Behold, The Pinna
Pinnas are visible and cute (e.g., Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty and feature image). Historically, pinnas offered a popular form of corporal punishment and a quick sketch of evil-doers in 19th century German literature (“What big ears you have, Grandma”). And that’s about it.1
Audiologists tend to view the ear inside-out, focusing on inner ear sound processing functionality while middle ear functionality plays second fiddle. The two meatuses capture our attention only when their respective mechanical or electrical conduction is impeded by wax or space occupying lesion. Which leaves the poor pinna as a near orphan in the audiology household, despite its single-eared RIC-resuscitation of the hearing industry back in 2005 or so.2
Fig 1. Pinna innervation (from patent #10426945)
Not so in other professions, where the pinna holds its own, so to speak. Optometrist have relied on pinna-supported temples for modern eyeglasses for over 100 years. But it is the neurology of the pinna (Figure 1) that has elevated it from supporting role to star performer in bio-medicine:
“…the external ear is the only place on the surface of the body with afferent vagus nerve distribution that provides… somatic afferents from the ear to the spinal trigeminal nucleus, which, along with the principal trigeminal nucleus, is the main recipient of the trigeminal afferent system. The external ear is also innervated by trigeminal nerve fibres…which partially overlap with the vagus territory”
Besides its myriad neurological connectivity, pinna stimulation is safe, simple and convenient compared to invasive stimulation techniques. Tinnitus treatment via TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) has been used for years. Along the way, TENS effects on cognition, mood and state variables have surfaced, leading to the idea of Earable devices for all sorts of things, such as Thync Global’s patent 10426945 (see below) for a device that hearkens back to Lucite open earmolds of old and, paraphrasing the authors, modulates a subject’s cognitive state while functioning as audio headphone for audible signals such as music.
The October 2019 List
|
Description |
Patent Number |
Assignee |
Issued |
|
Methods and apparatuses for transdermal stimulation of the outer ear |
Thync Global Inc. (Los Gatos, CA) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Stimulation management |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Method of operating a hearing aid system and a hearing aid system |
Widex A/S (Lynge, DK) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Hearing system |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Methods and apparatus to assist listeners in distinguishing between electronically generated binaural sound and physical environment sound |
Applicants: Norris, Glen A (Tokyo, JP) & Lyren, Philip Scott (Bangkok, TH) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
In-ear listening device |
Apple Inc (Cupertino, CA) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Earbud stability anchor feature |
Apple Inc (Cupertino, CA) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Hearing augmentation systems and methods |
K/S HIMPP (Lynge, DK) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Audio processing device and a method for estimating a signal-to-noise-ratio of a sound signal |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Augmented hearing device |
Sonion Nederland B.V. (Hoofddorp, NL) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Eye-mounted hearing aid |
International Business Machines Corporation (Armonk, NY) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Hearing prosthesis accessory |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid comprising an indicator unit |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Consumer electronics device adapted for hearing loss compensation |
Jacoti BVBA (Boechout, BE) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Fitting method for a binaural hearing system |
Sonova AG (Stafa, CH) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Computer performance of executing binaural sound |
Applicants: Norris, Glen A (Tokyo, JP) & Lyren, Philip Scott (Bangkok, TH) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
System and method to capture image of pinna and characterize human auditory anatomy using image of pinna |
EmbodyVR Inc (San Mateo, CA) |
10/01/2019 |
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|
Earpiece life monitor with capability of automatic notification system and method |
Bragi GmbH (Munchen, DE) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Display screen with graphical user interface |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
10/01/2019 |
|
|
Methods and compositions for treating hearing disorders |
Gateway Biotechnology Inc. (Rootstown, OH) |
10/08/2019 |
|
|
Echo control in binaural adaptive noise cancellation systems in headsets |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
10/08/2019 |
|
|
Multimodal communication system using induction and radio and method |
Bragi GmbH (Munchen, DE) |
10/08/2019 |
|
|
Real-time voice paging voice augmented caller ID/ring tone alias |
Staton Techiya LLC (Delray Beach, FL) |
10/08/2019 |
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|
Comfort and high retention vibration and sound damping ear tips |
Conversion Sound Inc (Park Ridge, IL) |
10/08/2019 |
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|
Dynamically reactive, formable and wearable earpiece |
Intel Corporation (Santa Clara, CA) |
10/08/2019 |
|
|
Dosimetry hearing protection device with time remaining warning |
Honeywell International Inc (Morris Plains, NJ) |
10/08/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid with improved wireless communication |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
10/08/2019 |
|
|
Hearing assistance device with improved microphone protection |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
10/08/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid and earpiece |
Sivantos PTE. Ltd. (Singapore, SG) |
10/08/2019 |
|
|
Methods and systems for loading hearing instrument parameters |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
10/08/2019 |
|
|
Generating a sound localization point (SLP) where binaural sound externally localizes to a person during a telephone call |
Applicants: Lyren, Philip Scott (Bangkok, TH) & Norris, Glen A (Tokyo, JP) |
10/08/2019 |
|
|
Switching binaural sound |
Applicants: Lyren, Philip Scott (Bangkok, TH) & Norris, Glen A (Tokyo, JP) |
10/08/2019 |
|
|
Spatial audio processing emphasizing sound sources close to a focal distance |
Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Eindhoven, NL) |
10/08/2019 |
|
|
Pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing sensorineural hearing loss, containing cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist and ginkgo leaf extract |
Ajou University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation (Gyeonggi-Do, KR) |
10/15/2019 |
|
|
Noise level measurement with mobile devices, location services, and environmental response |
Plantronics Inc (Santa Cruz, CA) |
10/15/2019 |
|
|
Wireless microphone or wireless in-ear monitoring system |
Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG (Wedemark, DE) |
10/15/2019 |
|
|
Electromechanical transducer with mechanical advantage |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
10/15/2019 |
|
|
Selective sound field environment processing system and method |
Bragi GmbH (Munchen, DE) |
10/15/2019 |
|
|
Antenna for a hearing assistance device |
Widex A/S (Lynge, DK) |
10/15/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid system with an aligned auditory perception |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
10/15/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid with a flexible compression element |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
10/15/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid adapted for embedded electronics |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
10/15/2019 |
|
|
Methods and devices for correct and safe placement of an in-ear communication device in the ear canal of a user |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
10/15/2019 |
|
|
Switching binaural sound |
Applicants: Lyren, Philip Scott (Bangkok, TH) & Norris, Glen A (Tokyo, JP) |
10/15/2019 |
|
|
Pair of cat ear headphones |
Shenzhen Thousandshores Technology Co. Ltd (Shenzhen, CN) |
10/15/2019 |
|
|
Automatic determination of the threshold of an evoked neural response |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
10/15/2019 |
|
|
Integrated implantable hearing device, microphone and power unit |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
10/15/2019 |
|
|
Wearable earpiece voice command control system and method |
Bragi GmbH (Munchen, DE) |
10/22/2019 |
|
|
Method and apparatus for using hearing assistance device as voice controller |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
10/22/2019 |
|
|
In-the-ear device |
Sony Corporation (Tokyo, JP) |
10/22/2019 |
|
|
Wireless earpiece with force feedback |
Bragi GmbH (Munchen, DE) |
10/22/2019 |
|
|
Apparatus and methods for bone conduction context detection |
Intel Corporation (Santa Clara, CA) |
10/22/2019 |
|
|
Binaural measurement system |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
10/22/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid system and a method of operating a hearing aid system |
Widex A/S (Lynge, DK) |
10/22/2019 |
|
|
Wireless body worn personal device with loss detection functionality |
Sonova AG (Stafa, CH) |
10/22/2019 |
|
|
Signal amplifier |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
10/22/2019 |
|
|
Devices for enhancing transmissions of stimuli in auditory prostheses |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
10/22/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid allowing self-hearing test and fitting, and self-hearing test and fitting system using same |
The Yeolrim Co Ltd (Seoul, KR) |
10/22/2019 |
|
|
Auditory prosthesis system including sound processor and wireless module for communication with an external computing device |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
10/29/2019 |
|
|
Utilization of an extended inter-pulse interval in a modified continuous interleaved stimulation strategy |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
10/29/2019 |
|
|
Earpiece with biometric identifiers |
Bragi GmbH (Munchen, DE) |
10/29/2019 |
|
|
Hearing protection system with own voice estimation and related methods |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
10/29/2019 |
|
|
Method of detecting a defect in a hearing instrument, and hearing instrument |
Sivantos PTE. Ltd. (Singapore, SG) |
10/29/2019 |
|
|
Hearing aid and hearing aid dual use dongle |
III Holdings 4 LLC (Wilmington, DE) |
10/29/2019 |
|
|
Listening device with automatic mode change capabilities |
III Holdings 4 LLC (Wilmington, DE) |
10/29/2019 |
|
|
Method for operating a hearing apparatus, and hearing apparatus |
Sivantos PTE. Ltd. (Singapore, SG) |
10/29/2019 |
|
|
Personal communication device having application software for controlling the operation of at least one hearing aid |
Widex A/S (Lynge, DK) |
10/29/2019 |
|
|
System, hearing aid, and method for improving synchronization of an acoustic signal to a video display |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
10/29/2019 |
|
|
Connector for a hearing instrument and hearing instrument |
Sivantos PTE. Ltd. (Singapore, SG) |
10/29/2019 |
|
|
Speech processor headpiece |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
10/29/2019 |
|
|
Elastomeric wax barrier for hearing aid acoustic port |
Starkey Laboratories Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
10/29/2019 |
|
|
Short range audio transmitter |
Widex A/S (Lynge, DK) |
10/29/2019 |
Footnotes
1 The things you learn while patent search – for example, who knew that modern diapers have left and right ears?
2 Orphan indeed. The History of Hearing Aids page on Wikipedia doesn’t even acknowledge the invention of RICs as part of the evolution of hearing aids, which is a curious oversight in this author’s opinion.
Holly Hosford-Dunn, PhD, owned and operated a dispensing audiology practice in Tucson and was active in management of HearingHealthMatters.org through 2017. She holds BA degrees in Communication Sciences, Psychology and Economics; MA in Communication Disorders; PhD in Hearing Sciences. Following post-doctoral work at Max Planck Institute (Munich, DE) and Eaton-Peabody Auditory Physiology Lab (Boston), she joined the Stanford medical school faculty as director of audiology. She has authored/edited numerous text books, chapters, journals, and articles and taught Marketing and Practice Management in a variety of academic settings. She continues to consult and write on topics related to hearing health care vis-à-vis consumer demands, professional training, technological advancement, capital investment, industry consolidation, regulatory control, product and service distribution, and strategic pricing
