps can be performed, and disclosed steps can be excluded without departing from the present disclosure. Further, the disclosed processes can be repeated. 
     Although specific aspects were described herein, the scope of the technology is not limited to those specific aspects. One skilled in the art will recognize other aspects or improvements that are within the scope of the present technology. Therefore, the specific structure, acts, or media are disclosed only as illustrative aspects. The scope of the technology is defined by the following claims and any equivalents therein.